On Saturday 13th July, the Irish Vendéen Sheep Society held their annual Premier Show & Sale, for the first time in the new venue of GVM Mart in Tullamore. As per usual, the day began with some time for buyers and vendors alike to view the sheep ahead of the pre-sale show classes, which began at 11.00 am. The judge, Mr. Frank Gibbons, had his work cut-out for him, with a strong entry of 60 ram lambs to be judged. First up however was Mr. Ciaran Coughlan winning the shearling ram class, with double 5-star ram, Noggus Boomerang, sired by French-import Noggus Whiskey King.
Next up, was the 5-star terminal ram lamb class, where Ciaran again took the spoils, with his All-Ireland Champion ram, Noggus Cracker, another Whiskey King son, also double 5-star. He later sold for €1600 to the newly formed Beechlane flock in Co. Cavan. Second in this class was Alan Crowe & Darielle Brady with Dunsany Comanche, son of another French ram, Killeen Ambo with Mark Keenaghan’s Endrim Casper (a Noggus World Class son) placing third. Both rams were later sold to the Windy Gap flock in Co. Waterford and Stonepark flock in Co. Roscommon.
The 5-star replacement ram lamb class followed next, with John Lynch’s return to winning ways with his Kilbride Warrior sired ram, Ballinascraw Cesar. Cesar would go on to later be tapped out as Mr. Gibbon’s Champion, winning the coveted Harry Browne Memorial trophy for John for a second year running, and seventh time overall. Cesar went on to be knocked down by auctioneer Gordon Cobb, to Waterford breeder, Mr. Shay Kennedy, Windy Gap Vendéens for the top price of €1650. Lynch also took second in this class with Ballinascraw Captain and Mark Keenaghan came in third with Endrim Case. Again both of these rams went on to sell to pedigree breeders.
The final ram lamb class then was the non-5-star class, where there was certainly no lack of style on display. The class was won by Mark & Audrey Crowe’s Killeen Casanova, a Ballinascraw Armani son who was placed third at the All-Ireland Championships in May. Casanova went on to be crowned Reserve Champion of the sale, bringing the Growvite Shield back to the Co. Meath flock for the first time since 2018 and was later sold to the Royalflush and Tober Vendéen flocks. Second in the open class was again John Lynch with Ballinascraw Cannon and third was Andrew Gilmore with Valley View Calvin.
Then was the turn of the shearling ewes where Lynch’s Ballinascraw Bella won the class,
followed by Stephen Mannion’s Stonepark Beth in second and Andrew Gilmore’s Valley View
Bria in third. Ewe lambs then had their turn, with Andrew Gilmore taking the red ribbon with Valley View Caitlin, Mark Keenaghan coming in second with Endrim Cherry and Brendan & Carmel Rooney claiming third with Moneygold Colleen. All three of these ewe lambs found new homes, making up to a top price of €660.
The final order of business on the showing front was the judging of the young handler class, a first for the society’s premier sale. This was kindly judged by local Senator, Minister Pippa
Hackett, who is herself the proud owner of three Vendéen rams, that she uses as service sires on her own flock of Romney ewes. The hotly contended class was won by Robin Bowers, with Annie Keenaghan, Charlie Allen and Tom Keenaghan all displaying their excellent knowledge about their sheep. Minister Hackett also tested out her auctioneering skills, when she sold the first lot of the day, shearling ewe, Noggus Betsy (kindly donated by Ciaran Coughlan) who sold for €500, all of which was donated to Riada House Nursing Home in Tullamore.
Overall, the sale was successful, with ram prices averaging €750 (€40 increase on the 2023 sale) and ewes nearly €500. Four rams crossed the €1000 mark. Other prices of note during the sale were Ciaran Coughlan’s ram lamb, Noggus Candyman who made €1300 and Mark Keenaghan’s ram lamb Endrim Casper selling for €1060.
The Irish Vendéen Sheep Society council and members thank all of the customers, vendors
judges, Frank Gibbons and Pippa Hackett and the mart staff and auctioneer, Gordon Cobb, for making the sale a success. They also thank Univet Growvite for their continued support and sponsorship. They wish the customers all the best with their new sheep and look forward to the remaining sales this year.
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