The Irish Shorthorn Cattle Society held its all-Ireland calf finals at Strokestown Show. While numbers were back on the year, quality remained high.

It proved a successful day for breeders Noel and Lisa Dowd of the Creaga herd, who secured two first prizes out of the six classes and also went on to claim the overall championship. Judged by Michael Feeney, he found his intermediate male, overall male and overall breed champion in the form of Creaga Phoenix.

This young January-born bull is a maternal brother to the famous Creaga Dice and sired by the homebred Creaga Limited Edition. Although young, this bull has collected a few top prizes, such as Connacht champion bull, champion calf at Mohill and Limerick and breed champion at the Royal Trim Show.

Continuing their run, the Dowds’ second entry Creaga Playboy secured top place in the junior male class. Born April 2018, this was a debut appearance for the stylish calf. This one is sired by homebred Creaga Kenzo and out of a Winalot Rodney dam. Securing the intermediate female championship, overall female championship and reserve overall breed championship were the Flatley brothers with Glann Rossie.

This January-born heifer was also successful at the Connacht calf championships and had a very successful day at the recent Limerick Show. Sired by Lismacool Jerome, Rossie is a daughter of Bethlehem Patch, an animal who secured a lot of yearling heifer championships.

Athlone-based Tom Fox also secured two of the championships with his Bethlehem herd. Coming out in front of the senior female class was Bethlehem Jovial. This October 2017-born heifer is sired by Tofts Jovial and out of Bethlehem Patch 2nd. In the junior female championship, Bethlehem Belle was the top exhibit. This April 2018-born heifer is homebred on both sides, with her sire being Bethlehem Breeze.

The final championship went the way of Michael Gunn with Ovaun Mars. This October 2017-born Chapleton Wildfire-sired bull won the senior male calf class.

Galway Sheep Breeders’ show and sale 2018

The Galway Sheep Breeders’ annual show and sale takes place in Athenry Mart on Monday 17 September, with the show at 11am and the sale at 1pm.

All sheep entered must be purebred and registered with Sheep Ireland in accordance with the society’s rules.

The breeders are hoping to meet old and new friends from all parts of the country on the day, which has been a traditional and integral part of Ireland’s sheep breeding year for nearly a century.

Remarkable resurgence

In recent years, the breed has enjoyed a remarkable resurgence, as flock owners are beginning to rediscover the many fine traits of the Galway breed, including docility and prolificacy.

This year has seen a number of enquiries from Northern Ireland in particular.

The Galway sheep is Ireland’s only native breed and the sheep are eligible for payments under the GLAS scheme, subject to certain conditions.

Galway rams are suitable for crossing with lowland and hill flocks, as they bring length, height and strength to a crossbred flock.

This year has seen a particularly strong entry of ewe hoggets in the female section, which should ensure intense competition for the Joe Casey Memorial Cup. Two new classes were added to the show last year – a class for single ewe lambs and a class for single ewe hoggets, subject to the overall limit of seven sheep per breeder for the sale.