Top quality cattle on show at Newry

Newry Show returns with more than a splash of colour and excitement

A combination of tremendous crowds and weather greeted the return of Newry Agricultural Show, after a four-year absence.

Last held in 2019, the 2023 version of the event has a brand new home on the outskirts of Bessbrook. 

And given the success of the weekend just past’s festivities, it would seem obvious to suggest that here it should stay.

All the members of Newry Agricultural Show Society are indebted to the Cartmill family for providing this year’s site at, what was, very short notice.

It’s important for this commitment to be fully reflected in the reports emanating from what was a true celebration of farming and food in the South Down area.   

Another factor that made a real difference in getting this year’s show off the ground was the tremendous support offered by Newry and Mourne District Council. Again, this commitment must be full recognised.

There was a tremendous cattle entry for Newry Show 2023. 

The beef inter-breed championship was won by C & R Muholland, from Aghalee, with their very fancy Limousin heifer: Deerpark Shakira.

Inter-breed judge, Martin Kirk, described his champion as a tremendous example of the Limousin breed.

“She has everything: great length, style and truly excellent hindquarters,” he said.

Shakira is a daughter of the elite Limousin sire, Wilodge Vantastic. She had previously won the beef inter-breed championship at Armagh while also taking home the Limousin championship at Lurgan Show. This followed a good outing at Balmoral 2023.

Martin Kirk again:

“The overall quality of the cattle taking part in the show was excellent. All of this bodes well for the future of the beef industry in this part of the world.”

The dairy cow championship at Newry was won by a Holstein heifer in milk from the Bannwater herd of Andrew and Cameron Magowan.

Bannwater Undenied Sheba calved for the first time three months ago and looked an absolute picture in the ring.

Sired by the elite black and white bull, Our-Favourite Undenied, she is currently giving 40L of milk per day.

The show rings at Newry also saw a tremendously strong final class unfold to determine the outcome of the sheep inter-breed championship.

The accolade went to a truly eye-catching Charollais ewe, owned and bred by Diane Christie, from Comber in Co Down. She was shown in the ring by Trevor Bell.

The ewe in question lambed for the first time earlier this year. But make, no mistake, this lady has a real pedigree and a show record to back all of this up.

Trevor Bell explained “The ewe won the Northern Ireland Shows Association championship last year. She came through lambing well and is having another tremendous show season in 2023.”

Eamonn Convery, from Plumbridge in Co Tyrone, judged the sheep classes at Newry.

He referred to his champion as an excellent example of the Charollais breed, adding:

“She had tremendous in the ring and immense breed character. The quality of the sheep taking part in all the classes was excellent throughout the day.

“But it was impossible to overlook the real class of the Charollais ewe when it came to the final shake-up.” 

A great day out was had by all at Newry Show today. Photograph: Columba O'Hare/ Newry.ie

A great day out was had by all at Newry Show today. Photograph: Columba O'Hare/ Newry.ie

A great day out was had by all at Newry Show today. Photograph: Columba O'Hare/ Newry.ie

A great day out was had by all at Newry Show today. Photograph: Columba O'Hare/ Newry.ie

A great day out was had by all at Newry Show today. Photograph: Columba O'Hare/ Newry.ie

A great day out was had by all at Newry Show today. Photograph: Columba O'Hare/ Newry.ie

A great day out was had by all at Newry Show today. Photograph: Columba O'Hare/ Newry.ie

A great day out was had by all at Newry Show today. Photograph: Columba O'Hare/ Newry.ie

A great day out was had by all at Newry Show today. Photograph: Columba O'Hare/ Newry.ie

A great day out was had by all at Newry Show today. Photograph: Columba O'Hare/ Newry.ie

A great day out was had by all at Newry Show today. Photograph: Columba O'Hare/ Newry.ie

Rory Cowan, Ben Russell and Stephen Cowan, Banbridge with Stephens champion sheep at Newry Show today. Photograph: Columba O'Hare/ Newry.ie

Andrew and Ella Herron, Kingsmills with their Dutch Spotted sheep at Newry Show. Photograph: Columba O'Hare/ Newry.ie

A great day out was had by all at Newry Show today. Photograph: Columba O'Hare/ Newry.ie

A great day out was had by all at Newry Show today. Photograph: Columba O'Hare/ Newry.ie

A great day out was had by all at Newry Show today. Photograph: Columba O'Hare/ Newry.ie

A great day out was had by all at Newry Show today. Photograph: Columba O'Hare/ Newry.ie

A great day out was had by all at Newry Show today. Photograph: Columba O'Hare/ Newry.ie

A great day out was had by all at Newry Show today. Photograph: Columba O'Hare/ Newry.ie

Ann Murdock, left. swept the boards in the horticulture section at Newry Show and is pictured with Cindy Lockhart and Valerie Lockhart at Newry Show. Photograph: Columba O'Hare/ Newry.ie

Barbara Watson and Pippin at Newry Show. Photograph: Columba O'Hare/ Newry.ie

Doreen McIlwrath with her beautiful prizewinning crown of flowers at Newry Show today. Photograph: Columba O'Hare/ Newry.ie

A great day out was had by all at Newry Show today. Photograph: Columba O'Hare/ Newry.ie

A great day out was had by all at Newry Show today. Photograph: Columba O'Hare/ Newry.ie

Dianne Herron won the Home Baking section at Newry Show and is pictured getting her trophy from Myrna Glass at Newry Show. Photograph: Columba O'Hare/ Newry.ie

Cory Yates took first prize in P$/P5 lego at Newry Show today. Photograph: Columba O'Hare/ Newry.ie

A great day out was had by all at Newry Show today. Photograph: Columba O'Hare/ Newry.ie

A great day out was had by all at Newry Show today. Photograph: Columba O'Hare/ Newry.ie

A great day out was had by all at Newry Show today. Photograph: Columba O'Hare/ Newry.ie

Tom Moore with his top pirze for baking at Newry Show today. Photograph: Columba O'Hare/ Newry.ie

A great day out was had by all at Newry Show today. Photograph: Columba O'Hare/ Newry.ie

A great day out was had by all at Newry Show today. Photograph: Columba O'Hare/ Newry.ie

Enjoying their day-out at Newry Show 2023: Noelín (left) and Lee Fallon (right), from Newtownhamilton with family friends: Grace and Eoin Bradley

Newry Show Society president, Tommy Collins, congratulates Cameron Magowan on winning the dairy championship at Newry Show 2023

Arnold Pearson, from Newtownards, with an English Longhorn in-calf heifer. The animal was the Native Breed champion at Newry Show 2023

Stephen Crawford and Julie-Anne Cairns with the Limousin Cow champion, and her calf, at Newry Show 2023

Trevor Bell (right) with the Sheep Inter-Breed champion at Newry Show 2023. Adding his congratulations is Eamonn Convery, who judged the class

Connor Mulholland at the head of the Supreme Cattle champion at Newry Show 2023. Adding their congratulations are Martin Kirk, who judged the clss and James McAvoy, Fane Valley.