The first-ever national show of Aberdeen-Angus calves at Carrick-on-Shannon last Saturday (October 7) attracted an outstanding entry of more than 100 calves from herds throughout the Republic of Ireland.

The show was held as part of a three-day herd tour organised by the Connaught/Leinster Aberdeen-Angus Club which was attended by 80 Aberdeen-Angus enthusiasts from Scotland, England, Northern Ireland, Denmark and Czech Republic.

“The tour provided an ideal opportunity to promote the Aberdeen-Angus breed in Ireland to a wider public and the show of calves was undoubtedly the highlight,” said club chairman, Jim Mulvey, Ballinwing, Leitrim.

Minister of State for Agriculture and Food, Brendan Smith, TD, attended the show and warmly congratulated Aberdeen-Angus breeders for their positive contribution to the Irish beef industry.

“Aberdeen-Angus breeders by their adoption of progressive breeding programmes play a huge role in the production of quality beef for the discerning consumer and for Ireland’s important export market,” said Mr Smith.

The show also drew warm praise from the Scottish judge, Hamish Sclater, owner of the Deveron herd in Aberdeenshire, who said the top cattle in each of the 10 classes were outstanding and a credit to the breed in Ireland.

“It was a great honour to judge the show and I was greatly impressed with the cattle paraded before me,” said Mr Sclater. “The Aberdeen-Angus breed in Ireland is obviously in good heart and Irish breeders are making real progress in producing the type of cattle required to meet the expanding world-wide market for quality Aberdeen-Angus beef.”

Mr Sclater found both his bull calf champion and reserve in what he described as the strongest class in the show. The champion, he said, was a “very natural bull with great potential.”

This was the April-born Drumcarbin Lord Helix F055, by Drumcrow Lord Huston D037, shown by Shane McKiernan, Lacken Lower, Ballinagh, Co Cavan.

Reserve was another April-born calf, Shankill Lord Honarch F508, by the prolific AI sire, Fordel Eisenhower Y423, from veteran breeder, Pat Cahill, Shankill Lower, Cavan.

Brothers John and Michael Lynch, Portauns, Kilmallock, Co Limerick, scored a notable triumph in the heifer calf classes, winning the championship with another calf by the Fordel sire, the 11 month old, Portauns Black Beatrice E267, out of their foundation cow, Black Orchid of Ballyguile. “A very smart and well balanced heifer,” said the judge.

Reserve champion was a Janaury-born calf, Santanna Chrystal, by the Danish-bred sire, Nakkeg Nord 913, shown by Anne Shryane, Rooskey, Ballaghaderreen, Co Roscommon.

Class results –

Heifer (Sept 1 – Oct 31, 2005) – 1 John and Michael Lynch’s Portauns Black Beatrice E267; 2 Dunlever Pedigree Herds’ Dunlever Pauline E168; 3 Joseph McCormack’s Steil Briget; 4 Joe and Malachy Tighe’s Tara Beauty E368.

Bull (Sept 1 – Oct 31, 2005) – 1 G and J Reynolds’ Bunlahy Bandit E185; 2 Matthew Goulding’s Darima Blackmagic; 3 Tom Reynolds’ Knockdrinan Bell Man E345.

Heifer (Nov 1 – Dec 31, 2005) – 1 Pauline Casey’s Clogagh Beauty; 2 G and J Reynolds’ Bunlahy Petrina E188; 3 Pat Cahill’s Shankill Maiden E029; 4 John Farrell’s Dillon Bettie.

Bull (Nov 1 – Dec 31, 2005) – 1 Matthew Goulding’s Darima Billy Boy; 2 B and J McEnroe’s Liss Benny E695; 3 Pat Cahill’s Shankill Music E496; 4 Angela Armstrong McFadden’s Crerogue Emlyn E170.

Heifer (Jan 1 – Feb 28, 2006) – 1Anne Shryane’s Santanna Chrystal; 2 B and J McEnroe’s Liss Bett F705; 3 Matthew Goulding’s Darima Cherry Blossom; 4 Patrick Regan’s Loughglynn Lover F098.

Bull (Jan 1 – Feb 28, 2006) – 1 Tom Reynolds’ Knockadrinan Bellman F361; 2 Michael Shanley’s Cannon Park Bellman F165; 3 John and Michael Lynch’s Portauns Veisenhower F269; 4 John Mullooly’s Lavally Lord Jerome F178.

Heifer (Mar 1 – April 30, 2006) – 1 Donal Spring’s Aughnamona Positrendy F196; 2 Patrick Regan’s Loughglynn Lilian F100; 3 B and J McEnroe’s Liss Dina F746; 4 R M Crowe’s Broomstreet Ella F079.

Bull (Mar 1 – April 30, 2006) -1 Shane McKiernan’s Drumcarbin Lord Helix F055; 2 Pat Cahill’s Shankill Lord Honarch F508; 3 Matthew Goulding’s Darima Eamonn F255; 4 Faughnan family’s Molly Lord Hardy F037.

Heifer (May 1 onwards) – 1 Tom Reynolds’ Knockadrinan Rosebud F370; 2 B and J McEnroe’s Liss Mirti F762; 3 B and J McEnroe’s Liss Misty F765; 4 E J and U Ward’s Homeville Precious F031.

Bull (May 1 onwards) – 1 B and J McEnroe’s Liss Billy boy F761; 2 John Mullloly’s Lavally Ciaran; 3 Joe and Malachy Tighe’s Tara Prospect F429; 4 Angela Armstrong McFadden’s Crerogue Evander F189.

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