Charity Calf Rearing Initiative 2025
This year’s Irish Hereford Prime Charity Calf Rearing Initiative invited the next generation of farmers to make a real difference. Participants are rearing a Hereford calf, and gaining valuable hands-on farming experience while doing so, as well as contributing all raised funds for a charity of their choice. Each participants received €500 sponsorship to help cover rearing costs, with 100% of sale proceeds donated directly to their chosen cause. Supported charities included local community centres, hospice care, cancer services, Alzheimer’s Ireland, and the Irish Heart Foundation.
Every participant reflected Irish Hereford Prime’s core values – community, compassion and commitment to making a positive impact.
We thank all of those who are signed up this year.
Participants 2025
- Noah O’Rourke – Ardlahan Herefords (Co. Clare)
The first to sign up for this year’s programme, Noah is rearing his calf in aid of Milford Care Centre, supporting patients and families in his local community. - Ronan & Peter Murray (Co. Mayo)
This father-and-son team are raising their Irish Hereford Prime calf in support of Mayo Roscommon Hospice and Vision Ireland (formerly NCBI), combining farming passion with community spirit. - Richard Neary (Co. Tipperary)
Richard is rearing his charity calf in aid of The Ray of Sunshine Foundation, which builds schools and centres for children in deprived areas of Kenya. A long-time volunteer, Richard travels to Kenya annually to lend his carpentry skills to the cause. - Michael Cleary (Co. Tipperary)
Irish Hereford Prime farmer and board member Michael is raising funds for North Tipperary Hospice, supporting individuals and families through times of illness and loss. - Patrick & Grace O’Neill (Co. Kilkenny)
Patrick and his daughter Grace are rearing a HEX calf for Cois Nore Kilkenny, which provides vital counselling and support to families affected by cancer. The funds will help with the centre’s ongoing renovations and community services. - Heather Dunlop (Co. Down)
Heather is proudly rearing her calf in aid of Alzheimer’s Ireland, raising funds to support families affected by dementia and cognitive illness across the country. - Charlie Gaffney – Breffni Herefords (Co. Cavan)
Charlie is raising a Hereford cross calf to benefit two local charities: the Irish Heart Foundation and the Cavan Monaghan Palliative Care Fund, with proceeds supporting essential health services in his region. - Sadie, April & Heidi Griffin (Co. Tipperary)
The Griffin sisters are rearing a Hereford bull calf for Lisronagh National School, raising money to buy new equipment for their local school’s 100 pupils, a true community effort. - Seamus & Bobby Richardson (Co. Limerick)
Seamus is donating proceeds from his calf to the Neonatal Ward at Limerick Maternity Hospital, in gratitude for the care his son Bobby received after birth, a touching example of farming for a purpose.
