Lesley puts Offaly in the picture with Hereford calendar

With less than one month to go until The Hereford 2024 Charity Calendar goes on sale, the people have spoken and this year’s featured artists have been chosen! Despite a wealth of entries coming in from budding photographers and artists to this Charity Photo and Calendar Competition, in association with Irish Hereford Prime and the Irish Hereford Breed Society, eight clear winners emerged triumphant.

The judging process for this photo competition was twofold; public vote and independent judging panel. Entries were showcased on the Irish Hereford Breed Society's Facebook page, with the four category winners being chosen by public vote. Once the category winners were selected, it was then over to the judges to crown an overall winner.

Among this talented bunch was one Offaly native who boasts not one, but two winning entries in this year’s charity calendar!

The photographer in question was Lesley Lewis, who was awarded 1st  place in ‘The HEX Factor’ category thanks to her charming entry “Glad of Their Hairy Coats on Frosty Mornings”; and who scooped 2nd  place in the ‘Hereford: An Environmentally Sustainable Breed’ category for her image entitled “Reaping the Rewards of Mixed Grazing”.

Aside from having the honour of seeing both pictures appear in this year’s charity calendar, which will raise vital funds for the Children’s Health Foundation Ireland at Crumlin, Lesley also received €250 and €150 vouchers respectively for the selected entries.

Another artist whose work will be recognised in the 2024 Hereford calendar is 15-year-old Hannah O’Neill from Co. Wicklow, who was named as the Overall Winner. Hannah showcased her potential as a true budding artist with her beautiful drawing of a Hereford calf entitled “Cute as a Button”. This piece was entered into the  Creative Calves  category; a new category for 2023 open to children and teenagers aged 16 and under who were encouraged to tap into their artistic abilities by putting forward a drawing, painting or sketch inspired by Hereford calves.

Commenting on the tough selection process for the overall winner, Tennyson Egar, Operations and Account Manager at Irish Hereford Prime  said: “What made this year’s competition so hard on our judges was the sheer amount of brilliant entries we had to choose from! They were spoilt for choice and completely blown away by some of the images. However, despite all of the fantastic category winners, Hannah’s drawing was extra special. It has a sprinkle of magic that made you feel as if her little Hereford calf is about to come to life off the page.

“During the judging process we were amazed and touched   to see how people can use their creativity in such a powerful way; to help those that need it most. We have no doubt that all of the children and their families that benefit from the wonderful work carried out by Children’s Health Ireland at Crumlin will be so grateful by the skilled efforts of all involved.”

The 2024 Hereford Charity Calendar goes on sale on 1st  November and costs just €10 (including postage and packaging), with all proceeds going to the Children’s Health Foundation. Each calendar sold will mean more funds to help hundreds of sick children and their families daily at Children’s Health Ireland at Crumlin.

Those in search of a thoughtful and meaningful Christmas stocking filler for their nearest and dearest can pick up a copy of this charity calendar from Wednesday 1st  November online at  https://www.irishherefordprime.com/shop/.