Irish Simmental Yearbook 2026 - Flipbook - Page 10
Simmental Hall of Fame
2023
Mattie McDonald
– Kilcloran Simmentals
Mattie McDonald from Kilcloran, Camolin,
Co. Wexford established his Kilcloran herd
in 1982 and he is still as passionate about
the breed today some 42 years later. Mattie
is now joined by his son Gabriel where
they run a mixed Suckler, Sheep & Tillage
enterprise.
Mattie’s first purchase was a Hamlet sired
heifer “Camolin Jane” from a local breeder
J. Mc Keon. This was followed with the
purchase another heifer bred by the Sheehy
Family, Rathnew, Co. Wicklow, namely
“Merrymeeting Kate” sired by “Salz”. A
dispersal sale of the Liscolman Herd of
Trevor Corrigan, Tullow, Co. Carlow resulted in the arrival of “Merrymeeting Lucy” a “Clare
Granada” sired cow and now the Kilcloran Herd was firmly established. All the cows currently on
the farm can be traced back to these original three animals.
All bulls not retailed for sale as Pedigree Breeding bulls are slaughtered at under 16 months and
Mattie highlights that they have no problem getting these bulls into a 420kg+ carcase with good
fat cover at this young age. Having highly efficient animals that can be slaughtered young is a trait
that Mattie sees as being more and more important as we move towards 2030 and meeting our
set targets.
Mattie has no hesitation in highlighting that Growth Rate & Docility are the key attributes of the
Simmental Breed, facts that are also identified by return customers.
Mattie has been an ever present member of the South Eastern Simmental Club and was always
willing to give of his time to promoting the Simmental breed. Mattie always championed the cause
of the smaller breeder, keen in the knowledge that every breeder started with their first purchase.
While Mattie only showed his Simmental animals at local shows, he took great delight seeing
progeny from Kilcloran animals winning on the National circuit. One such win that comes to mind,
was when “Lisnacrann Da Wan” won the National Yearling Heifer title at Tullamore in 2013 for the
Oliver family in Co. Mayo. This heifer was out of “Kilcloran Winnie” an “Anatrim Jacob” cow who in
turn was out of a “Hurtig” dam “Kilcloran Rosaleen”.
It is no exaggeration to say that Mattie is as passionate today about his Simmental cattle as he
was with his first purchase in the early 80’s and as a result Simmentals will remain to the fore in
Camolin.
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