Hall of Fame Award 2005

Anthony O'Connor was nominated by the Belgian Blue Society of Ireland for the national hall of fame award '05. Anthony is breeding Belgian Blue cattle for over 17 years. He first used Belgian Blue bulls on his friesian herd in Wexford and found he was getting very good quality crossbred calves. He was the first man to use a Belgian Blue bull across his whole friesian herd. In 1989 he purchased his first purebred heifer from Michael and Dominique O'Sullivan from Cork. In 1990 he became a member of the Belgian Blue Council. In 1994 he was elected President of the Belgian Blue Society and remained President for 9 years. He is still a loyal member of the Belgian Blue Council and continues to work hard in promoting the breed.
He was the man who instigated the society to hold open days on commercial farms. The first was held on his own farm in Wexford where hundreds of farmers turned up to view the quality crossbred and pedigree cattle. He organised many open days since then,the most notable being in Tulsk, Co Roscommon where over 4000 farmers visited a commercial suckler herd.
He was a founder member of Wexford Quality beef where he promoted the breeding and rearing of quality beef cattle where Belgian Blues made up a large percentage. At that time the Belgian Blues had the highest usage of AI over any other breed in Wexford.
During his time as a breeder he has shown cattle all over the country winning many championships including the RDS, National Show at Tullamore and the All Ireland Calf Championships.

Anthony has now got one of the best quality and largest Belgian Blue herds in the country. He is an example to other Irish Breeders of what can be achieved using good breeding and commitment to the Belgian Blue Breed.
The Belgian Blue Society would like to express our sincere gratitude to Anthony for his major contribution in developing and promoting the breed down through the years. He is a well deserved recipient of this award.

Anthony O Connor, Ballymacsimon,
Kilmuckridge, Gorey, Co. Wexford
receiving his hall of fame award from John

Commercial Belgian Blue Breeder Jim
Stanley, Clogh, Ballacolla, Co. Laois
nominated by the Commercial Breeedrs
Association receiving his hall of fame award
from John Dillon, IFA President