Quality throughout the pedigree cattle breeds at this year’s FBD National Livestock Show in Tullamore was commended by spectators and exhibitors alike.

Attendees from overseas were astonished at the standard and presentation of the cattle on show, a testament to the hard work and dedication of Irish breeders.

One of the most impressive displays across all breeds was in the Shorthorn ring, where the senior stock bull owned and exhibited by the Kelly family from Co Carlow reigned supreme.

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Ricketstown Popeye powered his way to the overall beef Shorthorn championship, after claiming the male and overall senior champion under judge Pat Sheedy from Co Tipperary.

A six-year-old son of Ricketstown Logan and Holmeere Georgia, he impressed on his first outing of the year at Cork Show, wrapping up the overall interbreed championship. His triumph at Tullamore marks a second National Livestock Show supreme title for the Ricketstown herd.

Salers

Clare breeder Catherine Minogue was in flying form in the Salers ring, as she won the overall Salers award under Cavan judge, Basil Bothwell. Proving the one to beat and lifting the supreme title for the Feakle based herd was Coolagoree Cossi, a rising three-year-old heifer.

Coolagoree Cossi, supreme champion Salers shown by Catherine, Michael, Jack and Eilidh Minogue with Shane Kelleher. \ Swarber Photography

A star in the show ring already this summer, Cossi was overall champion at Newmarket-on-Fergus and Grange shows earlier this year. Sired by the great French bull, Montesqieu, her dam is the Sligo Nervanna-bred cow, Templeboy Annabelle.

Belgian Blue

Over in the Belgian Blue ring, dreams came true for Laois breeder Billy Dunne, as he won the Belgian Blue championship for the first time with Errill Super Spark.

A rising two-year-old daughter of Tattoo and the Imperial-bred cow Errill Maggie, this fantastic black heifer came close to securing the title in 2025, but had to settle for reserve on that occasion.

Errill Super Spark, overall champion Belgian Blue shown by Grainne Higgins. \ Country Clicks

Blonde d’Aquitaine

Bringing both the champion and reserve champion Blonde d’Aquitaine titles back to Co Westmeath was John Barry Moran of the Brocca herd. Leading from the front and lifting the overall title was the October 2025-born heifer, Brocca Uno.

Brocca Uno and Brocca USA ET shown by John Barry Moran and Jade Fielding, champion and reserve champion Blonde d'Aquitaine. \ Bo Davidson

A daughter of Hallfield Plato, her dam, Broccagh Kim Kardashian, is a daughter of Landais.

Following her through into reserve was her herd mate, Brocca USA ET, a September 2025-born son of Seaview Barney.

Aubrac

Cavan man Philip Crowe found his overall champion Aubrac in the form of Knocknagree Umayma, a March 2024-born heifer, exhibited by Wicklow breeder Colin Jackson. Sired by the herd’s stock bull Turloughmore Supreme and out of Knocknagree Nina, the champion is due to calve down in November 2026.

Irish Moiled

Home to one All-Ireland cup already this year, Mayo breeders Aine, Sean and Shannon Hyland clinched their own national title in the Irish Moiled section under judge Callian O’Kane.

Just five-months-old, Lisnolan Blaithin fought off some powerful opposition to win the overall title for the west of Ireland based herd. Sired by Gortluchra Shamey Boy, her mother is the Ravelglen Owney daughter, Lisnolan Danu.

Parthenaise

It was a special day for the Coyne family from Co Westmeath in the Parthenaise ring, as they clinched the supreme champion for 2026 with their young heifer, Biddy.

Just eight-months-old, this quality young heifer is a daughter of the AI sire Ilus and a homebred dam.