Limerick Show has always been the place to go to see some of Ireland’s best Shorthorns and this year proved no different, with both quality and quantity throughout the classes.

Many exhibitors were present for one class in particular – the all-Ireland Shorthorn yearling heifer class. This class stands as one of the highlights of the Shorthorn calendar, with exhibitors travelling from all parts to claim the coveted Paul Barry trophy.

During proceedings, a large crowd gathered around the ring to watch judge Michael Flanagan place the class of 13 in order of preference. After much deliberation, he found his all-Ireland heifer champion in the form of Bushypark Beauty 9th.

This January 2016-born heifer was bred and exhibited by Kilfenora man John Keane and daughter Roisín. A stand-out from when she entered the ring, this roan heifer is sired by Winalot Rodney and out of a homebred dam by Upperhill Champ.

Beauty has only been exhibited three times this year, claiming first at them all. This marks the third time John has won the Paul Barry trophy, with this being his second year in a row, having won it in 2016 with Bushypark Cherry 2nd. Beauty was also tapped out as reserve overall breed champion.

Noel and Lisa Dowd picked up the reserve all-Ireland heifer title with Creaga Meadow. This solid white heifer was born in January 2016 and is sired by Uppermill Loch. Not stopping with the reserve heifer championship, the duo also went on to secure the overall Shorthorn championship with Creaga Heidi. This five-year-old needs no introduction, having earlier in the month claimed the overall breed title at Tullamore Show.

Sired by homebred Creaga Flash, a son of the renowned Creaga Dice, the stylish Heidi was shown alongside her multi award-winning calf Creaga Noble.

Replacement class

It was the Shorthorn breed that was also triumphant in the interbreed replacement index class. This class is one of a kind in the country, having begun at Limerick Show three years ago. It’s open to all pedigree cattle at the show, with 60% of the judging marks going for the animal’s replacement value and the other 40% on phenotype.

Securing top spot was the Kelly family from Ricketstown Shorthorns with Balgay Heathermaid. Sired by Glenisla Setter, Heathermaid was purchased following the 2016 Royal Highland Show where she placed second in a very strong class.

Holstein Friesian

Limerick Show also hosted the 2017 all-Ireland Holstein Friesian heifer calf championship. Eleven heifers all aged under one year old took to the ring, but it was the Smith family of Cahirmee who emerged victorious. Their September-born Cahirmee Spicy Pepper was tapped forward by judge David Boyd as the 2017 champion. Sired by Delaberge Pepper, she is out of a homebred dam by Genervations Epic.

Beef interbreed

Claiming top spot in the two beef interbreed calf classes were Peter and Marion O’ Connell of Raceview Simmentals. Their September-born champion Raceview Herman is a bull that has secured top honours at all major events throughout the summer, none more recent than his overall male championship win at this year’s Simmental nationals held at Tullamore Show. Sired by Kilbride Farm Delboy and out of a Kilbride Farm Newry-bred dam, Herman is a combination of both power and style. The family was also successful in the junior interbreed class with Raceview J Beauty. This stylish January 2017-born heifer is from the renowned Beauty line and by successful AI bull Anatrim Bodybuilder.