The South of Ireland Blue Faced Leicester Club sale was the very first female sale held by the Blue Faced Leicester Club in the Republic of Ireland, as all previous sales were held in Northern Ireland.

There were 30 females catalogued, of which 29 were present on the day, comprising 13 in-lamb ewes, nine shearling gimmers and seven ewe lambs. A 93% clearance was achieved on the day at an average price of €350, ranging from €200 to a top price of €660. Lambs average €470.

The top price of €660 went to lot 11, exhibited by Tom Staunton of the Mask View flock from Shanvallyard, Tourmakeady, Co Mayo. She was a ewe lamb bred by Mullaghwee K001. Mullaghwee K001 is a ram that was purchased by the Mask View flock in Ballymena in 2017 for £5,500. Staunton also had lots 10 and 12, which sold for €440 and €640 respectively, the second highest price. Both of these were also daughters of Mullaghwee K001.

The third highest price went to lot 17 sold by one of the oldest Bluefaced Leicester flocks in the south of Ireland, Furryhill, owned by William Dowling, Furryhill, Rathmore, Naas, Co Kildare. William's Shearling gimmer, which was scanned carrying twins, fetched a price of €550.

Following the sale, the South of Ireland Blue Faced Leicester Club secretary Kieran McGrath said: “I was very pleased with the sale, it showed us that there is demand there for this sale to be run on an annual basis. I would like to thank the Midlands and Western Improvement Society for hosting the sale on their showgrounds and I also wish all the customers the very best of luck with their purchases.”

See the full sale report in next week's Irish Farmers Journal.