The newly formed Irish Suffolk Sheep Society – under the chairmanship of Kilkenny man Richard Moore – held its National Sheep Championships in Kilkenny Mart last Saturday, June 8.

With over 80 entries from across the country, Judge John Donoghue, from Ballybur, Co. Kilkenny – who established the Ballybur Suffolk Flock in 1968 – found himself judging seven classes.

According to a statement from the society, after “careful selection”, he chose the Supreme Champion of the show and first prize winner in the shearling ram class from “the oldest flock in Ireland”, the ‘County Flock’ owned by Pat Rossiter from Wellington Bridge, Co. Wexford.

The ram was bred from the Ballyhine Flock of Michael Clarke, Barrington, Co. Wexford. This ram was sired by Cloontagh Chieftain.

The Reserve Champion came from the west of the Shannon as Jimmy Rooney of the Benwiskin Flock, Grange, Co. Sligo, brought the Reserve Champion rosette to Sligo.

Jimmy’s January-born ram lamb captured Reserve Champion, Male Champion, and first in the Ram Lamb Class.

Further success was enjoyed by Pat Rossiter’s brother Greg from the “Bannow Flock” with winning the Female Champion and the Reserve Female Champion Class.

Greg’s shearling ewe was deemed both Female Champion and first prize winner in the Shearling Ram Class; a single sired by Finnvale Fury of a ewe by Islandmore General, while his ewe lamb sired by Finnvale Fury out of a ewe by Collessie the Spot was Reserve Female Champion and first prize winner in the Ewe Lamb Class.

The society expressed “a sincere thanks” to Judge John Donoghue and to everyone who worked to make the NSC event a success for the Irish Suffolk Sheep Society.

Concluding, the society expressed thanks to the sponsors: Greenvale Animal Feeds; St. Jarlath’s Credit Union, Tuam; and Chanelle Pharma, Loughrea, Co. Galway.