Visitors braved the rain at Tullow Agricultural Show on Sunday to see nine classes of cattle as well as sheep exhibited by 70 shepherds in the show ring.
The Irish Nationwide Perpetual Cup for the champion Charolais animal was awarded to Martin Ryan from Copperfield House, Thurles, Co Tipperary, for his cow Goldstar Falkland and calf at foot Goldstar Magician. The calf was sired by Texan GIE.
Judge Michael Fox gave reserve championship to John Bambrick from Baurnafea, Castlewarren, Co Kilkenny. The second-prizewinner was a heifer born during February 2015. She had the sire Inverlochy Ferdie and the dam Baurnafea Classic.
Simmentals
Garrett Behan from Cloneygowen, Ballyfin, Co Laois, saw his Darling Eyes came out top in the Simmental class. Behan’s winner was also the Tullamore champion earlier this month.
Claiming the reserve rosette was Nigel Hogan from Rathnashannagh, Bennekerry, Co Carlow, with a junior bull calf Rathnashan Jaffa Cake. The April-born calf had the sire Auroch Devter PP and the dam Seafort Beauty. Hogan also claimed top spot in the final of the South-East Simmental Club calf competition. His senior bull Rathnashan Huckleberry ET had the sire Curaheen Wateman and the dam Curaheen Dancer.
Aubrac
Alfie Hanbidge from Stratford-on-Slaney, Baltinglass, Co Wicklow, snatched the top prize in the Aubrac ring. His in-calf heifer from the Slaney Aubrac herd was born on 3 November 2015.
Leo Dooley from Craan, Bunclody, Co Wexford, secured the reserve championship. The Altamont Herd achieved the prize with Altamont L’Image which was sired by Altamont Aveyron and had the dam Image. The second-placed animal was born in October 2016.
Belgian Blues
Myles McDermott was in winning form with his Belgian Blue herd at the Tullow Show. The Rathlyon herd claimed champion and reserve champion. Champion place was given to McDermott’s junior bull Rathlyon Jasper, which was sired by Imperial and had the dam Rathlyon Beryl.
Second went to McDermott’s female born before December 2016. Rathlyon Katie was sired by Blackstar and had the dam Rathlyon Elma. Myles was helped on the day by his son Mark and they brought their winnings back to Castlemore, Tullow, Co Carlow.
Herefords
Mervyn Parr, Tourtane, Castlecomer, Co Kilkenny, impressed in the Hereford ring. Grianan Oragne 589 was the champion Hereford on the day. This cow was sired by Grianan Highflyer and the dam was Grianan Orange. The winning animal was born in March 2011.
Trever Dudley came in second with his heifer Kilsunny Lass Matilta. Dudley, from Kilsunny House, Thurles, Co Tipperary, had the sire Glaslough Judge and the dam Kilsunny Lass Gem for his reserve champion animal.
Shorthorn
PJ, Carmel and Martin Murphy brought all they could back home to Ricketsown, Rathvilly, Co Carlow, in the Shorthorn class. The Murphy family claimed the champion and reserve champion rosettes. Taking the big one was their Shorthorn cow in calf Ricketsown Lovely. This cow was the Shorthorn champion at the Rathdowney Show and the Clonmel Show. The successful cow was sired by Uppermill Begger and had the dam Rothes Kerry.
The Ricketsown herd claimed reserve championship with their uncalved heifer Balgay Heather. Born in January 2015, the reserve champion was sired by Glenisla Zetor. It was champion at the Tinahely Show just two weeks ago.
Angus
Joe and Michael Moran dominated in the Angus ring, claiming reserve championship and championship rosettes for their Powerstown Angus herd. Their Angus heifer Powerstown Misty was sired by Icy Boy and snatched the top place. Claiming reserve place was their Angus male Powerstown Nelson who was also sired by Icy Boy.
Friesians
Roy Beattie Develon of Leisheen Manor, Blessington, Co Wicklow, claimed the champion in the Freisian ring with his heifer in milk, Intelagri Elude Jenn, which was sired by Silverridge V Elude and had the dam Intelagri Sid Jenn.
Coming in second was a February-born heifer calf exhibited by Roy. Intelagri Doorman Janice had the sire Val Bisson Doorman and had the dam Intelagri Bradnick Janice VG 87.
Commercial cattle
The commercial entries were low at the Tullow Show this year. However, the standard of those that were entered was extremely high. Erwin Stanley saw the champion green rosette going to him for his heifer calf that was born in January 2017. The winner had the sire Janvier (JVT) and its dam was a Simmental Belgian Blue-cross cow.
Scroll through photos from the show in the slideshow above.