Cull cows feature prominently in end-of-year sales

In the course of compiling this week’s mart report, I discovered how some Russians can drink considerable amounts of vodka and still function.

Apparently it’s because they first eat half a pound of butter which is supposed to line the stomach, thus reducing the absorption of the alcohol, and limiting the headache. The cream on top of an Irish coffee operates on a similar principle, I’m told.

The man who supplied me with the above information was Martin Ryan of Thurles Mart, who while agreeing that butter and vodka don’t have a lot in common with the mart trade, pointed out there was a real Christmas/end of year feel to Monday’s sale.