Top quality cows, heifers, calves and handlers took to the ring at The Tullamore Show last weekend.

The Tullamore Show & FBD National Livestock show took place on Sunday (August 10) at the Butterfield estate, Blueball, Tullamore, Co. Offaly.

A crowd estimated in excess of 60,000 was in attendance, as the public turned up in their droves from every corner of the country.

Dairy Ring number one was the stage for the judging of the Holstein Friesian classes. Large crowds remained ring-side throughout the day, enjoying the spectacle of quality breeding.

A new class was added to the show schedule this year; The Tommy Finlay Spring-born calf, for Pedigree Registered Holstein Friesian heifer calves born after February 1, 2025.

This new class was introduced as a Tullamore Show commemorative gesture in tribute to Tommy Finlay, Ballydaly, who passed away on October 28 last year.

Tommy was a founding member and the first ever chairperson of the Dairy cattle section of Tullamore Show, a role he fulfilled faithfully in a voluntary capacity for over three decades.

The strong entry of eighteen calves in this new class was a very fitting tribute to Tommy and it was a strong display of solidarity from all exhibitors with the Finlay family.

The Doran family from Kilbegley, Ballinasloe, Co. Roscommon were the winners of this inaugural commemorative class. Tommy’s wife Ber and their daughters Martina, Paula, Carmel, Marie, and Bernadette presented the prizes.  

The schedule of classes included confined classes for exhibitors from counties Laois, Offaly, and Westmeath.

The FBD National Livestock Show Senior Championship results were as follows:

Champion - Hallow Octain Twizzle ET exhibited by Hallow Holsteins
Reserve - Evergreen Susie Mist 26 RC exhibited by Liam and Sandra Murphy
H. Mention - Eedy Rubicon Acclaim exhibited by the Hynes family

Hallow Octain Twizzle ET owned by Philip and Linda Jones, Hallow herd, Gorey, Co. Wexford was crowned Senior Champion and Best Udder, and she also won first Senior Cow in milk.

Classified EX on conformation, she was four months into her third lactation on show day. She recorded a second lactation yield of 12,984kg, 923kg milk solids (305 d).

She is a 6^th generation VG/EX, sired by Stantons High Octane EX93 from Dam Hallow Advent Twizzle 3 ET EX96 5E.

Evergreen Susie Mist 26 RC exhibited by Liam and Sandra Murphy, Fenagh, Bagenalstown, Co. Carlow won Reserve Champion and placed 2^nd in the Senior Cow in-milk class. She is in her fifth lactation, calved five months on show day. Classified EX94 3E, she is a 9^th generation VG/EX.

Eedy Rubicon Acclaim exhibited by the Hynes family, Aherla, Co. Cork won Honourable Mention, and she also won 1^st Junior Cow.

Classified VG89 on conformation in her second lactation, she is an 11^th generation VG/EX. She is sired by EDG Rubicon from Dam Eedy Beemer Acclaim EX x Eedy Alexander Acclaim EX94 4E x Eedy CIX Acclaim EX95 4E.    

The FBD Tullamore National Livestock Show Junior Championship 2025, results as follows:

Champion - Hallow Jones Lambda Vibing - Jones & Hallow Holsteins;
Reserve - Rathard Sidekick Jagerbomb - Hynes Family;
H. Mention - Evergreen Eye C Lauren - Liam and Sandra Murphy.

The Jersey Championship results were as follows:

Champion: Rathard Kasey - Owner: Hynes Family, Co. Cork;
Reserve Champion: Kingdom Tequilla Let's Dance - owner: Daniel and Emer Curtin, Co. Kerry.

Andrew Patton from the Ards herd in Newtownards, Co. Down was the judge of the Holstein Friesian classes. Andrew farms with his parents Wilson and Karen, managing the award-winning Ards herd milking 300 top quality pedigree registered Holstein cows.

The Dairy Shorthorn Championship results are as follows:

Champion: Ballytrain Marina 11th - owned by James Lambe, Co. Monaghan;
Reserve Champion: Ballytrain Grietje 3rd - owned by James Lambe, Co. Monaghan.

Judge of the three YMA Showmanship League classes was Laura Sinnott from the Ballyboy herd, The Ballagh, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford. Laura is a distinguished former YMA member from the Slaney club with an impressive showmanship CV.

Handlers aged 12 years and under on January 1, 2025, sponsored by World Wide Sires, results as follows:

Georgina Hynes (Cork club);
Eva Hickey (Carlow Kilkenny club);
Elsie Kelly (Laois Offaly club);
John Hickey (Carlow Kilkenny club);
Aibhlin Cleary (Laois Offaly club);
Izzy Kelly (Laois Offaly club).

Handlers aged 13 -16 years and under on January 1, 2025, sponsored by the Irish Holstein Friesian Association, results as follows:

Alexandra Beattie (North Eastern club);
Kate Jones (Slaney club);
Stephen Harty (Kerry club);
Lauren Doran (Galway club);
Clodagh Kennelly (Kerry club);
Alex Windrum (Breffni Oriel club).

Handlers aged 13 -16 years and under on January 1, 2025, sponsored by Volac Milk Replacers Ireland Ltd, results as follows:

Rachel Corley (Breffni Oriel club);
Becky Hynes (Cork club);
Megan Boal (Galway club);
Kane Boal (Galway club);
Aimee O’ Donovan (Limerick Clare club);
Mary Conroy (Laois Offaly club).

Confined Spring Calf born after February 1, 2025 sponsored by Munster Bovine, results as follows:

Gageboro Wimward Rose - Sean and Tommy Kelly, Horseleap, Co. Westmeath;
Gageboro Wimward Hallie - Sean and Tommy Kelly, Horseleap, Co. Westmeath;
Boroside Haniko Jellybaby ET - Denis Donohoe, Ballylynan, Co. Laois.

Confined Heifer born after January 1, 2025 sponsored by Gurteen Agricultural College, results as follows:

Lynally Dellia 4527 - Aisling Neville, Tullamore, Co. Offaly;
Limetree Jean 942 - Aisling Neville, Tullamore, Co. Offaly.

Confined Pedigree Registered Heifer born on/between July 1,2024-December 31 2024 sponsored by Bó Sires, results as follows:

Dalevalley Haniko S Apple - Sean & Tommy Kelly, Horseleap, Co. Westmeath;
Seanacourt FR8733 Cinderella - Denis Donohoe, Ballylynan, Co. Laois;
Rochfort Almamater Brilliant - PJ Kelly, Rochfortbridge, Co. Westmeath.

Confined Pedigree Registered Heifer born on/between January 1, 2024 and June 30, 2024, sponsored by Lely Ireland, results as follows:

Hallow Sidekick Twizzle - Sean and Tommy Kelly, Horseleap, Co. Westmeath;
Dock Chief Karen - PJ Kelly, Rochfortbridge, Co. Westmeath;
Seanacourt FR6412 Goldrose - Denis Donohoe, Ballylynan, Co. Laois.

Confined Pedigree Registered Holstein Friesian Heifer in-milk, sponsored by Celtic Sea Minerals, results as follows:

Ballyclider Una 285 - Peter Ging, Ballyclider, Portlaoise, Co. Laois;
Seanacourt FR6574 Jenn - Denis Donohoe, Ballylynan, Co. Laois;
SeanacourtLimetree Ina 532 - Aisling Neville, Tullamore, Co. Offaly.

Confined Pedigree Registered Cow in-milk calved twice or more, sponsored by Peake Dairy Services, results as follows:

Gageboro Delta Smash - Sean and Tommy Kelly, Horseleap, Co. Westmeath;
Ballyclider Begonia 83 - Peter Ging, Ballyclider, Portlaoise, Co. Laois;
Rochfort Royal Gale - PJ Kelly, Rochfortbridge, Co. Westmeath.

The Tommy Finlay Spring Born calf class, calves born after February 1, 2025, sponsored by Greville Arms Hotel, Mullingar, results as follows:

Dalevalley Parfect Aiko 282 - Enda Doran, Ballinasloe, Co. Roscommon;
Jones Sidekick Fame - Gary and Isobel Jones, Gorey, Co. Wexford;
Gageboro Wimward Rose - Sean and Tommy Kelly, Horseleap, Co. Westmeath.

Pedigree Registered Holstein Friesian Heifer born after January 1, 2025, sponsored by Abbey Machinery, results as follows:

Cornboro Denver Halo - Brian Corley, Smithboro, Co. Monaghan;
Leagh Dropbox Hanina - Enda Doran, Ballinasloe, Co. Roscommon;
Kildarby Top Alma - Aibhlin Cleary, Borrisokane, Co. Tipperary.

Pedigree Registered Holstein Friesian Heifer born on/between July 1, 2024 and December 31, 2024, sponsored by Keenan Alltech, results as follows:

Hallow Jones Lambda Vibing - Jones and Hallow;
Rathard Sidekick Jagerbomb - Hynes Family;
Slatabogie Doral Shania Red - Richard Whelan, Clonard, Co. Meath.

Pedigree Registered Holstein Friesian Heifer born on/between January 1, 2024 and June 30, 2024, sponsored by DeLaval Ltd, results as follows:

Evergreen Eye C Lauren - Liam and Sandra Murphy, Fenagh, Co. Carlow;
Rathard Bullseye Alanna - Hynes Family, Aherla, Co. Cork;
Ballyboy Showtime Carmen Laura - Laura Sinnott, The Ballagh, Co Wexford.

Pedigree Registered Holstein Friesian Heifer in-calf, sponsored by Eurogene AI Services, results as follows:

Rathard Bullseye Alanna - Hynes Family, Aherla, Co. Cork;
Grangecon Queen Bee 1950 - Anthony and Tony Kealy, Grangecon, Wicklow;
Cullies Samuri Anna - Kenny Smyth, St. Margarets, Co. Dublin.

Pedigree Registered Holstein Friesian 2-Year-Old Heifer in-milk, sponsored by J Grennan & sons, results as follows:

Jones Lambda Fame - Gary and Isobel Jones, Gorey, Co. Wexford;
Evergreen Amarok 2 Red - Liam and Sandra Murphy, Fenagh, Co. Carlow;
Euro Showtime Merill - Daniel and Emer Curtin, Listowel, Co. Kerry.

Super €2,500 National Heifer in-milk, sponsored by TP Whelehan Crop Protection, results as follows:

Jones Lambda Fame - Gary and Isobel Jones, Gorey, Co. Wexford;
Willsbro Lambda Galys Vray 46 - John O’Connor, Kanturk, Co. Cork;
Evergreen Amarok 2 Red - Liam and Sandra Murphy, Fenagh, Co. Carlow.

Pedigree Registered Holstein Friesian Cow in milk, calved twice, sponsored by Devenish Nutrition, results as follows:

Eedy Rubicon Acclaim - Hynes Family, Aherla, Co. Cork;
Glasson Dalliance B Ashlyn - John O’Connor, Kanturk, Co. Cork ;
Bawnmore Lambda Lazenza - John O’Connor, Kanturk, Co. Cork.

Super €2,800 Senior Cow in-milk, sponsored by Lakeland Dairies, results as follows:

Hallow Octain Twizzle - Hallow Holsteins, Gorey, Co. Wexford;
Evergreen Susie Mist 26 RC - Liam and Sandra Murphy, Fenagh, Co. Carlow;
Hallow Denver Twizzle - Hallow Holsteins, Gorey, Co. Wexford.

The Highest EBI Calf/Maiden Heifer Championship – judged on Conformation, sponsored by Progressive Genetics, results as follows:

Seanacourt FR8733 Cinderella - Denis Donohoe, Ballylynan, Co. Laois;
Lynally Dellia 4527 - Aisling Neville, Ballydaly, Tullamore;
Kildarby Top Blanche - Owen Cleary, Borrisokane, Co. Tipperary.

The Highest EBI Cow/Heifer in milk Championship – judged on Conformation, sponsored by Progressive Genetics, results as follows:

Evergreen Amarok 2 - Liam and Sandra Murphy, Fenagh, Co. Carlow;              
Tubbertoby Chief Miwadi - Paul Flanagan, Termonfeckin, Co. Louth;
Gageboro Delta Smash - Sean and Tommy Kelly, Horseleap, Co. Westmeath.

Pedigree Registered best pair of Females owned by the same exhibitor, sponsored by Cowcare systems, Healions Machinery Ltd, results as follows:

Hallow Holsteins - Gorey, Co. Wexford;
John O’Connor - Kanturk, Co. Cork;
Liam and Sandra Murphy - Fenagh, Co. Carlow.