Castleisland Co-Op Mart Report Best September in Years

Glin, Co. Limerick men, John O’Farrell (left) and Jimmy Wallace pictured at the annual Fat Stock Show and Sale at Castleisland Co-Op Mart on Wednesday. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Mike Moriarty, Castlemaine (left) and John Clifford, Milltown pictured at the annual Fat Stock Show and Sale at Castleisland Co-Op Mart on Wednesday. ©Photograph: John Reidy

The scene at ringside at the sale gets underway at the annual Fat Stock Show and Sale at Castleisland Co-Op Mart on Wednesday. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Castleisland Co-Op Mart Chairman, Timmy Horan (left) presenting ML CJ Sheehan, Ballinakilla Lower, Glenbeigh, with the prize for the Best Pen of Bullocks at the annual Fat Stock Show and Sale at Castleisland Co-Op Mart. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Sean Brosnan presenting  JoeO’Donoghue, Scartaglen with the prize for the Best Cow at the annual Fat Stock Show and Sale at Castleisland Co-Op Mart. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Young Patrick Finucane with his mom Liz from Duagh were getting a bit of advice from former Castleisland Co-Op Mart Manager, Richard Harnett as Patrick was hoping to buy and cow and calf at the annual Fat Stock Show and Sale at Castleisland Co-Op Mart on Wednesday. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Castleisland Co-Op Mart’s annual Fat Stock Show and Sale took place on Wednesday last September 29^th. The event attracted a huge turnout from throughout Kerry, Cork and Limerick.

There were some outstanding cattle on show which was reflected in the prices paid.

The show’s Supreme Champion was a Charolais bullock of 730kgs owned by Jerry O’Riordan, Kiskeam and bought in the sale for €2,180 by Eoin O’Sullivan from Dawn Meats.

Ringside and Online Buyers Busy

“With over 900 head of cattle on offer and a 99% clearance rate it was great to see big numbers of buyers being able to travel from near and far,” said mart manager, Nelius McAuliffe.

“With the Covid-19 restrictions being lifted, both ringside and online buyers were very active in the course of the sales.

“We’ve seen the figures here rising sharply over the past couple of months and we’re up a good 50% on last year’s already and at least 25% on 2019 figures.

“For that we’d like to thank all our buyers and sellers for their continued support over the years and for coming back to us in such numbers recently,” said Mr. McAuliffe.

Major Sponsors

The show part of the day attracted some of the area’s major sponsors, with Rhyno Mills, AXA Insurance, Cara Credit Union, Castleisland and Castleisland Co-Op Mart itself among those stepping up in support.

Chairman of the mart committee, Timmy Horan said that the mart trade for the month just gone made it the best September in Castleisland for years.

“You could even see it in the town today – there were so many people around and the fine day helped of course.

No Room for Complacency

“We’re very happy at the way things are going here now, there’s no room for complacency and we’re very thankful for the support we’re getting from farmers and buyers.

“As you could see at the sale on the day there’s a healthy mix of on-line bidding and the traditional nod from the ring and that’s how we’re going on from here,” said Mr. Horan.

Upcoming Sales

Wednesday, October 6^th.: Suckler sale; Wednesday, October 20^th South West Limousin Breeders Sale; Friday, October 29^th Dairy Show and Sale.

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