A sunny day, lots of good cattle, keen competition in the judging ring and honours spread round fairly evenly – this was the scene at Castlewellan show last Saturday as the N I Limousin Cattle Club and the Irish Limousin Society joined together to stage a unique event – a Show of Young Limousin Heifers and Bulls made up of animals pre-qualified and drawn from both the North and South of the island of Ireland.

And what a show it was.  A total of thirteen heifers and twelve bulls had qualified and, in spite of some fairly stringent rules imposed by the animal health authorities, the parades in front of Scottish Judge Mr Archie McGregor were sensational and very much appreciated by the huge crowd – three and four deep round the ring – who were clamouring to have a look at some of the best beef cattle to be found anywhere in Ireland – or further afield, for that matter.

The Business end !Archie McGregor (judge) in deep study assessing the bull line up

Many of the spectators were keen to see how the cattle in one part of the country sized up against the others and there was also much general interest in breeding lines.  The final line up resulted in splitting of the accolades with the south winning the Heifer Derby and the north winning the Bull Derby.  The shield for the club or society gaining most points went to the Northern Ireland Limousin Club.

There were Limousin cattle from Carnlough and from Cork, from Meath and Maghera, from Clare and Cullyhanna, from Tyrone and Toomebridge, and Antrim and Ardnacrushna and many miles had been travelled to bring them to Castlewellan.  Was their journey really necessary?  Well, it all depends on your point of view but  Irish Limousin breeders have strong desire to show the world that the quality of stock here is on a par – or better – than in Britain or France or anywhere else and the promotional benefits of showing a an event like this far outweigh the time and distance elements.
 

The Champion Heifer title went to Millbrook Ainsi 2 a Mas du Clo daughter from prolific cow Millbrook Monique from well known breeder William Smith, Millbrook, Oldcastle, Co. Meath while following her was another Meath Heifer Curraghree Amazing from Pat Phelan, Drumree, Co. Meath with his Grahams Samson heifer.

The Champion Bull title went to James McKay, Maghera with his Sympa son out of Ultra while hot on his heels was the husband & wife team of James & Allison Callion with their Rocky son out of Lyvennet Paris.

Millbrook Ainsi 2 – All Ireland Heifer Champion 2007 with (l-r) William Smith (owner), Cormac McKervey & Ann Calwell of sponsors Ulster Bank. Kneeling with Champions Plaque is John Smith.

Curraghree Amazing – All Ireland Heifer Runner Up 2007 with (l-r) Pat Phelan (owner), Cormac McKervey of sponsors & Archie McGregor (judge).  In front, David Oliver & Ann Calwell of sponsors Ulster Bank.

Ampertaine Bravo – All Ireland Bull Champion 2007 with (l-r) Barney O’ Kane (handler), James McKay (owner) & Archie McGregor (judge) kneeling Meryvn Owens of sponsors IAWS Northern Ireland

Ashhallow Bombshell – All Ireland Bull Runner Up 2007 with owners James & Allison Callion (owners), Archie McGregor (judge) & Meryvn Owens of sponsors IAWS Northern Ireland

Judging results:

Heifer Derby Place: Name: Sire: Dam: Exhibitor: 1st Millbrook Ainsi 2 Mas Du Clo Millbrook Monique William Smith 2nd Curraghree Amazing Grahams Samson Curraghree Mercedes Pat Phelan 3rd Kendrom Betty Jockey Kendrom Utha David Kenwell 4th Clydevalley Apricot Ronick Gains Clydevalley Nighingale RS Clyde 5th Annadale Beauty Nenuphar Bernish Serena Christopher Murray 6th Kendrom Beauty Broadmeadows Cannon Ronick Unicer David Kenwell

Bull Derby Place: Name: Sire: Dam: Exhibitor: 1st Ampertine Bravo Sympa Ultra James McKay 2nd Ashhallow Bombshell Rocky Lyvennet Paris Mr & Mrs J Callion 3rd Ballyrobin Bestmate Nector Ballyrobin Savonnah Miss J Gilliland 4th Fedneyhouse Brandy ULM Lumbylaw Nellie J. Adams 5th Carmorn Bush Grahams Unbeatable Carmorn Ulrika Francis McAuley 6th Moloskey Bernard Moloskey Showman Ardlea Maura Brendan Clancy

Michelle Gildernew MP MLA (Minister for Agriculture) with winners, judge & sponsors in front of the winning pair & the beautiful Castlewellan Castle in the background.

Back to top >>>

• Shows 2011
• Shows 2010
• Shows 2009
• Shows 2008
• Shows 2007
• Shows 2006
• Shows 2005

© Irish Limousin Cattle Society Limited

Tel: 353 (0)25-85036

Fax: 353 (0)25-85060

Email: admin@irishlimousin.com