The 2025 Belclare Sheep Society All-Ireland Championship took place at Mullingar Show in Co. Westmeath on Sunday, July 13.

There was a large number of entries from Belclare breeders across Ireland, according to the society, and with the blistering hot weather on the day, the event did not disappoint.

The Champion and Reserve Champion titles both headed to Co. Galway flocks, as judge Edward Buckley awarded the top prize to a entry from Tim Keady's Oltore Flock for a senior ewe.

The Reserve Champion title was awarded to Barry Cunningham of the Togherbeg Flock for his shearling ewe, described by the judge as "a fine example of the qualities sought in the replacement breed".

The senior ram class was won by Liam and Eoin Dunne of the Tubber Flock with a stock ram. Second prize went to Neil O’Donnell of the Millbank Flock, while third prize was awarded to Eunan Bannon of the Slanemore Hill Flock.

The shearling ram class saw a large number of entries. Galway’s Tim Keady took first, second and fourth prizes in this category, while Liam and Eoin Dunne from Co. Offaly claimed third prize with their shearling ram.

The ram lamb class was described by the society as "the standout class of the day".

With a large number of top-quality entries, judge Edward Buckley lined them up as follows:

First: John McTigue – Ballynulty Looker;
Second: Barry Cunningham – Togherbeg Lorenzo;
Third: Liam and Eoin Dunne – Tubber Lancelot;
Fourth: John Kennedy – Dranagh Lucian;
Fifth: Paul Smyth – Silverbrook Lancelot;
Sixth: Paul Smyth – Silverbrook Leonardo.

All ram lambs shown on the day will be available for purchase at this year’s Belclare Premier Sale, which is set to take place at GVM Tullamore Mart on Friday, August 8.

The senior ewe class proved pivotal in the overall championship, with the first prize and overall champion awarded to Tim Keady's entry.

This senior ewe displayed "excellent muscle and style", according to the judge.

A close second went to Barry Cunningham's entry, with third prize awarded to Sonny Jennings of the Cahergal Flock and fourth to Eunan Bannon.

The shearling ewe class was once-again "fiercely contested", with first prize going to Barry Cunningham's entry and the animal was later awarded Reserve Champion of the breed.

Second and third prizes were claimed by Tim Keady, with fourth going to Ray Richardson and fifth to Eunan Bannon.

The ewe lamb class, like the ram lamb class, saw a large entry and was described as highly competitive.

First prize went to John McTigue of the Ballynulty Flock, and this winning lamb is a full sibling to the first-prize-winning ram lamb.

Second prize went to Liam and Eoin Dunne, with Barry Cunningham taking third and fifth, and Paul Smyth taking fourth and sixth.