TV star Lisnalty Megasire Rituel is ‘Irish Examiner’ National Dairy Show Champ

Little did TV watchers realise they were seeing a celebrity in waiting, when they saw Lisnalty Megasire Rituel calving during the Big Week on the Farm show on RTÉ One TV.

This week, Rituel is the Irish Examiner National Dairy Show 2019 Supreme Champion.

She won the prestigious All-Ireland title at the Show in Millstreet last Saturday.

It was a popular win with the big attendance at the Show, for the Hannan family of Friarstown, Crecora, Co Limerick, long-established in Irish pedigree dairy breeding, and a previous winner of the Irish Examiner National Dairy Show title in 1992, when the late Jimmy Hannan accepted the trophy. Now it was the turn of his son Paul Hannan, Paul’s wife Eileen, and their children Jane, Claire, and Bill to celebrate in the limelight at this premier event for Ireland’s multibillion-euro dairy industry.

Managing the 160 cows on the Hannan farm is a family affair, and the Millstreet win caps a great year for them, including starring in the TV show, after which they named Rituel’s calf Lisnalty Big Week on the Farm. The Hannans can now hope that he will carry that name to success as a stud bull, breeding top quality dairy cattle.

His mother’s show success and production performance will help to boost his genetic merit rating. The three-year-old cow is currently milking over 59 litres per day, and produced 11,000 litres last year.

As a show cow, she stands out for her overall dairy character and mammary development, remarked handler Brendan Greenan, who was at her halter in Millstreet.

“She’s my best show cow in 20 years,” said Paul Hannnan. She was the intermediate champion at Millstreet in 2018, and was the reserve best heifer at the Balmoral Show in Belfast last December.

But she was the overall winner on Saturday, picked out by the National Dairy Show judge, Erhard Junker from Bern, Switzerland.

Paul Hannan said Lisnalty Megasire Rituel comes from about a dozen generations of cows rated VG and excellent, from the Canadian Daisy cow family.

It’s the second year in a row when the best dairy animals from the Golden Vale in Co Limerick came to the more rugged landscape of North Cork for their day in the sun.

Last year, the Nevilles from Croagh, Co Limerick, just 11 miles away from the Hannans of Crecora, won the Irish Examiner National Dairy Show Supreme Championship, with Milliedale Dusk Rhapsody EX 95.

Last Saturday’s runner-up was Woodmarsh Cancun Lyme 2, shown by Michael and Elizabeth McNamara, Newtownshandrum, Co Cork.

Rickey Barrett, Cork, and his son John receive the Premier Breeder Award from Sean O’Flynn, The Farm Store, sponsor, at the National Dairy Show. Picture: Maria Kelly

More than 4,000 farmers were at Millstreet to visit over 150 trade stands for farming help and advice, and to admire the cow beauty contest, wisely ignoring the latest episode of the Brexit soap opera in London, but keeping an eye on the TV screens located around the show ring to watch Ireland and New Zealand, two top dairy countries, in the Rugby World Cup quarter-final.

RESULTS

Irish Examiner Supreme Champion: Lisnalty Megasire Rituel, exhibited by Paul Hannan, Crecora, Co Limerick.

Reserve: Woodmarsh Cancun Lyme 2, Michael and Elizabeth McNamara, Newtownshandrum, Co Cork.

Hon Mention: Des Grands Trix Harmonica, A&S Foody, Co Mayo, and R Timlin.

Best Udder sponsored by Kelliher Feeds: Baldonnel Flashmatic Dawn, Cyril and John Dowling, Co Dublin.

Premier Breeder sponsored by The Farm Store: Rickey and John Barrett, Cork.

Premier Exhibitors sponsored by AIB: Rickey and John Barrett.

Highest EBI Holstein sponsored by Dovea Genetics: Rathard FR4513 Alanna 1915, Peter and Paula Hynes, Aherla, Co Cork.

Highest EBI Jersey sponsored by Jersey Cattle Association of Ireland: Gabriel Lotto Laura, Robert Shannon, Ballydehob, Co Cork.

Exhibitor Bred Champion sponsored by Colin Johnson Auctioneers: Lisnalty Megasire Rituel, Paul Hannan.

Exhibitor Bred Reserve: Blarney Mogul Pledge ET, Noel Murphy, Blarney, Co Cork.

Exhibitor Bred Hon Mention: Sprucegrove Apples Peggy, A&S Foody and R Timlin.

Handler aged 12 and under sponsored by FBD: 1, Kate Lehane, 2, Muiris Kearney, 3, Manus Murphy.

Handler aged 13–16 years sponsored by FBD: 1 Nikki McLoughlin. 2, Jack O’Neill. 3, Cathal Mulhall.

Handler aged 17–26 years sponsored by FBD: 1, Kevin Smith, 2, Stephen Shannon. 3, Claire Kirby

Novice Handler under 12 sponsored by World Wide Sires: 1. Josh Sinnott. 2, Clodagh Hynes. 3, Jennifer Harty.

Handler 12–18 years sponsored by National Dairy Show: 1, JJ O’Connor. 2, Rachel Corley. 3, Hannah Williamson.

Handler Champion sponsored by Volac: Josh Sinnott. Reserve: JJ O’Connor. Hon Mention; Rachel Corley.

Jersey heifer born after 2018 sponsored by Jersey Cattle Association: 1, Gabriel Lotto Laura (highest EBI and exhibitor bred), Robert Shannon. 2, Massrock Je2310 Brunette, Lehane Family. Timoleague, Co Cork. 3, Lemrac Kendra, John Moore, Rhode, Co Offaly.

Heifer born after Feb 1, handler 12 or under sponsored by Herdwatch: 1 Chapelhill Sidekick Roxy (exhibitor bred), T Bourke and G Nicholson. Adare, Co Limerick. 2 Coolquil Diamond Liz 1600, T and M Blake, Thurles. 3, Chapelhill Doorman Precious, T Bourke and G Nicholson. Highest EBI Rathard Fr4513 Alanna 1915, P and P Hynes.

Heifer born between December 2018 and January 2019 sponsored by Roches Feeds: 1, Sprucegrove Chief Harmonica, Thomas Cahill, Oranmore, Co Galway. 2, Cahirmee Goldenway Marieka (exhibitor bred), Patrick Smith, Doneraile. 3 Ballyboy Doorman Carmen 1253. M & S Ahern, Ballingarry, Co Limerick. Highest EBI Mallowroad Collona Present 8, Stephen Roche, Mallow.

Heifer born October, November, 2018 sponsored by Lely: 1 Eedy King Doc Angel ET (exhibitor bred), Helen Family, Clonakilty. 2 Grangecon Doorman Mimi 1525, Anthony Kealy, Grangecon, Co Wicklow. 3 Evergreen Paula 8 (highest EBI ), Christian Keenan.

Heifer born July, August, Sept, 2018 sponsored by Kerry Agribusiness: 1 Emerald Perseus Fran (highest EBI and and exhibitor bred), Donal Neville, Croagh, Co Limerick. 2 Rosstemple Doorman Ysabel, John Curtin, Kilmallock, Co Limerick. 3 Leagh Solomon Pretty ET, T and M Blake.

Heifer born Jan to June, 2018: 1 Baldonnel Doorman Supra, T Bourke & G Nicholson. 2, Emerald Solomon Twizzle ET, Donal Neville. 3 Sprucegrove Awesome Bar, Keypoint & Cunningham, Tuam, Co Galway. Highest EBI Knockbrown Hagley Eileen, O’Sullivan family, Bandon. Exhibitor bred Emerald Perseus Fran, Donal Neville.

Heifer born 2017 after June: 1 Lumville H Daisy, P&E Gaynor, Cavan and R Whelan. 2 Mirah Doorman Martina (exhibitor bred), Michael Freeney, Oranmore, Co Galway. 3 Mounteen Real Seal Dallas (highest EBI), John G Kirby, Clonakilty.

Junior Holstein Champion sponsored by Tom Harte Farm Services: Chapelhill Sidekick Roxy, T Bourke and G Nicholson. Reserve: Baldonnel Doorman Supra, T Bourke & G Nicholson. Hon Mention: Emerald Perseus Fran, Donal Neville.

Jersey heifer born before 2019 not in milk sponsored by FBD: 1 Clandeboye Oliver-P Marble, Padraic Greenan, Monaghan. 2 Ballyealan Tequila Daisy (exhibitor bred), Tom Lynch, Ballingarry, Co Limerick. 3 Ballyealan Joel Louise,Tom Lynch. Highest EBI Massrock 2352 Robin, Lehane Family.

Junior Jersey Champion sponsored by Kelliher Feeds & Agri Supplies: Clandeboye Oliver-P Marble, Padraic Greenan. Reserve Gabriel Lotto Laura, Robert Shannon. Hon Mention Ballyealan Tequila Daisy, Tom Lynch.

Confined Heifer in Milk sponsored by Southern Milling: 1 Kilgarriffe Heidi 11 (highest EBI and exhibitor bred), Richard J Helen, Clonakilty.

2-yr-old Heifer in Milk born after Feb 2017 sponsored by Norbrook: 1, Dellview Amethy St Angel (exhibitor bred and best udder ), Gordon Kingston, Ballinascarthy. 2 Sahara Jedi Jessica (highest EBI), Bryan O’Connor. Kanturk. 3 Lisnalty Idealla 83, Paul Hannan.

Junior 3-yr-old Heifer/Cow in Milk sponsored by Munster Bovine: 1 Blarney Mogul Pledge ET (highest EBI and exhibitor bred and best udder), Noel Murphy. 2 Laurelelm Numero Ann 2084, R & J Barrett. 3 Ballytigue Mogul Penny, Aidan Frawley, Bruree, Co Limerick.

Intermediate Holstein Champion sponsored by Ornua: Blarney Mogul Pledge ET, Noel Murphy. Reserve Dellview Amethy St Angel, Gordon Kingston. Hon Mention Laurelelm Numero Ann 2084, R & J Barrett.

Jersey Heifer in Milk sponsored by AIB: 1 Massrock S1542 Burnette (highest EBI and exhibitor bred), Lehane Family. 2 Turlough Turtle 4 (best udder), J M & N Collins, Newcastlewest, Co Limerick. 3 Tonemace Valtino Fritillary 2, Thomas Cahill.

Confined Cow in Milk sponsored by Eurogene AI Services: 1 Palmrock Nancy 142 ET (exhibitor bred and best udder), Padraic Carr, Oranmore, Co Galway. 2 Mullaghlands Ladd P Bramur (highest EBI), Edwin Gaynor, Mullagh, Co Cavan.

Confined Champion sponsored by Devenish: Palmrock Nancy 142 ET, Padraic Carr. Reserve Mullaghlands Ladd P Bramur, Edwin Gaynor, Hon Mention Kilgarriffe Heidi 11, Richard J Helen.

Jersey Cow in Milk sponsored by Bank of Ireland: 1 SuirValley Ot Starlight (exhibitor bred and best udder), Pat Gaynor. 2 Mullaghlands Pride Starlight (highest EBI), Pat Gaynor. 3 Ribblesdale Vanh Fritillary, Thomas Cahill.

Overall Jersey Champion and Exhibitor Bred sponsored by McDonnell Bros: SuirValley Ot Starlight, Pat Gaynor. Reserve Mullaghlands Pride Starlight (exhibitor bred), Pat Gaynor. Hon Mention Massrock S1542 Burnette, Lehane Family

Senior 3-yr-old cow in milk born 2016 before September sponsored by MSD Animal Health: 1 Lisnalty Megasire Rituel (highest EBI, exhibitor bred, and best udder), Paul Hannan. 2 Bowberhill Mogul Melody 4, Bryan O’Connor. 3 Yardgrove Atwood Jeanette, Bryan O’Connor.

4-yr-old cow in milk born 2015 sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim: 1 Sprucegrove Apples Peggy (best udder), A&S Foody and R Timlin. 2 Ballyboy Sid Carmen 1039, J&U Sinnott, Enniscorthy, and P Jones. 3 Cappavilla Cecelia 12 (highest EBI), John Leahy, Listowel.

5-yr-old cow in milk born 2014 sponsored by Zoetis: 1 Woodmarsh Cancun Lyme 2 (highest EBI and best udder), Michael and Elizabeth McNamara. 2 Sterndale Colt Rae ET, L & S Murphy, Bagenalstown, Co Carlow. 3 Laurelelm Fever Brilliant (exhibitor bred), R & J Barrett.

Mature cow in milk born before 2015 sponsored by IHFA: 1 Des Grands Trix Harmonica, A&S Foody and R Timlin. 2 Baldonnel Flashmatic Dawn (exhibitor bred and best udder), C & J Dowling. 3 Laurelelm Jerrick Daffodil, R & J Barrett. Highest EBI Ballyealan Shotle Dellia ET, Noel Murphy.

Production Class sponsored by Cargill: 1 Baldonnel Flashmatic Dawn (exhibitor bred and best udder), C & J Dowling, 2 Laurelelm Jerrick Daffodil, R & J Barrett. 3 Ballyelan Shotle Dellia ET (highest EBI), Noel Murphy.

Group of 3 females sponsored by Dairygold: 1 Laurelmore Herd, Rickey and John Barrett. 2 Bawnmore Herd, Bryan O’Connor.