Forget everything you've ever heard about sheep being stupid. They're not. At least, not in Co Donegal. Even those who never have a good word to say about the woollies would have to concede sheep can have their moments. And at the 33rd annual Clonmany Agricultural Show at Ballyliffin, Co Donegal, at the northern point of the Inishowen peninsula, yesterday, several sheep displayed instances of rare cunning. Some even looked slightly amused.

But such is the appeal of the sheepdog - hardworking, faithful, lively and good-natured - that there was no mistaking that as far as the crowd was concerned the sheep were the enemy and the dogs all heroes.

Despite overcast conditions and suggestions of rain throughout the day, the expected tempest never arrived. Instead, the showground area, contained within the natural bowl created by mountains, remained busy and constantly offered diversions. These ranged from mysterious Rose, the soothsayer, who sat in a trailer to the Wellington-boot-throwing competition, to the hoof-paring demonstration, to the children's pet competition - won by a pair of ferrets as tame as turtle-doves.

The Clonmany show dates from 1954. With some gaps caused by organisational difficulties in the early years, it has continued ever since, attracting visitors from all over the county and, judging by the variety of accents, people from all over Ireland and elsewhere. Even with the up-to-date equipment on show and topical themes such as Pokemon, the Simpsons and 101 Dalmatians, the show still retains a relaxing old-world feel. It could be Ireland from the 1950s.

The bouncing castles were busy and the children involved in running races, but the general attention remained firmly fixed on the sheepjudging and the various classes ranging from blackfaced mountain ewe lamb and rams to cross-bred ewe border Leicester to Suffolk sheep - be they ewe, ram or lamb - to the horses and, above all, the dazzling sheepdogs.

The experienced shepherds were initially wary. Sheep become easier as the day goes on. Judging by the friskiness of some of the sheep quartets coming into the field, the dogs were being challenged. Followers of the TV programme One Man and His Dog knew what to expect. The shepherd, crook in hand, whistling or shouting his commands, invariably looks concerned while the dog works, beginning his approach with a wide run, ever-narrowing its circle around the sheep.

The objective is to pen them. A couple of tourists , however, made their lack of rudimentary knowledge obvious. "But there's only four sheep," exclaimed a woman with expensive binoculars and new green wellies. "I thought there'd be a flock or, well more than a few." But most of the onlookers were knowledgeable; and many of them not only knew the shepherds, they knew the names of the individual collies.

Dog after dog came onto the field, each displaying an eagerness and an interest. There were more border than rough collies at work yesterday. Even when the sheep proved most troublesome - such as one adventurous pair which jumped into the announcer's van - most of the dogs retained a sense of perspective.

The shepherds revealed more temperament. One man who had impressed as being poker-faced in the extreme, eventually became a vivid study in exasperation. His dog looked sympathetic.

A quartet of sheep entered with all the self-possession of a corps de ballet. The four could have been preparing to dance Swan Lake, but the deceptively young shepherd facing them had such presence that the sheep heaved a collective sigh which seemed to express their understanding that they had no option but to co-operate with the youth's happy scrap of a dog.

Also competing in the open class was Michelle McGoldrick, the winner of the young handlers' class in last year's One Man and His Dog competition held in Wales. She has been herding for three years and her dog, Jess, had no doubts as to her worth.

Watching the proceedings with an expression of intense interest was a fine old dog who sat for much of the afternoon with his paw on my foot. Clever, obedient, full of curiosity and intent, these working dogs in general shared the slick movements of a skilled pickpocket. But one of the most impressive had to be Nap, a collie with the stride of a 400-metre hurdler and the poise of a ballerina.

His owner, William, was about as laid back as a skilled and efficient shepherd could be. Watching the pair was to see two artists at work.

There is no doubting that Co Donegal's sheep are a game crew and certainly know how to give good dogs a run for their money, while the dogs themselves are true entertainers. Elsewhere, the home industries tent proved the scene of many triumphs. Patchwork quilts and dolls were among the prizewinners, while the bakery section confirmed again and again that there really is nothing like a good home-baked cake.