“Roscommon County Council would ask groups or organisations using the Roscommon crest to bear in mind the historical reason as to why a sheep is represented on the Roscommon crest. People should take cognisance of the appearance of the sheep and reflect it as accurately as possible to that of the Roscommon sheep breed.”

The meetings Administrator read the following reply:

This motion requires a Resolution of the Council.

Moving the motion, Cllr Waldron welcomed representatives of the Roscommon Sheep Breeders Association present in the public gallery at the meeting – Donal Mee, Sandra Coote, Fergus Moffatt and Sean Flanagan. He said that many representations of a sheep on Roscommon crests were of a black faced or horned type sheep, which was not representative of the local sheep breed. There is huge potential to develop the Roscommon sheep breed, not only for farmers, but also for crafters. He said the association were active and met in Tulsk on a regular basis with the desire to revive popularity in the Roscommon sheep breed.

Cllr Liam Callaghan said the Roscommon sheep breed could be traced back to the 1800’s. He commended the work of the Association and appealed for all Roscommon crests to feature the white faced version of the Roscommon sheep breed.

Cllr L. Fallon said the association were committed to reviving the Roscommon sheep breed and their efforts should be recognised in the correct type of sheep breed being showcased on all Roscommon county crests. In the past, the Councillor said the breed was exported to Australia and were recognised for their wool and meat qualities.

Cllr T. Ward said it was important the county was not promoting a breed of sheep that didn’t belong to the county. Cllr N. Dineen said all county Roscommon crests should feature the correct Roscommon sheep breed.

Cllrs P. Fitzmaurice, D. Kilduff and V. Byrne all supported the notice of motion.

Chief Executive Shane Tiernan said it was imperative Roscommon County Council uses the correct county crest, which it had been doing. He informed members that the crest was officially adopted through the Irish Heraldry Office in 1961.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Waldron

SECONDED by Cllr Callaghan

It was AGREED that Roscommon County Council would ask groups or organisations using the Roscommon crest to bear in mind the historical reason as to why a sheep is represented on the Roscommon crest. People should take cognisance of the appearance of the sheep and reflect it as accurately as possible to that of the Roscommon sheep breed.”