This year’s Growvite Irish Aberdeen Angus Association All-Ireland Finals returned to the National Ploughing Championships for a second year. Crowds once again flocked around the covered show ring on the Tuesday of the event, with spectators standing three deep at ringside throughout the day.
It proved another momentous day for both the breed and the Association, as exhibitors vied to get their hands on the illustrious All-Ireland trophy, which dates back to 1888.
Tasked with judging this year’s finals was Caroline Morton of the well-known Keirsbeath herd in Scotland. She described the cattle on show as “fantastic”, adding that “the females stole the show”.
After much deliberation, she eventually tapped forward Liss Mirti B492 as her Supreme Champion for 2026. This October 2025-born heifer was bred and exhibited by John and Sean McEnroe from Oldcastle, Co. Meath. Sired by the Northern Irish-bred bull Baronagh Prince George Y384, she is out of the homebred Liss Mirti V902.
The young heifer first came out on top in one of the most competitive classes of the day before being tapped out as Zurich Junior Champion and, ultimately, Growvite Supreme Champion. This topped an exceptional day for the Oldcastle duo, who also picked up two other first-place rosettes.
Taking the Univet Senior and Reserve Supreme Growvite Championship was Kerins Vickemi, exhibited by the Kerins family from Ballymote, Co. Sligo. Sired by HF Rebel, the four-year-old cow is a daughter of last year’s Supreme All-Ireland Champion, Kerins Riokemi.
Shown alongside her twin bull calves, this victory marked the third year in succession that the Kerins family have exhibited the Senior Cow Champion.
It was certainly a day to remember for Una Ward and her sons, Brien and Tomas Williams, who took all before them in the Angus Beef Ireland Intermediate section with Homeville Pocket Rocket.
This February 2025-born heifer is a daughter of UK import HW Gotti and is out of Priestown Princess, who was purchased from Fran Whelan in Co. Louth. No stranger to success, Pocket Rocket has collected numerous rosettes throughout the summer.
It also proved a hugely successful day for Cavan breeder Leo McEnroe, who collected no fewer than three red rosettes. Leading the charge was Senior Bull Champion Dairemor Red Tulip, who also secured the Univet Reserve Senior Championship.
The six-year-old bull, who also claimed the Overall Male Championship in Tullamore last month, is a son of Dairemor Red Rob. He was recently sold at the Lisduff Production Sale for €10,000 and now heads to a new home in Portugal.
Taking the title of Angus Beef Ireland Reserve Intermediate Champion was Luddenmore Ebony A679, exhibited by Dr Michael Sheahan, Cappawhite, Co. Tipperary. This rising two-year-old heifer also won the Best of Breed Championship at Iverk last month.
The powerful in-calf heifer is a daughter of Drumhill Lord Highway and was last year’s Supreme National Calf Show Champion.
The final championship of the day was the Reserve Zurich Junior Championship, which was claimed by Ardnacraney Pretty Cleo. This February 2026-born heifer was bred and exhibited by the Hickey family from Co. Longford.
Sired by Lisduff Eddard, the promising young heifer had also claimed the Overall Leinster Club Calf Championship in Trim just two weeks earlier.
The day was once again kick-started by two strong Young Handler classes sponsored by Animal Farmacy, which got proceedings off to a roaring start. Taking pole position in the senior section was Cliodhna Smith, while Rowan Smith secured top spot in a fiercely contested junior section.
With quality cattle, strong competition and an enthusiastic ringside crowd throughout the day, the 2026 Growvite Irish Aberdeen Angus Association All-Ireland Finals once again proved a fitting showcase for the breed on one of Irish agriculture’s biggest stages.
This of course would not be possible without our very generous sponsors, we ask you to please support them where you can: Univet, Angus Beef Ireland, Zurich, ARK animal care, Target Genetics, Animal Farmacy, Greenvale animal feeds.
Massive thank you also to our judge, stewards, MC James Morrision, the NPA, photographer Chloe Goggins and all who helped make this the event it was.
