Tuesday 15 July 2008

West Kerry Agricultural Show-Sunday July 20th


A Show of Excellence
West Kerry Agricultural Show celebrates 43 years
The crowds ascended on the Dingle Mart Grounds on Sunday, July 20th, to enjoy the 43rd Annual West Kerry Agricultural Show, habitually one of the highlights of the summer in Corca Dhuibhne. Good weather blessed the event once again this year which saw locals and people from all parts of Ireland and beyond enjoy the many activities and displays on show. Attending the show this year was Minister of State for Agriculture, Tony Kileen TD who was on hand to present the days award the winners of the traditional cattle, sheep, horse and sheep sections. Also spotted among the crowd, enjoying the day's events with his family was RTE Presenter John Kelly
Some of the country's best livestock was on display this year in the various animal classes with €20,000 prize fund up for grabs. The Champion Awards for Best Dairy Cow went to Peter Kennelly of Ardfert and Giles Hoffman of Annascaul (in the confined classes). Champion Pony of Show also went Ardfert's way, as it was awarded to Inviren Boy owned by Carmel Joyce. The Champion Horse of Show Award stayed local this year, awarded to John Ashe of Chapel Lane, Dingle.
Two Cork men grasped the Jim Rohan Memorial Cup for Best Scotch Yearling Ram this year as Pat and his son Dan O'Leary will bring the cup back home to Bantry this year. Maintaining a local profile at the event was brother of GAA stars Darragh, Tomás and Marc, Feargal Ó Sé of Árd a'Bhothair who was awarded the cup for Best Overall Low Land Class.
There was plenty talent on display at the show with an Irish dancing display by Rinceoirí na Ríochta and live music from Banna Ceoil Lios Póil. The arts and crafts section of the show displayed an array of talent while the cute, peachy faces of the Bonny Baby show drew gasps of 'ooh' and 'aww' from onlookers. Horticulture and home-baking also left an impression with those attending the show with special mention to Eileen Breathneach who received a special prize for her outstanding Homemade Apple Pie. Best Dressed Lady Mairín Uí Chearna and Granny Gaelach recipient Josie Bean Uí Bairóid also lent an air of glamour to the day's proceedings.
All THE RESULTS:

CATTLE
Best Dairy Cow: Giles Hoffman, Annascaul. Best Dairy Cow: Peter Kennelly, Ardfert. Best Spring Calving Heifer: Peter Kennelly, Ardfert. Best Breeding Heifer: Dara Murphy, Lispole. Best Dairy Calf: Dara Murphy, Lispole. Best Dairy Calf (led by a child): Noirín Kennedy. Best Overall Breeding Dairy Heifer: Peter Kennelly. Best Butcher Heifer: Marie Martin, Reenconnell. Best Store Bullock: Micheal Griffin, Lispole. Best Calf Beef Breed (male continental): John Moriarty, Annascaul. Best Calf Beef Breed (female continental): Bríd Ní Shé, Ceann Trá. Best Calf Beef Breed (male non- continental): Seamus Leahy, Leataoibh. Best Calf Beef Breed (female non- continental): Marie Kavanagh, Rahinane, Ventry. Best Charlaois Male: James Drum, Castleisland. Best Charlaois Female: Mick Brady, Tralee. Best Pure Bred Limosine Male: Seán Pól Kennedy, Baile an Fheirteáraigh. Best Pure Bred Limosine Female: Seán Pól Kennedy, Baile an Fheirteáraigh.

PONIES
Lead in Reins Class: Mike Madden, Charleville. Pony U-13/2: Con Sugrue, Tralee. Pony U-14/2: Dawn Hillard, Bally bowler. Pony Brddo Mare with Foal at Foot: Con Sugrue, Tralee. Pony Foal: Con Sugrue, Tralee. Registered Connemara Pony Pure or Part Breed: Carmel Joyce, Ardfert. Lead in Reins Class: Hillary Ashe, Tralee. Champion of Show: Carmel Joyce, Ardfert.

HORSES
Best Irish Draught Brood Mare: Kevin Knightly, Annascaul. Best Irish Draught Colt or Filly Foal: Kevin Knightly, Annascaul. Brood Mare: Michelle Leahy, Dingle. Best Barren Mare: Michelle Leahy, Dingle. Best Colt or Gelding: John Ashe, Chapel Lane, Dingle. Best Mare to Produce Show Jumper: Michelle Leahy, Dingle. Best Mare and Foal: Kevin Knightly, Annascaul. Ridden Hunter Class: John Ashe, Chapel Lane, Dingle. Champion Horse of the Show: John Ashe, Chapel Lane, Dingle.

SHEEP
Best Scotch Yearling Ram-Jim Rohan Memorial Cup: Pat O'Leary, Bantry. Best Scotch Yearling Ram: Tom O'Sullivan, Dingle. Best Pen Hoggett Scotch Rams: Barry O'Halloran, Knockavrogeen, Dingle. Best Aged Ram: Oliver Brosnan, Ballybowler. Best Scotch Ram Lamb: Pat Lovett, Goulane, Lispole. Best Pen of Three Breeding Scotch Ewes: Seán Prendiville, Lispole. Best Open 3 Swalesale Type Breeding Ewes: Oilver Brosnan, Ballybowler. Best Three Hoggett Ewes: Thomas Riordan. Best Pen of Three Scotch Breeding Ewe Lambs: Oliver Brosnan, Ballybowler. Best Pen of Three Scotch Wether Lambs: Thomas Riordan. Best Overall Mountain Class: Pat O'Leary, Bantry.

SHEEP- LOWLAND
Best Pen (3) Texel Cross Ewe Lambs: Feargal Ó'Sé, Árd a'Bhóthair, Ceann Trá. Best Pen Suffolk Ewe Lambs: Feargal Ó'Sé, Árd a'Bhóthair, Ceann Trá. Best Pen Lester Ewe Lambs: Ulic O'Sullivan. Best Pen White Face Breeding Ewes: Feargal Ó'Sé, Árd a'Bhóthair, Ceann Trá. Best Pen Suffolk Breeding Lambs: Feargal Ó'Sé, Árd a'Bhóthair, Ceann Trá. Best Pen Butcher Wether Lambs: Ulic O'Sullivan. Best Texel Ram: Feargal Ó'Sé, Árd a'Bhóthair, Ceann Trá. Best White Face Ram: Patrick O'Leary, Cork. Best Suffolk Ram Lamb: Feargal Ó'Sé, Árd a'Bhóthair, Ceann Trá. Best Suffolk Lamb: Feargal Ó'Sé, Árd a'Bhóthair, Ceann Trá. Best Cheviot Ram Lamb: Gene Cronin, Killarney. Best Charolais Ram Lamb: Gene Cronin, Killarney. Best Overall Low Land Class: Feargal Ó'Sé, Árd a'Bhóthair, Ceann Trá.
DOG SHOW
Puppies (9 Months and Under): Gavin McGaity (India). Large Dogs: Katie Moriarty (Penny). Terrier Breeds: Jack McKagh (Chip). Dogs in Fancy Dress: Saoirse Weave (Jenny). The Dog the Judges would most like to take home: Kate Mortiarty (Penny). Consolation: Sive Lenihan (Bonny).

SHEEP DOG TRIALS
OPEN: 1st Senie O'Leary, Fermoy, 2nd Brian Casey, Tipperary, 3rd Dave Mulcahy, Cork, 4th Tom O'Sullivan, Kilcummin, Killarney, 5th Mike Dowd, Tralee, 6th Milo O'Brien, Camp.
CONFINED: 1st Seán Leabh, Leataoibh, Baile an Fheirteáraigh, 2nd Mossie Murphy, Kilerigh, Ventry, 3rd Tom Sullivan, Ballinasig, Dingle.

BEST DRESSED LADY: Mairín Uí Cheárna, Baile an Fheirteáraigh.
GRANNY GAELACH: Josie Bean Uí Bairóid, Baile Mór.
CHILDREN'S OVERALL ART AWARD: Sharon Ní Shlatra.
BONNY BABY: Tadhg Mac Cárthaigh.
EXCELLENCE AWARD: Gene Sheehy
BEST OVERALL TART: Eilibhín Breathneach, Gorta Dubh, Baile an Fheirteáraigh.
OVERALL SCHOOL: Bunscoil an Chlochair, Daingean Uí Chúis.
OVERALL ARTISTIC AWARD: Annascaul ICA.

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