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Tullamore Show 2022

The Tullamore National Livestock show sponsored by FBD made a welcome return to action on Sunday August 14th this year. Bumper crowds attended the country’s largest outdoor agricultural show at the Butterfield Estate at Blueball, Tullamore. The successful return of the show following two fallow years is a great credit to the organising committee and volunteers.

The Holstein Friesian classes on the day numbered over 20, featuring classes confined to breeders from Laois, Offaly and Westmeath, National YMA Showmanship League classes and the Tullamore Show classes. The stock on display was top-quality as breeders from near and far showcased their best of breeding. The Holstein Friesian ring was busy throughout the day with onlookers enjoying the display of high-quality stockmanship.

Senior Champion hat-trick for Hallow

Hallow Atwood Twizzle 1181 exhibited by Philip & Linda Jones was crowned Senior Champion. She also secured the best udder award and was placed 1st mature cow. Calved seven weeks in her fourth lactation she is bred from five generations of VG/EX Dams. Sired by Atwood EX, her dam is Hallow Advent Twizzle 3 ET EX96 4E whose list of accolades and achievements include IHFA Champion Cow of the Year. She is projected to yield over 10,500 kgs milk, 970 kgs milk solids in her fourth lactation. The Champion cow’s daughter Hallow Sol Twizzle was crowned Reserve Champion and 1st Junior Cow. As a heifer she recorded 8,744 kgs milk, 676 kgs milk solids, 4.15% Fat, 3.58% Protein (305d). Her sire is Walnutlawn Solomon. Hallow Octain Twizzle won Honourable Mention, completing a hat-trick in the Championship for the Hallow herd. She is a maternal sister to the Champion – Hallow Advent Twizzle 1181 EX. She is classified VG86 2-Year-Old with VG87 Mammary. Her sire is Stantons High Octane EX93. Completing a clean sweep of titles in the Championship is a terrific breeding achievement for the Jones family.

YMA Showmanship League

Young Members competed with strong numbers in all three classes of the Showmanship League qualifier classes. It is very encouraging to witness such a large number of talented, keen and enthusiastic young members participating. 

Prize Winners

Bawnmore Pepper Almeric exhibited by Bryan & John O’ Connor won the €2,500 Super Heifer in milk class. She is Classified VG88 2-Year-Old with a VG89 Mammary. She is bred from four generations of EX including Dam Clongowes Sid Almeric 2 EX95 4E. Kevin Flynn, Reary herd, Clonaslee won multiple awards including the Highest EBI class, 1st Confined cow in-milk and 1st Confined heifer in-milk. Aisling Neville, Limetree herd won two 1 st prizes in the confined classes. It was Aisling’s first time to exhibit at the show with her recently established Limetree herd. Philip and Linda Jones, Hallow herd enjoyed further success on the day winning the best group of three females class. Hallow Impression Nicol won 1st 2nd calver and she also won best udder of class.

Judge on the day was Michael George of the Brynhyfryd herd, Pembrokeshire, Wales. Andrea Murphy from the Carlow Kilkenny Club judged the YMA classes. Martina Neville, Chairperson of the Dairy classes presented a momento of appreciation to the judges on behalf of Tullamore Show. Following in the stellar footsteps of her hard-working Dad, Martina Neville took on the role of Chairperson this year. This follows on from Tommy Finlay’s illustrious and dedicated term as Chairman during which time the Tullamore show has gone from strength to strength. The dedication and commitment of the Finlay and Neville families is a major element in the continued success of the Tullamore Show year after year. 

Junior Championship

Champion: Sprucegrove Some Chief Peggy exhibitor Keypoint Holsteins

Reserve: Cheryblossom Unix Sue exhibitor Liam & Sandra Murphy

H. Mention: Ellys Darlingo Rhapsody exhibitor Steve & Maria Mc Loughlin

YMA Showmanship League class Winners

12 years & under 1st Zoe Greenan (Breffni Oriel club)

13 – 16 years 1st Manus Murphy (Carlow Kilkenny club)

17 – 26 1st Megan Boal (Galway club)