Michael Callinan, along with his wife Chris, runs an impressive 80-acre suckler enterprise just outside Inagh, Co. Clare. Farming is a true family affair for the Callinan’s, their adult sons, Liam and Mark, are deeply involved in the daily operations, while their daughter Roisin is always available to lend support whenever it’s needed.
The herd consists of over 30 suckler cows, primarily second- and third-generation Limousin × British Friesian types, alongside some Limousin × Belgian Blue crosses. “They’re a great cross, with super shape and growth,” Michael notes. This genetic foundation allows them to produce elite weanlings tailored for the export market.
Michael’s eye for quality is proven in the show ring. Each year, he prepares his top calves for premier sales in Ennis, Gort, Sixmilebridge, Kilfenora, and Roscrea. His success was highlighted this year at the Carrick-on-Shannon Winter Fair and other venues, where his prize-winning weanlings commanded prices between €3,000 and €4,000.
“I sell all the bulls and most of the heifers, we keep replacements, and I’d love to keep more given their quality, but numbers can rise very quickly and that brings its own challenges”, Michael says. A look at his current heifers confirms his standard, they are all very impressive with great length, correctness, and width through the pelvis.
Michael’s ideal cow is a 650–700 kg second-cross Limousin (out of a British Friesian) that combines plenty of milk with excellent muscle. He is particularly fond of felames sired by Tomschoice Imperial, Cavelands Jolly, and Castleview Gringo. He has bred some purebreds in the past sired by Rocky, Moondharrig Knell, and Elderberry Galahad.
“I aim to have the heifers in calf at 18 months. We calve the cows in two batches – August/September and January/February.”
Michael continues to use Limousin sires for several reasons. “Firstly, the quality of the calves, and the strong demand for our weanlings at local marts because of their carcass traits and conformation. They’re easy-calved and the calves are up and sucking quickly. Like many farmers, I work off farm, so I’m not always at home when calvings happen.”
Most replacements are home-bred. Michael buys in Friesian heifers, serve them with an easy-calving Limousin, and sells them in calf – another product for which there is always strong demand.
The farm operates a grass-based system with paddocks and strip grazing, allowing calves to creep feed and graze fresh grass ahead of the cows.
The attention to detail on the farm is impossible to miss. The yard is exceptionally tidy, a standard reflected in the surrounding buildings and field layouts. It is no surprise that the Callinan’s have been awarded numerous prestigious awards over the years, including Farmyard of the Year, the Zurich Farm Safety Award, and various FBD Livestock & Farmer Awards. For Michael, the aesthetics of the farm are tied to the environment: “It’s important to consider nature. Planting and trimming hedgerows not only help wildlife but keeps the holding looking its best.”
Although passionate about his suckler herd, Michael speaks with equal enthusiasm about Social Farming The farm regularly welcomes participants from ABI, the Brothers of Charity, and CAMHS, as well as visiting students. These participants engage in daily farm life alongside Michael, growing their own vegetables and creating handmade crafts to take home. “I probably get as much, if not more, enjoyment from seeing their happiness as I do from the farming itself,” Michael says.
Offering advice to the next generation of farmers, Michael stays grounded: “Begin with the right breed and the right foundation animals; always match the correct bull to your cows. Every day brings challenges, but farming is a great way of life. Set goals, even if you don’t reach them all, they keep you moving in the right direction.”
Premier Bull Show and Sale
The first society Premier show and sale of 2026 takes place in Roscrea on Monday March 16th. All bulls are export-tested, fertility-tested, and SCEP eligible. 👉Check out the Catalogue by clicking here👈
