Ballinrobe – 13th September 2025

Record Trade at South of Ireland Bluefaced Leicester Group Sale

€15,100 for Champion Ram Lamb – Reserve Champion €2,200

The South of Ireland Bluefaced Leicester Group Sale, held on Saturday 13th September, saw a flying trade with strong demand across all sections. Judge Jason Mills tapped out a superb ram lamb from Kieran & Patrick McGrath as Champion, which later sold for €15,100 to Stewart Park, Eunice Mills and John Park.

The Reserve Champion, a smart lamb from Dean Kerrigan,  at €2,200.

Hogget Rams – Average Soars

33 of 34 sold, averaging €1,200, up €480 on the year with 20 hoggets over €1,000.

– Top Price: €2,200 – Kieran McGrath.

– First Prize Hogget: Markethill, €1,650.

– Second Prize Hogget: John O’Brien, €2,000.

– Third Prize Hogget: Woodview, €1,800.

– Fourth Prize Hogget: Jonathan Wall, aged ram, €1,750.

– Other notable: Maskview hogget at €1,550.

Ram Lambs – New Records

115 of 122 sold (94% clearance) averaging €1,115, up €400 on the year. 42 lambs surpassed €1,000.

– Champion V001 Caoramor – Kieran and Patrick McGrath – €15,100.

– Reserve Champion – Dean Kerrigan – €2,200.

– Third prize – Kieran and Patrick McGrath V002 – €4,700 to Michelle Wright, Seamus O’Kane & Liam Gannon.

– V003 – €2,700 to John Morahan & Declan Molloy.

–  Kieran and Patrick McGrath two lambs lambs – €2,300 & €2,050.

– Two Maskview lambs – €1,950 & €1,900 (both by the €10,000 Chief).

– Fourth Prize – Shauna Fitzmaurice – €1,800.

Females – Steady Trade

The female section matched last year’s averages with strong clearance.

– First Prize – Jonathan Wall – €680.

– Second Prize – Woodview – €410.

– Third Prize – Jonathan Wall – €610.

– Fourth Prize – Paul Clinton – €450.

Summary

The 2025 South of Ireland Group Sale will be remembered for its record-breaking averages and exceptional clearances. With the Champion selling for €15,100 and the Reserve Champion at €2,200, hoggets up nearly €500 on the year, and females selling steadily, the sale confirmed the continued strength of demand for top-class Bluefaced Leicester genetics in Ireland.