Situated in the heart of Ireland's elite suckler country, Elphin Agricultural Show showcases the best of what the west of Ireland has to offer.
This year's annual show took place on the grounds of Elphin Mart on Saturday 30 August.
The mart shed proved an invaluable asset, as the rain hampered much of the outdoor activities.
Judges Conor Melvin, James Porter and Louise Clarke took care of the pedigree classes, while Tommy Fitzgerald adjudicated in the commercial ring.
Tony Bosquette
As the judging was taking place, a minute's silence was held for the late Tony Bosquette, who passed away recently.
A well-known Charolais breeder, Tony exhibited cattle at Elphin for many years, most recently in 2024, where he won the overall champion Charolais. It was a fitting tribute to one of the show's most loyal patrons.
Lifting the supreme champion at this year's show was an Angus cow and calf outfit exhibited by Bernard Kerins from Co Sligo.
Kerins Riokemi was awarded the overall Angus champion by James Porter, before going on to take the supreme interbreed champion of the show.
Born in 2018, this Luddenmore Fionn daughter, which was shown with her young heifer calf at foot, has claimed a number of accolades this year, including overall champion at Ballinamore and Riverstown.
Reserve supreme champion
Standing reserve to the Angus outfit was the overall champion Simmental Fearna Realta P, shown by Aaron Leonard from Co Westmeath.
Born in December 2023, this Coose Napoleon P ET daughter goes back to a Kilbride Farm Bantry-bred cow.
Fearna Realta P shown by Aaron Leonard was overall champion Simmental and reserve interbreed champion. \ Swarber Photography
Ann Hester and family won the supreme champion Limousin with their young bull, Meelickaduff Volcano. A son of Plumtree Fantastic, this rising one-year-old stud goes back to a homebred dam by Ampertaine Elgin.
Shorthorn
Elphin always attracts a fantastic show of Shorthorn and this year was no different. Claiming the supreme champion Shorthorn on this outing was the McDermott family with their yearling heifer Ardnaskea Sophie, sired by Carrigfaddock Parnassus.
Hot on her heels was the April 2025-born bull calf Ballinlig Trump, a son of Ballyline Whitepark Bertie, shown by the Middleton Leonard family from Moate, Co Westmeath.
Also taking centre stage at this year's show was the Irish Shorthorn YDP finals, which attracted some superb young stockpersons.
Landing first prize in the junior class was Ross Salter, before his sister Zoe Salter won the intermediate class, making their long journey from Co Cork worthwhile.
Meanwhile, Sally Towey from Co Roscommon took pole position in the senior category.
Magicien daughter
Local breeder Thomas Gormley took home the overall champion Charolais with his stylish January 2025-born heifer calf Carrowkeel08 Annabelle. A daughter of the popular French sire Magicien, Annabelle goes back Utrillo Mic and CF52 on the dam's side.
John Mullooly and family from Strokestown, Co Roscommon, won the Hereford championship with their cow and calf duo Cloonfree Jean and Cloonfree Buttercup 2.
A daughter of Knockmountagh Cuchullain, Buttercup has had a successful show season this year, most recently winning reserve Hereford champion at Mohill Show.
Commercial section
In the hotly contested commercial classes, Pauric Heraghty from Co Donegal reigned supreme with his stunning heifer Black Magic. A breeding heifer with a string of red rosettes to her name this summer, she is a daughter of Progressive Genetics' top AI sire Elite Ice Cream.
Overall commercial champion shown by Pauric Heraghty, with judge Tommy Fitzgerald. \ Swarber Photography
Standing reserve to her in the commercial section was another high-flyer at the shows this year Glannview Faye, exhibited by Adrian Flatley from Co Mayo.
This golden Elite Forever Brill daughter also came through the breeding heifer class and has been the overall champion at a number of venues this summer.
Read all about it in this week's Irish Farmers Journal.
Situated in the heart of Ireland's elite suckler country, Elphin Agricultural Show showcases the best of what the west of Ireland has to offer.
This year's annual show took place on the grounds of Elphin Mart on Saturday 30 August.
The mart shed proved an invaluable asset, as the rain hampered much of the outdoor activities.
Judges Conor Melvin, James Porter and Louise Clarke took care of the pedigree classes, while Tommy Fitzgerald adjudicated in the commercial ring.
Tony Bosquette
As the judging was taking place, a minute's silence was held for the late Tony Bosquette, who passed away recently.
A well-known Charolais breeder, Tony exhibited cattle at Elphin for many years, most recently in 2024, where he won the overall champion Charolais. It was a fitting tribute to one of the show's most loyal patrons.
Lifting the supreme champion at this year's show was an Angus cow and calf outfit exhibited by Bernard Kerins from Co Sligo.
Kerins Riokemi was awarded the overall Angus champion by James Porter, before going on to take the supreme interbreed champion of the show.
Born in 2018, this Luddenmore Fionn daughter, which was shown with her young heifer calf at foot, has claimed a number of accolades this year, including overall champion at Ballinamore and Riverstown.
Reserve supreme champion
Standing reserve to the Angus outfit was the overall champion Simmental Fearna Realta P, shown by Aaron Leonard from Co Westmeath.
Born in December 2023, this Coose Napoleon P ET daughter goes back to a Kilbride Farm Bantry-bred cow.
Fearna Realta P shown by Aaron Leonard was overall champion Simmental and reserve interbreed champion. \ Swarber Photography
Ann Hester and family won the supreme champion Limousin with their young bull, Meelickaduff Volcano. A son of Plumtree Fantastic, this rising one-year-old stud goes back to a homebred dam by Ampertaine Elgin.
Shorthorn
Elphin always attracts a fantastic show of Shorthorn and this year was no different. Claiming the supreme champion Shorthorn on this outing was the McDermott family with their yearling heifer Ardnaskea Sophie, sired by Carrigfaddock Parnassus.
Hot on her heels was the April 2025-born bull calf Ballinlig Trump, a son of Ballyline Whitepark Bertie, shown by the Middleton Leonard family from Moate, Co Westmeath.
Also taking centre stage at this year's show was the Irish Shorthorn YDP finals, which attracted some superb young stockpersons.
Landing first prize in the junior class was Ross Salter, before his sister Zoe Salter won the intermediate class, making their long journey from Co Cork worthwhile.
Meanwhile, Sally Towey from Co Roscommon took pole position in the senior category.
Magicien daughter
Local breeder Thomas Gormley took home the overall champion Charolais with his stylish January 2025-born heifer calf Carrowkeel08 Annabelle. A daughter of the popular French sire Magicien, Annabelle goes back Utrillo Mic and CF52 on the dam's side.
John Mullooly and family from Strokestown, Co Roscommon, won the Hereford championship with their cow and calf duo Cloonfree Jean and Cloonfree Buttercup 2.
A daughter of Knockmountagh Cuchullain, Buttercup has had a successful show season this year, most recently winning reserve Hereford champion at Mohill Show.
Commercial section
In the hotly contested commercial classes, Pauric Heraghty from Co Donegal reigned supreme with his stunning heifer Black Magic. A breeding heifer with a string of red rosettes to her name this summer, she is a daughter of Progressive Genetics' top AI sire Elite Ice Cream.
Overall commercial champion shown by Pauric Heraghty, with judge Tommy Fitzgerald. \ Swarber Photography
Standing reserve to her in the commercial section was another high-flyer at the shows this year Glannview Faye, exhibited by Adrian Flatley from Co Mayo.
This golden Elite Forever Brill daughter also came through the breeding heifer class and has been the overall champion at a number of venues this summer.
Read all about it in this week's Irish Farmers Journal.
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