Tinahely Show, one of the biggest shows of the eastern region, took place on what’s known by many as manic Monday. The show was just one of many which took place over the 2018 August bank holiday.

One of the highlights of the well-established show is the Derek Rothwell Memorial young stockperson of the year championship.

The class draws young people from throughout Ireland to compete in what is the climax of the Wicklow-based show. Open to all young stock people both beef and dairy under the age of 15, this year’s competition attracted 19 entries.

Tasked with judging the classes were Pembrokeshire-based Marilyn Bevan and well-known cattle breeder Michael Fox. After individually questioning the entrants, the pair assessed each person’s showmanship skills. After much deliberation they found their champion in the form of 14-year-old Mark McDermott. The young Carlow-based showman impressed with both knowledge and ability to claim pole position. The championship win came after a strenuous day showing in the all-Ireland Belgian Blue calf finals in which the animal Mark was exhibiting, Rathlyon Luke, claimed the reserve senior bull title. Full Blue finals report on P42.