Irish Wolfhound Association of the Carolinas
N. Carolina, S. Carolina, Virginia, and W. Virginia
(Rescue support extends into Georgia, Florida, Alabama, and Mississippi)
Irish Wolfhound Events
Come Meet the Breed
As responsible owners, we believe in educating ourselves and the public about the Irish Wolfhound. Every time an owner is in public with their dogs, they are approached by people who want to know more and meet the hounds. Below are examples of previous events we've participated in to help educate the public on the breed.
If you are interested in the opportunity to meet Irish Wolfhounds and talk to their owners, check out our ongoing schedule of upcoming events by clicking on the "Upcoming Events" tab located beneath the "Events" tab above, or click HERE!
You can also keep up to date on scheduled events by joining our Facebook group, "Irish Wolfhound Association of the Carolinas."
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St. Patrick's Day Parades
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​Every March the entire southeast comes out for the "Wearin' o' the Green." Our Irish Wolfhounds are no different, and are an integral part of many of the community celebrations. Club members and their wolfhounds have led the Raleigh Saint Patrick's Day Parade for over 15 years. Members and their wolfhounds also participate in parades in Charlotte, NC; Charleston and Greenville, SC; Norfolk, VA; and Savannah, GA. St. Patrick's Day Parades in the region draw tens of thousands of people into their downtown areas.
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Celtic Festivals
and Irish Festivals
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Club members and their wolfhounds attend numerous Irish and Celtic Festivals throughout our region. We are proud of our reputation as ambassadors of the breed and truly enjoy getting to meet and interact with the public, while sharing the magic of the Irish Wolfhound.
Some of the events we attend annually include Asheville Celtic Festival, in Asheville, NC; Irish Fest Camden, in Camden, SC; Olde Dominion Medieval Faire in Moneta, VA; Savannah Irish Festival in Savannah, GA; Richmond Highland Games in Richmond, VA; and Montpelier Celtic Festival in Montpelier, VA. Check out our Upcoming Events schedule and plan to take advantage of the opportunity to meet our wolfhounds up close and personal and to ask questions and learn more about this magnificent breed.
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Irish Wolfhound Specialty Show​
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A Specialty is a conformation show limited to one specific breed. In September, 2023, Irish Wolfhound Association of the Carolinas (IWAC) held their inaugural Irish Wolfhound Specialty in Raleigh, NC. This first show was held in conjunction with the September Labor Day Cluster, and the club was graciously hosted by the Durham Kennel Club. IWAC now holds annual specialties which are announced on this Website and also on the IWAC Facebook page.
A specialty is a fantastic opportunity to see a large gathering of Irish Wolfhounds, plus meet and mingle with owners and responsible breeders. Irish Wolfhound Specialties are open to the public and we love to see spectators out in support of the breed.
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Irish Cultural Events
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On July 18, 2015 IWAC members and friends participated in the inaugural opening ceremonies for the first Virginia Coastal Cup for Hurling and Camogie in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Event organizers wanted irish cultural touches for the teams who were participating. We had an educational tent and 16 hounds and owners participating. Photo at left courtesy of Erin Morrissey.
IWAC members and friends also were invited to attend the Winston-Salem Wolfhounds
Gaelic Football Cup on July 25, 2015 for the first time also In between matches, we met
the teams and their families and answered questions with the
hounds, followed by a team picture. After, all retired to the
Foothills Tasting Room where we met more of the public,
answered questions about the breed, and posed for pictures.
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Photo courtesy of Rebecca O'Donovan
AKC
Responsible Dog Ownership Day
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Held in the Holhouser Building at the NC State Fairgrounds in Raleigh, IWAC members and friends have a table at this educational event for the day where the public and meet and greet the breed in person, ask questions, and pick up literature on irish wolfhounds. Each year the Responsible Dog Ownership Day is held on the first or second Saturday in September. For a schedule of events, go to: http://www.akc.org/events/responsible-dog-ownership-days/raleigh-flagship-event/