Step back in time with Omagh Show

The exhibit of Aberdeen Angus cattle was one of the largest in the British Isles, and accordingly attracted visitors from England, Scotland and Wales.

There were 17 cows in one class, and almost all of them from attested herds.

Ayrshire and Friesians exceeded the previous year’s entry, and “here again all the animals were from attested herds”.

The entry of hunters, ponies and thoroughbreds showed an increase of 50 per cent, on 1955’s entry.

Young Farmers’ Clubs from all parts Northern Ireland took part in the stock judging competitions.

Meanwhile, the space allocated to trade displays was “filled to capacity, and one of the most interesting exhibits was that of the Ministry of Agriculture”.

For the equestrian events in the afternoon there was a record entry of 130 horses and ponies.

The Duke of Abercorn, HML, patron of the show, made his customary early visit and made a round of the exhibits.

A number of cups and medals were presented on the day, the most notable being: Best colt, gelding or filly, one, two three years old, W S Rule, Strabane. Best one, two or three year old agricultural horse, A Cathers, Beragh. Best foal, Joseph Morris, Mullinatumoagh, Omagh. Best shorthorn bull and best shorthorn cow, W A Armstrong, Omagh. Mr Armstrong won the three other special prizes in this class. Silver medal for best pure bred Aberdeen Angus, J L McKelvey, Omagh. Best exhibit in Aberdeen Angus classes, J L McKelvey. Best group Aberdeen Angus cattle divided between J W Veitch, Lisbellaw, and Lieutenan-Colonel Blakiston Houston, Gortin. Best Aberdeen Angus bred in Northern Ireland in 1955, E V McCullagh, Greencastle. Best bull, cow or heifer, W A Armstrong, Omagh. Best dairy cow, Derek Alcorn, Omagh. Best two-year-old dairy heifer, J M Call, Lisburn. Best calved heifer, showing not more than four broad teeth, A G Mills, Londonderry. Best group of three dairy cows, S R Elliott, Trillick. Best Irish bred Ayrshire, H Lusby and Son, Londonderry. Best Friesian exhibit, A G Mills, Londonderry. Best pedigree Hereford, S C Dougles, Dungannon. Best dairy cow in crossbred classes, Derek Alcorn, Omagh, Best butcher’s beast, R H Johnston, Omagh.

Best white pig, R G Howe, Ballinamallard. Best three sheep of one breed, Major C A M Alexander, Pomeroy, and Messrs N J Wilson and Sons, jointly held. Best group of four Border Leicester sheep, H J Wilson and Sons. Messrs Wilson also won two other special prizes. Best Blackface mountain ram approved for premium, T J Conway, Plumbridge. Cup for best terrier, Knox Ingram, Belfast. Best dog or bitch, Knox Ingram. Special open (local cup), Mr L Bradley, Omagh. Gundog Cup, Mr and Mrs L Greeves, Dundonald. Alsatian Cup, T Leitch, Belfast. In the YFC poultry judging competition the Greencastle Cup was won by team and the Lyons Rose Bowl by Moira YFC team.

Young Farmers’ Clubs stockjudging competitions, cattle section, teams under 18 years, first and Campsomagh Cup, Seaforde YFC (R Gill, M Hay and R Jennings); second, Donaghadee YFC (B Martin, H Reilly and H Kennedy); third, Rathfriland YFC (J McConnell, J McConnell and S Shilliday). Individual, first, Mary Hay, Seaforde YFC; second, Maurice Martin, Annaclone YFC; 3, J McConnell, Rathfriland YFC. Teams 18 to years, first and Barons Court Cup, Annaclone YFC (R Radcliffe, F Radcliffe and N Hillis); second, Garvagh (R A Garvin, R A McMaster, S J Morrow); third, Newtownstewart YFC (Pam McConriell, Hazel Ferguson and Mary Dunbar). Individual, first, Maurice Hillis; second, A Radcliffe; third, S Radcliffe, all Annaclone YFC.

Prizes for pedigree Shorthorns at the Omagh Show in 1956 were as follows: Bull calved before September 1, 1954, first, W A Armstrong. Omagh; second, T R Reid, Gortaclare, Omagh. Calved on or after September 1, 1954, first, W A Armstrong; second, Samuel Millar, Cookstown; third, Major C A M Alexander, Pomeroy. Cow three years old or over in calf or having had a calf since January, 1956, first and second, W A Armstrong; 3 W J Davidson, Cookstown. Heifer calved after September 1, 1953, and on or before September 1, 1954, first and second, W A Armstrong. Heifer calved after September 1, 1954, and on or before September 1, 1955, first, W A Armstrong; second, W J Davidson; third, Samuel Millar. Bull calf, calved since September 1, 1955, first, S C Douglas, Dungannon; second, W J Davidson; third, S Millar. Heifer calved since September 1, 1955, first and second, W A Armstrong; third, S Millar. Dairy Shorthorn bull calved before September 1, 1954, first, W A Armstrong; second, T R Reid, Bull calved of after September 1, 1954, first, S Millar; second, Major C A M Alexander. Dairy cow with milk yield of over 800 gallons, first, W A Armstrong; second, S Millar.