The History of how Charolais came to Ireland

(1964 – 1973)

A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

As we celebrate “Charolais at 60”, it’s hard to believe that it’s been 60 years since the first Charolais were introduced into Ireland. The breed has grown rapidly over that time, where Charolais fast became the No. 1 beef breed in Ireland and indeed Europe’s Number 1’s beef breed during that period.

In the early 70’s the Society was registering just under 250 cattle that year. Over the following years, that number rose to just under 12,000 at its peak in 2011. And whilst current challenges exist in farming and within the suckler herd and will do into the near future, I would like to acknowledge all of our members who invest their time and of course money into the Charolais breed. The quality of animals at summer shows, our National Show and of course at Shows and Sales is very impressive. The standard of cattle on display at our National Show last August were of the highest quality, impressing all who attended. It was a day to be proud.

I am very honoured to be President of our Society and I would like to take the opportunity to thank you all for supporting the Charolais breed.

Aiden MacHale,
ICCS President.

1964

In 1964 three men from the Irish Department of Agriculture imported the first Charolais which consisted of 8 bulls and 12 heifers of four to five months of age (at eight to nine months, all French cattle were vaccinated for foot-and-mouth disease, rendering them ineligible for entry into Ireland).

At the time Ireland cherished its disease-free island status, which included a ban on all cattle imports, except under a strict quarantine regime. Then followed quarantine on the farm of origin, quarantine in France and then more months of quarantine on Spike Island in Co. Cork, eventually being able to be transferred to the Department of Agriculture’s farm and veterinary centre in Thorndale in Dublin (now Abbottstown).

1965

In 1965 the second importations of four bulls and forty-two heifers were imported by a group of private breeders, one of whom as the then US ambassador to Ireland, Mr. Raymond Guest, who was purchasing stock for his farm in Kentucky; Paddy McGrath from Waterford Glass who had a farm in Co. Meath; the Hon Alan Lillingstone of Mount Coote Stud, Kilmallock; Major Laurie Gardiner and John Mooney from Co. Meath. Mr. Mooney who would go on to become the first President of the Irish Charolais Cattle Society.

The Irish Charolais Cattle Society was established in the form of a co-operative in 1965 and the Irish Charolais herd book was set up.

Click on link to see article – Farming has its fashions and the new name is CHAROLAIS

The first animal registered, and who received the prestigious Herd Book Number 1 title was Shamrock (imp 64F) Vagabond – Born 9^th February 1964

Original pedigree cert. (Click on link below to see cert)

Original certificate for first animal registered in the Society

Also registered at this time and taking the Herd Book Number 19 was Shamrock Ambassadeur (AI Code CF12) who went on be in the ancestry of very many Irish breeders’ herds.

Original pedigree cert. (Click on link below to see cert)

Original certificate for Shamrock Ambassadeur CF12

Shamrock Ambassadeur’s first Irish born calf was registered on 21^st July 1967, a bull calf called Shamrock Boxer and the last calf to be registered that he sired (as of today) was born 11^th January 2024. What an amazing achievement.

When he was first imported into Ireland the Department of Agriculture rejected an offer of £100,000 from the US.

1966

The first pedigree Charolais calf born in Ireland was on the 16^th May 1966. Her name was Shamrock Angelica and she was owned by the Department of Agriculture.

Her sire was the imported bull Violon and she was out of female named Shamrock Venise who was born 19^th January 1964.

Angelica’s registered herd book number was 63. Four more Charolais calves would be born and registered in 1964, all being female.

Original pedigree cert. (Click on link below to see cert)

Original certificate for Shamrock Angelica first calf born in ireland

Copy of original copy of pedigree cert. (Click on link below to see a clearer copy)

Original certificate for Shamrock Violon – Sire of Angelica

Copy of original copy of pedigree cert. (Click on link below to see a clearer copy)

Original certificate for Shamrock Venise – Dam of Angelica

1969

The first public auction was held on 28^th July 1969 in Maynooth Mart, at which a bull sold for 1,100gns.

Click on link to see copy – First Charolais Sale – 1969

1973

The Irish Charolais Cattle Society had the privilege of hosting the 10^th World Charolais Convention from 30^th August to 5^th September. At that time the Society had 64 members and pedigree registrations were approx. 240 for that year.

The Convention was a great success with over 160 foreign delegates in attendance, some travelling as far away as Japan, Canada and Australia.

An auction sale was held for 46 full French Charolais, held in conjunction with the Congress. The 46 animals sold for a total amount of £118,000.00. Heifers averaged 3,435gns and the bulls averaged 1,588gns.