Cork Events Report 2023:
As the dust has settled it is time to reflect on the previous number of weeks for Shorthorn Breeders and enthusiasts in West Cork. Áine O’Donovan, PRO of the Irish Shorthorn Society joined the council at the beginning of 2023 with a goal of organising events for members in the South-West region.
On Saturday 30th September, Macroom Mart saw their first sale of Pedigree & Commercial Shorthorns. The sale ran in conjunction with the normal Saturday Mart Sale, with a special section for Shorthorns in the Main Ring after lunch. Many Shorthorn breeders visited from Roscommon, Sligo, Westmeath, Laois, Tipperary, Clare, Cork, and Kerry.
On the day many commented on the ‘great buzz’ around Macroom as potential buyers studied both catalogue and animal. Macroom Mart Manager Jerh O’Sullivan was the auctioneer on the day and had the ringside in good spirits with his witty humour.
The top priced Pedigree Shorthorn on the day was Kildee Carla, owned and bred by Áine & Seán O’Donovan, Kildee, Dunmanway. The 5-star roan heifer had just reached her first birthday and topped the sale at €2100. The heifer is sired by Creaga Sportsman.
Ballylehaun Lassie 3rd, owned & bred by James Muldowney Jnr from Co. Laois made €1670. The halter trained; roan heifer is sired by Gavan Summit SH4564.
Weanling heifers were also making some top prices. Paddock Sally, sired by Tintrim Dubarry, topped the weanling section. The January born heifer, owned & bred by Martin O’Neill from Drinagh, made €1620. Another of O’Neill’s January heifer calves, sired by Castlehaven Hero made €1600. Castlehaven Hannah, a February born calf, owned & bred by Philip Salter from Skibbereen made €1460, while Anthony O’Sullivan from Killarney saw his March born Clydagh Hazel make €1200. There was a great demand for stylish weanling heifers on the day.
Pedigree registered Shorthorn bulls were also present on the day, Knockagarry Delboy 080 owned by Ellenor Lehane of Deshure made €1600. The roan-coloured bull was bred by Richard Lee of Knockagarry Shorthorns and is sired by Caramba Leyende Del Norte SH4725.
There was also a demand for quality commercial Shorthorns at Macroom. A 2020 born roan cow with a one-month-old Charolais bull calf at foot topped the commercial section, making €2060. The stylish pair were owned by Michael Cotter from Enniskeane. Some other commercial prices from the day included €1160 & €1060 for SHX maiden heifers and €1310 & €1720 for mature bulls.
Áine O’Donovan commented “It was a fantastic day from start to finish. I never anticipated we would have such big numbers on our first day out. We had over 40 pedigree entries in the catalogue and a further 25 in the commercial section. It isn’t easy organising an event like this, but I am so grateful for all the help and support I received from both Cork marts and other Shorthorn breeders. A special mention and thank you to Ben Lang and Tony Roper for all their help prior to the sale. I hope next year we can run this sale as a stand-alone sale where we can continue to grow each year”.
YDP & Breeder’s Information Day:
Saturday 14th October was also a big day for Shorthorn enthusiasts in West Cork. The YDP committee for the Irish Shorthorn Society held a Youth Development & Breeder’s Information Day in Bandon Mart.
The day included talks from Paschal Coughlan of ICBF and Richard Lee of Knockagarry Shorthorns. Amelda Middleton Leonard, Vice president of the Irish Shorthorn Society, demonstrated how to clip an animal for a show or sale and Shorthorn Breeder & Judge Philip Salter gave tips on what he looks for in an animal. Anthony Dockery from Rockville Pedigree Herd was MC on the day and gave tips on handling and presenting animals. Both Padraig and Katie Flanagan from Lismacool Shorthorns demonstrated washing and prepping animals for the showring, while John McDermott from Creevolan Shorthorns demonstrated haltering animals.
Young people in attendance had an opportunity to clip, blow-dry, handle animals, and learn different skills for both at home and the showring. Twelve-year-old Chloe Hegarty from Bandon who is no stranger to the showring was in attendance and said “I had a great experience, had lots of fun and made lots of friends. Thanks for everything”. The Irish Shorthorn Society is grateful to Zurich Insurance for their continued support of the Youth Development Programme
