Padraig Kennedy, Creta, Elphin, Co. Roscommon
&
Ronnie Maguire, Cloneigh, Strokestown, Co. Roscommon
This year the Irish Simmental Cattle Society are putting forward two of its long established breeders namely Padraig Kennedy, Creta, Elphin, Co. Roscommon and his near neighbour Ronnie Maguire, Cloneigh, Strokestown, Co. Roscommon as their recipients of the Hall of Fame Award.
Ronnie Maguire is breeding Simmentals since 1974 and Padraig Kennedy since 1975. With their pedigree herds both these men have had successful outings at their local shows in bringing home the valued red rosettes. However it was in the showing of their Simmental Cross heifers that both men won National awards with Padraig winning in Virginia show and Ronnie taking the honours in his own local show, Strokestown.
The natural progression for those breeders was the promotion of the Simmental cross breeding heifer. Both men were founding members of the Ballymote Simmental cross heifer sale which is held annually for the past 14 years. This event has gone from strength to strength and is widely recognised as being one of the best sales for cross bred breeding heifers in the British Isles.
Both men have always been active in club committees with Padraig Kennedy being the present Chairman of the Western Simmental Club and Ronnie Maguire being its President. No gathering of Simmental breeders was missed by these men over many years. Simmental were the “complete breed” for Padraig and Ronnie because in breeding them they were able to make a living and also through Simmental made many life long friends throughout the length and breadth of Ireland.
