Northern Ireland Limousin Cattle Club
Honours Even At Inaugural All-Ireland Limousin Derby
Castlewellan Show on Saturday 14th July 2007 saw the Northern Ireland Limousin Cattle Club and the Irish Limousin Society join together to stage a unique event – a Show of Young Limousin Heifers and Bulls made up of animals pre-qualified and drawn from both the North and South of the island of Ireland. A keenly-fought competition in the judging ring resulted in honours even as the North took home the bull championship with the South gaining the heifer title whilst the Challenge Shield for the overall highest points gained went to the NI Cattle Club.
 |
| Heifer Derby Champion, shown by William Smith, Oldcastle, Co Meath, with Mr Cormac McKrvey and Mrs Ann Calwell, Ulster Bank, sponsors. Holding the winner’s plaque is William’s son John. |
 |
| Heifer Derby Runner-up shown by Mr Pat Phelin and seen here with Mr Cormac McKervey, Ulster Bank and Judge Archie McGregor. In front is David Oliver and Mrs Ann Calwell, Ulster Bank, Sponsors. |
A total of thirteen heifers and twelve bulls had pre-qualified and, in spite of some fairly stringent rules imposed by the animal health authorities, the parades in front of Scottish Judge Mr Archie McGregor, Allanfauld, Kilsyth, Glasgow were sensational and very much appreciated by the huge crowd, who clamoured to admire some of the best beef cattle to be found anywhere in Ireland, or further afield, for that matter.
 |
| Archie McGregor with the Bull derby line-up. |
 |
| John Moroney (right) Irish Limousin President, presents the Irish Society Shield for the area gaining most points in the Derbies to Bryan McElroy, Chairman, N I Club, the winners. |
Demonstrating the Pride of Erin, there were Limousin cattle from Carnlough to Cork, from Meath to Maghera, from Clare to Cullyhanna, from Tyrone to Toomebridge and from Antrim to Ardnacrushna with many miles travelled to bring them all to Castlewellan. Heifer Champion was the November 2005 born Milbrook Ainsi II, a Mas du Clo daughter and out of Milbrook Monique, exhibited by William Smith, Millbrook, Oldcastle, Co Meath, Republic of Ireland. The Champion Bull title went to James McKay of 88 Kilrea RD, Upperlands, Maghera, Co Londonderry, Northern Ireland with the March 2006 born Ampertaine Bravo, sired by Sympa and out of the dam Ultra.
 |
| Bull Derby Champion with handler Barney O’Kane, owner James McKay, Judge Archie McGregor and, kneeling, sponsor Mr Mervyn Owens IAWS NI |
 |
| James and Allison Callion with the runner-up in the All-Ireland Bull Derby with (kneeling) Mr Mervyn Owens, Sponsor, and Judge Archie McGregor. |
Hailed as a tremendous promotional event for Limousin cattle, now recognised as the numerically dominant beef breed, the Derby further underlined the spirit of co-operation between the British and Irish Societies and emphasised the qualities inherent in the breed in respects of all aspects of beef production. John Gordon, President of the NI Limousin Cattle Club summed it up by saying: “This puts down a marker that says Limousin is the top breed and we’re willing to demonstrate it anywhere.”
 |
| Richard Bartle who judged the Limousin classes at Castlewellan Show, Brian McElroy NI Club Chairman, Lizzie Rodgers NI Club Secretary, Michelle Gildernew Minister & MP for Fermanagh & South Tyrone, John Moroney Irish Limousin Society President and Ger Ryan Irish Society Secretary |
Heifer Results:
First & Heifer Champion: William Smith. Millbrook Ainsi 2, Sire: Mas du Clo. Dam: Millbrook Monique
Second: Pat Phelan. Curraghree Amazing, Sire: Grahams Samson. Dam:Curraghree Mercedes
Third: David Kenwell: Kendrom Betty, Sire: Jockey. Dam: Kendrom Utha
Fourth: R S Clyde: Clydevalley Apricot, Sire: Ronick Gains. Dam:Clydevalley Nightingale
Fifth: Christopher Murray: Annadale Beauty, Sire: Nenuphar. Dam: Bernish Serena
Sixth: David Kenwell: Kendrom Beauty, Sire: Broadmeadows Cannon. Dam: Ronick Unicer
Bull Results:
First & Bull Champion: James McKay: Ampertaine Bravo, Sire: Sympa. Dam: Ultra
Second: Mr & Mrs J Callion: Ashhallow Bombshell, Sire: Rocky. Dam: Lyvennet Paris
Third: Miss J Gilliland. Ballyrobin Bestmate, Sire: Nectar. Dam: Ballyrobin Savonnah
Fourth: J . Adams: Fedneyhouse Brandy, Sire: Ulm. Dam: Lumbylaw Nellie
Fifth: Francis McAuley: Carmorn Bush, Sire: Grahams Unbeatable. Dam: Carmorn Ulrika
Sixth: Brendan Clancy: Moloskey Bernard, Sire: Moloskey Showman. Dam: Ardlea Maura
Irish Limousin Society Challenge Shield for Overall Highest Points Gained:
Winner NI Club: 30 Points; Irish Society: 12 points.
