Taking place on Saturday June 6 at the Showgrounds in Carrick-on-Shannon was the Midland and Western Livestock Improvement Society's final spring sale of 2026. Just over 100 head of pedigree cattle went under the hammer, consisting of 91 bulls and 11 heifers. A packed car park indicated all the signs of a keen trade and that it was, as 69 bulls sold at an average of €3,947, with eight heifers trading at an average of €2,860.

It was a marvelous debut for Leitrim breeder Deirdre McGowan, who achieved the highest price of €7,700 for her Charolais bull, Bramblehill Apollo. A regular exhibitor of Limousin and commercial cattle at the Showgrounds, it was Deirdre's first time exhibiting a Charolais animal at the sales. Sired by the UK bull Balthayock Musketeer, Apollo's dam Kilvilcorris Peppa 2 is a daughter of Prime Roberto going back to the great Excellent. Just over 13 months old, he displayed just a one-star replacement index of €19 and a three-star within breed terminal index of €151. One of the last lots to go through the ring, he sold to a pedigree and commercial suckler herd in Co Tyrone.

Bramblehill Apollo selling for €7,700

Garbhach Aidan was next best in the Charolais at €6,600, selling to Roscommon suckler farmer Seamus Cooney. Brought out by Leitrim breeder John McGarry, this high-index young bull boasted a glittering set of figures, ranking in the top 20% of the Charolais breed across Terminal, Diary-beef and Replacement. Born in April 2025, he is a son of Pottlereagh Mark out of a Knockmoyle10 Loki ET bred dam.

In the end, 18 Charolais bulls sold at an average of €4,527.

Garbhach Aidan selling for €6,600

Angus

Making up the majority of the entries was the Angus breed, with 31 bulls trading to an average of €3,510.

Going back to Hillstreet in Co Roscommon with the second highest price of the day, and indeed the highest price for an Angus, was Donal Carroll. Commanding that price of €6,700 was Feeraghdonal B Type 288, a March 2025-born son of Elite Pedigree Genetics' AI sire, Rawburn E-Type W176. Carrying a three-star replacement index and four-star terminal index within the Angus breed, he will now join Aaron and Patrick Murphy's Berry Angus herd in Athlone, Co Roscommon.

Feeraghdonal B Type selling for €6,700

Attracting a bid of €6,000 was Blackpark Enigma B892, brought out by Kilkenny breeders Sean and Joe Maher. Just over 13 months old, this Drumcrow Savoy son is out of Rawburn Ellen Erica X367, a Rawburn Makka Pakka daughter imported from Scotland. He came to auction with a brilliant set of indexes, sitting in the top 20% of the Angus breed for terminal and dairy-beef. He will now join a suckler herd in Northern Ireland.

Blackpark Enigma selling for €6,000

Limousin

Although not as buoyant as previous sales, demand for Limousin was still brisk, producing the highest average sale price across all breeds of €4,814 for 14 bulls sold. Claiming the joint highest price of €6,100 in the Limousin ring was Ohill Al Pachino, exhibited by Leitrim breeder Patrick Beirne. A son of Tomschoice Scorpion, this April 2025-born bull is out of a homebred dam by Loyal going back to Ampertaine Foreman. Displaying five stars across the board, this double F94L carrier was the choice lot of Brian O Dowd in Co Roscommon.

Ohill Al Pachino selling for €6,100

Matching that price tag was Carrowreagh Abudhabi, the property of Patrick Bruen from Co Roscommon. Sired by Loyal, this 13-month-old bull is out of a Hirohito-bred dam going back Wilodge Cerberus. Sitting in the top 20% of the Limousin breed for replacement traits, this double F94L carrier sold to a suckler farmer in Claregalway.

Carrowreagh Abudhabi selling for €6,100

Limousin Heifer

Ohill Valerie exchanged hands at €4,200, the highest price for a heifer on the day, wrapping up a great day for Leitrim man Patrick Beirne. A daughter of Loyal, this November 2024-born heifer came with below breed average calving figures and a four-star replacement index of €128.

At the conclusion of the sale, president Norman Little expressed the Society's gratitude to all who had supported the shows and sales this season: exhibitors , purchasers, judges, the press, photographers and all stewards. The Society's attention will now turn to the various pedigree sheep events taking place over the summer months.