Willie Mullins honoured at FBD National Hall of Fame Awards in Athlone

Twenty four recipients from the bovine, equine and ovine industries were honoured at the 20th National Hall of Fame Awards presentation and banquet held in the Sheraton Hotel Athlone on Sunday May 5.

The recipients, representing 19 counties across Ireland, were inducted into the FBD National Hall of Fame before an attendance of almost 400 guests. Willie Mullins, the legendary race horse trainer from Co. Carlow, received the FBD National Hall of Fame Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his contribution to the Irish racing industry and his remarkable achievements in horse racing globally.

Seamus Dunne from Ballyfin, Portlaoise received the Farmers Oscar Award for his innovative invention for handling all sizes of livestock, known as Crushmate, an accessory for the cattle crush. Guest of honour was Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice who congratulated the recipients and presented them with their awards. Michael Flanagan, of the Moydrum Castle Pedigree Herds, Athlone, whose idea the event was way back in 2003, said that people from the bovine, equine and ovine industries should be recognized and acknowledged for their dedication, commitment and the outstanding service they have given for the betterment of their particular breed, over the years.

He said now is the time to honour them, rather than writing glowing obituaries when they have left us. Michael who acted as MC for the night, ably assisted by his son Oliver, who is secretary of the NHFA, said that the function had grown out of all proportion and the trouble now is to try and accommodate the huge demand for tables.

Michael expressed his thanks to the main sponsor FBD Insurance who have now become the title sponsor, represented on the night by Pat Gilligan, Head of Sales for the Midlands & Western Regions, and Michael Berkery, Chairman of the FBD Trust. The bovine section has a new sponsor in Herdwatch, based in Roscrea, represented by the co-founder & CEO Fabien Peyaud. The Kepak Group, main sponsors of the Ovine Section, was represented by Jonathan Forbes, Main Procurement Manager for the Kepak Group and Sean Coffey, Commercial Director Ireland. Charles Smith, Managing Director of the Certified Irish Angus Producer Group, who has been a sponsor of the event since its inception, was very happy with the Certified Irish Angus Beef supplied by Kepak, Ballymahon.

Michael also welcomed Aurivo/Homeland Stores on board as an associate sponsor and they were represented on the night by Mark Hyland, manager of Homeland Store Athlone. who sponsored a number of the nominees. More Nominees were sponsored by Jimmy & Enda Mc Gee, Corrib Oil, Paul Reynolds Commercials, Dermot Hughes Cars, Amlac Forklifts, Arachas Insurance, Midland’s Vet. Hospital, George & Mary Ledwith, Rea Hynes Auctioneers, Athlone Credit Union, Arrabawn Co-op, Progressive Genetics, Cormac Tagging, Easy Fix Rubber Products, Univet Ireland Ltd, Quinns of Baltinglass, Oliver Carty & Family Meats & Dovea Genetics.

A most enjoyable night was had by all dancing to the TR Dallas Band. The following were the recipients from the Bovine Section:

24 National Hall of Fame Recipients for 2024

Irish Angus Cattle Society: Joe Moran, Kilkenny

Irish Aubrac Cattle Society: James Donnellan, Galway

Irish Belgian Blue Cattle Society: Myles McDermott, Carlow

Irish Charolais Cattle Society: Thomas Keane, Mayo

Commercial Cattle Exhibitors Society: Tommy Fitzgerald, Laois

Irish Hereford Breed Society: John Johnston, Tipperary

Irish Holstein Friesian Association: Tommy Finlay, Offaly Irish Limousin Cattle Society; Kevin Bohan Laois

Salers Cattle Society of Ireland; Seamus Nagle Clare

Irish Shorthorn Cattle Society: Pat Heher, Clare

Irish Simmental Cattle Society: Mattie McDonald, Wexford

Irish Draught Horse Society: Cecil Shorten, Limerick

Irish Draught Horse Association: Chris Mannion, Offaly

Irish Donkey Society: Michael Stephens, Dublin

Belgian Beltex Sheep: Dermot Goss, Louth

Irish Charollais Sheep Society: Jim & Frampton Jeffrey, Cork

Irish Suffolk Sheep Society: Pat Lynch, Longford

Irish Texel Sheep Society: William Doherty, Donegal

Irish Vendeen Sheep Society: Alan Crowe, Meath

Irish Rouge Sheep Society: Shay Kennedy, Waterford

Irish Blue Texel Sheep Society: Francis Donohoe, Westmeath

South of Irl. Suffolk Sheep Society: Jim Gahan, Carlow