1971-2021 CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF SUFFOLK BREEDING IN THE WEST OF IRELAND

1971-2021 CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF SUFFOLK BREEDING IN THE WEST OF IRELAND

The West of Ireland Registered Pedigree Suffolk Sheep Breeders Club publish a 50th Anniversary Magazine to mark tremendous milestone in their history.

Click on the cover page below to read articles from the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue T.D., ‘The Origins of the Suffolk’, a trip down memory lane and much much more.

If you would like a copy, please get in touch with any of the committee or at woisuffolk@hotmail.com and it can be arranged. You can also visit their website here or click the links below.

South of Ireland Branch Premier Show and Sale – Blessington 2020

South of Ireland Branch Premier Show and Sale – Blessington 2020

Castleisle Kilteskin Prince achieves top price from P O’Keeffe

Date: 1st August 2020

Auctioneer: JP & M Doyle

Judge: Campbell Watson, Bannview Flock

62% clearance for the largest pedigree Suffolk sale in Ireland despite Covid-19

LOT NO.FLOCKPRICE IN EUROSBUYER
41BLACKWATER6,500AJ & N Robinson
112ERRIGAL3,000R Tait
94BARRONSTOWN2,600D McCaughren
93BARRONSTOWN2,200M O’Neill
131FINNVALE2,100F Collard
34KILLYCLUG2,000K Casey
46ANNAKISHA1,800G Conroy
114ERRIGAL1,700T Feeney
170BARRONSTOWN1,700PJ Howard
42LIMEPARK1,600J Trimble
64BEECHBROOK1,500R Sands
124CONVOY1,400M McNally
150BEECHBROOK1,300C Finnegan

 Click here to view top price Blackwater NBK:20:06088

Show Results

Male and Supreme Champion

Lot 74 Eamonn Duffy

C46:20:03050 by Limestone T-Rex

Reserve Male and Overall Reserve Champion

Lot 46 Arthur O’Keeffe

R15:20:06089 by Castleisle Kilteskin Prince

Female Champion

Lot 24 Kenneth Bailey

HDC:20:00121 by Cairness Corker

Reserve Female Champion

Lot 16 James O’Connell

DBJ:20:02213 by Shannagh Synergy

Single Shearling Ewe

1st Lot 9 J Hanly

G4:19:02544 by Limestone Lowry

2nd Lot 8 Kenneth Bailey

HDC:19:00066 by Cairness Foremost

3rd Lot 4 Coote Geelan

F56:19:01208 by Errigal Tubridy

Single Ewe Lamb

1st Lot 24 Kenneth Bailey

HDC:20:00121 by Cairness Corker

2nd Lot 16 James O’Connell

DBJ:20:02213 by Shannagh Synergy

3rd Lot 19 David Quinlan

UHZ:20:01537 by Mullaghboy Goliath

Ram Lamb Sired by a SOI Bred Ram

1st Lot 46 Arthur O’Keeffe

R15:20:06089 by Castleisle Kilteskin Prince

2nd Lot 118 Mssrs Wilson

78A:20:06695 by Castleisle Kilteskin Prince

3rd Lot 78 Susan O’Keeffe

BYD:20:02462 by Castleisle Kilteskin Prince

Novice Ram Lamb

1st Lot 42 Philip Byrne

TJW:20:00024 by Strathisla Speed

2nd Lot 91 B & G Doyle

UTX:20:00146 by Castleisle Capaldi

3rd Lot 170 J & E Gahan

SKW:20:00531 by Ballynacannon Royal Flush

Recorded Ram Lamb Class

1st Lot 136 Arthur O’Keeffe

R15:20:06082 by Castleisle Kilteskin Prince

2nd Lot 94 J & E Gahan

SKW20:00546 by Limestone Aston Martin

3rd Lot 97 J A Doherty

CFN:20:02960 by Strathbogie A Kind Of Magic

Open Ram Lamb

1st Lot 74 Eamonn Duffy

C46:20:03050 by Limeston T-Rex

2nd Lot 81 Andrew Wilson

DDX:20:01174 by Castleisle Capaldi

3rd Lot 41 by Patrick O’Keeffe

NBK:20:06088 by Castleisle Kilteskin Prince

Gigot Class

1st Lot 123 L & A Kilpatrick

PWW:20:00194 by Birness Hustler

2nd Lot 137 Arthur O’Keeffe

R15:20:06091 by Castleisle Kilteskin Prince

3rd Lot 149 Colin Watchorn

PXL:20:00549 by Crewelands Oscar

Club Reports – West of Ireland 2019

West of Ireland Registered Pedigree Suffolk Sheep Breeders Club

 The West of Ireland Registered Pedigree Suffolk Sheep Breeder’s Club continued to grow from strength to strength in 2019, with an increased membership and some great successes throughout the season.

NSBA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

The Club was well represented at the NSBA National Championships in Kilkenny where Gerry Killilea, Carragh Flock built on his success from 2018 achieving 3rd place in the Trimmed ewe Lamb class.

FLOCK COMPETITIONS

The Club enjoyed great success in the National Flock Competition with Garth Graham, Kirriemuir Flock receiving Certificates of Merit in The W E Lloyd Cup for his flock of 31 – 60 Ewes. He also received Certificates of Merit in Ewe Lamb Class, Flock of over 30 Ewes, and Stock Ram with Errigal Jack the Lad, in the South of Ireland Flock Competition. Congratulations also to Gerry Killilea, Carragh Flock  who took Reserve in the Ewe Lamb Class and who also received a Certificate of Merit in the Flock of over 30 Ewes.

SHOWS & SALES

The Sales season kicked off for the club in Blessington at the SOI Premier  Show & Sale where the Club was well represented by many of its members .Congratulations to  Kenneth Bailey, Lismurtagh Flock who won the Ewe Lamb Class and then went on to achieve Reserve Champion Female with his Ewe Lamb

 The Big Boy Ram Sale in Carrick-on-Shannon was a great success, with a strong representation of the Suffolk Breed by Club members where the Suffolk breed achieved the second highest price on the night.

This was followed by the clubs own Premier Sale in Roscommon with a large entry of superbly turned out sheep, ably judged by Seamas Browne, Errigal Flock. He was very impressed with the standard of sheep produced by the Club with Supreme Champion going to Canon Joe Delaney, Roscree Flock and Reserve Champion going to Kevin and Mattie Kelly, Summerhill Flock. Female Champion went to Garth Graham, Kirriemuir Flock with his Ewe Lamb.

Our Second sale took place in Athenry with another large entry and very successful sale. The Supreme Champion went to Michael & Marie Jennings, Ballygarris Flock and Reserve to James Cuffe, Inbhear Flock.

At our 3rd Club Show & Sale in Roscommon, Supreme Champion went to Michael & Marie Jannings, Ballygarris Flock with their Open Ram Lamb Winner. Reserve went to James Cuffe, Inbhear with his winner in the Novice Class.

The Club ended its Year with Club Flocks DeBurca, Carragh and Kirriemuir presenting superbly well turned out  females at the All Star Female Sale in Blessington in November .

PREMIER SHOW & SALE, ROSCOMMON MART – 31st August 2019

FULL RESULTS

CHAMPION :    Canon Joe Delaney  

RESERVE :          Mattie & Kevin Kelly 

EWE LAMB:            1. G. Graham,  2. G Killilea,  3. L. Higgins & D. Airlie

SHEARLING RAM:  1. P.Hillary

NOVICE RAM:        1. Canon J. Delaney,  2. G. Graham,  3. K. Bailey

RECORDED RAM:  1. G.Killilea,  2. T. Burke,  3. M&M Jennings

 OPEN RAM:            1. Canon J. Delaney,  2. M&K Kelly,  3. M&M Jennings

ATHENRY SHOW & SALE (Evening) – 20th Sept 2019

CHAMPION :    Michael & Marie Jennings

RESERVE:           James Cuffe

EWE LAMB:             1. G. Killilea,  2. G. Graham,  3. L. Higgins & D. Airlie,  4. P. Colleran

SHEARLING RAM:   1. G. Graham,  2. G. Graham

NOVICE RAM:          1. J. Cuffe,  2. M. McDonagh,  3. C. Hughes,  4. G. Graham

OPEN RAM:              1. M&M Jennings,  2. J. Cuffe,  3. M. McDonagh,  4. C. Hughes

ROSCOMMON 2ND SHOW & SALE – 28TH SEPT 2019

CHAMPION:    Michael & Marie Jennings

Reserve       :    James Cuffe

 SHEARLING RAM :  1. E. Campbell,  2. G. Graham,  3. T. Burke

NOVICE RAM:          1. J. Cuffe,  2. G. Graham,  3. E&T McKeever

OPEN RAM:              1. M&M Jennings,   2. J. Cuffe,  3. G. Graham

As a Club, we are delighted with what has turned out to be one of our most successful years ever. We took part in the very successful Big Boys Ram sale for the first time ever. Clearance rates at our sales were some of the highest recorded within the club. Many of our members enjoyed successes at the many Agricultural Shows throughout the summer season, showcasing the Suffolk breed to an incredibly high standard. Many of our members were present on the Suffolk stand at the National Ploughing Championships, which played host to the largest ever recorded attendance.

The standard of breeding lines within the club continue to improve and the quality of stock being produced is a testament to the investment our breeders are putting into their bloodlines.

We would like to extend a huge Thankyou to anyone who supported the Club this year, including the Suffolk Sheep Society, Suffolk Council, all our buyers, sponsors and marts and last but not least, our Club members themselves whose hard work and dedication continues to improve the breed standard within the club and showcase the Suffolk Breed to its full potential.

Chairman : Garth Graham, Kirriemuir Flock

Secretary : Trevor Burke, DeBurca Flock

Treasurer : Marie Jennings, Ballygarris Flock

South Of Ireland Flock Competition – 2019

South Of Ireland Flock Competition – 2019

Overall Champion Colin Watchorn celebrates his Beechbrook Flock

Judge: Mr Iain Barbour, Solwaybank Flock

This year’s flock competition was judged by the highly respected Suffolk breeder, Mr Iain Barbour of the Solwaybank Flock, Scotland. As with recent years, the South of Ireland competition was held in conjunction with the Suffolk Sheep Society Flock competition and our Irish members performed well against flocks from N Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales.

In the Society competition, S & P O’Connor (Kerry) was awarded the John Long Cup for the best flock of 16-30 ewes and Ronan McLoughlin (Donegal) was presented with the Best Stud Ram trophy for ‘Limestone Aston Martin’. Both Sean and Ronan, along with Garth Graham (Sligo), Gerry Killilea (Galway) and Colin Watchorn (Wicklow) picked up a total of 7 Certificates of Merit for different classes in the Society Competition. In the South of Ireland Competition, Colin Watchorn lifted the overall trophy for best flock in Ireland. Colin (ably supported by the family) hosted an excellent viewing day and presentation on Saturday 10th August.

Overall Champion

Winner: C Watchorn, Co Wicklow (Beechbrook Flock)

Reserve: S&P O’Connor, Co Kerry (Islandmore Flock)

Flock up to 30 Ewes

Winner: S&P O’Connor, Co Kerry (Islandmore Flock)

Reserve: R McLoughlin, Co Donegal (Ballyboe Flock)

Certificate of Merit: P Byrne

Flock Over 30 Ewes

Winner: C Watchorn Co Wicklow (Beechbrook Flock)

Reserve: G Killilea, Co Galway (Carragh Flock)

Certificates of Merit: G Graham, Co Sligo (Kirriemuir Flock)

Ewe Lamb Class

Winner: C Watchorn, Co Wicklow (Beechbrook Flock)

Reserve:  G Killilea, Co Galway (Carragh Flock)

Certificates of Merit: S&P O’Connor, G Graham

Flock Ewes Class

Winner: C Watchorn, Co Wicklow (Beechbrook Flock)

Reserve: S&P O’Connor, Co Kerry (Islandmore Flock)

Stock Rams

Winner: “Limestone Aston Martin” (Owner R McLaughin)

Reserve:  “Lakeview Lonesome Days” (Owner S&P O’Connor)

Certificate of Merit: “Errigal Jack the Lad” (Owner G Graham)

All Star Sale – Blessington 2019

Date: 30th November 2019

Auctioneer: JP & M Doyle

THE 3rd Annual All Star Sale held at Blessington Mart on Saturday 30th November was a tremendous success with almost 100% clearance. A number of sheep were exported to the UK and Northern Ireland with the remainder sold to breeders all over Ireland.

The gimmers, ewes and ewe lambs on offer where of a very high standard and excellent value for money.

NameHighest PriceNo. of sheep soldAverage
Gerry Killilea – Carragh1,400 gns6937 gns
Seamus Browne – Errigal1,400 gns13887 gns
Alan Kilpatrick – Convoy1,200 gns12818 gns
Trevor Burke – DeBurca1,400 gns6783 gns
Oliver Deane – Mountford950gns22477 gns
Garth Graham – Kirriemuir720 gns5464 gns


We would like to thank anyone who helped in any way. We would also like to thank John Doyle and his staff for
a job well done. Ian Donald for his professional grooming service to many of the flocks and to Alfie Shaw for the first class photos. Next All Star Sale, Saturday 28th November 2020.


Finally the best of luck to all the purchasers from Seamus Browne, Trevor Burke, Gerry Killilea and guest consigners Oliver Deane, Garth Graham and Alan Kilpatrick.