HALL OF FAME RECIPIENT 2015 – BRENDAN MC FEELY 03 May 2015

Brendan’s father was Edward Mc Feely of Ballybofey, a farmer and cattle shipper whose appreciation for quality cattle was instilled in his eldest son.

Brendan graduated from Veterinary College in 1962 at the peak of a football career which brought five senior county medals and eight years of service to Donegal. He captained the county to Lagan Cup glory in 1964 and the Dr Mc Kenna cup in 1965.

Brendan saw his first Charolais on the farm of the late John Mooney, Ashbourne, while practicing as a vet in the mid 1960’s.  In 1969 he bought his first Charolais stock bull from John to run with his commercial suckler herd back in Donegal. He purchased his first pedigree females from Seamus Kelly, Edenmore, in 1979 and established the ‘Daisyhill’ Pedigree Charolais Herd.

He is a founding member of the Donegal Charolais Club and served as its chairman for many years. He and like-minded members set about promoting the breed through local shows, open-days and educational trips. His wonderful show-cow ‘Ruby’ won many championships and retired unbeaten in the ring.

The Letterkenny Show Society, of which Brendan is a committee member, takes place in Raphoe in March of each year. The Daisyhill Herd has taken the championship on several occasions.

Brendan became president of the Irish Veterinary Union in 1976 and played a key role with TJ Maher in resolving the protracted veterinary dispute with the Dept of Agriculture.

First elected to the Charolais Council in February 1982 he went on to serve for  fifteen years.   Quickly recognising the many talents and negotiation skills of the Council member from Donegal, he was elected Charolais President in March 1986 and re-elected again in April 1977.    All this while running a busy large and small animal veterinary practice from his Letterkenny base. He acknowledges that none of this would have been possible without the unwavering support of his wife Christina.

The Daisyhill Herd is now run by his son Brendan Jnr with continued success, most recently at the 2014 Christmas Cracker’ show and sale where they achieved €4,100 for a fourteen month old bull.

Today Brendan is retired but retains a keen interest in all things Charolais. He enjoys nothing more than visiting the family farm, taking ‘Bonnie’ the dog for a walk and casting his discerning eye over the stock.

Brendan served the Society and the breed with enthusiasm, always happy to meet new breeders and share his knowledge and expertise with them. Generous with his time and untiring in his efforts to promote Charolais cattle over very many years Brendan is a very worthy Charolais recipient of the 2015 National Hall of Fame Award.