Joe came from a pedigree farming background. His grandfather bred pedigree Shorthorns in the early-1900s and Joe, with his father, bred pedigree Angus, Hereford, Simmental and Charolais cattle.

Joe’s keen interest in the Charolais breed began in the early 1970s when he started grading up Charolais heifers to pedigree status.

One of the early pioneers of Charolais breeding, he went to France in 1978 and purchased three full French Charolais heifers. These formed the nucleus of the now famous and widely respected Carrickbrack herd. Cattle from the Carrickbrack herd have been the foundation stock to many pedigree herds throughout Ireland.

In 1984, a bull bred in the herd – Carrickbrack Ultan – was the top performer at the test station in Tully. He was subsequently purchased by Sligo AI station, where he stood successfully for many years with the code letters IC24.

In addition to the many prizewinners and champions produced by the herd in the pedigree show ring over the years, they have also been very successful in the commercial arena. In 1989, Joe won the all-Ireland young beef bullock championship with a Charolais. The following year, the same bullock won the all-Ireland two teeth bullock championship. In 1997, his commercial Charolais heifer won the all-Ireland calf championship.

Joe was highly regarded as a judge of both pedigree and commercial cattle. Such was his reputation among Charolais breeders that he was chosen to judge the first ever national Charolais calf championship, which was a forerunner to today’s very successful National Charolais Show.

Joe’s contribution to cattle breeding in Ireland was enormous. Always eager to share his knowledge and expertise with others, Joe was hugely popular, most especially with young people who warmed to his witty charm and infectious laugh.

Many long trips to shows, sales and meetings were shortened by his great company.

Joe is survived by his wife Gretta, daughter Lynn, sons Ian and Noel, daughter-in-law Allison, son-in-law Kenny and grandchildren Thomas, Emily and Andrew.

Thanks for the memories Joe; you were a gentleman.

Brendan McFeely