Rathleague Barbie
December 2009

8th December 2009
Claddagh (Rathleague Ding Dong) and Yondo (AM CH & Can CH Benbaron's Yondo Von Gizer) puppies are born. There are 4 girls and 1 boy. All puppies from this litter are staying here at Rathleague. Mother and babies are doing great, photo's to follow soon.

17th October 2009
Today at the Portadown Canine Club all breed championship show in Belfast, Tanga (Rathleauge Barbie) win's her 3rd Green star point and reserve best of breed under breed judge Mrs Lyn Richardson. Tanga is owned and handled by her owner Mrs Angela East. Congrats and well done.

Rathleague Barbie - ''Tanga''

19th September 2009
Today at the Carlow & District All Breed Championship show, Sage (AM CH New Sage Just for Rathleague CW '08) WIN's his 6th Green Star and his 5th Best of Breed awards. His daughter Tanga (Rathleague Barbie) WIN's her 2nd Green star and is awarded reserve best of breed to her sire Sage. Both Sage and Tanga were graded Excellent. Breed judge today was Mr J Kieser from South Africa.

Left to right - Father and Daughter - both winning green stars & Best of Breed & Reserve Best of Breed.
Sage - AM CH New Sage Just for Ratheague (CW '08)
Tanga - Rathleague Barbie

18th September 2009
Today in Canada at the Club Canin Chomedy Championship show, a son of our boy Sage wins his Canadian Championship title. Cosmo - AM CH & Can CH Skydancers Cosmo Gazr Rathleague, was handled by Mr Denis Gros-Louis, breed judge Ms Janet Buchanan, owner Sue & Bob Carter - USA.  Congratulations and well done.

24th August 2009  
This morning I received the BVA (British Veterinary Association) hip and elbow scores for our 3 youngest saints. Proof of original BVA results available on request. The results are as follows....

*Click here for hip score table*

23rd August 2009  
The Munster Circuit championship shows took place in the past week, we had judges from Canada, Poland and Sweden. Sage, our American import boy (AM CH New Sage Just for Rathleague CW '08) took green star dog and best of breed twice during the circuit and was handled by our very good friend Marty Glover our professional handler from CA USA, and at Tralee show father and daughter (Sage and Claddagh - respectively) took green star dog and best of breed with his daughter taking green star bitch and reserve best of breed to her Sire.  Our breed judge was Mr K Johansson from Sweden. His other daughter Tara (Rathleague Diva Doll) and sister to Claddagh (Rathleague Ding Dong) won her class at each of the 4 shows during the week and was handled by my husband James. Many thanks to our judges during the past week.

Sage - AM CH New Sage Just for Rathleague CW '08
 Owner: Caroline Maher
Handler: Marty Glover
Munster Circuit Shows 2009

8th August 2009  
Claddagh (Rathleague Ding Dong) straight back from Croatia and wins Green Star bitch and reserve best of breed at Bangor Championship show in Belfast Northern Ireland, and graded Excellent under breed judge Mr R.M Alcrudo from Spain.  

4th August 2009  
This is Claddagh (Rathleague Ding Dong) in the show ring at Split Croatia in July. Split Croatia is 4 summer nights shows (2 x National & 2 x International) and are held back to back in the beautiful historic city of Split on the Adriatic coast. Claddagh won 3 x CAC (National awards), 3 x BOB (Best of Breed) & 1 x CACIB (International award). All these wins were gained under International judges from Spain, Sweden & Uruguay. This is a major achievement in Europe for any dog - and definitely a first for a St Bernard from Ireland !! 

Claddagh at Split Croatia 2009
3 x CAC
3 x BOB
1 x CACIB

27th July 2009  
Our American Champion import boy, Sage....AM CH New Sage Just for Rathleague (CW '08), is awarded by the St Bernard Club of America (SBCA) in honour of production of excellence being the Sire of more than 2 Champions in 2008 at AKC championship shows. Congratulations and well done to all.

Introducing Sage's 3 sons and 1 daughter in USA

4th July 2009  
Vincent and Aaron attend their second show today and win their first green star point to their Irish Ch title, and reserve best of breed, congrats and well done to both of them and many thanks to their breed judge Mr K Stevenson from Ireland.

19th June 2009  
Cashew, our new American import smooth coat boy is now added to our web site. He is a nephew of our Canadian Multi Champion long coat girl, Unique. His Sire is Unique's litter brother from a repeat breeding, you can view all our saints pedigrees on the ''pedigree'' page. Click on Cashew's name to visit his page. His first show is coming up, check back later to find out how he gets on.

12th June 2009  
OK noting to do with dog shows but hey it was our 18th wedding anniversary and the weather in Paris was better than in Ireland that weekend, yep any excuse to get away lol

James & Caroline Maher

3rd June 2009  
Four new pages have been added to our web site, Up Coming Litters, Rathleague Champions, Stud Dogs, and  Vincent.

1st June 2009  
At the European Winners International Dog show today in the RDS Dublin, our youngest son Aaron (age 14) exhibited his Griffon Bruxellois puppy, Vincent, and won his puppy dog class, graded Very Promising (which is the highest FCI grading for puppies), won Best puppy in breed and took part in Puppy Group 9, breed judge Mr Stelios Makaritis from Greece. Many thanks to his judge and to all who helped Aaron on the day and wished him well at his first show.

Vincent now has his own web page, click on his photo to visit his page.

Left to Right:
Left: With Mr Sean Delmar, President of the IKC
Right: Taking part in Puppy Group 9

31st May 2009  
At the European Winners International Dog show today in the RDS Dublin, Unique win's her 11th CACIB, 41st Green Star and 2nd BOS awards today and is also crowned EUROPEAN WINNER CHAMPION 2009 at only 3 1/2 years old. Placed 2nd in his class was Gambler which I co-own with Mrs Edna Waterhouse, also placed 2nd in her class was Claddagh. Placed 3rd in their classes was Tanga and Khuma. All were FCI graded Excellent. Many thanks to our breed judge today Mr Julian Hernandez from Spain.  

23rd May 2009
Claddagh ''Rathleague Ding Dong'', win's her second green star point and second reserve best of breed in the long coat's today at the Belgian Shepherd Dog Club of Ireland Groups 1 & 2 championship show, and our old girl Nikita ''Ir CH Rathleague Celtic Mist'' comes out of retirement for Veteran class (Veteran class - 8 years or older) and win's Best Veteran in Breed, Smooth coat, both girls were judged under Mr Stephen Richardson from Northern Ireland.  Nikita later goes on to WIN the Veteran Group under Group judge Mrs N Abela from Australia. Many thanks to both judges on the day.

Nikita - Ir CH Rathleague Celtic Mist
Age: 8 years & 2 months
Best Veteran in Breed - Smooth Coat - Breed judge Mr S Richardson (N. Ireland)
Winner Veteran Group 2 - Group judge Mrs Nellie Abela (Australia)

16th April 2009  
Claddagh, Rathleague Ding Dong, win's her first green star point today at the Hibernian All breed National championship show, many thanks to Clare Gorman for showing Claddagh for us today as we could not attend the show our self's. Breed judge Mr N Beggs from Ireland.

19th April 2009  
My most beautiful eldest sister Elizabeth Harkins (nee Betty Dowling), age 42 passed away peacefully after a long battle borne bravely against many  Cancers. She will be sadly missed by her husband Derek and 3 young boys Patrick, Derek and Humphrey, her parents Humphrey and Kathleen, brothers Humphrey & Michael, sisters Caroline, Patricia & Colette, brothers-in-law Alan, Dermot and the late Peter Byrne (RIP), sisters-in-law Maureen & Natalie, nephews, nieces, aunts, uncles, most wonderful neighbours and a large circle of many dear and true friends. May she rest in peace.

Elizabeth Harkins (nee Dowling)
4th July 1966 - 19th April 2009
RIP

God saw she was getting tired
and a cure was not to be.
So he put His arms around her
and whispered, ''Come with me''.

With tearful eyes we watched her suffer
and saw her fade away.
Although we loved her dearly,
we could not make her stay.

A golden heart stopped beating,
hard working hands at rest.
God broke our hearts to prove to us
he only takes the best.

06th April 2009  
Unique, Ir CH, GB CH, Int CH & Lux CH Benbarons Unique of Rathleague AN CH '07, CW '08 & CW '09. our Canadian import girl wins her Luxembourg Championship title and her 9th CACIB in Luxembourg. Many thanks to her judge Mr Joseph Van Hummelen from Belgium.

17th March 2009  
Unique, Ir CH, GB CH, Int CH Benbarons Unique of Rathleague AN CH '07, CW '08 & CW '09. our Canadian import girl wins Celtic Winners Bitch title at the IKC All Breed Celtic Winners Show on St Patricks day, she now has CW '09 title after her name having won this title two years running. She also won her 39th Green star point today.  Many thanks to her judge on the day Mr R.A. Searle from the UK.

17th March 2009  
St Bernards on the Irish Times newspaper issue 18th March 2009...

Photographer: Brian Farrell.©

....left to right
April......Lanleadane April at Easties.......age 35 months, co owned Caroline Maher and Angela East.
Tanga....Rathleague Barbie...................age 20 months, owner Angela East, breeder Caroline Maher.
Ginger...Ginger V.D. Burggravehoeve......age 22 months, owner Angela East.

18th December 2008  
Our American import boy Sage, his son Cosmo (AM CH Skydancer's Cosmo Gazr Rathleague) who lives in America with his owners Sue and Bob Carter (North Star St Bernards), was shown recently at Montreal Canada and he won 2 Best of Breeds and 1 group 3rd placement. Congratulations Cosmo and best of luck at the Westminster show February 2009 in NY.

Photo L - R
Group Judge, Cosmo with his handler Mr Denis Gros-Louie & owner Sue Carter.

27th September 2008
Khuma's (Ir CH & Int Beaute CH Rathleague Jumpin' Jack Flash [Joint AN CH '03]) web page linked from our home page.

10th August 2008
My brother-in-law, Mr Peter Byrne, age 32, died tragically from a motor bike accident on Sunday 10th August 2008, he leave's behind his wife Colette (my youngest sister) and their 3 year old daughter Kate. Peter will be sadly missed by his wife, daughter, parents, parents-in-law, twin brother, sister, brothers in law, sisters in law, nephews, nieces, cousins, aunts, uncles, neighbours and a large circle of friends. May he rest in peace.

Peter Byrne - RIP
12 March 1976 - 10 August 2008

19th July 2008
At the Sligo show today, Tanga (Rathleague Barbie), wins her first Green Star Point & Best of Breed from Junior Bitch class under breed judge Mrs Brigitte Schjoth from Denmark. Congratulations to Angela (owner) and her daughter Noelle who handled Tanga at todays show.  Congrats and well done.

28th June 2008
Having arrived home late yesterday evening from 10 days in the UK for 2 championship shows at Blackpool and Windsor with Unique (Ir CH & GB CH & Int Beaute CH Benbarons Unique of Rathleague [AN CH '07 & CW '08]), she wins her 4th CC and Reserve Best of Breed at Windsor and continues her winning in Ireland with her 31st Green Star point and 16th Best of Breed award at today's show in Kilkenny in Ireland. Also at Kilkenny show today, Sage (AM CH New Sage Just for Rathleague [CW '08] ) retains 2nd place in Champion dog class and their two daughters Claddagh (Rathleague Ding Dong) and Tara (Rathleague Diva Doll) compete against each other once again in Puppy Bitch class and both are graded the highest FCI Puppy grading of ''Very Promising'', their parents both being graded the highest FCI grading of ''Excellent''. Many thanks to our breed judge Mr P Embleton from Ireland.

31st May 2008
At the IKC International Championship show, Unique wins her 8th CACIB award and her two daughters, Rathleague Ding Dong - aka Claddagh, and Rathleague Diva Doll - aka Tara, are once again both graded the highest FCI puppy grading of ''Very Promising'' under breed judge Mrs F Hickey.

Tara - Rathleague Diva Doll, goes BEST PUPPY IN BREED under breed judge Mrs F Hickey from Ireland and later in Puppy Group 2 she's placed 4th (working group) under Group Judge Mr JJ Walsh from Ireland.  Many thanks to all judges on the day.

24th May 2008
At the Belgian Shepherd Group 1 & 2 Championship show, under Breed Judge Mr John McManus from Scotland, our two young girls Claddagh, Rathleague Ding Dong, handled by James Maher, and her litter sister Tara, Rathleague Diva Doll, handled by myself, they take part in their first championship show today. We are delighted that both puppies get the highest FCI puppy grading of ''Very Promising'', and then Claddagh wins Best Puppy in Breed (BPIB).
Their dam, Unique, (Ir CH & GB CH & Int Beaute CH Benbarons Unique of Rathleague [AN CH '07 & CW '08]) handled by my self, wins GS Bitch and Best in Breed and is short listed in the Group.

Claddagh and Tara's web pages are now online.

20th May 2008  
Tanga's web page is online. Rathleague Barbie, owned and handled by Mrs Angela East.

9th May 2008  
We went to the Birmingham National championship show in the UK and brought 2 saints for exhibit. Unique got 2nd in Open Bitch class, and Tanga (Rathleague Barbie) also won 2nd in her puppy bitch class, this was Tanga's second show ever, well done to Tanga and her owner/handler Mrs Angela East. This win qualifies Tanga for Crufts 2009.  Tanga's web page is under construction.

22nd March 2008  
Unique wins her 6th CACIB award and her 23rd green star award and was the only female St Bernard to be awarded an FCI grading Excellent at the Combined Canine International Championship show, many thanks to her judge on the day, Mr E Hendal from Israel.  

20th March 2008  
Sage and Bonny's son Walker (AM CH Skydancer's Earth Walker Rathleague) wins his final point to his American Championship title at the Santa Cruze Kennel club CH show. This is the latest champion from Sage and Bonnys litter with only Dreamer (Skydancers Dreams Wander on Rathleague) waiting on one point to finish. Congrats to his owner, handler and breeders. Photo coming soon.

17th March 2008  
Sage and Unique, our two imports win Celtic Winners Dog and Celtic Winners Bitch at the IKC All Breed Celtic Winners Show on St Patricks day, they now have CW '08 title after her name. This award is only awarded to the dog and bitch in each breed who win Green Star dog and Green Star Bitch on the day and this is the only show all year to win this title.  

Sage win's his 3rd green star point at this show and reserve best of breed, he was beaten by Unique for best of breed, many thanks to breed judge Mr Tegwyn Jones from the UK for thinking so highly of our two saints.   

19th February 2008  
Unique, our Canadian import girl is crowned by the Irish Kennel Club as the top winning St Bernard in Ireland for the 2007 show year. She now has AN CH '07 title after her name. The title of Annual Champion (AN CH) will be awarded to the dog/bitch with the highest amount of Green Star points in that breed from championship shows between 1st January and 31st December of that show year. This brings a total of 3 championship titles she has won in one show year and between two countries in 2007.

2nd February 2008  
Sage's son Cosmo (AM CH Skydancer's Cosmo Gazr Rathleague) won his last point in style today with a 3 point Major at the Saratoga New York Kennel Club show in NY America, judge Mr James Frederiksen. A big well done and Congratulations to Cosmo and his owners Sue and Bob Carter. Check out Cosmos web site for up dates coming soon.

22nd January 2008  
New web link added in our Links box above, check out ''North Star St Bernard kennel'' in America, home to Cosmo (Skydancer's Cosmo Gazr Rathleague), he is a son of Sage our American Champion import, (AM CH New Sage Just For Rathleague). Cosmo is currently waiting on 1 point to finish to his AM CH title, he will be 2 years old May 5th this year. Cosmo's mother Bonny (AM CH Skydancer's Anne Bonny) is the 2007 Top 20 SBCA National St Bernard Specialty winner.

15th November 2007  
Unique & Sage litter born. This is Unique's first litter and a third time for Sage to be a dad. We kept all puppies from this litter, they will be in the show ring in 2008.

29th October 2007
Sage our American Champion import wins his 2nd Green star point and Best of breed in Ireland at the All Ireland Bull Breeds Association all breed CH Show under breed judge Mrs Helen Hegarty from Ireland.

 Later in the day he win's 3rd place in Group 2 under Group judge Mrs Noreen Clarke from Ireland.
(Under FCI rules, the Working Group is called Group 2)

8th September 2007 
Unique at Richmond Championship Show in England, wins her 3rd CC & Best in Breed under breed judge Mr Frank Kane from UK. **This win gives Unique her UK Championship title**

19th August 2007  
Khuma Ir CH & Int CH Rathleague Jumpin' Jack Flash (Joint AN CH '03) win's his final CACIB award and gains his International Beaute Championship title (subject to IKC and FCI approval) at the Clonmel & District Canine Club All breed CH International show breed judge Mr Avi Marshak from Israel.

1st July 2007  
Julie & Sage litter born. This is Julies first litter and a second time for Sage to be a dad. We kept one pup from this litter, his name is Chip. All puppies from this litter are now with their new families, Chip and some from this litter will be in the show ring in 2008.

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