Tullamore National Livestock Show 2017 – Report

A bumper exhibition estimated at 1,000 head of livestock on the day ensured that the Tullamore National Livestock Show was an outstanding success. Record breaking crowds enjoying pleasant sunshine with tremendous quality breeding in the shop window set the tone for the 26th National Livestock Show. Firmly established as the largest one day show in Ireland the Tullamore Show and National Livestock Show has cemented its place as one of the most important events in the agricultural calendar.
The Holstein Friesian ring was brimming with quality throughout the day with strong entries among YMA Showmanship League, Confined classes, Junior, Heifer and Senior classes. Hefyn Wilson, Treggiby herd, Cardigan, Wales was Judge with Maria Burke judging the YMA Showmanship League classes.Hefyn hails from South Wales where he milks 75 Holstein Friesian cows. He had the distinction of achieving the coveted award of Master breeder HUK earlier in 2017 and winning supreme Champion at the Royal Welsh show this year. He is a member of HUK Judges panel and has previously judged Charleville show in 2016.

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Supreme Champion Hallow Attic Christina owned by Philip and Linda Jones, Killowen, Gorey with Reserve Champion going to Greenlea Lauthority Pledge owned by Padraic Greenan, Ardaghey, Monaghan with Clonpaddin ERI Flavour 2 Honourable Mention for Garry Hurley, Clonpaddin, Arklow. Commenting on his Champion the Judge praised “Her bloom of udder having tremendous height and width of attachment”. Hallow Attic Christina was also awarded Best Udder of Show.This was her second national title of the year having also won Emerald Expo Supreme Champion. She has produced 11,900kgs milk and 920kgs milk solids since calving with her second last October.

Reserve Champion Greenlea Lauthority Pledge was praised by the Judge for her “Depth of body and exhibiting tremendous strength in the front. This cow is only going to get better, I really admire her dairyness”. She was also reserve Champion to Jones’s cow at Emerald Expo. In her third lactation, Pledge is classified EX91.Tapping out Clonpaddin ERI Flavour 2 the Judge said “The great width she displays through the front and through her rump is so eye-catching added to a mammary system that can only be described as exceptional for a Heifer. She has a big future ahead of her”. Flavour 2 was winner of the Super €2,500 National In-Milk Heifer. She is backed by seven generations of VG/EX Dams.

The senior in milk cow class was the talk of the show where 9 tremendous cows graced the ring. The Judge was awe struck by the overall quality. “He commented that any of these cows would win a local Show”. Padraic Greenans cow  Greenlea Lauthority Pledge took the honours from a class that exhibited house hold names and past winners of major shows.Other cows to feature in the Championship line-up included Lumville E Danoise for Richard Whelan, winner of the In-Milk heifer she then stood 2nd in the Super €2,500 Heifer class, Hallow Atwood Twizzle owned by Philip and Linda Jones, Jim & Doireann Mulhall’s Clonpaddin M CYG Fame, Crossnacole Atwood Precious for Victor Jackson. Hefyn Wilson summed up the quality on view by saying “I truly wish I owned some of these cattle at home”.

National Livestock Show Junior Champion Ardarostig Beemer Sunray exhibited by Sean Murphy and owned by E & S Murphy was winner of the January calf class. Garry Hurley took Reserve with Clonpaddin Snowy Fame and Honourable Mention went to John Leahy’s Crossnacole Brokaw Truey.The YMA Showmanship League classes were once again tremendously supported with thirty two Young Members participating. This was a wonderful testament to the skills, dedication, enthusiasm and appetite for learning among the Young Members as every year big numbers return to participate as part of the Tullamore National Livestock Show Showmanship League.

Judge Maria Burke afforded great opportunity and encouragement to all handlers in the three classes. Having participated at all grades within YMA Maria has amassed great experience. The YMA Showmanship League structure is to hold qualifying rounds at various shows throughout the Country with the finale held as part of the National Dairy Show, Millstreet. The regular structure and regional spread affords ample opportunity for Young Members to learn and develop the necessary stockmanship skills that are so essential in the current climate.Confined classes for breeder from Laois, Offaly and Westmeath were first into the Holstein Judging Ring. Peter Ging’s Ballyclider Darkie 31 was winner of the Registered Holstein Friesian Cow calved twice or more class. From the home-bred Una family she is a tremendous production cow with over 2,400 kgs milk solids produced to date, currently in her third lactation. She is classified EX92. Kevin Flynn’s Reary Norah 295 was 1st in the Confined Heifer class. Other prize winners of the various Confined classes included Pascal Walsh, Edenderry, Denis Donoghue, Ballylynan.

Vice President of the European Parliament Mairead McGuinness MEP stressed the importance of farming to Ireland and Europe as she officially opened the Show. She promised to convey the message to Europe that “Ireland is rooted in the soil and how important it is to us. Those who have drifted from these roots need to understand and appreciate the value of agriculture, of farming and of food production not just to our country but for the entire European Union”.

AIB Tullamore National Livestock Show 2017
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Holstein Overall champion Philip Jones, Hefyn Wilson (Judge) and Mark Delahunt (Lakeland Dairies, sponsor)

National Livestock Show Senior Holstein Friesian Championship
Champion Hallow Attic Christina Philip & Linda Jones, Holstein View, Killowen, Gorey, Wexford
Reserve Greenlea Lauthority Pledge Padraic Greenan, Crosshugh, Ardaghey, Co. Monaghan
H. Mention Clonpaddin ERI Flavour 2 Garry Hurley, Clonpaddin, Arklow, Co. Wicklow

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Junior Champion Seán Murphy with Charlie Gallagher, IHFA, (sponsor)

National Livestock Show Junior Holstein Friesian Championship
Champion Ardarostig Beemer Sunray E & S Murphy, Coolowen, Blarney, Co. Cork
Reserve Clonpaddin Snowy Fame Garry Hurley, Clonpaddin, Arklow, Co. Wicklow
H. Mention Crossnacole Brokaw Truey John Leahy, Meen, Listowel, Co. Kerry

Class 42 YMA Showmanship League 2017 Handlers aged 12 years & under
1st Hollie Keenan, Coretard, Threemilehouse, Co. Monaghan
2nd Amy Roche, Hacketstown, Co. Carlow
3rd Brian Hurley, Clonpaddin, Arklow, Co. Wicklow
4th Ryan Greenan, Crosshugh, Ardaghey, Co. Monaghan
5th Manus Murphy, Evergreen Lodge, Fenagh, Bagenalstown, Co. Carlow.
6th Conor Coleman, Tinnecarrig, Borris, Co. Carlow.

Class 43 YMA Showmanship League 2017 Handlers aged 13 to 16 years
1st Rachel Corley, Cornafaghy, Smithboro, Co. Monaghan
2nd Katie Gahan, Askinamore, Ferns, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford
3rd Pauric Coleman, Tinnecarrig, Borris, Co. Carlow
4th Brian Daly, Scartaglen, Co. Kerry
5th Jack O’ Neill, Rosstemple, Athlacca, Kilmallock, Co. Limerick
6th Mark Hurley, Clonpaddin, Arklow, Co. Wicklow

Class 44 YMA Showmanship League 2017 Handlers aged 17 to 26 years
1st Doireann Mulhall, Danville, Co. Kilkenny
2nd Hannah Healy, Smithstown, Maynooth, Co. Kildare
3rd Emer Kelly, Rahanine, Rochfortbridge, Co. Westmeath
4th Lauren O’ Toole, Evergreen Lodge, Fenagh, Bagenalstown, Co. Carlow
5th Mary Conroy, Longford House, Clonaslee, Co. Laois
6th Philip O’ Brien, Ballydaly, Tullamore, Co. Offaly

Class 45 Registered Pedigree Holstein Friesian Heifer born in 2017
1st Ardarostig Beemer Sunray, E & S Murphy, Coolowen, Blarney, Cork.
2nd Greenlea Armani Pledge, Padraic Greenan, Ardaghey, Monaghan.
3rd Danville C Red Dream ET, Jim Mulhall, Danville, Kilkenny.

Class 46 Registered Pedigree Holstein Friesian Heifer born on/between 01/07/2016 & 31/12/2016
1st Yardgrove Atwood Jeanette, Bryan O’ Connor, Bawnmore House, Kanturk, Cork.
2nd Swiftsheath Raven 1641, Tom & Maura Murphy, Jenkinstown, Kilkenny.
3rd Dalevalley Doorman Barbie, Garry Hurley & Roy Cromie, Clonpaddin, Arklow, Wicklow

Class 47 Registered Pedigree Holstein Friesian Heifer born on/between 01/01/2016 & 30/06/2016
1st Clonpaddin Snowy Fame, Garry Hurley, Clonpaddin, Arklow, Wicklow
2nd Hallow Dempsey Dawn, Philip & Linda Jones, Killowen, Gorey, Wexford.
3rd Dalevalley Open Barbie, John Curtin & Roy Cromie, Rosstemple, Athlacca, Limerick.

Class 48 Registered Pedigree Holstein Friesian Heifer In-Calf born on/between 01/01/2015 & 31/12/2015
1st Crossnacole Brokaw Truey, John Leahy, Meen, Listowel, Kerry.
2nd Swiftsheath Rollex 152, Tom & Maura Murphy, Jenkinstown, Kilkenny.
3rd Crossnacole Atwood Crystal 2, Trevor Hanley & Anthony Kealy, Grangecon, Wicklow

Class 49 National Livestock Show Junior Holstein Friesian Champion
Champion Ardarostig Beemer Sunray, E & S Murphy, Coolowen, Blarney, Cork.
Reserve Clonpaddin Snowy Fame, Garry Hurley, Clonpaddin, Arklow, Wicklow.
H. Mention Crossnacole Brokaw Truey, John Leahy, Meen, Listowel, Kerry.

Class 51 Pedigree Holstein Friesian Heifer In-Milk born on/after 01/01/2015 & 31/12/2015
1st Lumville E Danoise, Richard Whelan, Clonard, Enfield, Meath
2nd Hallow Atwood Twizzle 1181, Philip & Linda Jones, Killowen, Gorey, Wexford.
3rd Clonpaddin MC Chrisi, Garry Hurley, Clonpaddin, Arklow, Wicklow.

Class 52 Super €2,500 National Holstein In-Milk Heifer
1st Clonpaddin ERI Flavour 2, Garry Hurley, Clonpaddin, Arklow, Wicklow.
2nd Lumville E Danoise, Richard Whelan, Clonard, Enfield, Meath.
3rd Laurelelm Fever Brilliant, Rickey Barrett, The Elms, Ballinhassig, Cork.

Class 53 Pedigree Holstein Friesian Cow In-Milk, Calved twice
1st Hallow Attic Christina, Philip & Linda Jones, Killowen, Gorey, Wexford.
2nd Clonpaddin M CYG Fame, Jim Mulhall, Danville, Kilkenny.
3rd Robinview Ares Roxy, Noel Murphy & Michael McGrath, Coolowen, Blarney, Cork.

Class 54 €2,500 AIB National Livestock Show Senior Cow In-Milk
1st Greenlea Lauthority Pledge, Padraic Greenan, Crosshugh, Ardaghey, Monaghan.
2nd Crossnacole Atwood Precious, Victor Jackson, Crossnacole, Kiltegan, Wicklow.
3rd Thevalley Amazing Frost, Philip & Linda Jones, Killowen, Gorey, Wexford.

Class 55 Registered Pedigree Holstein Friesian Cow Family Championship
1st Padraic Greenan, Crosshugh, Ardaghey, Monaghan
2nd Victor Jackson, Crossnacole, Kiltegan, Wicklow.

AIB National Livestock Show Senior Holstein Friesian Champion
Champion Hallow Attic Christina, Philip & Linda Jones, Killowen, Gorey, Wexford.
Reserve Greenlea Lauthority Pledge, Padraic Greenan, Crosshugh, Ardaghey, Monaghan.
H. Mention Clonpaddin ERI Flavour 2, Garry Hurley, Clonpaddin, Arklow, Wicklow.

Best Udder of Show Hallow Attic Christina, Philip & Linda Jones, Killowen, Gorey, Wexford.

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Judge Hefyn Wilson receives presentation from Tommy Finlay, the Dairy Cattle Chairman and Charles Gallagher, CE IHFA
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Supreme Champion, Hallow Attic Christina exhibited by Philip Jones tapped forward
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Supreme Championship line up – Hon Mention – Clopaddin ERI Flavour 2, exhibited by Garry Hurley; Reserve – Greenlea Lauthority Pledge, exhibited by Brendan Greenan; Supremem Champion and Best Udder of Show, Hallow Attic Christina, exhibited by Philip Jones with Mark Delahunt, Lakeland Dairies (sponsor) and Judge Hefyn Wilson.
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Junior Champion – Ardarostig Beemer Sunray exhibited by Sean Murphy is congratulated by judge Hefyn Wilson
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YMA Shomanship League Classes judges by Marie Burke
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Junior Champion – Ardarostig Beemer Sunray exhibited by Sean Murphy is congratulated by judge Hefyn Wilson
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Charles Gallagher, CE IHFA with Showmanship League Judge Maria Burke who receives a presentation from Tommy Finlay Dairy Cattle Chairman and Kathleen Kelly, IHFA President