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Newry Show 2026 recorded its highest ever entry of cattle and sheep and goats with judging on Saturday, 27 June continuing on late into the afternoon. Apart from one heavy shower earlier in the morning it was a perfect day for the show and the large number of families in attendance had no shortage of things to see and do.
the Planted Farm Toy class at Newry Show.
Photograph: Columba O'Hare/ Newry.ie
The event turned out to be another landmark occasion for Crawford Brothers, from Maguiresbridge in Co Fermanagh, with their elite Limousin cow: Rathkeeland Tendresse.
Newry marked her fifth inter-bred title of the 2026 showing season, having already notched up victories at Saintfield, Ballymena, Lurgan and Armagh Shows.
Matthew Goulding, from Ballyduff, Tralee, Co Kerry judged the inter-breed beef classes at Newry. He described his champion as an excellent example of the Limousin breed, adding: “She has amazing scope, presence, power and mobility. And the fact that she entered the show ring with an eye-catching calf at foot further confirmed her breeding potential.”
Stephen Crawford commented: “We have a tremendous selection of bulls and breeding heifers within the herd at the present time. They represent a comprehensive cross section of Limousin bloodlines.
“Show success is one thing. But adding to this is the tremendous feedback we get from farmers who are using our bulls on a commercial basis.”
He added: “We have spent many years building up the status of the Rathkeeland herd. And we continue to invest in the best Limousin genetics available on an international basis.”
The members of the Crawford family have been breeding pedigree Limousin cattle for the past 47 years.
Rathkeeland animals have won Limousin Championships at all of the Royal Shows: The Royal Welsh, The Royal Ulster Agricultural Show, The Royal Highland Show, The Great Yorkshire, The Royal Show, and The Royal Dublin Show.
Photograph: Columba O'Hare/ Newry.ie
The reserve beef inter-breed accolade at Newry went to the commercial champion, a truly eye catching British Blue cross Limousin heifer, exhibited by JCB Commercials form Newtownards in Co Down.
The March 2025 born weanling will be taking part in the rest of the shows taking place over the coming weeks.
Newry’s Dairy Championship was won by a Holstein third calver: Ernevale Alligator Rosina EX 92.
She was jointly exhibited by David Simpson form Lisburn and Andrew Patterson from Antrim.
David explained: “We bought her from Co Fermanagh breeder, Seamus Gunn prior to her calving a few weeks ago.
“She is currently giving 48L of milk per day.”
Photograph: Columba O'Hare/ Newry.ie
Andrew added: “We had seen her at Omagh Show last year. She has a tremendous and an outstanding mammary system.
“She is now eligible for the Dairy Cow of the Year event at Antrim Show later in July. And we will see how she gets on there.
“Our aim is to get her back in calf as soon as possible. Hopefully, we will have her ready again to participate in all of the main shows scheduled for 2027.
But it was the tremendous turnout of visitors making their way to the Bessbrook venue that really sealed the success of Newry Show 2026.
Society chairman, Brian Lockhart, concluded: “Our event continues to grow. It is a tremendous showcase for the farming and food sectors right across our catchment area. And we want to build on this for the future.”
