A 24 year old Doonbeg cow is believed to be among the oldest in Ireland.
Farmer Tony Henchy told The Clare Echo this week that his black white head Angus Cross named Molly is one of the oldest cows in Ireland according to registrations.
Miked by hand for domestic use in her earlier years, Molly has had seventeen calves, both her daughter and grand-daughter live on Henchy’s farm in Derrycarne in Doonbeg.
“She is right up there with the oldest or so they are telling me at the registration, she was my Dad’s initially, he passed away and I decided to hold onto her so she could end her days here with me,” Tony explained.
He has particular fondness for Molly as she serves as a link to the time of his parents, Martin and Josephine.
Molly was in fact born on the Henchy farm, her mother hailed from the Killimer area so her longevity is credited with being from West Clare stock.
Her health today is “reasonable enough” Tony said. “She has a couple of setbacks alright but overall it is not too bad, at this stage you just wouldn’t know, the appetite isn’t great with her”. Vets in the county have remarked at their astonishment with Molly’s age.
