Irish Simmental Yearbook 2026 - Flipbook - Page 18
OBITUARIES - ALBERT & IRENE BAGNALL
On Christmas Eve 2025, Albert Bagnall passed away after a short
illness. Albert’s death followed just 11 months after the passing
of his wife Irene. Their passing leaves a void among all their many
friends in the farming community and especially with their many
Simmental lifelong friends.
Albert and Irene were farmers to the core and through their
farming, established a circle of friends around Ballycommon,
Tullamore that could always be called upon if anyone needed help.
Albert was a very innovative farmer and was willing to try all beef
breeds to study for himself, what they could offer to his growing
suckler. However, when his first Simmental bull Clonsilla Jacob was
purchased in 1979, the performance of his progeny was a game
changer and the search for his breed was over.
Irene & Albert Bagnall pictured at the
Simmental 50th Celebration.
In 1981 Albert and his wife Irene established the Ballingar
Simmental Herd with the purchase of a maiden heifer Clonsilla
Karen from J. O`Mara, Clonsilla, Co. Dublin. Karen was a Hamlet
heifer and her first calf Ballingar Noble by the Siegfried son Clare
Granada was held as a stockbull.
1995 saw the birth on the farm of Ballingar Franco. A Hillcrest
Butcher son out of a Sterling Parliamentarian cow Ballingar Daphine, Franco established himself as
a bull that left a big impact on the Simmental breed.
Ballingar Kim a Franco daughter purchased by Peter & Marion O`Connell, Raceview Simmentals
in 2003 was one of many notable progeny. Kim went on to breed 3 National Title winning
animals including Dripsey Super King ET who was in A.I. in N. Ireland and Raceview All-Star KK ET
purchased by Woodhall Simmentals, Scotland. This bloodline still features in sales catalogues both
in Ireland and across the UK.
Albert and Irene were always active members of the Southeastern Simmental Club and Albert
represented his Club for six years on National Council between 2005 and 2011. In later years
Albert judged at many shows throughout Ireland always excited at the prospect of spotting the
next future star.
However, it was Albert’s work in preparation for the National Livestock Show at Tullamore each
year that set himself apart as a true Simmental enthusiast. He firmly believed that exhibitors who
made the effort to travel to Tullamore, deserved everything perfect when they got there.
When Albert and Irene were not farming, they could be found at their other keen interest which
was gardening, and their work here was also prizeworthy.
Ar dheis De go raibh a n-anamacha dilis.
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