I am the Registrar of the Irish Suffolk Sheep Society since the Society started up in February 2019. I was always interested in the process of registering our Suffolks. It involved quite a bit of work initially, especially interacting with the Department of Agriculture and Sheep Ireland officials on a personal level as well as getting to know our members.

The fact that I’m able to offer a turnaround period of 24 hours is a huge help to our members as well as always being at the end of the phone to advise and help them with any relative queries. I enjoy the interaction immensely and the fact that our Society is there to offer our customers everything that they need in the world of breeding Suffolks.

In 2019 Irish Suffolk Sheep Society was established by a number of Irish Pedigree Suffolk Breeders with full emphasis on presenting Pedigree Suffolk Rams and Ewes in their natural state. All sheep at our sales are solely fed on meal with no cabbage or Typhon. Instantly there was great response and interest from all commercial sheep farmers.

As a result, at Priorview Suffolks we have had great demand for our sheep at all Sales and Home Sales with little effort and expense.

Irish Suffolk Sheep Society was the first Suffolk Sheep Society to avail of the Sheep Ireland Flock Book and are very grateful to DAFM & Sheep Ireland personnel for all their help and advice.

We would also like to thank all officers at Irish Suffolk Sheep Society for their endless help and co-operation on all issues, with instant response and professionalism.

Being a member of the Irish Suffolk Sheep Society helps breeders grow and succeed. It allows for an exchange of ideas, support and advice from fellow breeders. The camaraderie amongst the society members is an added bonus.

Being a member of the Society gives us great opportunities for networking, to showcase our sheep at events and connect with buyers for sales. Sheep are presented in their natural state having been fed outside with grass and meal only, which buyers appreciate. The membership is affordable and the value we get in return is unmatched.

I am involved with the Suffolk Sheep Society for over 50 years now. My late husband John Joe started up the Knockavilla flock in 1975. Together we worked tirelessly for the breed both at local branch level, (The West of Ireland Registered Pedigree Purebred Suffolk Sheep Club) and at National Level. I was elected to the Council of SOI Branch in the late 90’s and became Secretary in 2004. I also sat on the Council of the Society for a number of years.

During our Council meetings for many years, it was mooted that we should set up our own Society to cater for the needs our breeders and customers. In February 2019, Richard Moore, of the Columbkille Flock (which was established in 1956 by his late father Dick Moore), took the brave decision to call a meeting to discuss the possibility of establishing the Irish Suffolk Sheep Society; his proposal was met with a very positive and welcoming response and the Irish Suffolk Sheep Society was founded.

It took dedication, effort, support and time to have the Society Registered with the CRO, and Revenue. It also had to receive recognition from the Department of Agriculture and our Breeding Programme was set up; we then became enrolled with Sheep Ireland. Thanks to this sterling work done by our Registrar, Ursula Rooney in this regard, The Irish Suffolk Sheep Society was approved by the Department of Agriculture on 19th August 2019 under the Animal Breeding Programme to trade in the EU and beyond. Being the first Sheep Society in Ireland to achieve this status was a huge boost to our Society.

Membership started to roll in and since then, as Secretary, I have signed up over 120 members; both existing members and new members. Our strongest feature is the we, as a Society, cater mainly for the commercial customer. All our sheep are grass fed, and presented for sale in their natural state. This is one of big selling points and this has been proved very positive as we have a very large percentage of repeat customers at our sales each year. In line with our Mission Statement, we produce Suffolk Sheep suitable for all commercial breeders. Feedback is very positive and nothing resonates with me more than having a satisfied customer. It is very heartening to get phone calls from customers saying how happy they are with their purchase of a Suffolk from a member of our Society.

Becoming Secretary of the Irish Suffolk Sheep Society was a very positive move for me; it eliminated all the red tape I had expereiced in earlier years. Applications come directly to me; I process application on the day I receive them; New Flocks are set up immediately; I then refer the application details our Register who proceeds with the registering of sheep for the new breeder. Membership is €50.00 annually; there is no VAT charged or no late registration fees.