Well-known Charolais breeder Richard O’Beirne, Tuam, Co Galway, will disperse the complete Doon Charolais pedigree herd on 21 August. Established in the early 1980s, the Doon herd has become synonymous with pedigree Charolais breeding for over three decades, making the forthcoming sale a rare opportunity to acquire some top bloodlines.

Looking back, two heifers from the Woodville herd of Pierre Steinbien, Co Cork, and another two in-calf heifers from the Kilmoremoy herd of Michael Quinn, Ballina, Co Mayo, were purchased in the early 1980s. These foundation heifers formed the backbone to the Doon pedigree herd. Indeed, one of these, namely the Abbi heifer from Michael Quinn, went on to produce a line of breed champions. The most notable of these was her granddaughter, Doon Rachel, who sold for the top price of €7,600 at one of the first Charolais Society sales in Carrick-on-Shannon in 2002.

With much admiration for the Farmleigh pedigree line, Richard later purchased the heifer Bellevue Robin from Philip Darcy’s herd in Co Wicklow. Stacked with Farmleigh breeding, Robin developed into an exceptional breeding cow and a renowned milker. She has three daughters on offer at the forthcoming sale.

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Over the years, Richard hand-picked his breeding females by selecting the best Irish and French AI sires. Not one for pushing heifers, his philosophy has been to feed them for breeding as opposed to showing, with a strong emphasis on milking ability and fertility. The Abbi line has long established itself as an authority in both fertility and milk.

Over the years, the herd has featured strongly at Naas, Carrick-on-Shannon and Tullamore, taking numerous breed championships. One of the most memorable days was in Carrick-on-Shannon about six years ago when Richard took both the champion and reserve titles, while also taking home an average of €6,350 for five bulls sold.

A total of 65 cattle ranging from in-calf cows, in-calf heifers, cows with calves at foot as well as maiden and weanling heifers will be on offer on 21 August. Among these will be a number of heifers with showing potential including a couple by Richard’s stockbull, Glasglow. He is a French-bred bull (bred by Vannier) out of a Jupiter dam and is sire of the November 2014 calves Doon Janelle and Doon Jamillah, both of which are in the sale.

Richard is offering his full Charolais herd, comprising circa 58 females, for sale. The remaining seven animals are being offered by Clive Jennings from the Boulteen herd in Co Cork. Clive is also completely dispersing his herd and has two in-calf cows (dry), two cows with spring calves at foot and three maiden heifers for sale. Some of the herd’s sale toppers over the years included €9,600 for Boulteen Vivaldi, bought by the Castlemartin Stud while the maiden heifer Boulteen Eve sold for €4,600 to Matt McGuire in Co Limerick.

The Doon and Boulteen Charolais dispersals take place in Elphin mart on 21 August at 6.30pm.