Drummin herd signs off on a high note

The crème de la crème of Limousin genetics were on offer at the Drummin Herd Dispersal Sale in Roscrea mart on Bank Holiday Monday 28th October. Drummin cattle have been to the forefront of the breed since the herds foundation over twenty years ago. Testament to the quality breeding on offer the cattle on offer sold up to a high of €12,000 for a young maiden heifer.

A note from John, Jean and Eoghan:

Monday the 28th of October will bring the curtain down on the Drummin pedigree Limousin herd. What started off as a hobby became a huge part of our lives and if we’re honest a little bit of an obsession too.

Our first notable success was in 2005 when we brought forward a young bull to the Roscrea premier sale. ‘Drummin Vampire’, a Lino son, who was Reserve Champion on the day, sold for the top price of €6,500. Vampire was one of only two calves born in the herd in 2004 the other being Drummin Veronica.

Veronica had a very successful career in the showring, by Mas Du Clo and out of Drummin Peach – we had lots of enjoyment showing her. However, it was in 2008 at the Beef Expo, (the largest cattle event ever staged in Ireland) that she really shone when she was crowned National Limousin Champion. The following day her full  brother Drummin Candy Man (Et), was Junior Champion at the Roscrea premier sale.

Although Veronica had given us such great pleasure in the showring it was her full sister Drummin Cliona, who was never shown, that became our most prolific breeding cow. Cliona was an absolute powerhouse. The type of cow that crossed exceptionally well with any bull used on her.

Cliona bred some exceptional cattle for us, both male and female. Calf champions at the National show, champions in Roscrea and elsewhere, not just for ourselves but for those who had purchased from us too – which always gave us great satisfaction. Cliona cattle always sold exceptionally well. Her  bloodline still continues to make headlines, with this year’s National Limousin champion being one of her descendants.

The purchase of Foxhillfarm Naughtybutnice at the Red Ladies sale in Carlisle brought a new breeding line into the herd. Sired by Neuf, out of a Vantastic dam and going back to Bankdale Alice her pedigree is exceptional. Naughtybutnice was shown at the National Livestock show in 2018 and was tapped
out as Overall Female Champion and Reserve Overall Champion as a young heifer. She has bred really well for us.

Our time as Limousin breeders has brought us great enjoyment, many friendships and lasting memories. Thank you to anyone who helped along the way.

The end of an era – the last heifer on offer at the sale – Lot 210 DRUMMIN UPTOWNGIRL sold for the top price of €12,000. Uptowngirl is a daughter of Whinfellpark Lomu and Drummin Raquel (sold also for €11,100). Born in April 2023, Uptowngirl is an exceptional heifer – to quote auctioneer George – “Destined to breed Champions”. She heads to Northern Ireland.

Lot 203. DRUMMIN RAQUEL, the dam of Uptowngirl is a daughter of Mereside Godolphin and the outstanding show-cow Naughtybutnice. Raquel herself oozes class, she came to the ring with her September born heifer calf at foot – Drummin Vikki (by Westpit Omaha), after sustained bidding the hammer fell at €11,100 for this fabulous pair. They now head to a new home in Mayo.

Lot 202. The outstanding cow Foxhillfarm Naughtybutnice by Neuf came to the ring with her twin bull calves by Glenrock Redemption – born in September Drummin Vini and Drummin Vici. Naughtybutnice was the Senior Female of the Year in 2019 she was also Female Champion and Reserve Overall Limousin at the National Show in 2018. She is a daughter of Neuf and Foxhillfarm Izzy (Wilodge Fantastic X Sympa).  This trio were purchased by a Northern Ireland based herd for €8,200.

Lot 209. Her April 2023 born daughter the aptly named DRUMMIN URABEAUTY realised €6,600. Urabeauty is an exceptional classy heifer with stars to burn. She is sired by Plumtree Fantastic. She also heads to Northern Ireland.

Lot 204. Winging her way to Donegal is DRUMMIN TIA MARIA.  This smashing heifer is out of Drummin Little Mix (a Drummin Cliona daughter) and by Plumtree Fantastic. She sold scanned in-calf to Glenrock Redemption. The hammer fell at €6,100 for Tia Maria.

Lot 207. January 2023 born DRUMMIN URSULLA found a new home in Kilkenny for a selling price of €5,800. Ursulla is a daughter of Wilodge Cerberus and Eyrecourt Judo (Malibu X Highlander). Ursulla is due to calf down in late March 2025 to Slieve Pablo.

Lot 205. DRUMMIN TANYA, a granddaughter of the renowned show cow Drummin Peach sold for €5,500 – this two year old has Plumtree Fantastic, Ideal 23 and Moustic in her lineage. Her granddam, Peach, is a household name being the dam of Drummin Cliona and Drummin Veroinca – National Champion 2008.  Tanya was acquired by an established herd in county Down.

Lot 208. DRUMMIN UNIQUE, a February 2023 born maiden heifer commanded a price of €4,800. Unique is a daughter of Dimoiwii and Drummin Roxy. This stylish heifer has multiple five star ratings and was the pick of an Antrim based herd.

Lot 201. Also heading to Northern Ireland are  DRUMMIN LITTLE MIX ET and her May born bull calf Drummin Viva La Vida. Little Mix is a daughter of Ampertaine Gigolo and Drummin Cliona, while Viva La Vida is a son of Wilodge Cerberus. This cracking outfit were the first lot into the ring and sold for €4,700.

Lot 206. The in-calf Elderberry Galahad daughter DRUMMIN TESS was aquired by a Wicklow based herd for €3,500. Tess is a grand-daughter of Drummin Cliona. She is due to calf down in February 2025 to Drumline S1185.

John, Jean and Eoghan would like to wish all purchasers of Drummin Limousin cattle the very best, we are confident they will bring you as much enjoyment as they have brought us.

We at Irish Limousin would like to wish the McInerney family the very best in their future endeavors and we thank you for your dedication to the breed. John served on council for many years and is a past president of the society.

The herd played a huge role during the International Congress in 2016, it featured as one of the visited farms by the congress delegates and left a lasting impression on the international delegation. Down through the years Drummin bred cattle have featured heavily at both shows and sales – always at the top end!