Leitrim winter fair smashes records as heifers hit five figures

The money was nearly as lively as the cattle in Carrick-on-Shannon this week, as a record 15 heifers burst through the €10,000 barrier at the Winter Fair weanling heifer sale, with plenty more comfortably in the high four figures.

Top of the tree was a champion Limousin-cross heifer from Frank Glynn, Dunmore, Co Galway. Fresh from winning the Dovea Genetics calf bonanza and her class the previous day, the 395kg stunner was sired by Claddagh McCabe and went under the hammer for a jaw-dropping €17,500 to a ringside buyer.

Five-figure fever didn’t stop there. A Claddagh McCabe daughter from Sean Staunton, Co Mayo, weighing 335kg, changed hands for €10,000, while a host of other young heifers pushed well past the €8,000 mark as bidders in the ring and online refused to blink.

Around the ring, it was very much a family and friends affair. Leitrim cousins Thomas Tully from Carrigallen and Tommy Prior from Ballinamore were taking it all in their stride as they relaxed with their Limousin-cross heifer. Weighing 470kg, she drew plenty of attention before being knocked down for €5,600.

Best friends Ellen Devitt and Noelle O’Sullivan were another duo enjoying the buzz. The pair were pictured ringside with a powerful Belgian Blue cross owned by Ellen’s father, Jack Devitt from Mallow, Co Cork. The 540kg heifer more than held her own in a hot trade, selling for €6,200.

Buyers were clearly hungry for quality across the board. A Limousin-cross heifer weighing 342kg from Eoghan Breslin, Ardara, Co Donegal, hit an impressive €10,800, while Enda Shortall, Timahoe, Co Laois, saw his 310kg Limousin cross make €8,200.

There was strong Roscommon interest too: a 365kg Limousin cross from Mark Miley, Knockcroghery, sold for €4,600, while Niall Regan from Castlerea watched his 400kg Limousin cross rise to €9,000. Mayo was well represented, with Shane McGreal, Ballinrobe, selling a 458kg Limousin cross for €4,600, and Martin Greavy from Bonniconlon seeing his 355kg entry make €4,000.

Carrick also drew support from Cavan, with Fergal Reilly attending the fair alongside his niece Holly Reilly, underscoring the regional pull of an event that has firmly established itself as one of the most competitive show and sale rings in the country.

With eye-watering prices for the elite lots and a solid floor right through the catalogue, this year’s Carrick-on-Shannon Winter Fair confirmed what breeders and buyers already knew – the bar for top-end heifers has never been higher, and Carrick is very much where that bar is being set.

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Leitrim Cousins: Thomas Tully from Carrigallen and Tommy Prior, son of the owner, Paul Prior from Ballinamore, relax with their Limousin cross heifer which weighed 470kg and sold for €5,600. Pic – Gerry Faughnan

This Limousin cross heifer weighing 458kg and owned by Shane McGreal from Ballinrobe, Co Mayo, sold for €4,600. Pic - Gerry Faughnan

This Limousin cross heifer weighing 355kg and owned by Martin Greavy from Bonniconlon, Co Mayo, sold for €4,000. Pic - Gerry Faughnan

Best friends Ellen Devitt and Noelle O’Sullivan were relaxing with this Belgian Blue cross heifer. Weighing 540kg and owned by Ellen’s father Jack Devitt from Mallow, Co Cork, the heifer went on to sell for €6,200. Pic – Gerry Faughnan