Irish Shorthorn Society – Premier Show & Sale 2024

The Irish Shorthorn Society Premier Show & Sale was held at The Showgrounds, Carrick-on-Shannon, on Saturday 9^th November. The pre-sale show judges were Ms. Janet Dunning and Mr. Derek Steen from the UK.

 

Auctioneer Tom Cox witnessed record breaking prices in the sale ring as John & Roisin Keane’s heifer, Bushypark Roisin 4^th topped the sale at €8,000. Hailing from the Bushypark herd in Co. Clare, the January 2024-born heifer is sired by Caramba Pageboy and out of a Clonina Explorer 300 sired dam, Bushypark Roisin 2^nd.

Record breaking prices didn’t stop there, in the bull section, a January 24-born bull changed hands at €6,300. This is the highest price paid for a Shorthorn bull at a premier sale in Ireland. The flashy roan is owned by Henry & Sam Dudley, Co. Tipperary, sired by Chapelton Typhoon ET, and out of a Bethlehem Starboy sired dam, Portshan Gail.

John & Roisin Keane continued to see success for their weanling heifers Bushypark Roisin Rose who tapped out at €5800, and Bushypark Dandoline 6^th at €4500. Both weanling heifers are sired by Bushypark Jack 2^nd.

Continuing the strong weanling trade, Martin Kelly from Co. Carlow saw his January 2024-born heifer achieve a price of €3600. Ricketstown Princessroyal is sired by HC Free Spirit 6Y ET and out of Ardclay Princess Royal.

Anthony Dockery from Co. Roscommon also had a good day with his animals as Rockville Pretender 527, sired by Rockville Oakley, made €4,050. The June 2022-born heifer is from an organic conversion herd and is in-calf to Glann Jenson.

In the bull section, Rockville Yorkie achieved a price of €4,050. Sired by Rockville Oakley, the September 2023-born bull is out of a Kilkelly Major sired dam, Castlehaven May 2.

In the same section, Tommy Shryane from Co. Roscommon, saw the hammer drop at €3400 for his November 2023-born bull. Rooskey Sylvester is sired by Crooked Post Drover 29D and out of a Waukaru Coppertop 464 sired dam, Rooskey Orchid 1^st.

Selling for €3700 was Kevin Murphy’s maiden heifer, Néifinn Tiara. The September 2023-born roan heifer is sired by Rowanberry Phantastic, and out of Rowanberry Ellie, a Crusader of Skaillhouse sired dam.

 

Full List of Prices:

In calf:

• Rockville Pretender 527 – €4000

Maiden:

• Rockville Fogga 535 – €3500
• Rockville Katie 549 – €3450
• Lismacool Fudge 392 – €2000
• Ardnaskea Molly 2^nd – €3550

 

September – December 2023 Heifers:

• Néifinn Tasha – €1700
• Néifinn Tiara – €3700
• Glann Daisy – €2400
• Glannview Georgia – €3400
• Glannview Darcy – €1800
• Carmelton Lily – €2350
• Ardnaskea Kaz – €3350
• Ricketstown Princess Tia – €2000
• Tintrim Freya – €2000
• Moygara Princess – €2200

 

September – December Bulls:

• Rockville Yorkie 550 – €4050
• Lismacool Hamwood 407 – €2000
• Rooskey Sylvester – €3400

 

2024 Bulls:

• Dekeana Gunslinger – €6300
• Moygara Goldmine – €2000
• Ballinlig Bertie – €2000
• Ballinlig Spark – €2000

 

January 2024 Heifers:

• Ricketstown Princess Royal – €3600
• Bushypark Cherry 6^th – €3100
• Glannview Petal – €2900
• Ricketstown Medeline Violt – €2600
• Portshan Cora – €1800
• Kilbeagh Caroline – €2500
• Bushypark Roisin 4^th – €8000
• Ballinlig Barbie – €2000

 

February 2024 Heifers:

• Ballinlig Cindy – €2000
• Tintrim Gerusha – €1700
• Bushypark Dandoline 6^th – €4500
• Bushypark Roisin Rose – €5800
• Rockville Yabby 3^rd 560 – €2000

 

March, April, May 2024 Heifers:

• Rockville Clohessy 563 – €2000
• Kilbeagh Bridget 3^rd – €2500
• Portshan Candy – €2550
• Kilbeagh Bell 4^th – €1400
• Portshan Caira – €1600

 

There was an exceptional clearance rate of 97% for heifers and 78% for bulls on the day.

Thank you to the staff and management of The Midland & Western Livestock Improvement Society for their top class facilities, to the McGowan family, Tom Cox, Denise Sweeney Barber, Janet Dunning, Derek Steen, to our sponsors, to everyone who travelled from near and far, to Shauna & Ciara, the 2024 Council, to everyone who helped with the set up and tidy up, Alo O’Hara, Oliver Flanagan, and to all the wonderful breeders who turned cattle out to an exceptionally high standard.

 

Report by Áine O’Donovan Nicholson, PRO.