Tullamore Show & FBD National Livestock Show 2025

Throngs of crowds, bumper classes & top-quality cattle on display on a balmy show Sunday.

Report by Donal Carey

The Tullamore Show & FBD National Livestock show took place on Sunday August 10^th last at the Butterfield estate, Blueball, Tullamore, Co. Offaly. A crowd estimated in excess of 60,000 was in attendance as the public turned up in their droves from every corner of the country. A brief early morning mist of rain just as the judging commenced yielded to an afternoon of very warm temperatures as the 260-acre Butterfield estate basked in glorious sunshine.

Dairy Ring number one was the stage for the judging of the Holstein Friesian classes. Large crowds remained ring-side throughout the day enjoying the spectacle of quality breeding. A new class was added to the show schedule this year; The Tommy Finlay Spring born calf, for Pedigree Registered Holstein Friesian heifer calves born after the 1^st of February 2025. This new class was introduced as a Tullamore Show commemorative gesture in tribute to Tommy Finlay, Ballydaly, who passed on to his eternal reward on October 28^th last. Tommy was a founding member and the first ever Chairman of the Dairy cattle section of Tullamore Show, a role he fulfilled faithfully in a voluntary capacity for over three decades. The strong entry of eighteen calves in this new class was a very fitting tribute to Tommy and it was a strong display of solidarity from all exhibitors with the Finlay family. The Doran family from Kilbegley, Ballinasloe, Co. Roscommon were the winners of this inaugural commemorative class. Tommy’s wife Ber and their daughters Martina, Paula, Carmel, Marie and Bernadette presented the prizes.

The schedule of classes included Confined classes for exhibitors from counties Laois, Offaly and Westmeath. There three high caliber YMA Showmanship League classes added to the many highlights from the day with an impressive number of thirty-seven young members competing in total.

FBD National Livestock Show Senior Championship

Champion:      Hallow Octain Twizzle ET exhibited by Hallow Holsteins

Reserve:            Evergreen Susie Mist 26 RC exhibited by Liam & Sandra Murphy

Honourable Mention:        Eedy Rubicon Acclaim exhibited by the Hynes family

Hallow Octain Twizzle ET owned by Philip & Linda Jones, Hallow herd, Gorey Co. Wexford was crowned Senior Champion, Best Udder and she also won 1^st Senior Cow in milk. This was a back-to-back, double achievement of Senior Champion success as she was also crowned Tullamore National Livestock show Senior Champion 2024 & Best Udder. Classified EX on conformation (max score 2^nd calver) she was four months into her third lactation on show day. She recorded a second lactation yield of 12,984 kgs, 923 kgs milk solids (305 d). She is a 6^th generation VG/EX, sired by Stantons High Octane EX93 from Dam Hallow Advent Twizzle 3 ET EX96 5E. Evergreen Susie Mist 26 RC exhibited by Liam & Sandra Murphy, Fenagh, Bagenalstown, Co. Carlow won Reserve Champion and placed 2^nd in the Senior Cow in-milk class. She is in her fifth lactation, calved five months on show day. Classified EX94 3E she is a 9^th generation VG/EX. In her fourth lactation she recorded 12,174 kgs milk, 861 kgs milk solids (326 days). Sired by Riverdown Incredibull Red VG, her Dam is Evergreen Susie Mist 5 EX93 4E. Eedy Rubicon Acclaim exhibited by the Hynes family, Aherla, Co. Cork won Honourable Mention and she also won 1^st Junior Cow. Classified VG89 on conformation in her second lactation, she is an 11^th generation VG/EX. She is sired by EDG Rubicon from Dam Eedy Beemer Acclaim EX x Eedy Alexander Acclaim EX94 4E x Eedy CIX Acclaim EX95 4E.

The top-quality Senior Championship also included;

Jones Lambda Fame, winner of the Super heifer in-milk class, exhibited by Gary and Isobel Jones, Willsbro Lambda Galys Vray and Glasson Dalliance B Alliance exhibited by John O’ Connor, Evergreen Amarok 2 Red exhibited by Liam & Sandra Murphy.

Gageboro Delta Smash exhibited by Sean & Tommy Kelly, Horseleap, Co Westmeath won the Confined Cow in-milk class. Classified EX91 2E she is in her seventh lactation. Ballyclider Una 285 exhibited by Peter Ging, Ballyclider, Portlaoise was the winner of the Confined Heifer in-milk class. She is Classified VG87 on conformation, VG 88 Mammary.

FBD Tullamore National Livestock Show Junior Championship 2025

Champion:      Hallow Jones Lambda Vibing              Jones & Hallow Holsteins

Reserve:            Rathard Sidekick Jagerbomb              Hynes Family

Honourable Mention:           Evergreen Eye C Lauren           Liam & Sandra Murphy

Mr. Andrew Patton from the Ards herd in Newtownards, County Down was the judge of the Holstein Friesian classes. Andrew farms with his parents Wilson and Karen managing the award-winning Ards herd. The Patton family milk 300 top quality pedigree registered Holstein cows. The Ards herd is the winner of the top accolade in the Holstein Northern Ireland club annual herds competition winning the award for Premier Overall herd and also best large herd. It is a back-to-back success of milestone achievements having also won the competition in 2024 and three times in four years in total having also won top spot in 2022.

Judge of the three YMA Showmanship League classes was Laura Sinnott from the Ballyboy herd, The Ballagh, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford. Laura is a distinguished former YMA member from the Slaney club with an impressive showmanship CV.  Laura farms alongside her parents Jim & Una and her sister Louise.

Results of YMA Showmanship League classes;

Handlers aged 12 years & under on January 1^st 2025

Sponsor World Wide Sires

1^st          Georgina Hynes (Cork club)

2^nd         Eva Hickey (Carlow Kilkenny club)

3^rd          Elsie Kelly (Laois Offaly club)

4^th          John Hickey (Carlow Kilkenny club)

5^th          Aibhlin Cleary (Laois Offaly club)

6^th          Izzy Kelly (Laois Offaly club)

 

Handlers aged 13 – 16 years & under on January 1^st 2025

Sponsor Irish Holstein Friesian Association

1^st          Alexandra Beattie (North Eastern club)

2^nd         Kate Jones (Slaney club)

3^rd          Stephen Harty (Kerry club)

4^th          Lauren Doran (Galway club)

5^th          Clodagh Kennelly (Kerry club)

6^th          Alex Windrum (Breffni Oriel club)

 

Handlers aged 17 – 26 years & under on January 1^st 2025

Sponsor Volac Milk Replacers Ireland Ltd

1^st          Rachel Corley (Breffni Oriel club)

2^nd         Becky Hynes (Cork club)

3^rd          Megan Boal (Galway club)

4^th          Kane Boal (Galway club)

5^th          Aimee O’ Donovan (Limerick Clare club)

6^th          Mary Conroy (Laois Offaly club)

 

Tullamore Show Class Results – Confined classes

Confined Spring Calf born after February 1^st 2025

Sponsor Munster Bovine

1^st          Gageboro Wimward Rose     Sean & Tommy Kelly, Horseleap, Co. Westmeath

2^nd         Gageboro Wimward Hallie    Sean & Tommy Kelly, Horseleap, Co. Westmeath

3^rd          Boroside Haniko Jellybaby ET      Denis Donohoe, Ballylynan, Co. Laois

 

 Confined Heifer born after January 1^st 2025

Sponsor Gurteen Agricultural College

1^st          Lynally Dellia 4527                    Aisling Neville, Tullamore, Co. Offaly

2^nd         Limetree Jean 942                     Aisling Neville, Tullamore, Co. Offaly

 

Confined Pedigree Registered Heifer born on/between 01/07/2024 & 31/12/2024

Sponsor Bo Sires

1^st          Dalevalley Haniko S Apple       Sean & Tommy Kelly, Horseleap, Co. Westmeath

2^nd         Seanacourt FR8733 Cinderella         Denis Donohoe, Ballylynan, Co. Laois

3^rd          Rochfort Almamater Brilliant              PJ Kelly, Rochfortbridge, Co. Westmeath

 

Confined Pedigree Registered Heifer born on/between 01/01/2024 & 30/06/2024

Sponsor Lely Ireland

1^st          Hallow Sidekick Twizzle         Sean & Tommy Kelly, Horseleap, Co. Westmeath

2^nd         Dock Chief Karen                           PJ Kelly, Rochfortbridge, Co. Westmeath

3^rd          Seanacourt FR6412 Goldrose            Denis Donohoe, Ballylynan, Co. Laois

 

Confined Pedigree Registered Holstein Friesian Heifer in-milk

Sponsor Celtic Sea Minerals

1^st          Ballyclider Una 285                  Peter Ging, Ballyclider, Portlaoise, Co. Laois

2^nd          Seanacourt FR6574 Jenn       Denis Donohoe, Ballylynan, Co. Laois

3^rd          SeanacourtLimetree Ina 532              Aisling Neville, Tullamore, Co. Offaly

 

Confined Pedigree Registered Cow in-milk calved twice or more

Sponsor Peake Dairy Services

1^st          Gageboro Delta Smash          Sean & Tommy Kelly, Horseleap, Co. Westmeath

2^nd          Ballyclider Begonia 83             Peter Ging, Ballyclider, Portlaoise, Co. Laois

3^rd          Rochfort Royal Gale                 PJ Kelly, Rochfortbridge, Co. Westmeath

 

Tullamore FBD National Livestock Show results

 

The Tommy Finlay Spring Born calf class, calves born after February 1^st 2025

Sponsor Greville Arms Hotel, Mullingar

1^st          Dalevalley Parfect Aiko 282                 Enda Doran, Ballinasloe, Co. Roscommon

2^nd         Jones Sidekick Fame                              Gary & Isobel Jones, Gorey, Co. Wexford

3^rd          Gageboro Wimward Rose                  Sean & Tommy Kelly, Horseleap, Co. Westmeath

 

Pedigree Registered Holstein Friesian Heifer born after 1^st January 2025

Sponsor Abbey Machinery

1^st          Cornboro Denver Halo                           Brian Corley, Smithboro, Co. Monaghan

2^nd         Leagh Dropbox Hanina                          Enda Doran, Ballinasloe, Co. Roscommon

3^rd          Kildarby Top Alma                                     Aibhlin Cleary, Borrisokane, Co. Tipperary

 

Pedigree Registered Holstein Friesian Heifer born on/between 01/07/2024 & 31/12/2024

Sponsor Keenan Alltech

1^st          Hallow Jones Lambda Vibing              Jones & Hallow

2^nd         Rathard Sidekick Jagerbomb              Hynes Family

3^rd          Slatabogie Doral Shania Red              Richard Whelan, Clonard, Co. Meath

Pedigree Registered Holstein Friesian Heifer born on/between 1^st January 2024 & 30/06/2024

Sponsor DeLaval Ltd

1^st          Evergreen Eye C Lauren                         Liam & Sandra Murphy, Fenagh, Co. Carlow

2^nd         Rathard Bullseye Alanna                      Hynes Family, Aherla, Co. Cork

3^rd          Ballyboy Showtime Carmen Laura               Laura Sinnott, The Ballagh, Co Wexford

Pedigree Registered Holstein Friesian Heifer in-calf

Sponsor Eurogene AI Services

1^st          Rathard Bullseye Alanna                      Hynes Family, Aherla, Co. Cork

2^nd         Grangecon Queen Bee 1950               Anthony & Tony Kealy, Grangecon, Wicklow

3^rd          Cullies Samuri Anna                               Kenny Smyth, St. Margarets, Co. Dublin

Pedigree Registered Holstein Friesian 2 Year Old Heifer in-milk

Sponsor J Grennan & sons

1^st          Jones Lambda Fame                Gary & Isobel Jones, Gorey, Co. Wexford

2^nd         Evergreen Amarok 2 Red        Liam & Sandra Murphy, Fenagh, Co. Carlow

3^rd          Euro Showtime Merill              Daniel & Emer Curtin, Listowel, Co. Kerry

 

Super €2,500 National Heifer in milk

Sponsor TP Whelehan Crop Protection

1^st          Jones Lambda Fame                Gary & Isobel Jones, Gorey, Co. Wexford

2^nd         Willsbro Lambda Galys Vray 46         John O’ Connor, Kanturk, Co. Cork

3^rd          Evergreen Amarok 2 Red        Liam & Sandra Murphy, Fenagh, Co. Carlow

 

Pedigree Registered Holstein Friesian Cow in milk, calved twice

Sponsor Devenish Nutrition

1^st          Eedy Rubicon Acclaim                           Hynes Family, Aherla, Co. Cork

2^nd         Glasson Dalliance B Ashlyn               John O’ Connor, Kanturk, Co. Cork

3^rd          Bawnmore Lambda Lazenza              John O’ Connor, Kanturk, Co. Cork

 

Super €2,800 Senior Cow in milk

Sponsor Lakeland Dairies

1^st          Hallow Octain Twizzle                            Hallow Holsteins, Gorey, Co. Wexford

2^nd         Evergreen Susie Mist 26 RC                 Liam & Sandra Murphy, Fenagh, Co. Carlow

3^rd          Hallow Denver Twizzle                           Hallow Holsteins, Gorey, Co. Wexford

 

The Highest EBI Calf/Maiden Heifer Championship – judged on Conformation

Sponsor Progressive Genetics

1^st          Seanacourt FR8733 Cinderella         Denis Donohoe, Ballylynan, Co. Laois

2^nd         Lynally Dellia 4527                                   Aisling Neville, Ballydaly, Tullamore

3^rd          Kildarby Top Blanche                              Owen Cleary, Borrisokane, Co. Tipperary

 

The Highest EBI Cow/Heifer in milk Championship – judged on Conformation

Sponsor Progressive Genetics

1^st          Evergreen Amarok 2                 Liam & Sandra Murphy, Fenagh, Co. Carlow

2^nd         Tubbertoby Chief Miwadi       Paul Flanagan, Termonfeckin, Co. Louth

3^rd          Gageboro Delta Smash          Sean & Tommy Kelly, Horseleap, Co. Westmeath

 

Pedigree Registered best pair of Females owned by the same exhibitor

Sponsor Cowcare systems, Healions Machinery Ltd

1^st          Hallow Holsteins                       Gorey, Co. Wexford

2^nd         John O’ Connor                           Kanturk, Co. Cork

3^rd          Liam & Sandra Murphy            Fenagh, Co. Carlow.