Page 84 - Yearbook 2019

Branch reports

South of Ireland

South of Ireland Recorded
Lambplus

nother year has come and gone. in the South of Ireland is in good hands. The
2018 was a year of many highs members of the O’Keeffe family from Co.
Aand some great successful Cork had a memorable day with the supreme
achievements by members of the South of champion going to Arthur O’Keeffe with his
Ireland Suffolk branch. shearling ewe and the reserve champion
The showing calendar began with the being awarded to Patrick, with his shearling Annakisha, Clyda &
Suffolk national championships which were ewe. The title of male champion was taken
held in Kilkenny this year in conjunction home by Susan O’Keeffe.
with the National Sheep Breeders Blackwater Suffolks
association. This was swiftly followed by Shearling Ram Class
the flock competition and then the sales 1st Philip Lynch (Glyde Flock –
began. The premier sale was held in Roscrea Sire: Birness Murray)
› Premier Sale and proved to be a very successful event. Clyda lamb sold Roscrea 2018
for 3200gns
2018 might have had many highs but Aged Ewe Class
when it came to weather conditions, 2018 1st Philip Lynch (Glyde Flock – Males &
proved to be an extremely trying and Sire: Burnview Gin and Tonic)
troublesome year. Sheep were put under Females
great amounts of stress from extremes of Shearling Ewe Class
snow and heat not to mention rain. And 1st Arthur O’Keeffe (Annakisha Flock – For Sale
if that was not enough grass growth and Sire: Shannagh Resolve) Privately
hence grazing was extremely limited in a
lot of the country. Novice Ram Lamb Class
Despite all the hardships of the year, the 1st John Stacey (Hillstone Flock – Main Sires Used:
Suffolk breed still retains a very important Sire: Strathbogie Dynamite) Strathbogie AK Magic
position in sheep breeding in Ireland. The Burnview One for Arthur
pedigree Suffolk ram and the commercial Open Ram Class Castleisle Golden Miller
Suffolk cross ewe continue to form the 1st Ms.Susan O’Keeffe (Clyda Flock –
base of many commercial sheep enterprises Sire: Muirton One Direction) ELIGIBLE
in Ireland. The ongoing challenge for the Flock Achievements 2018
› Kells Flock viewing day South of Ireland branch is to ensure that Novice Ewe Lamb FOR National Championships
the Suffolk breed retains its status as the 1st Aaron Kealy (Ivybrook Flock) Supreme Champion and Reserve Supreme Champion •
main stay of the commercial flock. EXPORT Champion and Reserve Champion Female •
Ewe Lamb Class: Male Champion •
The National Championships 1st Philip Lynch (Glyda Flock – Female of the Year •
The Suffolk national championships were Sire: Rookery Rodeo) Highest Average Roscrea Premier •
held in conjunction with the inaugural NSBA Second Highest Price Roscrea Premier •
championships in Cillin Hill Mart in Kilkenny Female Champion
on Saturday, June 9th 2018. Suffolk breeders Joint Production Sale Saturday 9th November,
from all over the country took part and an Arthur O’Keeffe, Shearling Ewe Blessington Livestock Mart
extremely high standard of Suffolk sheep Reserve Female Champion
were presented to the judge on the day. The
difficult task of judging was given to Mr. Iain Patrick O’Keeffe, Shearling Ewe Enquiries & Visitors Always Welcome
Barber, Solwaybank flock. It was heartening (Blackwater Flock – Sire: Clyda Dreamcatcher) Arthur, Susan & Patrick O’ Keeffe
to see such involvement by the branch’s
young breeders and based on what sheep 086-8135804
were on show, the future of the Suffolk breed Continued on next page >>
Email: annakishasuffolks@eircom.net

84 Suffolk Sheep Society Yearbook 2019 Annakisha and Clyda Pedigree Sheep
› Stock judging at Kells Flock viewing day