All eyes turned to the showgrounds in Carrick-on-Shannon where the first weekend of the Carrick Winter Fair took place on Monday 17 November.

Judging kicked off just after 9am, with the sale getting under way at 12.30pm ringside and online through MartBids.

From early morning, the crowds gathered for what is one of the most highly anticipated commercial cattle events of the year.

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With the show and sale of weanling heifers set for next weekend, Monday's sale consisted of weanling bulls and all senior cattle.

As expected, breeding heifers were on fire, particularly the top-end Belgian Blue and Limousin-cross heifers. A large consortium of Northern Ireland customers boosted the trade, as a number of the highest-priced lots founds new homes across the border.

McKinney's heifer selling for €16,000

Leading the trade at €16,000 were the McKinney brothers from Co Donegal with their Belgian Blue-cross heifer sired by Imperial. Born in April 2024, this 644kg heifer was knocked down to a ringside bidder.

Liam and Katie Dolan's heifer selling for €15,000

Hot on her heels was Liam and Katie Dolan's Belgian Blue-cross heifer, which took first prize in the heifer any breed showing two or more permanent teeth.

Born in September 2023 and sired by Nox De L'Orglet out of a Belgian Blue cow, this 820kg heifer was secured online by Gareth Corrie from Northern Ireland.

Richard O'Dowd's heifer selling for €10,900

A bid of €10,900 secured Richard O'Dowd's Belgian Blue-cross heifer retaining a calf's mouth.

Born in February 2024, this stylish roan heifer is out of Du Stordeur Flaneur and a Limousin cow. Tipping the scales at 810kg, auctioneer PJ Reynolds knocked her to a ringside bidder.

Tom and Niall McKiernan's heifer selling for €10,300

Cavan breeders Tom and Niall McKiernan received €10,300 for their Limousin-cross heifer retaining a calf's mouth.

A second-prizewinner in her class and weighing 740kg, this tremendous black heifer by Claddagh McCabe is out of a Belgian Blue cow. Having the final call on her was Norman Connolly.

The O'Connors' heifer which sold for €9,600

Hitting €9,600 and making their long trip from Dingle in Co Kerry worthwhile was the O'Connor family with a Belgian Blue heifer which picked up a red ticket in the pre-sale show.

A daughter of Delure De La Beole, this February 2024-born heifer weighed 700kg and went away with judge Martin Tumilty, who secured a number of lots.

Daniel O'Connor's heifer selling at €9,000

Three heifers exchanged hands at €9,000. The first came in the form of Daniel O'Connor's powerhouse of a black Limousin-cross heifer by Elite Forever Brill.

Garnishing a second-prize ticket and weighing in at 830kg, she sold ringside.

The O'Connors' heifer selling for €9,000

The O'Connors from Kerry had the stock in demand once again when they realised €9,000 for their Belgian Blue-cross heifer retaining a calf's mouth.

Sired by a hybrid stock bull, this March 2024-born heifer weighing 650kg and was snapped up by Paul Slevin.

Aodhan McCormack's heifer selling for €9,000

The final heifer to trade at €9,000 was Aodhan McCormack's breeding heifer weighing 680kg.

Bred from Patissier De La Grande Rose, this December 2023-born heifer sold ringside.

Read all about Monday's Carrick Winter Fair in this week's Irish Farmers Journal.