Just over 100 bulls went through the ring at the Kilkenny bull sales on Wednesday 15 April.

Like the March sale, Angus made up the bulk of the entries with over 60 bulls on offer, followed by a smaller number of Limousins, Herefords and Friesians.

Trade was mixed for the three beef breeds, while the Friesians experienced one of their best sales at the venue in recent years.

However, it was Angus bulls which took home the two highest prices, crossing €6,000 on two occasions.

Angus

Topping the trade at €6,800 was the Angus bull Dromalty Aidan, a big powerful son of Keirsbeath Karma, bred and exhibited by Aidan O'Donovan from Co Limerick.

Out of the Ballykeevican Kaptain-bred dam Portanes P Mary, this December 2024-born bull came with below breed average calving figures on dairy cows and heifers.

Although ranking in the bottom 40% of the Angus breed for replacement and dairy-beef, he gained lots of momentum upon entering the sale ring and was acquired by a dairy herd in Co Cavan.

Corlismore Amateur sold for €6,100.

Next best in the Angus ring at €6,100 was Corlismore Amateur, another rangy powerful bull, this time the property of Sean and Gary McKiernan in Co Cavan.

Born in October 2024 and out of Drumhill Explorer X354, his dam Corlismore Lilly P777 is a daughter of Aynho Rossiter Eric.

Similar to the sale leader, the Cavan bull was curtailed on stars, but came with below-average calving figures across beef and dairy. Taking him back to Co Waterford was dairy farmer Val Harney.

Carrowboy Alando shown by Alan Gibbons sold for €6,000.

Just a bid behind at €6,000 was Carrowboy Alando, another powerhouse of a bull born in October 2024.

Exhibited by Roscommon breeder Alan Gibbons, this Rawburn Poncho son carries a carcase weight figure of 14.8kg and went home with Kilkenny farmer James Luttrell.

In the end, it was a case of just too many bulls for the number of customers on the day, as 68% of the Angus retailed to an average of €4,325.

Limousin

Coming out on top in the Limousin ring was Geraldine Collins from Co Kilkenny with the August 2024-born Beechmount Vinny, selling for €6,000.

A son of Ewdenvale Ivor and going back to a Grenache-bred dam, this star-studded bull came with an outstanding set of figures, ranking in the top 20% of the Limousin breed for replacement, terminal and dairy-beef.

Purchasing this double-F94L carrier was Michael Ryan from Co Kilkenny.

Beechmount Vinny was the highest priced Limousin at €6,000.

Just like the Angus, it was a case of supply exceeding demand, as 11 Limousin bulls (68% clearance) sold to an average of €4,030.

Hereford

It was a similar story in the Hereford ring, as 65% of the bulls on offer sold to an average of €3,940.

Leading the prices at €5,600 was local man Pat Rohan with Listrolin Brandy 4 HH. Sired by Balleen Reason, his dam Cill Cormaic Paris is out Cill Cormaic Lincoln.

Born in July 2024, Brandy sits in the bottom 20% of the breed for terminal and dairy-beef, but boasted an eye-catching calving figure of just 2.2% on dairy cows. Snapping up this upstanding full-horned bull was High Grove Farm in Co Kilkenny.

Listrolin Brandy 4 HH shown by Seamus, James and Padraig Rohan was the highest priced Hereford at €5,600.

Friesian

In a ripping Friesian trade, all six bulls in attendance sold, averaging €4,108.

Achieving the highest price of €4,500 was Mountain Dragonet 7 ET, brought out by Michael Spillane from Co Tipperary.

Born in January 2025, this Firoda Dragonet son came with an EBI of €132 and was the choice lot of Anna Harrison in Co Kilkenny.