The final show and sale of 2024 took place in Athenry mart on Saturday the 14th of December. The sale had a catalogue entry of 19 bulls, with 17 presenting on the day and 11 finding new homes with a price range from €2,300 to €6,500 and an average price of €4,200. Tasked with judging the show was Mervyn Kneafsey of the Shanklough herd based in Ballina, Co. Mayo. Stewards for the day were Ann Hester, Michael McInerney and Michael Phillips, auctioneering duties were undertaken by George Candler.

Lot 1. Topping the prices was the first bull into the sales ring SKEALON UNIVERSE at €6,500. Skealon Universe is an exceptionally stylish son of Norman Inventor and the Index Pp daughter Newtown Lavender (P). Universe was placed second in his class in the pre-sale show. He has five star ratings in most traits including Replacement index, Terminal index and Gestation Length, he is a carrier of both the F94L gene and the NT821 gene. This smashing bull was born in March 2023 into the Skealon herd of the O’Reilly family of Doogarry, Co. Cavan. With intense interest in this smashing bull he was eventually acquired by a Galway based purchaser.

📹To view SKEALON UNIVERSE in the sales ring click here🖱️

 

Lot 10.  Well known Mayo breeder Sean Garrett presented a consignment of three bulls at the sale from his Ballycastle based herd, a top price of €5100 was paid for AMMAGHMORE URBAN COWBOY a son of Tomschoice Lexicon. Urban Cowboy placed second in his class. Born in May 2023, he is a double carrier of the F94L gene, he also boasts an array of five star ratings, including Replacement index at €188 and Terminal index at €156. His dam Ammaghmore Noirin Dearg has Loyal and Wilodge Cerberus in her lineage. Urban Cowboy found a new home in county Galway.

📹To view AMMAGHMOE URBAN COWBOY in the sales ring click here🖱️

Lot 12 . Selling for the same price and by the same sire was third prize winner KEELTOWN USAIN BOLT from the herd of Brendan Hanley, Edgeworthstown, Co. Longford. Usain Bolt has five star ratings in many traits including Replacement index (€155) and Terminal index (€173). His dam Keeltown Jacey is a daughter of Ampertaine Foreman. Born in May 2023, this young bull is a double carrier of the F94L gene. He returns to a new home in Longford for €5,100.

📹To view KEELTOWN USAIN BOLT in the sales ring click here🖱️

Lot 11. The Reserve Champion and the first son of Westpit Omaha born into the Irish Limousin herd book was CAPPONELLAN UNFLAPPABLE ET. Nineteen month old Unflappable has one copy of the F94L gene and one copy of the Q204X gene. His dam Brackan Roxi is a daughter of Derrygullinane Kingbull. Unflappable was bred in Durrow, Co. Laois by Thomas Bowe. He heads to a new home in county Clare for €5,000.

📹To view the Reserve Champion CAPPONELLAN UNFLAPPABLE ET in the sales ring click here🖱️

Lot 9. Champion bull was BALLINASCRAW USAIN BOLT  from the Longford based herd of father and son duo, John and Stephen Lynch. Ballinascraw Usain Bolt has Gorrycam Notorious, Haltcliffe Dancer and Ampertaine Foreman in his sire stack. He has a single copy of both the F94L and the Q204X genes. He has five star ratings in Terminal index, Dairy Beef, Carcass weight and Carcass conformation. A Galway based purchaser acquired the Champion for €4,400.

📹To view the Champion BALLINASCRAW USAIN BOLT in the sales ring click here🖱️

Lot 19. €4100 was top call for the youngest bull on offer CORLEA UTAH, a fourth prize winner. Utah was presented at auction by Thomas Connor, Kenagh, Co. Longford. Utah is a son of Tomschoice Lexicon and the home bred Huntershall Gladiator daughter Corlea Kate. Utah boasts five star ratings in almost all traits, he is a double carrier of the F94L gene. He was purchased by a Westmeath based farmer.

Lot 4. AMMAGHMORE UNBEATABLE from the herd of Sean Garrett commanded a selling price of €3900. Unbeatable has Telfers Munster, Ampertaine Foreman and Rocky in his sire stack. Born in April 2023, this multi-starred bull was the choice of a Galway based customer.

Lot 5. Third prize winner AMMAGHMORE UNCLE BUCK reached a price of €3,500. Uncle Buck is a double carrier of the F94L gene. He has Ampertaine Gigolo, Wilodge Cerberus and Omer-Mn in his pedigree. He was purchased by a herd in Cork.

Lot 7.  The Powerful Proper son CORLEA ULTAN recorded a price of €3,300 for his breeder Thomas Connor. Ultan has five star ratings in Replacement index (€161), Dairy Beef, Gestation Length, Carcass conformation and Daughter milk. A county Galway farmer acquired April 2023 born Ultan.

Lot 8.  From the same yard was  CORLEA UBOAT, who sold for €3,000. This 19 month old bull is a son of Moebius (Cameos X Usse) and Corlea Jill 2 (Haltcliffe Dancer X Ronick Iceman). Uboat has five star ratings in Terminal index, Dairy Beef, Gestation Length, Carcass weight and Carcass conformation. His new abode will be in Galway.

Lot 16. The double F94L gene carrier CORCAMORE ULTRA found a new home for €2,300. Ultra has Jt, Keltic Handsome and Plumtree Fantastic in his lineage. Ultra was bred by Brendan Curtin.

Acknowledgements

Many thanks to all bidders at this and all Limousin Sales. The very best of luck to purchasers.

Thanks to our stewards today Ann Hester, Michael McInerney and Michael Phillips.

Thanks to auctioneer George Candler and to photographer Alfie Shaw.

Thank you to the management and staff of Athenry mart.

Next show and sale

Our next show and sale is the Premier show and sale which is scheduled for Saturday the 22nd of March in Roscrea Mart, this will be the first sale of 2025.