Doria Hill, manager of the Northern Bank in Larne, hands over a sponsorship cheque to the treasurer of the Cairncastle Sheepdog Society,  Robert Stewart. Also pictured are Susan Kelly, the assistant Secretary of the Northern Ireland Sheepdog Society and Campbell Tweed and Willie McWhirter from the Cairncastle Sheepdog Society. Picture: Larne Times archivesDoria Hill, manager of the Northern Bank in Larne, hands over a sponsorship cheque to the treasurer of the Cairncastle Sheepdog Society,  Robert Stewart. Also pictured are Susan Kelly, the assistant Secretary of the Northern Ireland Sheepdog Society and Campbell Tweed and Willie McWhirter from the Cairncastle Sheepdog Society. Picture: Larne Times archives
Doria Hill, manager of the Northern Bank in Larne, hands over a sponsorship cheque to the treasurer of the Cairncastle Sheepdog Society, Robert Stewart. Also pictured are Susan Kelly, the assistant Secretary of the Northern Ireland Sheepdog Society and Campbell Tweed and Willie McWhirter from the Cairncastle Sheepdog Society. Picture: Larne Times archives

IN PICTURES: Bygone Days – Faces from Cairncastle Sheepdog Trials in September 2007

After a short break the Farming Life picture specials from the archives are back.

Here is another selection of old photographs, these are all from the Cairncastle Sheepdog Trials in September 2007.

See who you might see from days gone by.

Do you have an old photograph that you would like to share? Email: [email protected].

From the archives – We have come across this interesting report titled Cairncastle Sheepdog Society ends after eight decades from the Larne Times dated January 12, 2018 which reported the sad demise of the Cairncastle Sheepdog Society which had held its last trial in 2015 despite an entry of more than 70 dogs.

Chairman and farmer Campbell Tweed explained the decision had been prompted by the loss of the competition field and the society’s ageing membership.

Mr Tweed said that the sheepdog trials which had been held annually in Cairncastle in September had been a popular fixture with competitors travelling from across Northern Ireland and south of the border as well as a “good contingent” from Scotland.

“Since I was a youngster, it was one of the highlights of the year. In those days, when it was held on the second Tuesday in September, there was a combination of business people involved when Tuesday was half day closing in Larne town centre,” said Mr Tweed.

“It was always something to look forward to. In those days, the manager of the Northern Bank would have organised a function for local farmers, a dinner at the Drumnagreagh Hotel would be held before the trial. Jim Morrow would have written a poem mentioning some of the local guys.

“Cairncastle was always a popular trial. It was a good course and had a reputation for being fairly run and judged. It was one of the premier trials in the country.”

Mr Tweed said that the society’s trophies will be donated to Larne Museum.