Page 87 - Yearbook 2019

Branch reports
“Alone we can do so little; together
we can do so much.” – Helen Keller South of Ireland

Flock Ewes Class Reserve Male Champion a challenge for both man and beast at the
Winner: R Mclaughlin (Ballyboe Flock) National Ploughing Championships this year.
= Reserve: E Duffy (Kells Flock) Seamus Browne Once again the pedigree Suffolk stand
= Reserve: P Byrne (Limepark Flock) stood tall among all the different breeds
Female Champion
of sheep in the sheep tunnel in Tullamore,
› Premier Sale › National Championships
Stock Rams Philip Lynch Co Offaly. A very fine display of pedigree
Male Champion and Sale. Your support was very much Peel Cup for Best Stud Ram (“Carragh Winner: S & S Gahan “Carragh Captivate” Reserve Female Champion Suffolk sheep and Suffolk cross sheep were
appreciated by all. Captivate”) in the UK and Ireland. Reserve: S & V Tiffin “Bawnard the Rebel” on the stand. They were admired by the large
Susan O’Keeffe (Open Ram Lamb) Jeffrey and Robert Thornton numbers of people who visited the tunnel.
Flock competition WINNERS Premier Show and Sale, Roscrea A crowd of 240,000 attended the ploughing
Reserve Male Champion
This year’s flock competition was judged Overall Champion Top quality and large classes were the order Shearling Ewe Class championships this year. This allowed the
Seamus Browne, Open Ram Lamb Class by the highly respected Suffolk breeder, of the day at the premier show this year. 1st Jeffrey and Robert Thornton South of Ireland to showcase the Suffolk
(Errigal Flock – Sire: Lakeview Heart of Gold) Mr Andrew Wilson, of the Castleisle Flock, E Duffy (Kells Flock) The Male Champion and the Champion 2nd John and Esther Gahan breed of sheep to an extremely wide audience
Supreme Champion Donegal. The South of Ireland competition Reserve Champion of the show was a January born lamb sired 3rd Michael & James O’Connell of people. This forum also gives the branch
was held in conjunction with the Suffolk by Oakbridge Maxiumus and shown by AJ & members the opportunity to meet and discuss
Arthur O’Keeffe, Shearling Ewe Society Flock competition this year. S & P O’Connor (Islandmore Flock) JA Lucas, Finnvale Flock. This fine specimen Ewe Lamb Class with farmers all the positive attributes of the
Reserve Supreme Champion Eamonn Duffy had a very successful of a sheep was later bought by the judge at 1st Philip Lynch Suffolks and answer any queries and allay any
year, winning the overall trophy for best Flock up to 30 Ewes the sale where he sold for €2,000gns. The 2nd Gerry Killilea doubts which they might have. As the main
Patrick O’Keeffe, Shearling Ewe flock in Ireland. This is the second year in Winner: S & P O’Connor (Islandmore Flock) Reserve Male Champion was owned by Mr 3rd Colin Watchorn aim of the Society is the promotion of the
a row that Eamonn has lifted the South of Reserve: J & E Gahan (Barronstown Flock) Seamus Browne (Errigal flock) and was sired Suffolk breed, with such attendances yearly,
We would like to thank all those who Ireland branch trophy, and the Kells Flock by Lakeview Heart of Gold. This ram also won Shearling Ram Class the ploughing championships offer an ideal
helped to make this event such a success. also featured strongly in the 2018 Society Flock Over 30 Ewes first prize in the recorded class and second in 1st Alan Fitzpatrick opportunity to achieve this goal.
In particular we would like to thank competition lifting the Brook Perpetual Winner: E Duffy (Kells Flock) the group of three class. 2nd Kenneth Bailey
the president of the Suffolk Society, Mr Challenge Cup for the best flock of over Reserve: S & S Gahan (Barrowlands Flock) Philip Lynch of the Glyde flock won the 3rd Marie Ennett Hall of fame
Campbell Watson and CEO Mr Robin 100 ewes, competing against flocks from Female Championship with his Rookery Rodeo Mrs Vera Roche, Roundwood flock was
McIlrath for making the effort and taking Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales. Ewe Lamb Class sired ewe lamb, born in early January. The Ram Lamb Sired by Irish Bred Ram honoured by the South of Ireland Suffolk
the time to attend both the National Also, congratulations to the Gahan Winner: E Duffy (Kells Flock) Reserve Female Champion went to Jeffrey 1st John Doherty sheep society when given the 2018 Hall
Championship and the Premier Show Barrowland’s flock for lifting the Howard Reserve: C Watchorn (Beechbrook Flock) and Robert Thornton of Killyclug Flock. This 2nd Thomas Cavanagh of Fame award. The Roundwood flock was
shearling ewe sired by Birness Bravado was 3rd Patrick O’Keeffe established in 1962. Vera went on to have
the Reserve Champion as well as the winner a very successful career as a breeder and as
of the Shearling Ewe Class. Recorded (Sheep lreland) Class a judge. The pinnacle of her showing career
In the afternoon a very strong demand 1st Seamus Browne came in 1972 when she won the coveted
for Suffolks was witnessed by all with 100% 2nd William R Wilson champion Suffolk ram in the RDS. Also
clearance of shearling ewes, 93% clearance 3rd Susan O’Keeffe that year in the RDS she bred the Reserve
of ewe lambs, 75% clearance of ram lambs Champion Ram Lamb.
and 67% clearance of shearling rams. Many Novice Ram Lamb The South of Ireland branch would like
animals went on to be exported to Northern 1st Jeffrey and Robert Thornton to offer its sympathy to all those who have
Ireland and France. Ram lambs averaged 2nd Jeffrey and Robert Thornton lost loved ones over the course of the year.
€1,030gns with Seamus Browne achieving 3rd Colin Watchorn May they rest in peace.
the top price of €4,200gns. Shearling ewes The Suffolk Sheep Society has been
averaged €910gns, ewe lambs €605gns and Open Ram Lamb Class an integral part of the Sheep industry in
shearling rams €700gns. 1st AJ & JA Lucas Ireland since 1892. Brexit is just another
2nd Seamus Browne issue that will be addressed by the Irish
WINNERS 3rd Philip Lynch breeders and the Society working together

Supreme Champion for the development of the breed in Ireland.
Group of Three Ram Lambs There will be challenges going forward,
AJ & JA Lucas 1st William R. Wilson but also without doubt these challenges

Reserve Champion 2nd Seamus Browne will be overcome by working together to
3rd Philip Lynch maintain the suitability of the breed for the
Seamus Browne commercial flock. This can only be achieved
National Ploughing Championships by the single-minded commitment,
Male Champion
Storm Ali, torrential rain and gusts of dedication and co-operation of the
› Premier Sale AJ & JA Lucas 100+ kilometre per hour winds proved to be members of the Suffolk Sheep Society.

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