A different breed: The history of the cattle industry explained

A special chat about the history of cows and how they are bred will be held in Tyrone tomorrow.

The Rock and District Historical Society welcomes Michael Meharg on Thursday, December 12, for a talk on ‘The History and Mythology of Cattle in Ireland’.

This presentation will cover livestock farming in Ireland from earliest times through to the present day.

Mr Meharg will also look at traditional cattle breeds and explore the renaissance of interest in these old favourites of Irish farming.

The guest speaker is a farmer who works with a herd of traditional cattle – Irish Moiled – which he uses for conservation grazing management.

He also serves as a leader of the Lough Neagh Environmental Farm Scheme, which advises local farmers on best environmental practices.

Through his farming work, he became interested in the history and mythology of cattle in Ireland.

The presentation begins at 8pm at the Old School in the Rock.

A spokesperson for the historical society said: “We hope to see you there. Many thanks to the Mid Ulster District Council for grant funding to support the Society’s 2024-2025 programme season.”