It was an honour to judge this entry at this prestigious Show. Some of the dogs, especially in the earlier classes, had problems with loosing their footing on the carpet. This led to feet being splayed. Where, oh where, have all the well chisled heads with raised brows gone. Far too many lack work in the head and therefore loose that lovely soft expression. I also found four bad mouths. I do not like to see an Irish over barbered and with a shaved neck but there is a happy medium. Some owners could have used the scissors a little more to advantage. Competition was very keen and a lot of very nice dogs had to go cardless.

Veteran (19)

1^st Mill-Bott’s Sh Ch Thendara The Tourist. This is the first time I have had the opportunity to go over this dog. He has a lovely head and expression. Good reach of neck into well laid shoulders Good depth, sloping topline and well spent stifle. Presented immaculately and in gleaming condition.

2^nd Bott’s Sh Ch Shenanagin Some Might Say It’s Bardonhill JW. What more can be said about this well known dog. He teems with quality. Showed and moved well.

3^rd Wall’s Sh Ch Hazelbecks Golden Flame ShCM. Built on slightly heavier lines but not over done in any way. Well deserves his title. Showed and moved well.

Special Puppy (19)

1^st McVey’s Lochrae Ralph Lauren. This young dog caught my eye. He is very stylish with a lovely head and expression. Good reach of neck, well laid shoulders, good topline and well bent stifles. In the challenge for BPIB beat his litter sister on his steadier movement.

2^nd Hay’s Cataluna Come Away With Me To Shaunavon. A shorter coupled youngster with pleasing head, good reach of neck, well laid shoulders, good topline and quarters. Moved well as one would expect from this kennel.

3^rd Holley’s Danaway Discreet. Completed a trio of very promising youngsters. He has a well balanced head, good reach of neck, good topline and bend of stifle.

Special Junior (20.2)

1^st McDonagh’s Ronzalda Magnifico. A smart, dark coated dog with balanced head, good depth of brisket, good topline and bend of stifle. Moved well.

2^nd Vincent & Spencer’s Gimaroch On Request at Caervista. Has a pleasing head with dark eye and soft expression. Well laid shoulders, good spring of rib and bend of stifle.

3^rd Greenan’s Anlory Quantus of Juleset. Built on slightly lighter lines than above, he has a good front, good depth of brisket and and firm topline.

Special Yearling (23.2)

1^st Henson’s Tatsbro Irish Mist This young dog is maturing nicely. He has a dark eye with soft expression. Good reach of neck and well laid shoulders. Good depth of brisket. Good topline and quarters. Showed and moved well.

2^nd Ross’s Brackenfield Righ at Autumnglow Not as mature as the winner but he is a good shape with a well balanced head, good reach of neck, well laid shoulders, good topline and moves with drive.

3^rd Berry & Morris’s Brinara Indus JW Another quality youngster. Same remarks apply.

Under Graduate (23.1)

1^st Bouttel & Humphrey’s Ixia Timber This boy has a lovely head with soft expression, good reach of neck and well laid shoulders. Good body and strong quarters. Showed well.

2^nd Henson’s Tatsbro Irish Mist

3^rd Rout's Shaytell Tenor Not as mature as the winner but a good honest dog with pleasing head, good topline and small tight feet.

Graduate (20)

1^st Fry’s Strathmead April in Paris. This was a good class and this boy caught my eye. He is a stylish dog with lovely head and expression. I would prefer a bit more scissor work on his ears. Good reach of neck. Well laid shoulders, good depth of brisket, sloping topline and small feet.

2^nd Heron’s Caskeys Vaguely Scottish JW This young dog has a balanced head with soft expression, good lay of shoulder and spring of rib. Good topline and quarters. Have seen him move with more enthusiasm.

3rd Chorley-Newton & Chorley’s Kerryfair Kristanu. I liked this dog’s head and expression and reach of neck with well laid shoulders. He has good depth but on the day was not as firm in topline as the winner.

Post Graduate (23)

1^st Hall’s Harreds Ghillie A dog of nice size with a good head, reach of neck and well laid shoulders. Good spring of rib and strong quarters. He has substance but still retains that raciness. Showed and moved well.

2^nd Bailey’s Covarney Monello JW. A shorter coupled dog with balanced head, good spring of rib and depth of brisket. Good topline and bend of stifle. Showed and moved well.

3^rd Hogsflesh’s Lyngor Prophet JW. As a puppy this dog did not impress me but he has matured well and is now better balanced. He has a pleasing head with good stop and plenty of brain room without being coarse. Good reach of neck, spring of rib and sloping topline. Just needs a little more feathering underneath to complete the picture.

Mid Limit (25.3)

1^st Lawrence’s Sametsuz Good Fortune of McConkeys. Well balanced head with soft expression. Good reach of neck, straight front and small tight feet. Well ribbed body with gently sloping topline and well bent stifles.

2^nd King’s Brenrue Kracker Jack JW. I have commented on this dog before. He has substance without being over done and is well muscled and in hard condition but today was not wearing his best coat.

3^rd Rielly’s Baibreeze Peer Gynt at Summergate. This boy also has substance without losing raciness. Well balanced throughout with dark gleaming coat.

Limit (24.2)

I am sure these three dogs will change places many times. I have commented on all three before.

1^stPollard’s Grayrigge Glenamoy JW. A quality dog althrough. Shown in good coat. Well handled and presented.

2^ndRitchie’s Gwendariff Guns N Roses at Trilite. I understand this dog has recently changed ownership. His new owner must be delighted with him. He is a nice size with lovely head and expression, good reach of neck and well laid shoulders. Good body and topline.

3^rd Foster’s Shanoah Highly Delighted. Another quality dog of different type to above. I have seen him in better coat.

Open (20)

1^st Ritchie’s Sh Ch Gwendariff Dom Perignon JW I gave this boy a BP last time I judged. He has matured into a stylish dog with a lovely head and expression, good reach of neck, well laid shoulders, sloping topline and well bent stifles. He showed and moved well and was presented immaculately and in gleaming condition. He had to be to top a class of this quality. I was pleased to award him the CC and in total agreement with my co-judge, BOB.

2^nd Lucas’s Sh Ch Amberlight Firecracker JW A favourite of mine who I have placed highly before. Today he had to give way to the younger dog.

3^rdMilligan-Bott’s Sh Ch Thendara Don Corleone This dog has a well balanced head, good reach of neck, well laid shoulders, good spring of rib, strong quarters. Moved well and as always from this kennel, well presented.

Good Citizens (8)

This was a difficult class with a wide range in ages.

1^st Berry & Morris Brinara Indus JW

2^nd Carr’s Llaumidorn The Invisible Man A quality dog who is carrying his years well but another not in his best coat.

3^rd Williamson’s Corriecas Oscar. This dog was VHC in Special Junior. A promising young dog who had to give way to maturity.

Margaret Gittins