International Women’s Day is annual event which celebrates and recognises the achievements of women everywhere! It has grown over the last few years and has recently become a special date on the calendar.

This International Women’s Day – we celebrate one of our oldest and most committed female breeders; Ms. Leila McCabe from Beaghmore Herefords, Leitrim.

With her sister Gretta, Leila’s outstanding interest has always been in the breeding of Hereford cattle. Their father James established the Beaghmore herd in 1929 with the purchase of a cow purchased at the clearance sale of the well-established Rockfield herd of Mrs. Strevans in Roscommon. In the forties, fifties & sixties the sisters brought their bulls to the RDS Bull Show and Sale and found new homes for their bulls in Carlow, Limerick, Cavan, Kilkenny, Westmeath, Donegal, Leitrim, Tyrone, Monaghan & Wexford so there is no doubt that Beaghmore Bloodlines are to be found in the back breeding of Herefords right across the country.

For the sister’s lifetime commitment to the Hereford breed the sisters were nominated for Hall of Fame award in 2006.

Perhaps the best-known bull bred by Leila is Beaghmore Pirate. A look back through todays Hereford bloodlines will most likely list him in the background as his influence on Irish Herefords has been enormous.

Over her lifetime, Leila exhibited cattle at many local summer shows including Arva, Mohill & Belturbet and her passion for breeding Herefords and producing quality bulls for sale has never ceased.

We thank & commend Leila for her lifetime commitment to Hereford breeding and her continued support & good work for the breed!