The recent 104th Galway Sheep Breeders Association annual show and sale recorded one of the largest entries in recent times, with 166 sheep on offer. The trade was steady, with a clearance rate across all categories of 79%.
The highest prices on the evening were paid for ram lambs, with the €1,000 mark exceeded on two occasions. The top price of €1,020 was paid for the first prize-winning ram lamb bred by Caoimhe Ryan, Ballydangan, Athlone, Co Roscommon. Her ram Loch Mor Frank, is rated as five-star on the replacement index (top 20% of breed) and four-star on the terminal index (top 26% of breed). He was purchased by Francis Cotter.
The second ram that sold for €1,000 was lot 74, Claran GC2603762, bred by John Greaney, Headford, Co Galway. Born on 18 February 2026 in a twin litter, the ram excels on the terminal index and is placed in the top 7% of the breed, with a days-to-slaughter figure of -5.7% and a lamb survivability figure of 1.29%. The ram was purchased by John Curran.
Overall, there were 14 ram lambs offered, with 10 (71%) finding new homes. The average price was €402/head, with the general run from €200 to €400, with the exception of the above named rams.
Hogget rams
The champion hogget ram was lot 63, bred by Gerard and Martin Warde, Menlough, Ballinasloe, Co Galway, which sold for €700. The ram, Skehana MW250128, is a twin lamb born on 10 April 2025 and is the top 22% of the breed on the terminal index and the top 10% for days for slaughter, with a figure of -5.7 days. He was purchased by John Greene, Clonfad, Ballinasloe, Co Galway, for use in his Galway flock.
There was a total entry of 10 hogget rams and a clearance rate of 70%. The average price was €375, with a price range from €180 to €700.
Ewe lambs
Ewe lambs had the largest entry of 78 head, with 63 selling (81%). The average price was recorded at €210, with a range from €140 to €530, and a general run from €150 to €330. The top-priced entry was Lot 28, CLARAN GC2603767, which was also bred by John Greaney. The quality ewe lamb born on 20 February 2026 was rated as three stars on the terminal index and one star on the replacement index. She was purchased by Raymond Casey.
Hogget ewes
The entry of 53 hogget ewes also recorded a clearance rate of 81%, with an average price of €311.63. Hoggets sold in a relatively tight price range from €270 to €340, with a top price of €430 paid for lot eight, a batch of five top-quality hoggets, bred by Mark Greally, Middlethird, Maree, Oranmore, Co Galway. The hoggets were purchased by Owen Smith, Summerbank, Oldcastle, Co Meath.
Aged ewes
There was a handful of lots of aged ewes, with eight of the 11 sheep offered (73%) selling for an average of €355/head. The pick of these were a batch of five 2023-born ewes offered by Gerry Nolan, Coxtown, Ardrahan, Co Galway, and which were purchased by Michael Owens, Ballagh, Menlough, Ballinasloe, Co Galway. The other batches sold for €250 and €320/head.
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