The 37th National Dairy Show returned to the Green Glens Arena in Millstreet over the weekend, attracting large crowds from throughout Ireland. Despite a number of other big events elsewhere, including the Rugby World Cup quarter final, those with an interest in dairy could only be found in one place.

The show continues to grow in stature year on year thanks to the good work of National Dairy Show director John Kirby and his team and this year was no different. Over 150 trade stands attended this year’s show, with cattle numbers also up.

Cork Holstein Friesian Club president Seamus Crowley; National Dairy Show director John Kirby; judge Erhard Junker; supreme champion Des Grands Trix Harmonica, owned by Aidan Foody and Rory Timlin; honourable mention Woodmarsh Cancun Lyme 2, owned by Michael McNamara; Lisnalty Megasire Rituel, owned by Paul Hannon; with Stephen Cadogan of the Irish Examiner; and IHFA chief executive Charles Gallagher. \ Maria Kelly

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The quality cattle still stand as the main attraction, attracting animals from all across Ireland, with many making Millstreet their home for up to a week in preparation of the show. However, all the effort is worth it if an owner’s animal gets an honourable tap forward in its respective class.

To be able to exhibit in the supreme championship at Millstreet deserves great credit – to go further is the stuff of dreams.

Judge Erhard Junker with overall Jersey champion Massrock SI542 Burnette; honourable mention owned by the Lehane family; handler Conor Lehane; reserve champion Mullaghlands Pride Starlight, owned by Patrick and Edwin Gaynor; handler Edwin Gaynor; champion Suirvalley OT Starlight, owned by Edwin and Patrick Gaynor; handler Setanta Gaynor; with Adrian Corbett of sponsors McDonnell Bros. \ Photo Maria Kelly

Going that step further for 2019 to take the supreme National Dairy Show title was Paul Hannon and his family with their homebred cow Lisnalty Megasire Rituel. This three-year-old is classified VG88 and was the pick of this year’s judge Erhard Junker, who travelled from Switzerland to deliberate over proceedings.

His champion is in her second lactation having calved last a month ago. She comes off a massive first lactation of 11,600kg as a heifer.

Sired by Butz-Hill Megasire she goes back on the VG88-classified cow Copeswood FEV Rituel. No stranger to the show ring, Megasire Rituel stood as intermediate champion at last year’s national show in the same venue.

Judge Erhard Junker with his intermediate Holstein line-up: honourable mention Laurelem Numero Ann 2084, owned by Ricky and John Barrett; reserve champion Dellview Amethy St Angel, owned by Gordon Kingston; champion Blarney Mogul Pledge, owned by Noel Murphy; with Charlie Purcell of sponsors Ornua. \ Maria Kelly

Reserve

Standing in reserve in the supreme championship was the five-year-old cow Woodmarsh Cancun Lyme 2 from ML and E McNamara.

Classified EX92, this powerful daughter of Larcrest Cancun is from a long line of high-classified cows.

Calved since April, this third-lactation cow has a projected milk yield of over 10,000kg, of which 800kg are solids.

Standing next in line was the Belgian import Des Grands Trix Harmonica from Aidan and Seamus Foody and Rory Timlin. This cow had a very successful show career in Belgium before being bought last year and continued that form throughout the summer, taking the overall breed championship at Tullamore Show.

Judge Erhard Junker (second left) with his junior Holstein line up: honourable mention Emerald Perseus Fran, owned by Donal and Kathleen Neville; handler Catriona Neville; reserve champion Baldonnel Doorman Supra, owned by Tadhg Bourke and Gordon Nicholson; champion Chapelhill Sidekick Roxy, owned by Tadhg Bourke and Gordon Nicholson; handler James Beattie; with Louise (left), Veronica and Brian Harte of sponsors Tom Harte. \ Maria Kelly

This powerhouse cow is in her fifth lactation, having calved in January, and has a predicted milk yield of over 14,300kg. Classified EX94, this Mars Yorick daughter is out of the EX90 classified cow Des Grands Trix Syntion.

The Gaynor family from Co Cavan continued its highly successful run of form in the Jersey classes, taking both the champion and reserve titles.

Securing top spot was the six-year-old SuirValley Ot Starlight. Classified EX90, Starlight is out of Lancrest On Target and the dam Potters Walls Simbas Starlight. This stylish young cow was also top of the line at this year’s Tullamore Show.

Standing in reserve to Starlight was her pen mate Mullaghlands Pride Starlight. This young cow is again no stranger to the show ring, having placed as reserve overall at the show in 2018.

John Cunnane of the Lynbrook herd received the national recognition award, with David Nolan and Katie Meegan of sponsors Alltech; and Cork Holstein Friesian Club president Seamus Crowley. \ Maria Kelly

Championship results

Irish Examiner supreme championship

  • Champion: Lisnalty Megasire Rituel exhibited by Paul Hannon.
  • Reserve: Woodmarsh Cancun Lyme 2 exhibited by ML and E McNamara.
  • Hon mention: Des Grands Trix Harmonica exhibited by A and S Foody and R Timlin.

    • Best udder – sponsored by Kelliher Feeds

  • Baldonnel Flashmatic Dawn exhibited by C and J Dowling.

    • Premier breeder – sponsored by The Farm Store

  • Ricky and John Barrett.

    • Premier exhibitor - sponsored by AIB

  • Ricky and John Barrett.

    • Highest EBI Holstein – sponsored by Dovea Genetics

  • Rathard FR4513 Alanna 1915 exhibited by P and P Hynes.

    • Highest EBI Jersey – sponsored by the Jersey Cattle Association of Ireland

  • Gabriel Lotto Laura exhibited by Robert Shannon.

    • Exhibitor-bred championship – sponsored by Colin Johnson Auctioneers

  • Champion: Lisnalty Megasire Rituel exhibited by Paul Hannon.
  • Reserve: Blarney Mogul Pledge ET exhibited by Noel Murphy.
  • Hon mention: Sprucegrove Apples Peggy exhibited by A andS Foody and R Timlin.

    • Overall Jersey championship and exhibitor-bred - sponsored by McDonnell Bros

  • Champion: SuirValley Ot Starlight exhibited by Pat Gaynor.
  • Reserve: Mullaghlands Pride Starlight exhibited by Pat Gaynor.
  • Hon mention: Massrock S1542 Burnette exhibited by Lehane Family.
  • Exhibitor-bred champion: Mullaghlands Pride Starlight exhibited by Pat Gaynor.

    • Intermediate Holstein championship - sponsored by Ornua

  • Champion: Blarney Mogul Pledge ET exhibited by Noel Murphy.
  • Reserve: Dellview Amethy St Angel exhibited by Gordon Kingston.
  • Hon mention: Laurelelm Numero Ann 2084 exhibited by R and J Barrett.

    • Junior Holstein championship - sponsored by Tom Harte Farm Services

  • Champion: Chapelhill Sidekick Roxy exhibited by T Bourke and G Nicholson.
  • Reserve: Baldonnel Doorman Supra exhibited by T Bourke and G Nicholson.
  • Hon mention: Emerald Perseus Fran exhibited by Donal Neville.

    • Junior Jersey champion - sponsored by Kelliher Feeds & Agri Supplies

  • Champion: Clandeboye Oliver-P Marble exhibited by Padraic Greenan.
  • Reserve: Gabriel Lotto Laura exhibited by Robert Shannon.
  • Hon mention: Ballyealan Tequila Daisy exhibited by Tom Lynch.

    • Confined championship - sponsored by Devenish

  • Champion: Palmrock Nancy 142 ET exhibited by Padraic Carr.
  • Reserve: Mullaghlands Ladd P Bramur exhibited by Edwin Gaynor.
  • Hon mention: Kilgarriffe Heidi 11 exhibited by Richard J Helen.

    • Handler championship - sponsored by Volac

  • Champion: Josh Sinnott.
  • Reserve champion: JJ O’Connor.
  • Hon mention: Rachel Corley.