The FBD National Dairy Show 2026 took place at the Green Glens Arena, Millstreet, Co. Cork, on 9th and 10th October. It was a record year, with record attendance, record trade stands and close to 200 cattle forward.

Fame makes history

Eedy Doorman Fame, bred and exhibited by the Helen family from Clonakilty, Co. Cork, was named Supreme Champion by judge Mark Logan. It is her third Supreme title, following wins in 2023 and 2024. She is the first Irish bred cow to achieve this.

Only one other cow in the 44 year history of the show has won the title three times: the Canadian import Moralta Inspiration Fame, who is Eedy Doorman Fame’s fourth dam. Eedy Doorman Fame also won Class 20 and the Exhibitor Bred Championship.

Laurence Feeney, CEO of the IHFA, said: “Congratulations to the Helen family on a truly historic achievement. To win Supreme Champion three times, and to follow in the footsteps of her fourth dam, shows the quality of breeding on Irish farms today. It was a privilege to see it happen in Millstreet.”

Reserve and Honourable Mention

Reserve Supreme Champion went to Tubbertoby Mirand Abba, exhibited by P&M Flanagan from Termonfeckin, Co. Louth. Her grand dam was Intermediate Champion at the Emerald Expo in 2019. She also won Class 18 and the IHFA Best Udder award.

Honourable Mention went to Jones Knowlesmere Lvictory, exhibited by Jones Cattle Ltd, who was also named Holstein Intermediate Champion.

2026 Champions

IHFA awards

The IHFA was proud to sponsor two awards at this year’s show. The Production Class, for cows with over 4,000kg of lifetime fat and protein, was won by Peak Solo Rhapsody ET, exhibited by Steve McLoughlin. The Best Udder award went to Tubbertoby Mirand Abba, exhibited by P&M Flanagan.

Young handlers and the YMA Showmanship League

Friday’s handler classes showcased the next generation of breeders, with young members from across the country competing in the ring. The final round of the YMA Showmanship League was sponsored by FBD.

Class A, handlers aged 12 and under
1st Georgina Hynes, 2nd Elsie Kelly, 3rd Cora Corridon, 4th Patrick Dillion, 5th John Hickey, 6th John Barrett.

Class B, handlers aged 13 to 16
1st Clodagh Kennelly, 2nd Roisin Cronin, 3rd Cathal McLoughney, 4th Lauren Doran, 5th Stephen Harty, 6th Aoibhin Corridon.

Class C, handlers aged 17 to 26
1st Jennifer Harty, 2nd Becky Hynes, 3rd Sarah Shannon, 4th Mary Conroy, 5th Aimee O’Donovan, 6th Aisling Harty.

Novice Handler classes
John Hickey won Novice Handler 1A for handlers aged under 11 (sponsored by ICMSA). John Barrett won Novice Handler 1B for those aged 11 to 13 (Agriflow). Josephine Kelleher won Novice Handler 2 for those aged 14 to 18 (smaXtec).

Champion Handler
John Barrett went on to be named Champion Handler, sponsored by Dairygold Pathways. Josephine Kelleher was Reserve, and Aoife Prunty received Honourable Mention.

Congratulations to all the young handlers who took part, and thank you to the YMA for its continued work in developing young breeders.

Innovation Awards

Udder Logic won the Overall National Dairy Show Innovation Award for its Automatic Dipping and Flushing System. It also won the Technology and Engineering category and Best Start Up. Alltech won the Sustainability Award with Eminex, and Interchem won the Science category with FerAppease.

The Best Trade Stand award went to IRD Duhallow.

A record year

Tom Baker, Show Director, said: “This was possibly one of the best National Dairy Shows ever held, with record attendance, record trade stands and record cattle entries. It will be hard to top this year, but we will give it a go.”

The IHFA would like to thank the show committee, judges, sponsors, exhibitors and everyone who visited the IHFA stand.

Results and photos

Download the full results (PDF)

Photos from the show are available in the galleries below. More photos will be added in the coming days.

Jessica Hall Photography gallery
National Dairy Show 2026 gallery

Photos: Jessica Hall Photography and Mathias Penn