The South of Ireland Suffolk Society held a very succesful Premier Show & Sale last Wednesday July 22nd with both averages and clearances higher than the previous year on the back of solid demand from buyers around the country.
Open Ram Champion,, Male Champion & Supreme Champion, LOT 48 from Ronan McLoughlin’s Ballyboe Flock, shown by Caroline Whyte sold for €15,000 to Rossbrook Flock
Trade reached a high of €15,000 for a ram lamb from the Ballyboe flock of Ronan McLaughlin based in Co. Donegal. This tremendous ram lamb by Cairness Eye Catcher was 1st in the Open Ram Lamb class and subsequently crowned Supreme Champion. He sold to Keith Johnston of the Rossbrook flock in Northern Ireland.
Next top price on the day was from Susan O’Keeffe’s Clyda flock with a powerful ram lamb selling for €6,500. This lamb was 1st in the Recorded Class and went on to take Reserve Champion of the show and goes to a new home in the renowned Ballynacanon flock of Denis Taylor based in Northern Ireland. Sire of this lamb is Blackbrae Dropdead Gorgeous and his dam was Supreme Champion at the 2025 All Ireland Championships.
Champion, Recorded Class and Reserve Male & Supreme Champion from Susan O’Keeffe, sold for €6,500 to the Ballynacannon Flock.
The Ram Lamb sired by a South of Ireland Bred Ram was won by the Kilcurley Flock of Robbie Walker. This strong lamb was sired by Convoy Druid and a Kilcurley dam sired by Forkin’s Jota.
John Molloy’s Molloy Flock was delighted to be tapped out as the judges Champion in the Novice Class with his Castleisle Dancing Brave sired lamb out of a Carony ewe. This ram went on to be sold for €3000 privately.
The judge’s choice in the Gigot Class was a Ballynacannon Cold Play lamb out of a Burnview Ewe from the Blackwater Flock of Patrick O’Keeffe which sold fpr €1100.
The Western flock of Michael Hastings sold their pen leader for €4,500. This ram lamb is by Castleisle Dancing Brave who was the 2025 Premier Show Champion and he sold to Marie Jenning’s Ballygarris flock in Co. Mayo.
Mr. James Wallace from the Claycrop flock based in Scotland was judge for the day and he tapped Susan O’Keeffe’s stylish Clyda ewe lamb as his Female Champion. She went on to sell for €3,400 to Edward Buckley. Adding to the Clyda flock’s success in both show and sales rings was also achieving Reserve Female Champion with another ewe lamb who then sent on to sell for €2,200.
Lot 9, Champion ewe Lamb and Female Champion from Susan O’Keefe’s Clyda Flock, sold for €3400 to the Kilbarry Flock
Back to the ram lambs and at €4,000 was another from the Clyda flock who was part of Susan’s 1st prize winning Pen of 3 who sold to Michael Tuohy from Co. Galway. This lamb is sired by the £11,000 Limestone Dream Maker and from one of the best lines in the flock.
Brian Doyle’s Kilmacoo flock sold their top lamb for €3,000 to John Oakman, Co. Westmeath. This substitute lamb was sired by Rhaeadr Rockshore, by a homebred Kilmacoo Ewe sired by Donbraid Assassin.
Next on the top prices list was a quality ram lamb from Richard Thompson’s Ballinatone flock, selling for €2,800 to Daniel Grady of Co. Roscommon. Following this was a real strong lamb from John & Ester Gahan’s Barronstown flock selling for €2,700 to Andrew Farrelly.
Young Handlers were out in force for the show and it was great to see so many enthusiastic young breeders try their hand in the ring.
Winners in the 14-18 Age group were 1st Paddy McMonagle, 2nd Tommy McMonagle & 3rd, Gareth Wilson.
Competition was fierce in the U13 age group with all competitors emerging as winners although it was Bobby Thompson of the Ballinatone Flock who claimed the red rosette from the judge.
The Committee of the South of Ireland Suffolk Sheep Society would like to thank John Doyle and his super staff for an exceptionally run sale, all our sponsors on the day and all the buyers and underbidders who made the sale so successful. We wish all the buyers every success with their purchases.
The Kenny family enjoyed a day to remember under a blazing sunshine at last Sunday’s Connolly’s Redmills All Ireland Suffolk Championships at Dundalk Show. Their shearling ewe was judge Jason Watson’s choice of Supreme Champion with a ewe lamb from the same flock claiming the Reserve Champion rosette.
The Supreme Champion was a powerful shearling ewe by Carony Candyman who is by Rhaeadr Rockshore. Her dam is a Ballynacanon ewe by Lakeview Fury. The Reserve Champion was awarded to a ewe lamb from Kenny’s out of the 75,000gns Cairnton Chaos and another Ballynacanon ewe by Claycrop Classy Boy.
Judge for the day was Jason Watson from the Bannview flock in Co. Antrim. Judging kicked off in ideal showing conditions with a large crowd present. Jason commenced his task with the first class of the day which was the Shearling Ram & Upwards category.
Taking first place was Martin O’Reilly of the Oreo flock with his stock ram Finnvale Bazooka. He is by Finnvale Am The Man and a ewe by Claycrop Cactus Jack and was purchased at the Premier Sale in 2023. In second place was Derek Baskin with Clyda Drambuie. He is sired by Ballinatone BT Buddy and his dam is a Clyda ewe by Kinbally Black Panther.
The Aged ewe class was won by A&P O’Keeffe with a tremendous ewe sired by Ballinatone BT Buddy and out of a dam by Castleisle Kilteskin Prince. This ewe is from the same line as 20,000gns Annakisha Bright Eye and Annakisha Champ. Susan O’Keeffe’s Clyda flock took 2nd place in this class.
The Shearling ewe class was won by Thomas Kenny with a ewe by Carony Candyman and she went on to claim the Female Championship prior to taking the Supreme Championship. Michael Hastings was placed second with a stylish gimmer by Limestone Double Diamond and a Crewelands dam.
In the Novice ram lamb class there was further success for Thomas Kenny, taking 1st and 2nd place with ET brothers out of Cairnton Chaos and a Ballynacanon ewe by Claycrop Classy Boy.
The Open Ram lamb class was a very strong class with Patrick O’Keeffe winning first place. This ram lamb is a double 5 star out of Ballynacanon Coldplay with his dam a Burnview ewe purchased at the Burnview dispersal and he went on to claim the Male Championship. Charlie Bourke was awarded second place in this class with a ram lamb by Limestone Double Diamond and an Oakbridge ewe by Solwaybank King Williams and this lamb was Reserve Male Champion.
The Novice Ewe lamb class saw a clean sweep by Thomas Kenny with 3 ET sisters in the top 3 places. Out of the same flush as the Novice ram lamb winner, they are by Cairnton Chaos and a Ballynacanon dam. The 1st placed ewe lamb in this class went on to win the Trimmed ewe lamb class and ultimately was awarded Reserve Overall Champion of the show.
Taking second place in the Trimmed ewe lamb class was Susan O’Keeffe with a lamb by Blackbrae Dropdead Gorgeous. Her dam was the 2025 All Ireland Champion by Ballinatone BT Buddy.
Susan O’Keeffe dominated the Untrimmed ewe lamb class taking first and second places. The winner of this class is by Limestone Dream Maker and a Blackbrae AB President dam who was Reserve Female Champion at the 2025 All Ireland Championships.
There were two Young Handlers classes this year with both keenly contested. First up was the Under 13 class which was won by Bobby Thompson from the Ballinatone flock. Thomas Molloy from the flock of the same name was in second place with his brother James taking the 3rd spot.
In the Under 18 class, it was Ben Lynch of Ernevalley who came out on top. In second place was Ben Whyte of Keenoge Suffolks with Gareth Wilson of Castleisle taking 3rd place.
The South of Ireland Suffolk Society would like to commend the committee of Dundalk Show on their hosting of a fantastic event. We would like to extend special thanks to our sponsor Connolly’s Redmills for their continued support of our Society. We wish to thank all who helped toward making the event the success it was and wish all members the best of luck in the remainder of the show and sales season.
At the recent Premier Show & Sale at Blessington, the Young Handlers classes were a great success and for those looking on, it was clear to see the boundless enthusiasm in the next generation of Suffolk breeders. Due to increased participation, there were two classes this year for Under 13’s and for those Aged 14-18.
The Society was delighted to accept a new trophy for each class kindly put forward by two members. Susan O’Keeffe of the Clyda flock contributed the trophy for the Aged 14-18 class and Shane Brady sponsored the trophy for the winner of the Under 13 class. The Society is thankful for their support and generosity.
Judge for proceedings was Mark Priestly of the Limestone flock who had the tough task of selecting his winners. Both classes saw great excitement with the next generation of breeders showcasing their talents in the showring.
U13 YOUNG HANDLERS GROUP
First class up was the Under 13 class which was won by Lara Taylor of Ardvarness. In second place was James Molloy of Molloy Suffolks with Tadhg Brady of Milldam coming 3rd.
In the Aged 14-18 Class, taking top honours was Paddy McMonagle of Aughnakeeragh. Daniel Grady was second with Isabella Taylor in 3rd place.
U18 YOUNG HANDLER GROUP
The Society actively encourages budding young Suffolk Breeders to get involved in the Society.
If you have any questions about becoming a young member, please contact the Society office on 083 0907 313 or email enquiries@irishsuffolksheep.org
Suffolks hit double high of €13,000 at Premier Show & Sale
Trade reached a top of €13,000 on two occasions at the South of Ireland Suffolk Society Premier Show & Sale which took place in Blessington Mart. First to reach that mark was John Doherty, Co. Donegal with a ram lamb by Duncan’s Cantona. He had taken Overall Reserve Champion in the previous day’s show and goes to Keith Johnston of the Rossbrook flock in Northern Ireland. This lamb comes from the one of the best breeding lines in the Malinhead flock, with his dam being a sister of Malinhead Canonball.
Open Ram Champion and Reserve Supreme Champion, Malinhead Del Boy, CFN 25 03732 – Sold for €13000
Next to reach €13,000 was a stylish ram lamb from Michael Hastings, Co. Mayo. This ram lamb is by Limestone Double Diamond and out of a ewe by Solwaybank Rock Solid. He finds a new home in County Antrim with Alastair Barkley’s Blackbrae flock.
Lot 92, Western Drago WNW 25 01273 Joint Top Price – €13000
Judge for the show on Friday was Mark Priestly of the renowned Limestone flock based in Co. Down who tapped a super ram lamb from Andrew Wilson’s Castleisle flock as his Supreme Champion. Sired by Malinhead Cannonball, this ram had no shortage of admirers and eventually was knocked down at €9,000 to a trio of buyers in Richard Thompson, John Molloy and Michael Hastings. This lamb’s dam is a Millpark ewe purchased at the Black Beauties 2023 for €2,600. This line goes back to Castleisle Kingsman, Blackadder and CR7.
Champion Ram sired by a SOI Bred Ram and Supreme Champion, Castleisle Dancing Brave DDX 25 01462 – Sold for €9000
Ben Lynch’s Ernevalley flock from Co. Cavan took 1st place in the Novice class at the first time of asking with a very strong ram lamb by Craigdoo Crusader and a Donbraid ewe. Being one of the fancied rams in the yard, he sold for €7,000 to Patrick McVerry for his Tullywinney flock based in Co. Armagh.
Champion Novice, Ernevalley Danger Man ICH 25 01277 – Sold for €7000
The Convoy flock of Alan Kilpatrick took home €6,500 for a very breedy ram by the £75,000 Cairnton Chaos and a dam by Ballynacanon Booty Hunter. This ram lamb came 2nd in the Open class and was purchased by Paul Stacey, Co. Carlow and S&S Gahan.
Lot 82, Reserve Open Champion, Convoy Django, PWW 25 00411, Sold for €6500
Andrew Wilson’s Castleisle flock sold a ram lamb for €3,000 to Philip Lynch, Kenneth Bailey and Trevor Geelan. This stylish lamb is by Ballygroogan Banker and a dam by Shannagh CR7. His dam is a full sister to the £6,000 Shannagh Bossman.
Top priced female in the sale was the 1st Prize Shearling ewe from Michael Hastings who ultimately was awarded Reserve Female Champion. Out of Limestone Bugatti, she stays in Mayo having sold for €2,400 to Michael & Marie Jennings. This ewe is a maternal sister to Western Drago who sold for €13,000.
Champion Shearling Ewe & Reserve Female Champion, Lot 7, WNW 24 01176 – sold for €2400
The Female Championship was awarded to Charlie Bourke’s ewe lamb by Limestone Double Diamond. She sold for €2,300 to Seamus Walsh.
Champion Ewe Lamb & Female Champion, Lot 29, Connview IAW 25 00707, Sold for €2300
First in the Group of 3 class was Arthur & Patrick O’Keeffe with a strong trio of ram lambs. The first of these lambs sold for €2,000 to Aidan Carney. He was sired by Limestone Springbok going back to a Cairness ewe.
Shearling rams met a good trade with the top price of €1,700 for Philip Lynch’s strong ram who came 1st in the Shearling Ram class. He was by Finnvale Billy the Kid and a Jalex ewe by Scrogton Snapchat.
The Young Handlers classes were full of enthusiasm and excitement as usual with the next generation of breeders showcasing their skills. First class up was the Under 13 class which was won by Lara Taylor of Ardvarness. In second place was James Molloy of Molloy Suffolks with Tadhg Brady of Milldam coming 3rd. The Society wishes to thank Shane Brady for putting up the new trophy for this class.
Young Handlers U13
In the Aged 14-18 Class, taking top honours was Paddy McMonagle of Aughnakeeragh. Daniel Grady was second with Isabella Taylor in 3rd place. We would like to thank Susan O’Keeffe for donating the new trophy for this class and we look forward to seeing it being keenly contested for in the years to come.
Young Handlers U16
The Society would like to thank all that helped in any way to make the Premier Show & Sale a success. We would like to thank our sponsors for their continued support, in particular, our main sponsor Mayo Healthcare.
The Connollys Redmills All Ireland Suffolk Championships took place at Teagasc, Athenry on Saturday June 21st 2025
Supreme Champion of Show, Shearling Ewe from Clyda Flock
As the sun delivered its glow over a packed June show ring, it was the tremendous Clyda gimmer from Susan O’Keeffe who judge, Lesley Liggett tapped as his Supreme Champion. A ram lamb from the Mullinvale flock of Darragh McMenamin took the Reserve Champion rosette.
The Supreme Champion continues her family tradition of success, being from the famous L30 line in the Clyda flock. She is sired by Ballinatone BT Buddy and out of a Castleisle Kilteskin Prince dam who is also maternal sister to Clyda President. This line breeds success having won 4 Female of the Year titles and Supreme Championships at the National Championships for the Clyda flock and 2 Supreme Championships at the Society’s Premier Show & Sale.
Darragh McMenamin’s ram lamb Mullinvale Dazzler came out on top in the open ram lamb class and ultimately was awarded Reserve Overall Champion. This powerful lamb is by the £40,000 Frongoy Flamboyant with his dam being a Glenroe ewe by Limestone Red Rum.
Reserve Champion of Show, Mullinvale Dazzler
Judging kicked off under a blazing sunshine with a large entry of just under 150 sheep entered into 9 classes in total. A large crowd was present as judge Lesley Liggett, Carony, commenced his task.
First up was the Shearling Ram and upwards class which was won by James O’Connell, Knockogan, with Finnvale Bugatti. A son of Salopian Pure Gold, he was purchased at Blessington 2023 for 2,000gns. P.J. McMonagle, Aughnakeeragh, took second place with his stock ram Ballynacannon Cut Above, sired by the 16,000gns Rempstone Rassie.
The Aged ewe class was dominated by the Clyda flock of Susan O’Keeffe, taking first and second places. In 1st place was a homebred ewe by the 10,000gns Blackbrae AB President and a powerful Cairness ewe. This ewe went on to be Reserve Female Champion. Her maternal sister was placed 2nd in the same class. This particular ewe is by Castleisle Kilteskin Prince and has had a stellar show career herself. She has won Female of the Year and Supreme Champion in 2022 and 2023. She is also dam of the £5,000 ram lamb sold at Ballymena 2024.
The Shearling ewe class saw a huge entry and was won by the outstanding Clyda gimmer who went on to become the Supreme Champion and Female of the Year. Taking second place honours in this class was Charlie Bourke, Connview. This ewe is by Claycrop Classy Boy and an Oakbridge ewe by Solwaybank King William.
The New Breeders class saw a large entry and is open to breeders who have been members of the Society for 3 years or less. Dominating this class was Charlie Bourke taking first and second place with lambs by Limestone Double Diamond and his Oakbridge ewe. Mayo Healthcare were kind sponsors of this class.
The Novice ram lamb class was won by Barney Carroll, Cregmore. This lamb is by Limestone Bugatti and a Kirriemuir ewe. A much admired lamb, he went through to the Open ram lamb class and took second place, ultimately claiming Reserve Male Champion behind Mullinvale Dazzler. Shane Brady’s Milldam flock took second place in this class with a strong ram by Finnvale Bazooka and a Milldam ewe.
Novice Champion and Reserve Male Champion – Cregmore Flock
In the Novice ewe lamb class, Charlie Bourke took 1st place with a stylish lamb by Limestone Double Diamond with her dam being an Oakbridge ewe by Solwaybank King William. Second place in this class was taken by the same flock with a sister of the 1st prize winner.
Novice Ewe Lamb Champion, Connview Flock
The Trimmed ewe lamb class was won by John A Doherty, Malinhead. This strong lamb is by Crewelands Dancing Brave and a Limestone Red Rum dam. She is a sister to Malinhead Canonball and the ewe lamb that was Reserve Champion at the 2023 Championships. In second place was Philip Lynch’s ewe lamb by Shannagh Bossman and a Ballinatone BT Buddy ewe.
Champion Trimmed Ewe Lamb, Malinhead Flock
The Untrimmed ewe lamb class was won by Charlie Bourke’s ewe lamb from the Novice class. In second place was Malinhead, with a ewe lamb by Duncan’s Cantona and a ewe by Crewelands Dancing Brave. Her dam is a sister to the 1st prize trimmed ewe lamb.
There were two Young Handlers classes this year with both keenly contested. First up was the Under 13 class which was won by Bobby Thompson from the Ballinatone stable. James Molloy from the flock of the same name was in second place. Thomas Duffy of Kells was awarded 3rd place.
In the Under 16 class, it was Paddy McMonagle of Beltanyview who came out on top. In second place was Ben Whyte of Keenoge Suffolks with Daniel Grady of Demense Suffolks awarded 3rd place.
U13 Young HandlersU16 Young Handlers
The South of Ireland Suffolk Society would like to commend Teagasc on their hosting of a fantastic Sheep 2025 event. We would like to extend special thanks to our sponsor Connolly’s Redmills for their continued support of our Society. We wish to thank all who helped toward making the event the success it was and wish all members the best of luck in the remainder of the show and sales season.
