DEAR SIR: I wish to mark the retirement of one of the stalwarts of Charolais in Ireland, Ms Nuala Hourihane. Nuala has given 42 years’ service to the Irish Charolais Society. She leaves the Society in the envious position of having a membership of over 2,500, 8,500 registrations, a profitable year in 2015 as well as assets in excess of €1.5m. In addition, Irish Charolais are among the best in the world; and consequently it is the major breed of beef sires in Irish beef herds.

Much of this has been achieved by Nuala’s hard work and commitment. From her beloved west Cork, Nuala travelled throughout Ireland to shows, sales and events promoting and improving the breed. She knowledgeably commentated at the annual National Charolais Shows. Anyone who has met Nuala or attended ICBF industry meetings will be well aware of the attributes of the Charolais breed! Nuala, in her 24/7 work for the Charolais breed, was fair in her dealings and always tirelessly strove to improve and promote Irish Charolais and ensure data from pedigree Charolais entering the ICBF database was correct.

The highlight of Nuala’s career was when she proudly and professionally showcased the Irish Charolais to a worldwide audience at the International Congress in 2000. This year, Nuala deservedly won a FBD Women & Agriculture award.

Ireland is in the unique position of being one of the best countries in the world to be a breeder; genetics can be easily imported and exported and, thanks to our centralised database in ICBF and the BDGP scheme, genomic indices will be available for our cattle this year.

Nuala has played an instrumental role in laying the groundwork for many of these advancements in Irish cattle breeding. As the saying goes, “knowledge comes but wisdom lingers”.

Thank you Nuala, you will be missed!

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