Crawford's Sensation lifts top beef cow title

Editorial Department • Published 6 Aug 2009 09:00 0 Comments

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Thousands of visitors descended onto Enniskillen's Ulster Farmers Mart for Fermanagh County Show.

The sun shone brightly for most of the day until a heavy rain shower in the afternoon saw visitors ducking under trade stands and umbrellas, but thankfully it didn't dampen the spirits as the sound of laughter could be heard around the grounds throughout the day.

The day was particularly sunny for well-known Fermanagh exhibitor Raymond Crawford when his cow "Curraghree Sensation" became All-Ireland Beef Champion 2009.

The Maguiresbridge farmer said he has been delighted with her performance throughout the year.

"We've had a very successful show season in 2009. We have exhibited at all 14 shows and we were successful at 12. This cow is no stranger to shows. She qualified at the Ballymena Show and came first at the Balmoral show this year. It also the third highest in the south of Ireland for beef value so we are delighted to have won the County Show," he said.

It was a fun day for Rachel Hall from Lisnaskea when she was crowned the 2009 County Show Queen.

The 25-year-old teacher, who is a member of Lisnaskea Young Farmers Club, said she was delighted to have been chosen and said she always enjoys coming to the County Show.

"It's a great day out for families and it's always been a big day out in our house. Although I don't know what my pupils will say to me when they see this sash around my body," she laughed.

Political representatives including UUP Fermanagh /South Tyrone MLA Tom Elliott and UUP MEP Jim Allister was present and Agriculture Minister Michelle Gildernew was spotted happily chatting away to exhibitors on the field.

Chairman of Fermanagh County Show for 17 years, Lord Anthony Hamilton said the show has come a long way since the days of the Old Mart where Dunne Store is.

"We moved here in 1994 and it's lovely to show off the cattle on the grass instead of the hard ground we had before. What I have noticed going strength from strength each year is the Dog Show. Huge numbers of people enter every year and it always attracts lots of spectators. This year was also the first time we had the donkey derby and this went very well last night and we have had more trade stands this year than ever before and it's excellent to see such huge support for this wonderful show," he said.

This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 06 Aug 09

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