Emerald Expo 2026 – Show Report

Back-to-Back Senior Championship success for Coolroehouse Abbott Ann at Emerald Expo 2026

The 2026 Emerald Expo all dairy breeds cattle show took place in the Virginia Show Centre Co. Cavan on Saturday April 25th. Title sponsor is FBD Insurance with the Department of Agriculture Food & the Marine, Tirlán and the IHFA as associate sponsors. It was an action-packed event, with a full itinerary throughout the day as a big crowd of visitors drawn from near and far were in attendance. Proceedings were once again live-streamed, ensuring a wide audience reach. Show Director Richard Whelan in his address complimented and thanked all exhibitors for the tremendous quality of stock turned out and the top level of entries per class. Ciaran Keaney, FBD Cavan, gave the official welcome on behalf of title sponsor FBD.

Coolroehouse Abbott Ann exhibited by Paul Murphy and Emma Behan from Lombardstown, Mallow, Co. Cork won Supreme Champion and she goes into the history books as only the second cow to win back-to-back Emerald Expo Senior Championships. She is only the third ever cow to achieve the feat of twice winning Senior Champion. She also was crowned with the best udder accolade and won 1st 5-Year-Old cow in milk. She is sired by Willsbro Abbott (S3525).                                                Euro Showtime Merrill exhibited by Daniel & Emer Curtin, Listowel, Co. Kerry won Reserve Champion and 1st Senior 3-Year-Old. Classified VG87 2-Year-Old she has recorded over 7,300 kgs milk, 502 kgs milk solids in her first lactation to date. She is a 4th generation VG/EX Dam and is sired by Jacobs Showtime (S3841).                                        Tubbertoby Barolo Joy exhibited by Paul, Marguerite & Matthew Flanagan, Termonfeckin, Co. Louth won Honourable Mention and 1st 4-Year-Old. Classified EX 2nd calver (max score) she is bred from six generations of VG/EX Dams. Calved since August, she is projected to yield 8,460 kgs milk, 764 kgs milk solids, 5.05% Fat, 3.97% Protein in her second lactation. On her previous show outing at the National Dairy Show 2025 she won Reserve Senior Champion and 1st 4-Year-Old. She is sired by Claynook Barolo (FR9773).

Judge, David Wright from Berryholme Holsteins in England summed up his Championship line up “A tremendous line up of cow, cows that I like, cows with dairy quality. Cows with openness, hard tops, incredible mammary systems and feet & legs. My Champion cow, she really puts it all together, she is so good from every angle. She is long in her frame, so open and with a fantastic mammary system. Her silkiness and dairyness gives her the advantage. We have an absolutely beautiful young cow as Reserve Champion. She has such an amazing rear udder. That height and width in her rear udder and teat quality gives her the advantage today. My Honourable Mention has a quality of frame that sets her apart”.

The Senior Championship was bursting with quality throughout and included the 1st and 2nd placed cows from the Confined class Glasson Diamond A Kandie Krus exhibited by Trevor Lockhart, Ramelton, Co. Donegal and Eedy Ranger Twizzle Red exhibited by John Coakley, Maynooth, Co. Kildare. It was a debut Expo outing for John Coakley while Trevor Lockhart was exhibiting at National level for the first time in many years. Philip Jones had two top quality cows in the Senior Championship, Hallow Perseus Dawn and Hallow Denver Twizzle. First and second Mature cows Evergreen Susie Mist 26 RC 1st Mature cow exhibited by Liam & Sandra Murphy, Fenagh, Co. Carlow and Nolh Ikaye IMP exhibited by Victor Jackson, Kiltegan, Co. Wicklow caught the eye of many in attendance.

Two top quality Heifer in milk classes led on to a tremendous Intermediate Championship. Jones Eye Candy Ella ET exhibited by Garry & Izzy Jones won the Intermediate Championship. Classified VG87 2-Year-Old, she is a 5th generation VG/EX Dam. Calved in at 24 months of age, she is five months into her first lactation with a projected yield of 7,601 kgs milk, 611 kgs milk solids, 4.18 % Fat, 3.85 % Protein. Cedarmore Tory exhibited by Paul Murphy & Emma Behan won Reserve Champion. Classified VG87 2-Year-Old she is a 13th generation VG/EX Dam and she is potentially an 11th generation EX Dam. Evergreen Eye C Lauren exhibited by Liam & Sandra Murphy, Fenagh, Co. Carlow was Honourable Mention. Six weeks fresh on the day of the show, she is a potential 12th generation VG/EX Dam.

Emerald Expo Junior Holstein Friesian Championship

Champion      SBG Parfect C Carlin, exhibited by Alan & Leanne Paul, Maghera, Co. Derry

Reserve            Leagh Dropbox Hanina, exhibited by Enda Doran, Kilbegley, Co. Roscommon

  1. Mention Ellys Crossfire Rhapsody, exhibited by Steve McLoughlin, Ellistown, Co. Kildare.

Class 8, Confined Youngstock class (not in milk) confined to members of the Breffni Oriel, North Eastern, West Midlands and Donegal clubs was supported very strongly with a big number of entries. For many exhibitors in this class it was their first time to compete in a National show.

Strong YMA Participation

The Young Members Association were central to the many successful elements of Emerald Expo. Forty-three handlers participated in three fantastic Handling classes as the first qualifying show of the year for the annual YMA Showmanship League competition. The YMA stockjudging and reason giving competition was well supported with the winners as follows; Patrick Dillon (Kerry Club), sisters Hannah & Zoe Greenan (Breffni Oriel club) and Holly Darville (North Eastern club). Thanks to Avril Taylor as Judge. The presentation of the YMA National Hall of Fame award to Andrea Rafferty (Breffni Oriel club) capped a vibrant day of many positive initiatives for YMA.

Emerald Expo Handler Championship Results

Champion       Cody Paul (Holstein Northern Ireland)

Reserve             Kate Jones (Slaney club)

  1. Mention Sarah Williamson (Breffni Oriel club)

Champion Handler Cody Paul is to be commended on his fabulous success, a wonderful achievement as a highly talented 11-year-old handler. The fact that the YMA handling classes were supported so strongly with many new faces competing for the first time lends great encouragement for the future.

Dignatories in attendance at Emerald Expo included Mary Rafferty, IHFA President, Leo Nulty, President-Elect, Mark Logan, Holstein UK president and John Martin, Secretary of Holstein Northern Ireland. Local Councillors T.P. O’Reilly and Trevor Smith were in attendance. The Virginia Show committee were represented by Mary Gaynor, President and Martina Jamieson, Secretary.

Official Opening by Barry Cowen M.E.P.

Barry Cowen M.E.P. for the Midlands-North West constituency was the VIP guest who performed the official opening. Barry is member of the EU Committee on Agriculture & Rural Development. In his remarks he alluded to current topical issues including; CAP Budget discussions, affordability of farm inputs and generational renewal. He stated “Irish farmers are producing food to the highest standards with the lowest levels of emissions. While sustainability has a price, it cannot be a price borne by farmers alone”. He concluded by saying “Agriculture is the backbone of the Irish economy. Our national identity and landscape is inextricably linked to Irish family farms.”

Roy Cromie, Dalevalley herd presented with Emerald Expo Recognition Award

Show Director Richard Whelan presented the Emerald Expo 2026 Recognition award to Mr. Roy Cromie, Dalevalley herd, Co. Donegal. Roy is a most deserving recipient of this illustrious award for his lifetime involvement and dedicated to the Holstein Friesian breed. His track record of exhibiting at shows the length and breadth of the country is truly admirable. No journey or distance is too far for Roy and wife Heather to travel, their passion and enthusiasm for quality stock is boundless. He has supported the Emerald Expo show and its predecessor the North Eastern Spring Fair from the very beginning. Through his infectious positive outlook, he has encouraged many others to get involved showing cattle. Through his annual youngstock sales and investments in sourcing high-performing cow families he has helped many others to get a foothold in top-end genetics. Tremendous applause from the public greeted the announcement of this award to Roy when he was presented with a framed photograph of home-bred Dalevalley Royalty 2 EX93 4E with the inscription “The Millennium Year Show Cow” Champion Baileys Cow 2000, Champion Tullamore National Livestock Show 2000, Champion National Dairy Show 2000.

Emerald Expo Online sale in conjunction with Denis A. Barrett Auctions

Denis Barrett Auctions in conjunction with Emerald Expo held an online sale offering breeders an opportunity to consign choice lots. Twenty lots including one lot of embryos were catalogued. The online sale was open to bidding from the day prior to Expo until two days after. Hillholm Bullseye Tory bred by Paul Murphy & Emma Behan sold for €8,000 topped the sale. She is a daughter of Cedarmore Tory, Emerald Expo Intermediate Reserve Champion. Leagh A Babe Like No Other RC bred by Leagh Holsteins sold for €5,700. Steve McLoughlin’s Ellys Crossfire Rhapsody who won Honourable Mention in the Junior Championship and 1st place winner in the September/October calf class sold for €5,000. An initial review of confirmed sold lots soon after the sale close indicates fifteen lots sold averaging €3,050.

Emerald Expo 2026 – Results

SHOWMANSHIP

Emerald Expo Handler aged 12 and under on 1st Jan 2026 Sponsored by Breffni Oriel Club:

  1. Cody Paul;
  2. Jamie Paul;
  3. Jack Windrum;
  4. Anna McLoughney;
  5. Dylan Paul;
  6. Eva O’Brien.

Emerald Expo Handler aged between 13-16 on 1st Jan 2026 Sponsored by North Eastern Club:

  1. Kate Jones;
  2. Alex Windrum;
  3. Clodagh Kennelly;
  4. Cathal McLoughney;
  5. Lauren Doran;
  6. Zoe Greenan.

Emerald Expo Handler aged between 17 and 26 on 1st Jan 2026 Sponsored by AHV:

  1. Sarah Williamson;
  2. Hannah Greenan;
  3. Millie Wardle;
  4. Jennifer Harty;
  5. Sarah Lyster;
  6. Mary Conroy.

Emerald Expo HANDLER CHAMPIONSHIP Sponsored by FBD Champion:

Champion: Cody Paul;
Reserve: Kate Jones;
Honorable Mention: Sarah Williamson.

YOUNGSTOCK CLASSES

Emerald Expo Class 1 – Holstein Friesian Heifer born after 1st January 2026 Sponsored by Auctus:

Emerald Expo Class 9 – Colour Breed Heifer born after 1st January 202 Sponsored by Univet:

  1. Monasteroris Jennie Dean26 RWH – Michael Manley;
  2. Mullaghlands Jo Jo Bambi – Patrick & Edwin Gaynor;
  3. Monasteroris Fanny 19th RLW H – Michael Manley.

Emerald Expo Class 10 – Colour Breed Maiden Heifer Sponsored by Cavan County Council:

  1. Clandeboye Evita Roulette – Patrick & Edwin Gaynor;
  2. Coolacork Billi Pactole 2 – Patrick & Edwin Gaynor;
  3. Gagboro Victorious Clarissa – Sean Kelly.