The Galway Sheep Breeders Association report their 92nd annual show and sale, held in Athenry on 15 September, as being a big success. The group says the survival of Ireland’s only native breed has been helped by the dedication of breeders, but also a revival in interest in recent years. This was a notable feature of this year’s sale, with a higher number of rams reported purchased to be run with commercial flocks.
The Galway Sheep Breeders Association report their 92nd annual show and sale, held in Athenry on 15 September, as being a big success.
The group says the survival of Ireland’s only native breed has been helped by the dedication of breeders, but also a revival in interest in recent years. This was a notable feature of this year’s sale, with a higher number of rams reported purchased to be run with commercial flocks.
Local breeder Tom Feeney claimed the accolade of the champion hogget ram, selling for €400, as well as the best pen of ewe hoggets. Hubert Melia, Corrandulla, Galway, also had a successful show and sale, winning first and second prizes in the ram lamb class. This followed his success in winning the all-Ireland for the best pair of ewe lambs at Mountbellew Show.
Tom Murphy won the Joe Casey Memorial Cup for the best pen of female sheep, which were sold for €175. Breeder Gerry Nolan from Ardrahan won the ewe lamb class, while Seán Kilkelly received the highest price of €515 for one of his hogget rams. The sale had a clearance of 120 out of 127 lots on offer, with another highlight being a number of new flocks established.
See more photos online at www.farmersjournal.ie 
This is a subscriber-only article
SHARING OPTIONS: