Big West Cork interest in bull sale

BY JACKIE KEOGH

There was a lot of West Cork interest in the 15th annual Gigginstown bull sale, which took place on Saturday last.

The sale proved to be a massive success with 23 bulls sold. The average price for bulls came in at €3,100, but ‘Lord Inglis’ made the top price of €4,400. The sale also features 25 in-calf and maiden heifers, with the top price here fetching €3,900.

Buyers travelled from all corners of Ireland – one or two even arrived by private plane – but some areas more than others were particularly well represented, including West Cork, County Down, Wexford and Castlebar.

Joe O’Mahony, who has been the estate manager of Gigginstown Farm, near Mullingar in Co Westmeath, for the last 15 years, still retains close connections with his homeplace at Derrydubh in Drimoleague, as well as the wider West Cork farming community.

His brother, Jerome, is farming a top class dairy herd in the homestead at Derrydubh and has some of the prize-winning bulls from Gigginstown. 

In fact, Jerome has been something of an ambassador for the estate because the word has spread that these bulls are easy calves and suit dairy herds.

There was a very large crowd at Gigginstown on the day of the sale, but that’s partly due to the fact that the estate always puts on a great show, including family attractions such as bouncy castles and face painting.

This year, of course, it had the added attraction of giving people the opportunity to have their photograph taken with a number of prize-winning horses, especially ‘War of Attrition,’ winner of the Cheltenham Gold Cup, the Irish Grand National, and the English Grand National at Aintree.

Ryanair boss and Gigginstown owner, Micheal O’Leary gave freely of his time from 9am to 3pm. 

Throughout the day, he could be found chatting easily with people and standing in for photos featuring the three famous trophies.