Donegal Blackface Sheepbreeders Association secretary steps down after 44 years

The County Donegal Blackface Sheepbreeders Association held its annual general meeting on 7 March and was a fitting moment for the association to pay tribute to one of its longstanding members.

There was a strong number of breeders in attendance and the topics discussed included the 2025 sale dates, confirming 19 September for its female sale and 3 and 4 October for its ram show and sale, while the promotion of the breed for 2025 after what was a hugely successful year for the breed in 2024 was also a topic discussed.

After the discussion, the association's longstanding secretary Sarah Galbraith announced she would be stepping down from her role as secretary after 44 years of service.

Sarah first took on the role in 1980, taking over from the previous secretary WJ Scott McArthur, when the association was under the stewardship of chair Connell Boyle.

Dedication

After the announcement, current chair John Boyle thanked Sarah for all her hard work and dedication in helping with the running of the association and helping to develop the association over the last 44 years.

Sarah was then presented with a special commemorative vase from association president Hugh McGee.

Past chairs Philip Faulkner and Charles Martin then presented Sarah with a bunch of flowers and a small token of appreciation from the members of the association.

Sarah will be missed as secretary, but has passed the torch on to her daughter Dolores Ann, who will now take on the role of secretary.

After the presentation, Sarah thanked everyone for their best wishes and commented that it was very fitting that it was under chair Connell Boyle she joined and now she was leaving under Connell's son John.