The Blarney Stone is said to bestow the gift of the gab and the heifers that graze the land around Blarney Castle, home of the renowned block of limestone, got the gift of the gavel on Saturday last as they sold in Macroom Mart.

Averaging €3,076, there was no shortage of demand for the 33 heifers which sold in a production sale for the Turret Farm herd.

Owned by Sir Charles and Lady Caroline Colthurst, they were predominantly Limousin heifers, with some Simmental breeding too.

The herd has been breeding Limousin cattle for 30 years and many of the stock on offer were close to pure bred.

The current demand for in-calf sucklers could be seen in the active bidding both at the ringside and from online.

Highest prices

All spring 2024-born stock, of the 33 heifers on offer, 23 made over €3,000, with a share of those selling for not far off this figure too.

Seven of those on offer were in-calf mainly Simmental or a Limousin bull and due to calve next spring.

Three of these shared the honour of highest price as they made €3,500.

Appetite for the maiden heifers proved equally as strong, with an average price of €3,019 for those.