Antrim was the host ground for the 2018 Northern Ireland Limousin championships. Owner of the well-recognised Lodge herd Ian Callion was given the task of judging this year’s championships, which attracted exhibitors from all six counties.

He found his champion in the form of Deerpark Maisie, bred by Connor and Ryan Mulholland, Craigavon, Co Armagh. This July 2016-born heifer is by Ampertaine Elgin and out of dam Bernish Icequeen. Maisie stood third in her class at the Balmoral Show earlier this year. No stranger to success at the Antrim Show, she won the junior championship at last year’s event.

Making it a highly successful day for Connor and Ryan, reserve supreme champion, reserve female champion and reserve senior champion went to Deerpark Missmoneypenny, a two-year-old Ampertaine Gigolo daughter, out of the dam Ampertaine Isadora. Missmoneypenny stood as reserve junior champion to her stablemate Masie in 2017.

Male champion and winner of the Derriaghy Perpetual Trophy, awarded by the Northern Irish Limousin Cattle Club, was Gunnerfleet Mack from the Crawford Brothers of Maguiresbridge, Co Fermanagh. Bred by Ian Handley at Gunnerfleet Farm, Ingleton, Lancashire, the March 2016-born bull is sired by Plumtree Fantastic and out of Gunnerfleet Isabella. Mack was purchased by the Crawford Brothers at Carlisle in October 2017 for 5,250gns.

Reserve male champion and intermediate champion was Larkhill Nuludo, homebred by Brian and Cahir McAuley, Antrim. This June 2017-born bull is sired by Ludo and out of the homebred dam Larkhill Ita.

Reserve intermediate champion was Pointhouse Nintynine, bred by Michael and Kyle Diamond, Garvagh. This June 2017-born bull is sired by Plumtree Fantastic and out of the dam Ampertaine Ingrid.

Junior champion Deerpark Niceone was another heifer from Connor and Ryan Mulholland. This August 2017-born female is by Lodge Hamlet and out of the dam Bernish Icequeen. Reserve junior champion was Coolderry Nannyberry from Leslie Millen, Coleraine. This November 2017-born heifer is by Wilodge Goldcard and out of the dam Bambrook Jill.

Calf champion was Clanart Officer, homebred by John Murphy, Brookeborough. This January 2018-born bull calf is sired by Netherall Jackpot and is out of the dam Clanart Helene.

Reserve calf champion was Pointhouse Olivia from Michael and Kyle Diamond. Olivia is an April 2018-born daughter by Ampertaine Gigolo and out of dam Pointhouse Fern.