Pictured above: Presentation of the National Limousin Show Champion 2023 to Milbrook Nikkiespice, bred by William Smith, with sponsor representative Nicola Fetherstone (AIB Agri), Alan Kelly (President ILCS), Douglas Graham (Show Judge), Philip Crowe (Vice President ILCS) and Elanor Reilly (Handler).
The National Livestock Show Tullamore was a fitting back drop to host the spectacle that was the 32nd National Limousin Championships. Despite the changeable weather forecast, large numbers were in attendance with Limousin visitors and wider beef-cattle enthusiasts travelling from all over the island of Ireland, Northern Ireland, British Isles and various EU countries.
Throughout the proceedings, the Limousin marquee was a hive of activity and around the showring there was a great buzz of anticipation and appreciation of the showring craft and breeding talent on display.
Like always, the centrepiece of Limousin exhibit at the Tullamore Show is always the quality of the beef cattle presented; they truly represent the very best of Limousin breeding in Ireland and their genetic contributions have helped the Limousin breed to assume the position of the number one beef breed in Ireland and, accordingly, the genetic backbone of Ireland’s prime beef exports.
The National Limousin Championships, kicked off at 10am with Mr. Douglas Graham from the 80-cow Burnbank Herd in Scotland, tasked with the difficult job of judging some 22 classes across male and female sections.
Show judge, Douglas Graham (Burnbank Herd, Scotland)
Presentation to Douglas Graham (Burnbank Herd, Scotland), pictured with Lynda Graham (Burnbank Herd, Scotland) and Alan Kelly (President ILCS)
It will be another National Championship to remember for William Smith’s Milbrook Limousin Herd based in Oldcastle, Co. Meath. It was Milbrook Nikkiespice ET, a 5-year-old cow, suckling a calf – a daughter of famous Milbrook Gingerspice and sired by Ampertaine Elgin – who swept the boards and was tapped out as Overall Limousin Champion of the Show, after earlier being crowned Senior Female Champion and Overall Female Champion.
Milbrook Nikkiespice
No stranger to success, ‘Nikkiespice’ was also the Supreme Limousin Champion of 50th Limousin Extravaganza Show in Carrick-on-Shannon in 2022. Her full sister ‘Naughtyspice’ also had a championship triumph in 2023 at Balmoral Show, and its exact same lineage as the World Record Price Beef Animal ‘Wilodge Poshspice’ (sold 250,000 gns).
Incidentally, this year success marks 7th Overall National Limousin Championship and the 10th Overall Limousin Championship at the National Livestock Show in Tullamore for the Milbrook Herd. The Overall Limousin Reserve Champion was awarded to Donal Moloney’s powerful in-calf heifer – Charlottes Sapphire. Sired by Elite Forever Brill and out of Roundhill Kmelodie, Donal purchased this prize-winning female from Northern Irish breeder, Charlotte Martin, at the British Limousin Cattle Society’s 50th Anniversary Sale in Carlisle.
Throughout the 2023 show season, ‘Sapphire’ has claimed numerous Limousin championships at county shows throughout the Munster region for the Moloney family from Ardnacsusha in Co. Clare.
Presentation of the National Limousin Show Reserve Champion 2023 to Charlotte’s Sapphire, owned by Donal Moloney, pictured with family and Douglas Graham (Show Judge), Alan Kelly (President ILCS) and sponsor representative, Nicola Fetherstone (AIB Agri)
Charlottes Sapphire
MALE CHAMPIONS
Moving to the Overall Male Championship, Bobby O’Connell from Clarina Limousin took the honours– with his 17-month-old bull, Ballybrown Toby–taking the Overall Male Championship, after being tapped out as Senior Male Champion. Expertly shown by Cathal O’Meara, Ballybrown Toby is sired by the well-known Ampertaine Foreman and out of Roundhill Punanime – a sale topping female that Bobby purchased at the 2020 Roundhill & Castleview Genetic Advantage Sale.
Presentation of the National Limousin Show Male Champion 2023 to Ballybrown Toby, with Bobby O’Connell (Owner), Cathal O’Meara (Handler), Douglas Graham (Show Judge) and Alan Kelly (President ILCS)
Ballybrown Toby
Castlebrock Trafford Et – a March-2022-born bull, owned by Donal Moloney – was awarded Reserve Overall Male Champion. Trafford was sired by Mereside Godolphin out of Lomond Lexie. Bred by Gerard Davis, Trafford was also the Reserve Overall Male Champion at the 50th Anniversary Show in Carrick-on-Shannon and following the showring, he will take up a role as stock sire in the Ardnacrusha Herd.
Presentation of the National Limousin Show Male Reserve Champion 2023 to Castlebrock Trafford, for Donal Moloney (Owner), pictured with Rachel Moloney (Handler), Douglas Graham (Show Judge), Alan Kelly (President ILCS)
Castlebrock Trafford
Junior Champions
In the Junior Male Championship, it was Tom Bailey – with his September-2023-born bull, Baileys Trump – who took home the champion sash. This quality bull is full of breeding and was sired by Wilodge Vantastic and out of Baileys Norma.
Baileys Trump
The Reserve Junior Male was awarded to Brackan Tick Tok – bred by Padraig Gormley, Carrigallen, Co. Leitrim. A stylish September-2023-born bull sired by noted show calf breeder Derrygullinane Kingbull and out of the consistent Esker – Hill Karen ET.
Brackan Tick Tok
Our national show of 2023 will undoubtably be a show to remember for Micheal Roche from Abbeyfeale, Limerick, when his yearling heifer – Knockcoolkeare Toffee – was tapped out as Junior Female Champion. Sired by the AI bull Elite Lazette and out of Wood Road Nollaig. Knockcoolkeare Toffee is an exciting prospect and a heifer with great style and breed character.
Knockcoolkeare Toffee
The Reserve Junior Female Champion spot was awarded to Carrickmore Tina from the Connell Brother’s in Oldcastle, Co. Meath. Out of the exceptional female Baileys Iceprincess and sired by Ampertaine Nugent – stock sire Baileys Herd.
Carrickmore Tina
At the end of the show, the Ardnacrusha Herd of Donal Moloney finished the day in style by winning the Best Pair of Limousins by the same breeder. Commenting on the success of the National Championship, Irish Limousin Cattle Society President, Alan Kelly, said: “On behalf of the Irish Limousin Cattle Society, I would like to congratulate all breeders in what a tremendous display of Irish Limousin cattle genetics.
“The quality of beef cattle presented in the showgrounds is a testament to your hard work, endeavour, and breeding talent. The society would also like to thank each and everyone who made the event a huge success and all who helped out over the weekend, including the council colleagues, volunteers/support staff and in particular to the admin team at the ILCS who – from the outset – has been the heartbeat of this event.
“Additionally, an event of this size needs substantial commercial support, and the ILCS were thrilled to partner with many of the leading stakeholders across the Irish agri-food sector and cattle breeding industry; your sponsorship and support is greatly appreciated,” he concluded.
RINGSIDE ACTION
KINGS OF THE RING
FEMALE POWER
CRAIC AND COMRADERY
All Results from the Show
| National Pedigree Registered Limousin Bull Born Before 31/12/2021 |
| Class 60 | Exhibitor | Animal | Sire | Dam |
| 1st | Alan & P Kelly | Killcastle Santos | Commander | Killcastle Izzy |
| National Pedigree Registered Limousin Bull Born on/Between 01/01/2022-30/04/2022 |
| Class 61 | Exhibitor | Animal | Sire | Dam |
| 1st | Bobby O Connell | Ballybrown Toby | Ampertaine Foreman | Roundhill Punanime |
| 2nd | Donal Moloney | Castlebrock Trafford | Mereside Godolphin | Lomond Lexie |
| 3rd | Donal Logan | Creenagh Tyson | Tomchoice Nation | Creenagh Magic |
| 4th | David Cogan | Clooncara Thunderstruck | Norman Ely | Tonka |
| National Pedigree Registered Limousin Bull Born on/Between 01/05/2022-31/08/2022 |
| Class 62 | Exhibitor | Animal | Sire | Dam |
| 1st | Sean Ryan | Sliabhfelim Toddy | Damona | Sliabhfelim Rosaleen |
| 2nd | Treanor Brothers | Clontowm Trigger | Ampertaine Elgin | Sarkley Owena |
| National Pedigree Registered Limousin Bull Born on/Between 01/09/2022-31/10/2022 |
| Class 63 | Exhibitor | Animal | Sire | Dam |
| 1st | Tom Bailey | Baileys Trump | Wilodge Vantastic | Baileys Norma |
| 2nd | Padraig Gormley | Bracken TikTok ET | Derrygullinane Kingbull | Esker-Hill Karen ET |
| 3rd | William Smith | Milbrook Terence | Haltcliffe Dancer | Milbrook Naughtyspice |
| 4th | Daire O Meara | Hurricane Tiesto | Ampertaine Foreman | Hurricane Lady Hawk |
| 5th | Chloe Dreaper Eyre | Eyreville Toby | Ewdenvale Ivor | Clonbonny Pippa |
| National All Ireland Pedigree Registered Limousin Bull Born on/Between 01/11/2022-31/12/2022 |
| Class 64 | Exhibitor | Animal | Sire | Dam |
| 1st | Treanor Brothers | Clontown Treanor | Mereside Lorenzo | Clontown Lucy |
| 2nd | Carina & Gerry Roseingrave | Red Light Toffee Pop | Lodge Hamlet | Ruan Puntin |
| 3rd | Tom Harney | Finboy Thor | Ampertaine Foreman | Finboy Krystal |
| 4th | Tom Harney | Finboy Titan | Ampertaine Foreman | Finboy Krystal |
| National All Ireland Pedigree Registered Limousin Bull Born in 2023 |
| Class 65 | Exhibitor | Animal | Sire | Dam |
| 1st | Jason Maughan | Rathoonagh Unit ET | Haltcliffe Dancer | Rathlyon Jeanne D’arc (ET) |
| 2nd | Paudi Kinneen | Knockhilla Unar | – | – |
| National Pedigree Registered Limousin Junior Male Champion |
| Class 66 | Exhibitor | Animal | Sire | Dam |
| Champion | Tom Bailey | Champion Baileys Trump | Wilodge Vantastic | Baileys Norma |
| Reserve Champion | Padraig Gormley | Reserve Bracken TikTok | Derrygullinane Kingbull | Esker-Hill Karen ET |
| National Pedigree Registered Limousin Senior Male Champion |
| Class 67 | Exhibitor | Animal | Sire | Dam |
| Champion | Bobby O Connell | Ballybrown Toby | Ampertaine Foreman |
Roundhill Punanime
|
| Reserve Champion | Donal Moloney | Castlebrock Trafford | Mereside Godolphin | Lomond Lexie |
| FBD National Show Pedigree Registered Limousin Male Champion |
| Class 68 | Exhibitor | Animal | Sire | Dam |
| Champion | Bobby O Connell | Ballybrown Toby | Ampertaine Foreman | Roundhill Punanime |
| Reserve Champion | Donal Moloney | Castlebrock Trafford | Mereside Godolphin | Lomond Lexie |
| National Pedigree Registered Limousin Cow calved or in-calf or in-calf Senior heifer Born Before 01/01/2021(Calf must be 2023 born) |
| Class 70 | Exhibitor | Animal | Sire | Dam |
| 1st | William Smith | Milbrook Nikkespice | Ampertaine Elgin | Milbrook Gingerspice |
| National Pedigree Registered Limousin Heifer Born on/Between 01/01/2021-30/06/2021 |
| Class 71 | Exhibitor | Animal | Sire | Dam |
| 1st | Donal Moloney | Charlottes Sapphire | Elite Forever Brill | Roundhill KMelodie |
| 2nd | Bobby O Connell | Ballybrown Sophie | Plumtree Fantastic | Iondine |
| 3rd | Brendan O Grady | Ballyline Sandie | Plumtree Fantastic | Ballyline Ita |
| National Pedigree Registered Limousin Heifer Born on/Between 01/07/2021-31/12/2021 |
| Class 72 | Exhibitor | Animal | Sire | Dam |
| 1st | Brendan O Shea | Templequain Selena | Lomu | Mabella |
| 2nd | William Smith | Milbrook Siabh | ideal 23 | Milbrook Enya |
| 3rd | Sean Maher | Parkhill Samantha | Plumtree Fantastic | Castleview Priscilla |
| 4th | Treanor Brothers | Clontown Stooki | Ionesco | Claragh Oracle |
| National Pedigree Registered Limousin Heifer Born on/Between 01/01/2022-31/03/2022 |
| Class 73 | Exhibitor | Animal | Sire | Dam |
| 1st | William Smith | Milbrook Tanya | Ampertaine Foreman | Milbrook Geline |
| 2nd | Donal Moloney | Newtown Trinity | Ernevalley Maddison | Newtown Hedda |
| 3rd | Michael Gunn | Tendresse | Patchouli | Merveille |
| 4th | Michael Gunn | Ovaun Thumbelina | Claragh Neymar | Ballygarvan Stud Maggie |
| National Pedigree Registered Limousin Heifer Born on/Between 01/04/2022-31/08/2022 |
| Class 74 | Exhibitor | Animal | Sire | Dam |
| 1st | Micheal Roche | Knockcoolkeare Toffee | Elite Lazette | Wood Road Nollaig |
| 2nd | Shane Sheehan | Caherveloy Tinkey | whinfellpark lomu | ampertine elgin |
| 3rd | Conor Duffy | Castleshane Tammy | Claddagh MCcabe | Castleshane |
| National Pedigree Registered Limousin Heifer Born on/Between 01/09/2022-31/10/2022 |
| Class 75 | Exhibitor | Animal | Sire | Dam |
| 1st | Connell Brothers | Carrickmore Tina | Ampertain Nugent | Baileys Iceprincess |
| 2nd | Padraig Gormley | Bracken Tipsy | Derrygullinane Kingbull | Esker-hill Karen ET |
| 3rd | Martin O Connor | Rockview Tilly | Fuschia | Clew Bay Rebecca. ET |
| 4th | Thomas Bowe | Capponellan Tanara | Loyal | Esker hill roxanne ET |
| 5th | Brendan O Shea | Templequain Tulip | Foreman | Melody |
| National Pedigree Registered Limousin Heifer Born on/Between 01/11/2022-31/12/2022 |
| Class 76 | Exhibitor | Animal | Sire | Dam |
| 1st | Brendan O Shea | Templequain Triona | Kingbull | Melody |
| 2nd | Owen Flannery | Birchpark Tiffany | Ampertaine Elgin | Greenhill Ellen ET |
| 3rd | Daire O Meara | Hurricane Thinkerbell | Ampertaine Foreman | Hurricane Lady hawk |
| 4th | Thomas Carolan | Muff Tia Maria | Ronnick hawk | IE231230670449 |
| 5th | Padraig & Ciaran Golden | Clewbay Tamara | – | – |
| National Pedigree Registered Limousin Heifer Calf Born in 2023 |
| Class 77 | Exhibitor | Animal | Sire | Dam |
| 1st | K & m Davis Davis | Glynndavis United | Ampertaine Elgin | Scotchtown Esther |
| 2nd | K & m Davis Davis | Glynndavis urbanmyth | Ampertaine Elgin | Scotchtown Esther |
| 3rd | Padraig & Ciaran Golden | Clewbay Upfront | – | – |
| 4th | Ian Santry | Haven Uh-oh | – | – |
| FBD National Show Pedigree Registered Junior Limousin Female Champion |
| Class 78 | Exhibitor | Animal | Sire | Dam |
| Champion | Michael Roche | Knockcoolkeare Toffee | Elite Lazette | Wood Road Nollaig |
| Reserve Champion | Connell Brothers | Carrickmore Tigerrose | Ampertain Nugent | Bailey’s Flora |
| FBD National Show Pedigree Registered Limousin Senior Female Champion |
| Class 79 | Exhibitor | Animal | Sire | Dam |
| Champion | William Smith | Milbrook Nikkespice | Ampertaine Foreman | Milbrook Geline |
| Reserve Champion | Moloney | Charlottes Sapphire | Elite Forever Brill | Roundhill KMelodie |
| FBD National Show Pedigree Registered Limousin Female Champion |
| Class 80 | Exhibitor | Animal | Sire | Dam |
| Champion | William Smith | Milbrook Nikkespice | Ampertaine Foreman | Milbrook Geline |
| Reserve Champion | Donal Moloney | Charlottes Sapphire | Elite Forever Brill | Roundhill KMelodie |
| National All Ireland Pair of Pedigree Registered Limousin |
| Class 81 | Exhibitor | Animals |
| 1st | Donal Moloney | Castlebrock Trafford & Charlottes Sapphire |
| 2nd | K & m Davis Davis | Glynndavis urbanmyth & United |
| 3rd | Padraig & Ciaran Golden | Clewbay Tamara & Tia |
| 4th | Tom Harney | Finboy Thor & Titan |
| FBD National Show Pedigree Registered Limousin Champion |
| Class 82 | Exhibitor | Animal | Sire | Dam |
| Champion | William Smith | Milbrook Nikkespice | Ampertaine Foreman | Milbrook Geline |
| Reserve Champion | Donal Moloney | Charlottes Sapphire | Elite Forever Brill | Roundhill KMelodie |
