The Munster Branch IHBS were very pleased with the large turnout at their recent Field Evening at the long established and successful Dareens Hereford Herd hosted by the Fitzpatrick Family at Clonmore, Templemore, Co Tipperary.

The Dareens Herd was established in 1950 with the purchase of a cow named Colleen Bawn bred by Mr E Callanan, Bouladuff, Thurles. Her dam Maureen Bawn sired by the great Weston Rumpus was bred by Mr Paddy Kealy, Horseleap, Moate, Co Westmeath.

Other females purchased in the intervening years included Ballypatrick Lady from Con Ryan, Glaslough Lady from S & N Heatrick, Lugboy Julie from the late Michael Campbell, and two more recent purchases from the Balleen herd of Tom Brennan and the Gurteragh herd of Michael O’Keeffe.

A number of leased bulls have stood at the Dareens herd including the DOA leased bull Forbes Rough purchased by the DOA at the RDS, Ballingrawn Jupiter bred by the late George Hodgins, Camblin Sapphire 93J from Wilie Clarke and more recently the homebred Dareens Andy a Yarram Pompeii son, Ardmulchan Elvis from Phil Smyth and Balleen Dynamite from Tom Brennan.

A useful opportunity was provided for young and old to view the herd and take part in the many activities taking place.