The South of Ireland Suffolk Sheep Society held an extremely successful Premier Show and Sale at Blessington Mart on Wednesday 22 July, with both averages and clearances higher than the previous year on the back of a solid demand from pedigree and commercial breeders from across the country.

A total of 75 ram lambs went for auction on the day, with just over 78% finding new homes, averaging €1,464.

Trade reached a high of €15,000 for a ram lamb from the Ballyboe flock of Ronan McLaughlin based in Co Donegal.

This tremendous ram lamb by Cairness Eye Catcher headed up the open ram lamb class before going on to win male champion and subsequently supreme champion of the show.

After a spirited bidding affair, he was knocked down to Keith Johnston of the Rossbrook flock in Northern Ireland.

Clyda flock

Susan O’Keeffe’s Clyda flock was next in line with a powerful ram lamb selling for €6,500. A first-prizewinner in the recorded class before going on to claim reserve male and reserve champion of the show, he will now join the renowned Ballynacanon flock of Denis Taylor based in Co Derry.

A son of Blackbrae Dropdead Gorgeous, his dam was supreme champion at the 2025 all-Ireland championships.

Champion recorded class, reserve male and reserve supreme champion from the Clyda flock which sold for €6,500. \ Mullagh Photography

The Western flock of Michael Hastings sold their pen leader for €4,500. Doing the business for the Mayo flock was a ram lamb by the 2025 premier show champion Castleisle Dancing Brave. Taking this one back to Co Mayo to run with her Ballygarris flock was Mary Jennings.

Trading at €4,000 was a ram lamb from the Cork-based Clyda flock, which was part of Susan’s first-prizewinning pen of three. Sired by the £11,000 Limestone Dream Maker and from one of the best lines in the flock, he sold to Michael Tuohy from Co Galway.

Brian Doyle’s Kilmacoo flock sold their top lamb for €3,000 to John Oakman, Co Westmeath. Sired by Rhaeadr Rockshore, he is out of a Kilmacoo dam, a daughter of Donbraid Assassin.

Next in the leading price list was a quality ram lamb from Richard Thompson’s Ballinatone flock, selling for €2,800 to Daniel Grady in Co Roscommon.

Following this was a real strong lamb from John and Ester Gahan’s Barronstown flock, which found a new home with Andrew Farrelly at €2,700.

Scottish judge

James Wallace from the Claycrop flock in Scotland was judge for the day and he tapped out Susan O’Keeffe’s stylish Clyda ewe lamb as his overall female champion, which went on to sell for €3,400 to Edward Buckley.

The Cork woman's success continued, also claiming the reserve female champion with another ewe lamb which went on to sell for €2,200.

Champion ewe lamb and overall female champion from the Clyda flock, which sold for €3,400. \ Mullagh Photography