For the third consecutive year, the National Charolais Show Championship will return to County Sligo. Clinching the title this year was the Mc Govern brothers from Fivemilebourne, Co. Sligo, with their outstanding heifer, Crossane4 Niamh. This comes on the back of the 2017 Champion, Sagesse Martha, and the 2018 Champion, Drumshane Mademoiselle, both exhibited by Sligo breeders. Niamh is a daughter of the prominent Goldstar Echo, a sire who is consistently producing champions, show winners and high priced animals. The dam is Portnason Hermione, a daughter of the UK sire, Thrunton Bonjovi. The two year old has already had a wonderful show season in the West of Ireland this year, picking numerous red rosettes and championships on her way.
Senior Champion and Overall Champion – Crossane4 Niamh
Standing in reserve was the classy, Sagesse Pierre, another Sligo bred bull from the Canning family in Rosses Point. This January 2019 born bull is a son of Maerdy Sinndar and Kilcumreragh Dorothee. Having stood top of the line in a tremendous class of young bulls, Judge Archie Mc Gregor tapped Pierre out as Overall Junior Male Calf Champion, before going on to be awarded Reserve Overall Champion.
Junior Male Calf Champion and Reserve Overall Champion – Sagesse Pierre
It was an iconic day for the Irish Charolais Cattle Society, as they hosted the 2019 World Charolais Technical Congress, which brought over 70 delegates from 10 different Countries to Ireland for a week long event. The outstanding quality of Charolais cattle on display at the Show was remarked on by many of those attending, a testament to the breeders and exhibitor’s on the day. It was also a memorable day for some breeders, one of those in particular being Martin Ryan and family from County Tipperary, who won the Junior Female Calf Champion, Senior Female Calf Champion and Reserve Senior Male Calf Champion, as well as seven first prize winners overall. A remarkable day by any standards.
Championship Winners
Senior Female Calf Champion – Goldstar Osanna (et), exhibited by Martin Ryan and family
Junior Female Calf Champion – Goldstar Poppy (et), exhibited by Martin Ryan and family
Senior Male Calf Champion – Cloonglasna11 Oscar, exhibited by the Egan brothers from Ballina, County Mayo
Reserve Senior Champion – Colomane Olivia exhibited by John Ward from Bantry, Co. Cork
Reserve Senior Female Calf Champion – Crockaun Opal, exhibited by Bernadette Dunne from the Curragh, Co. Kildare
Reserve Junior Female Calf Champion – Farmer Polly, exhibited by Paul Sheridan from Kilcogy, Co. Cavan
Reserve Senior Male Calf Champion – Goldstar Orwell (et), exhibited by Martin Ryan and family from County Tipperary
Reserve Junior Male Champion – Liscally Pied Piper (et) exhibited by Jon Regan from County Leitrim
Class Winners
Senior bull – Lou Lou, exhibited by John Bambrick from Castlewarren, Co. Kilkenny
Intermediate bull – Cloughbrack Oaktree 2, exhibited by Mattie Kelly from Ballinasloe, Co. Galway
Best bull born in November 2018 – Grangwood Opel (et), exhibited by Jerry and Kay O’ Keeffe
Best bull born after the 1st April 2019 – Goldstar Prince exhibited by Martin Ryan and family
Best female in calf or with calf at foot – Goldstar Elle, exhibited by Martin Ryan and family
Best heifer calf born after the 1st April 2019 – Ballydavis Precious, exhibited by Kathleen and Michael Hargroves
Best pair of animals under 12 months of age exhibited by Martin Ryan and family
Junior YDP winners – 1st. Aidan Kinahan 2nd. Kate Daly 3rd. Shane Gormley
Senior YDP winners – 1st. Mark Mc Govern 2nd. Mark Whelan 3rd. Cathal Gormley
A massive thank you to all exhibitors who put on a wonderful display of cattle and congratulations to all those who took home prizes on the day. Also a huge thank you to all our sponsors listed below. We urge our members to support those who sponsored this year’s National Show and Congress.
| Homeland Retail Stores | Coney Island Genetics |
| Irish Farmers Journal | FBD Insurance |
| Dovea Genetics | Simon Genetics |
| Corrib Oil | Top Oil |
| Greenvale Animal Feeds | National Cattle Breeding Centre |
| Kelly Trucks and Mc Goldrick Motors | Oriel Veterinary, Monaghan |
| Mayo/Sligo Livestock Mart | Natural Nutrition |
| Golden Vale Mart | Bova AI |