Top prices and champion cattle at Carrick Showgrounds Autumn Pedigree Sale

There was a strong turnout of breeders, buyers and farming families at Carrick on Shannon Showgrounds on Friday for the Midland and Western Livestock Improvement Society’s Autumn Pedigree Sale, held as part of its centenary celebrations. The event brought together some of the region’s finest pedigree livestock, with Angus, Limousin, Charolais and Hereford cattle among those on display.

One of the standout sales of the day came from Mohill breeder David Faughnan, whose overall Angus champion, Clonee Betsy, sold for an impressive €9,600. David was joined by his son Jack as they exhibited the prize-winning heifer, which was among the highlights of the sale. There was further success for local breeders, with Mervyn and Robbie Lloyd from Mohill achieving €6,400 for their Limousin bull, Farnaught Asquith.

Ronan and Aoibhé McGarry from Frenchpark also enjoyed a successful outing, with two of their Limousin bulls selling for €5,000 and €4,400 respectively. The Duignan family from Eslin Bridge, Co Leitrim, had plenty to celebrate, with three Angus heifers owned by Cormac Duignan selling for €5,000, €4,600 and €1,900.

Cormac and his son Cathal exhibited Laheens Blaithin ET, which achieved €5,000, while Cathal and Clara Duignan, along with their friend Jack Faughnan, were also busy keeping an eye on the family's livestock. Another notable result came for Thomas Mulligan from Dromod, whose Angus heifer, Clooncarne Brave 1190, was named reserve female champion and sold for €4,800.

Fiona and Ronan Mulligan were pictured exhibiting the prize-winning animal and leading her towards the sale ring. Elsewhere, Ian Mulligan exhibited Aughnamona Brogach, an Angus bull owned by Geraldine Shanley from Bornacoola, Co Leitrim, which sold for €3,000.

Mohill breeder Helen Faughnan also enjoyed success, with her March 2026-born Limousin heifer, Lisdadnan Betty, selling for €1,900. Helen was joined at the event by her sister Jacinta McGowan-Colreavy and grandchildren Sophie and Ryan Faughnan.

Among the other prize-winning cattle on display was Dararea Arnold, an Angus bull owned by Eamon Beirne from Strokestown, which was awarded reserve champion. The animal was exhibited by Tom Mullaney. John McGovern from Drumcong, Co Leitrim, was also represented at the sale by his Hereford bull, Drunhubrid Dessie HH, which was being looked after by Donnacha McGovern.

There was plenty of interest in the Charolais entries too, with Ava Smith pictured alongside Mohill Alisha, a Charolais heifer owned by her grandfather, Frank Kavanagh from Mohill. Breeders travelled from beyond the county to attend the event, including Peter and Nathan Molloy from Clifden, Co Galway, who brought Angus heifers to the sale.

The occasion also attracted farming families and visitors from throughout the northwest and midlands. Alan Cheney, Alan Morrison and Ian Browne travelled from Enniskillen, while John, Liam and Aoibheann Beirne from Cootehall were among those making their way into the showgrounds.

Mairead Guckian and her daughter Kayla McGarry from Drumsna were also photographed enjoying the event. The sale was an opportunity for breeders to showcase their cattle, secure sales and catch up with fellow members of the farming community.

With several high-value sales, champion animals and a strong representation of local farming families, the centenary Autumn Pedigree Sale provided a memorable occasion at Carrick Showgrounds. The event was captured by local photographer Gerry Faughnan, whose photographs featured many of the breeders, families and prize-winning animals involved in the day.