Irish Beltex Sheep Breeders Club celebrates top flocks at annual 2025 dinner

Eddie O’Neill presenting Elizabeth McAllister with a trophy for Reserve Champion Show Flock.

The Irish Beltex Sheep Breeders Club marked another successful year as members gathered for the annual Club Dinner at The Valley Hotel, Fivemiletown, on Saturday, 22 November.

The evening saw the announcement of the 2025 Flock Competition results and recognition of outstanding achievements from breeders across the island.

Members were awarded a range of cups, trophies and rosettes in celebration of an exceptional year of breeding, showing and sales for the Beltex breed.

Harbinson’s Glenkeen Flock Crowned Overall Champion

The Harbinson family.

Flock Competition Judge Kenny Preston presents John Harbinson, Glenkeen Flock with the Ballycreely Trophy for winning Overall Champion Flock.

The top accolade of the night — the Ballycreely Trophy for Overall Champion Flock — was awarded to John Harbinson’s Glenkeen Flock from Limavady.

Harbinson excelled across the board, also securing Champion Small Flock, Best Overall Flock of Ewes, and first place in the Small Flock Stock Ram, Ram Lamb, and Homebred Ram Lamb classes.

Elizabeth McAllister Takes Reserve Champion Flock

Kenny Preston with Elizabeth McAllister who received the Garron Trophy for Overall Reserve Champion Flock

Kells breeder Elizabeth McAllister, of the Artnagullion Flock, was named Reserve Champion Flock, lifting the Garron Trophy. McAllister also won Champion Large Flock and claimed Best Overall Stock Ram Lamb with Ardstewart Laddie.

Her success continued with the Reserve Champion Show Flock title, recognising strong results throughout the showing season.

McAllister also collected honours from the Irish Beltex National Show, securing Reserve Female Champion and first in the Aged Ram, Shearling Ewe, and Group of Three classes.

Strong Performances Across Northern Ireland Flocks

Among the other major winners:

• Joshua Keys, Bolies Flock, Fivemiletown — Reserve Champion Small Flock, Best Overall Flock of Ewe Lambs, and recipient of the Rumevite Cup for winning the Ewe Lamb class at the National Show.

Joshua Keys, Bolies Flock.

• Andrew McCutcheon’s Bodoney Flock, Trillick — Reserve Champion Large Flock. His son, Jaden McCutcheon, received the Ardstewart Cup for winning the Senior Young Handlers class at the National Show.

Andrew and Jaden McCutcheon, along with Sandra Moran, celebrating Bodoney Flock’s success.

Eddie O’Neill and winning Senior Young Handler Jaden McCutcheon.

• John and Vicky Ferguson, Vicky’s Flock, Comber — Champion Show Flock, along with two second places and a third in the Flock Competition.

Club Chairman Eddie O’Neill presenting John and Vicky Ferguson with Champion Show Flock

Beacom Dominates 2025 National Show

Gary and Linda Beacom with their children Scarlett, Baillie and Brooke.

Fivemiletown’s Gary Beacom enjoyed a standout season, taking the Overall Champion title at the Irish Beltex National Show held at Omagh Show in July.

His Lakeview Flock also claimed Female Champion, Best Exhibitor Bred, Male Champion, and first place in the Ram Lamb, Shearling Ram, and Aged Ram classes.

Reflecting his success, Beacom was also awarded Best Novice Show Flock.

Record Sale Recognised with Smyths of Daleside Trophy

Chairman Eddie O’Neill with Matthew and Rachel Burleigh who won the Smyths Daleside Trophy for the highest priced sheep sold at a Society sale.

The Smyths of Daleside Trophy for the highest-priced Beltex sold at a Society sale went to Matthew Burleigh, for Matt’s Kracken.

The shearling ram, by Todhall Hurricane and out of a homebred ewe, Matt’s Haribo, sold for 15,000 gns in a four-way share at the Carlisle Premier Sale in August.

Burleigh’s nieces, Hollie and Jessica, were also recognised: Hollie won the Junior Young Handler Class, receiving the Irish Beltex Sheep Breeders Club Cup, while Jessica was presented with the inaugural Burleigh Cup, created by her family for the winning Pre-School Young Handler.

Hollie and Jessica Burleigh receiving their trophies from Eddie O’Neill for Junior Young Handler and Pre-School Young Handler classes at the Irish Beltex National Show.

Additional Honours & Chairman’s Remarks

Cathoir O’Connor receiving a Society plaque from Eddie O’Neill for his Ballymena Show and Sale Champion.

Further acknowledgements went to Cathoir O’Connor and Mark Latimer, celebrated for their Championship wins at Club Shows and Sales throughout 2025.

Club Chairman Eddie O’Neill praised the dedication and spirit of the Beltex community, saying:

“This year’s dinner was brilliant, it was great to get such a strong turnout and to acknowledge the members whose dedication has advanced the production and promotion of quality Beltex sheep. Thank you to The Valley for the great food and hospitality.”

The Club’s next event, the Dungannon In-Lamb Show and Sale, will take place on Friday, 19 December 2025, at Dungannon Farmers’ Mart.

FULL LIST OF 2025 FLOCK COMPETITION RESULTS

Judge: Kenny Preston, Glenpark Flock, Omagh

Overall Champions

• Overall Champion Flock – Ballycreely Trophy:

  John Harbinson, Glenkeen Flock, Limavady

• Overall Reserve Champion Flock – Garron Trophy:

  Elizabeth McAllister, Artnagullion Flock, Kells

Large Flock Awards

• Champion Large Flock:

  Elizabeth McAllister, Artnagullion Flock, Kells

• Reserve Champion Large Flock:

  Andrew McCutcheon, Bodoney Flock, Trillick

Small Flock Awards

• Champion Small Flock:

  John Harbinson, Glenkeen Flock, Limavady

• Reserve Champion Small Flock:

  Joshua Keys, Bolies Flock, Fivemiletown

Flock of Ewes – Large Flock

Eddie and Eoghan O’Neill with their rosettes from the Flock Competition.

1. A. & J. McCutcheon, Bodoney Flock, Trillick

2. E. McAllister, Artnagullion Flock, Kells

3. H. & E. O’Neill, Lagyveagh Flock, Glenarm

Flock of Ewes – Small Flock

1. J. Harbinson, Glenkeen Flock, Limavady

2. J. Keys, Bolies Flock, Fivemiletown

3. J. & V. Ferguson, Vicky’s Flock, Comber

Best Overall Flock of Ewes:

J. Harbinson, Glenkeen Flock, Limavady

Flock of Ewe Lambs – Large Flock

1. H. & E. O’Neill, Lagyveagh Flock, Glenarm

2. E. McAllister, Artnagullion Flock, Kells

3. A. & J. McCutcheon, Bodoney Flock, Trillick

Flock of Ewe Lambs – Small Flock

Russell Smyton, Tyreeghan Flock.

1. J. Keys, Bolies Flock, Fivemiletown

2. R. Smyton, Tyreeghan Flock, Fivemiletown

3. J. Harbinson, Glenkeen Flock, Limavady

Best Overall Flock of Ewe Lambs:

J. Keys, Bolies Flock, Fivemiletown

Stock Ram – Large Flock

1. E. McAllister, Artnagullion Flock, Kells – Glenview Jeff SDG J723

2. A. McCutcheon, Bodoney Flock, Trillick – JHK J019

3. H. & E. O’Neill, Lagyveagh Flock, Glenarm – H1425

Stock Ram – Small Flock

1. J. Harbinson, Glenkeen Flock, Limavady – Lakeview JFF K066

2. R. Smyton, Tyreeghan Flock, Fivemiletown – Glenview Jeff SDG J723

Best Overall Stock Ram:

J. Harbinson, Glenkeen Flock, Limavady – Lakeview JFF K066

Stock Ram Lamb – Large Flock

1. E. McAllister, Artnagullion Flock, Kells – Ardstewart Laddie AST L037

2. H. & E. O’Neill, Lagyveagh Flock, Glenarm – Woodview Limited Edition WDV L002

3. P. Brolly, Munreary Flock – Hillview Lionheart

Stock Ram Lamb – Small Flock

1. J. Harbinson, Glenkeen Flock, Limavady

2. J. & V. Ferguson, Vicky’s Flock, Comber

3. J. Harbinson, Glenkeen Flock, Limavady

Best Overall Stock Ram Lamb:

E. McAllister, Artnagullion Flock, Kells – Ardstewart Laddie

Homebred Ram Lamb – Large Flock

1. E. McAllister, Artnagullion Flock, Kells – LIZ L051

2. P. Brolly, Munreary Flock – PLJ L003

3. E. McAllister, Artnagullion Flock, Kells – LIZ L051

Homebred Ram Lamb – Small Flock

1. J. Harbinson, Glenkeen Flock, Limavady – FHG L025

2. J. & V. Ferguson, Vicky’s Flock, Comber – VIC L054

3. J. Keys, Bolies Flock – L018

Best Overall Homebred Ram Lamb:

J. Harbinson, Glenkeen Flock, Limavady – FHG L025

Show Flock Awards

• Champion Show Flock:

  
  

  John & Victoria Ferguson, Vicky’s Flock, Comber

• Reserve Champion Show Flock:

  
  

  Elizabeth McAllister, Artnagullion Flock, Kells

Special Awards

• Best Novice Flock:

  
  

  Gary Beacom, Lakeview Flock, Fivemiletown