The Wicklow Cheviot Sheep Breeders held its 84th annual show and sale of rams at Blessington Mart, Co Wicklow, on Saturday. The society held a minute’s silence before the sale started, to acknowledge the passing of three previous members – Jim Corrigan, Pat Corrigan and Barry O’Neill – who sadly died within the last year.

Paul Murphy, Co Kildare; Sam Driver, Co Wicklow; and Peter Began, Co Wicklow, judged the presale show.

Three four-year-old rams took the top spots in the aged ram class, with Tom Burke from Ballymore Eustace taking first place with a ram who later sold for €800. Joe Burke’s second-prized ram later realised €1,900, while John Fitzsimmons from Co Wicklow took third place with a ram who went on to sell for €1,100.

The shearling ram class posed a significant challenge to the judges, with 40 rams being presented. After considerable deliberation, Edward Cahill from Kilcullen, Co Kildare, took the top spot with a ram who later went on to be crowned overall show champion, and then sold for a creditable €4,000.

Second place in the shearling ram class was Jim Corrigan, also from Kilcullen. He later went on to stand overall reserve champion with his ram who later sold for €3,000.

Sean Corrigan was given the nod for third place in the presale show with a ram who later realised €3,000.

The top price of the day was a shearling ram from Andrew Corrigan, Co Kildare, who realised €4,800. He placed fifth in the shearling class.

Other notable prices include rams sold from: