Limousin proved to be very much in demand at the societies first Premier Show & Sale of 2019 which met with an 83% clearance and an average selling price of €3,966.
Judging took place on Sunday evening the 17th of March, with judging duties undertaken by Michael Cursiter – Chairman of the British Limousin Cattle Society. Michael runs the Lagas Limousin Herd at Evie on the island of Orkney. The Cursiter family also run a commercial cattle enterprise and a large flock of sheep on 1,700 acres of land.
Premier Show & Salle judge Michael Cursiter with Junior champion Ardlea Nemo and Kevin Bohan
After the sale Paul Sykes Breed Secretary speaking after the sale:
It was re-assuring considering the uncertainty with Brexit and the current difficulties within the beef market to see customers having the confidence to invest in the breed. Equally it was pleasing to see our breeders rewarded for the money that they have invested in the breed. The general feeling was that the bulls we had on offer today were of a high standard and this was reflected in the prices paid. Livestock marts across the country are all reporting on the strong trade for good quality Limousin cattle with many mart managers quoting that demand is exceeding supply. We had many repeat customers which must be seen as a positive for the breed. While easy calving and maternal traits are still sought after there is a growing number of customers looking to purchase a good terminal sire to produce either quality weanlings, stores or a good grading animal at slaughter.
Lot 99. Sale day March 18th, 2019 will be remembered by the team at Ardlea Elite Limousin for a long time to come. They presented six outstanding young bulls which included the Senior and Junior Champions and the Reserve Senior Champion. The average take home price for the bulls was €6,300. Four of the six presented were sons of the remarkable show cow Whitehall Iris, these boys managed to sell for an outstanding average price of €7,475. Ardlea Elite Limousins, the largest pedigree Limousin herd in the country is based at Beechhill Farm, Mouthrath, Co. Laois, the herd is owned by Dan Tynan, and is managed by Kevin Bohan and his capable team of Keith, Paddy and Jason.
Taking the plaudits as Junior Champion was the outstanding 14 month old Ardlea Nemo. Born in January 2018, Nemo is a son of Killmactransa Karson and the aforementioned Whitehall Iris. Karson is a stock sire in the Ardlea Elite herd, he was purchased in Roscrea in 2016 from Jimmy McHugh, Dundalk, Co. Louth. Dam Whitehall Iris was bred by Noel Brennan, Gowran, Co. Kilkenny. She has Haltcliffe Dancer and Wilodge Vantastic in her back pedigree. At the National Show in 2018, Nemo took the red ribbon in his class, while Iris was crowned Senior Champion Female, Iris was shown with Nemo (then 7 months old and his twin brother Ardlea Niro), Elite Manilla a daughter of Iris’ also took first in her class.
Bidding started with a flurry once Nemo entered the sales ring, the hammer fell at €9,500 with the successful bidder being John Kingham, Farm Manager of Tateetra Farm, Dundalk, Co. Louth.
To see Ardlea Nemo in the sale ring – Click Here
Junior Champion Ardela Nemo – €9,500
Lot 44. The Foxhill Farm herd of Melanie and Michael Alford, Blackbourgh, Devon purchased the Senior Champion Elite Monteque Et for €9000. Monteque is a son of Lodge Hamlet and Whitehall Iris. Oozing style and class, 18 month old Monteque boasts five star ratings in Terminal index, Replacement index, Carcass weight and Carcass conformation.
Click here to see Elite Monteque Et in the sales ring
Senior Champion Elite Monteque Et – €9000
Lot 35. The Ampertaine Gigolo son Lisfort Maradona Et sold for €7,600. Maradona was presented for sale by Finbar Murphy, Clones, Co. Monaghan. Having enjoyed a successful show season in 2018, this young bull was placed second in his class in the pre-sale show. Maradona’s dam Ernevalley Imelia Et is a daughter of Wilodge Cerberus and the noted donor dam Drummin Cliona. Eighteen month old Maradona was one of two bulls acquired by dairy farmer Peter Gibson, Kilrush, Co. Clare.
Click here to see Lisfort Maradona Et in the sales ring
Second prize winner Lisfort Maradona Et – €7,600
Lot 51. Carrickmore Mickeyfinn Et, a full brother of Carrickmore Maximus Et – the record priced Irish Limousin bull who sold in October at €38,000 sold for €7,100. Mickeyfinn was bred by John & Karol Connell, Oldcastle, Co. Meath. By Ampertaine Foreman and out of Baileys Iceprincess (overall Champion at the International Limousin Congress in 2016, and National show Champion in both 2015 and 2016). Mickey Finn was awarded second place in his class. He was purchased by Thomas Claffey, Ballingore, Co. Westmeath.
Click here to see Carrickmore Mickeyfinn Et in the sales ring
Second prize winner Carrickmore Mickeyfinn Et – €7,100
Lot 41. The Reserve Senior Champion Elite Messi Et was also bred by Dan Tynan, Mountrath. Messi is a full brother to the Senior Champion (Lodge Hamlet and the noted Whitehall Iris combination). Born in September 2017, this powerful young bull has predominately five star ratings. With his impressive pedigree he was snapped up by William Sheenan, Ayrshire, Scotland for €6,200.
Click here to see Elite Messi Et in the sales ring
Reserve Senior Champion Elite Messi Et – €6,200
Lot 98. Second prize winner Lanmore Neptune, one of the youngest bulls on offer, commanded a price of €5,800. This eye-catching Gamin son was bred by Richard Duffy, Westport, Co. Mayo. Neptune’s dam Donnelly Gina has Haltcliffe Dancer and Lino in her sire stack. Having taken five first prizes on the summer show scene Neptune was purchased by a Cahir, Co. Tipperary based farmer.
Click here to see Lanmore Neptune in the sales ring
Second prize winner Lanmore Neptune – €5,800
Lot 45. The final bull with the Lodge Hamlet X Whitehall Iris blood lines Elite Magic Et sold at €5,200. Magic was awarded fourth prize in the show ring. Born in September 2017, he has an array of five star ratings and a Muscle score of 152. Andrew Ewing, Dumfriesshire, Scotland acquired Magic from Dan Tynan.
Click here to see Elite Magic Et in the sales ring
Fourth prize winner Elite Magic Et – €5,200
Lot 38. Dairy farmer Peter Gibson, Kilrush, Co. Clare second acquisition was Shanna Magic Et. Magic is an eye-catching son of Sympa and the Wilodge Cerberus dam Shanna Galaxy Et. Third prize winner Magic was bred by Seamus Keady, Spiddal, Co. Galway. Multi starred Magic sold for €5,100.
Third prize winner Shanna Magic Et – €5,100
Lot 82. Killcastle Marvel Et, a first prize winning son of Ampertaine Elgin sold for €5,000. Marvel was bred by Alan & Paul Kelly of Moate, Co. Westmeath. His dam Killcastle Gina Monique 1 Et has bred multiple all-Ireland and premier sale Champions, she is a daughter of Wilodge Vantastic. Marvel was purchased by a Dromara, Co. Down farmer.
First prize winner Killcastle Marvel Et – €5,000
Lot 58. A first prize winning Cavelands Jolly son – Millburn Mac Murphy sold for €4,800. Mac’s dam Millburn Jamilah has Huntershall Gladiator and Rocky in her sire stack. Bred by Richard O’Beirne, Tuam, Co. Galway, 17 month old Mac has five star ratings in Terminal index, Docility, Carcass weight and Carcass conformation. He caught the eye of Albert Stanley, Johnstown, Co. Kilkenny.
First prize winner Millburn Mac Murphy – €4,800
Lot 20. David and Joe Swaine from the Farmleigh herd (based in Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford) acquired a new stock bull Ernevalley Miley Et for €4,600. Miley was bred by Eddie Lynch, Loughduff, Co. Cavan. He has Sympa, Malibu and Ronick Luke in his pedigree. Third prize winning Miley has five star ratings in many traits.
Third prize winner Ernevalley Miley Et – €4,600.
Lot 50. Also heading to Enniscorthy is Corcamore Maverick. Maverick is a son of Plumtree Fantastic and the homebred Goldies Terence dam Corcamore Fay. He has five star ratings in many traits. Maverick was bred by Brendan Curtin, Clarina, Co. Limerick. Joe Deacon purchased Maverick for €4,600.
Corcamore Maverick – €4,600
Lot 59. Martin McCann, Belharbour, Co. Clare purchased Mount Scott Major Et for €4,600. Major is a second prize winning son of Ampertaine Foreman and the Milou-Mn dam Mount Scott Eileen. Multi-starred Major was presented for sale by Ahey Bridge Farms Limited.
Lot 22. Keltic Merfyn, a son of Kaprico Eravelle and the Bavardage dam Keltic Icequeen sold for €4,500. Merfyn was bred by Teleri Thomas, Enfield, Co. Meath. With five star ratings in almost every trait, he was acquired by Ciaran Cassidy, Scotstown, Co. Monaghan.
Lot 69. Second prize winner Rhyne Mclarren was purchased by James Barry, Fethard, Co. Tipperary. Mclarren is a son of On-Dit and Rhyne Katie, a Castleview Gringo daughter. Multi-starred Mclarren was bred by Mark Hagan, Killoe, Co. Longford, his selling price was €4,500.
Second prize winner Rhyne Mclarren – €4,500
Lot 21. The second prize winning Goldies Jackpot son Baileys Mercedes Et sold for €4,400. Mercedes is a half-brother to Baileys Ice Princess. Boasting five star ratings in Terminal index, Carcass weight, Carcass conformation and Daughter Milk. Mercedes was bred by Thomas Bailey, Batterstown, Co. Meath. He was acquired by W.J. & M. Mash Ltd., Chesham, Buckinghamshire to run with their Brockhurst herd.
Second prize winner Baileys Mercedes Et – €4,400
Lot 30. The stylish a fourth prize winning son of Ballinloan Jaegerbomb and Newtown Foxy Lady (a Wilodge Vantastic daughter) Newtown Monkey Boy sold for €4,400. Monkey Boy was bred by Stanley Richardson, Newtowngore, Co. Leitrim. Monkey Boy was purchased by Pearse Gormley, Drumquin, Co. Tyrone.
Fourth prize winner Newtown Monkey Boy – €4,400
Lot 42. Eddie Lynch’s second bull Ernevalley Morocco sold for €4,400. Morocco is a son of Foxhillfarm Leon (an Objat son) and Claragh Ione (a Broadmeadows Cannon daughter). Kevin Taheny, Gurteen, Co. Sligo purchased third prize winning Morocco.
Lot 3. Michael Ruthledge, Ballina, Co. Mayo sold third prize winner Dromullin Master for €4,250. Born in May 2017 Master has Ampertaine Commander, Ampertaine Elgin and Carmorn Copilot in his sire stack. Master was purchased by David Weld, Robertstown, Co. Kildare.
Lot 40. James Clifford, Caherciveen, Co. Kerry purchased Elite Mendy Et for €4,200. Mendy is a son of Bavardage and Elite Jolene (a Sympa daughter). Multi-starred Mendy was bred by Dan Tynan, Mountrath, Co. Laois.
Lot 54. Seventeen month old Plumtree Fantastic son Corcamore Mikado realised €4,000 for his breeder Brendan Curtin, Clarina, Co. Limerick. Mikado’s dam Corcamore Deer has Imperial and Litron in her lineage. Mikado was purchased by Richard Skehan, Ballyragget, Co. Kilkenny.
Corcamore Mikado – €4,000
Lot 64. Finding a new home on the farm of Patrick Byrnes, Newtown, Co. Limerick is Brookland Mascot. Mascot is a son of Lodge Hamlet and Brookland Edel. His selling price was €4,000. Mascot was bred by John Hickey, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.
Lot 84. The Ronick Hawk son Tomriland M 666 Et also sold for €4,000. M 666 was bred by Noel Kenny, Ashford, Co. Wicklow. His dam Kilbricken Karen Et has Sympa and Samy in her sire stack. First prize winning M 666 was purchased by Pierce Fleming, Kells, Co. Meath.
To view the catalogue for this sale please click here
Other selling prices
Reserve Junior Champion Glenford Magnum – €3,400
| Lot | Bull Name | Price | Exhibitor | Sire | Show placing |
| 24 | Milan Mackintosh | €3,800 | Donal McKeon | Wilodge Tonka | |
| 26 | Wood Road Marc Et | €3,800 | Noel Fennessy | Gerrygullinane Glen | |
| 23 | Wood Road Malachy Et | €3,700 | Noel Fennessy | Sympa | Second |
| 32 | Brickhill Moss Et | €3,700 | Michael McInerney | Ampertaine Gigolo | Fourth |
| 34 | Hill Top Macho Et | €3,700 | Thomas Murphy | Attirant | |
| 36 | Elite Montague Et | €3,700 | Daniel Tynan | Bavardage | |
| 56 | Mount Scott Manweel Et | €3,700 | Stephen O’ Grady | Ampertaine Foreman | |
| 71 | Hill Top Machine Et | €3,700 | Thomas Murphy | Wilodge Vantastic | |
| 75 | Ballinrahin Magnum Et | €3,700 | Michael Malone | Sympa | Fourth |
| 103 | Clonagh Nugget | €3,700 | Garreth Behan | Goldies Jackpot | Third |
| 27 | Baileys Murphy Et | €3,600 | Thomas Bailey | Goldies Jackpot | Third |
| 33 | Meelickaduff Mchale Et | €3,600 | Michael Hester | Ampertaine Elgin | |
| 57 | Mount Scott Muhammad Et | €3,600 | Patrick Buckley | Sympa | Third |
| 61 | Hill Top Mann Et | €3,600 | Thomas Murphy | Loosebeare Fantastic | Fourth |
| 76 | Redbawn Masterbull | €3,600 | Ian Kilgallon | Ampertaine Foreman | Second |
| 28 | Cnoc Rua My-Boy | €3,500 | Ciaran Smith | Wilodge Tonka | |
| 29 | Marlhill Mac | €3,500 | James Parkinson | Galbally Klogan 1062 | |
| 46 | Wood Road Mervyn Et | €3,500 | Noel Fennessy | Sympa | |
| 53 | Shannon Maloney | €3,500 | Sarah Mcelligott | Edakkya | |
| 63 | Glenford Magnum Et | €3,400 | Kelly Stephenson | Netherhall Jackpot | Reserve Senior Champion |
| 100 | Milbrook Nascewa Et | €3,400 | William Smith | Rossignol | Fourth |
| 104 | Finboy Noah Et | €3,400 | Tom Harney | Wilodge Joskins | |
| 19 | Oldtown Mountain | €3,300 | William Hogan | Ampertaine Foreman | |
| 87 | Milan Maximo | €3,300 | Donal Mckeon | Dimoiwii | |
| 92 | Clonbonny Murphy | €3,300 | Tony Hartnett | Plumtree Fantastic | Second |
| 17 | Novinchristie Magnum Et | €3,200 | Noel Barry | On-Dit | |
| 89 | Newtown Marlow | €3,200 | Stanley Richardson | Netherhall Jackpot | Third |
| 88 | Clonbonny Miracle | €3,100 | Tony Hartnett | Plumtree Fantastic | Fourth |
| 25 | Novinchristie Murry Et | €3,000 | Noel Barry | On-Dit | |
| 47 | Keltic Morlo | €3,000 | Ms | Teleri Thomas | Keltic Handsome |
| 70 | Ernevalley Monkey Magic Et | €3,000 | Eddie Lynch | Ampertaine Gigolo | Third |
| 80 | College Hill Marcelo | €2,900 | Joseph Fitzpatrick | Castleview Gringo Et | |
| 72 | Clonagh Maximus | €2,700 | Garreth T Behan | Limo Tanat | Fourth |
| 43 | Marlhill Malcolm | €2,600 | James Parkinson | Millburn Just The Job | |
| 7 | Mill Rose Mayweather | €2,500 | Stephen Moran | Wilodge Joskins | First |
| 15 | Redbawn Marvel | €2,500 | Ian Kilgallon | Ampertaine Foreman | |
| 85 | Tomriland M 667 Et | €2,300 | Noel Kenny | Ronick Hawk | |
| 1 | Ballinalick Marley | €2,200 | William Duff | Boyanagh James | |
| 6 | Malbay Minor | €2,200 | Noreen Murrihy | Ampertaine Commander | |
| 67 | Glenford Mr Man | €2,200 | Kelly Stephenson | Netherhall Jackpot | |
| 96 | Clonagh Mufasa | €2,200 | Garreth T Behan | Wilodge Joskins |
Thank you
Many thanks to all purchaser’s at this and all Limousin sales – we wish you well with your new acquisitions. Thanks to everyone that helped out here in Roscrea – the mart management and staff, our stewards – Michael, Frank and David, our auctioneers George and Denis, and our judge Michael.
Next sale is on this Saturday in Tullamore mart – show at 9am, sale at 1pm – Catalogue available by clicking here.
