An outdoor portable sales ring and marquee ensured all social distancing and Covid-19 directives were met at the South of Ireland Suffolk Sheep Society’s Premier, at Blessington Mart.

With online and telephone bidding encouraged, just under half the ram lambs sold to commercial producers, with the pedigree trade resulting in 31 sheep attracting four-figure prices.

Pedigree ram lambs averaged €1330 having sold to €6500 for a January-born entry from Patrick O’Keeffe’s Blackwater flock. His third prize lamb in the open, by the 20,000gns Castleisle Kilteskin Prince – bought last year at Stirling – is out of an Annakisha ewe by Birness Coulter and sold to Co Down breeders, AJ and NAJ Robinson.

Next best, at €3000, was the fourth prize open lamb from Co Donegal’s Seamus Browne. He is by Limestone Gold Rush and bred from a Cairnton ewe by Cairnton Eyecatcher. He sold to fellow Co Donegal breeder, R Tait.

Co Wicklow breeders, John and Esther Gahan, also had a good day with sales at €2600 and €2200. Dearest was a Limestone Aston Martin son out of a Freightduff ewe by Rhaeadr The Real McCoy, purchased by D McCaughren, Co Antrim. The Gahans also produced the lead average, selling four at €1825.

Co Wexford breeder, Michael O’Neill, bought the €2200 lamb, another by Limestone Aston Martin out of a Forkins Franko sired Barronstown-bred ewe.

averages: 19 females, €686; 84 ram lambs, €558.00 with a 59% clearance.