This week we met with young Hereford breeder; Conor O’Rourke from Ardlahan Herefords, Co. Limerick. Conor is 12 years old and a pupil at Kildimo National School. Conor has a passion for Hurling, Football & of course Hereford cattle. Conor is rearing a Hereford cross calf for the Irish Hereford Calf rearing Programme.

Ardlahan Herefords

Ardlahan Herefords started in 1997 when Paddy, Conor’s grandfather, bought three maiden heifers from Tom Hannon of Hannonstown Herefords. Conor & his brother Noah are now 3^rd generation Hereford breeders & the herd has now built up to 12 Pedigree breeding cows.

The Farm & Herefords

Conor purchased his first Pedigree registered Hereford heifer this year from John O’Connor of Clouncagh Herefords. The heifer has calved down since with twins last August gone & Conor is excited to see the calves grow into potential breeding stock going forward. Conor will spend time online checking out bulls to cross with the Ardlahan cows and knows the names and star evaluations of almost every Hereford bull in AI. The O’Rourke’s also rear 50 Hereford cross heifer calves each year which Conor is highly involved in.

Conor was a big help during the National Hereford Show this year and was delighted with his day at the show.

Love of GAA

Along with breeding Herefords, Conor loves anything GAA and his beloved Limerick team. Conor travels to all the Limerick matches – he was in Croke Park when Limerick won in 2018 and he hasn’t missed a match since.

Conor is raising money for his families local National School in Kildimo where he and his siblings have all gone to school. Kildimo National School is an integral part of the local community.