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Boorowa is about 330 km south-west of Sydney, and is located south of Cowra and north of Yass. It is a rural town located on the south west slopes in the Hilltops Council local government area. Boorowa is within the lands of the Ngunawal people. The name ‘Burrowa’ derives from the local language and is thought to refer to a native bird. The district has a population of about 2,000 people.

Boorowa was settled by Irish ticket-of-leave men in the early 1800s, and the town is proud of its Irish heritage. There are Shamrock historic walking trails, and in October there is an annual Irish Woolfest with the Running of the Sheep. There are galleries, cafes, an art and craft co-op, museum and river walks for tourists to enjoy and explore. You can read more about the town’s Irish connections here.

I came across Boorowa quite by chance earlier on the year. I was returning from a trip to Young, and took a detour at an intersection as the town wasn’t too far away and I thought it would be good to stretch my legs before continuing on my way. I’m glad I took the detour.

Built in 1884, the Court House in Boorowa was designed by James Barnet, Colonial Architect of New South Wales. It is now home to the Visitor Information Centre, and remains one of the landmarks of the town.

Across the road from St Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church is the old Boorowa Convent. Built between 1882 and 1885, it provided accommodation for the Irish based Sisters of Mercy working as teachers at St Josephs School (located next door). The order departed in 1987, and it is now a private residence.

The Boorowa Hotel was constructed in 1880, and was originally called the Royal Standard Hotel. It was the last hotel to be built in Boorowa. In the foreground are some of the sheep which are part of Boorowa’s ‘Sheep Art Trail’. Local artists were invited to paint designs on life-size resin sheep, which are dotted around the town and surrounding villages. I came across a few in my walk through the town.

With its rich history and rejuvenating streetscapes, Boorowa is an interesting place to visit.

Photo: ‘Technicolour’, painted by Alison Packwood as part of the Sheep Art Trail