The Irish Limousin Cattle Society returned to Tullamore to host its 28th national show having held the show in conjunction with the International Limousin Congress in Kilkenny last year.

This year’s show saw a large entry, with 105 cattle competing across 18 classes. Judging started at 10am, with the large crowd of spectators, three deep, enthralled by the quality on display.

Giving the responsibility of judging this prestigious show was Ms Kirree Kermode of the Orrisdale pedigree herd based in Ballasalla, Isle of Man.

Kirree has shown and judged pedigree livestock for a number of years, with this not being her first visit to Ireland. She had previously judged the premier October sale for the society back in 2015. Speaking after judging, Kirree said: “A great lineup of Limousin cattle were put forward here today. The standard in all classes was excellent. I would like to thank the exhibitors here in Tullamore and compliment them on the fantastic display of cattle.”

Securing the top spot and the newly crowned overall Limousin national champion of 2017 was Meelickaduff Honda ET, exhibited by young showman Owen Hester, Castlerea, Co Roscommon.

Honda is a daughter of Wilodge Vantastic and the noted French donor dam Etole. Honda also holds the RDS Champion of Champions title for 2016. Born in December 2012, she has enjoyed a very successful showing career since the summer of 2013. For the last two years she has competed in the senior cow classes, last year with her 2016-born son Meelickaduff Lamborghini, while this year she has her 2017-born son Meelickaduff Massey at foot.

Claiming the honour of reserve overall Limousin champion was the October 2016-born son of Ampertaine Elgin, Meenross Leader. He was bred by James O’Grady, Scariff, Co Clare, and his dam Castleview Felicity has Wilodge Vantastic and Malibu in her back pedigree. This powerful young bull beat stiff competition to take the national Limousin bull title for bulls born on/between 1 September and 31 October class, subsequently going on to claim the junior male champion and the overall male champion.

Standing as reserve overall male champion 2017 was Drummin Lente ET, another son of Ampertaine Elgin, this time bred by John McInerney, Newmarket-On-Fergus, Co Clare. Lente’s dam is the hugely successful Drummin Cliona ET, a homebred donor cow that has bred many champions and sale toppers including Drummin J-Lo Et, the €16,200 sale topper at last year’s International Limousin Congress Elite Sale. Born in March 2016, Lente was awarded first prize in the National Limousin intermediate bull class, followed by the senior male title.

Reserve overall female champion for 2017 is Roundhill Langel 1700 Et, bred by Tim and Doreen Corridan, Fedamore, Co Limerick. Langel is a daughter of Netherhall Jackpot and Netherhall Galaxy. Born September 2016, Langel has amassed a number of first prizes in this her inaugural show season.

National junior Limousin male

Champion: Meenross Leader from James O’Grady. Sire: Ampertaine Elgin.

Reserve champion: Mount Scott Lifeboy from Michael Sexton. Sire: Ampertaine Gigolo.

National senior Limousin male

Champion: Drummin Lente ET from John McInerney. Sire: Ampertaine Elgin.

Reserve champion: Drummin Kodaline ET from John McInerney. Sire: Wilodge Vantastic.

Overall male

Champion: Meenross Leader from James O’Grady. Sire: Ampertaine Elgin.

Reserve champion: Drummin Lente ET from John McInerney. Sire: Ampertaine Elgin.

National junior Limousin female

Champion: Roundhill Langel 1700 ET from Tim and Doreen Corridan. Sire: Netherhall Jackpot.

Reserve champion: Elite Lizzie ET from Dan Tynan. Sire: Craigatoke Jack.

National senior Limousin female

Champion: Meelickaduff Honda ET from Owen Hester. Sire: Wildoge Vantastic.

Reserve champion: Templequain Krystal from Brendan O’Shea. Sire: Wilodge Cerberus.

Overall female

Champion: Meelickaduff Honda ET from Owen Hester. Sire: Wildoge Vantastic.

Reserve champion: Roundhill Langel 1700 ET from Tim and Doreen Corridan. Sire: Netherhall Jackpot.

National all-Ireland pair of Limousin

Champion: Clew Bay Laoise and Clew Bay Leisa from Padraic Golden.