Bunratty Castle and Folk Park is a beloved tourist attraction that allows visitors to experience life in 19th century Ireland. The farm has teamed up with conservation societies to preserve some endangered native Irish animal breeds that have been brought back from the cusp of extinction.
This week’s episode focuses on the important role the park plays in promoting these indigenous breeds. Farm Manager Niall Moloney told Live 95 of some of the heritage animals at Bunratty and the importance of conserving these native Irish breeds.
What are rare breeds?
- Rare breeds are a type of livestock or poultry that have a very small breeding population left.
- As Irish agriculture moved towards more intensive practices, new breeds were introduced that were more profitable.
- Some native breeds became viewed as unprofitable due to factors such as their weight, leanness and speed of maturity.
- Selective breeding during the eighteenth and ninth century refined the characteristics of animals and this resulted in many native Irish breeds becoming extremely rare.
What is the Kerry Bog Pony?
- The Kerry Bog Pony is a small mountain and moorland pony.
- It is one of Ireland’s rarest breeds of ponies that declined throughout the 20th century.
- The pony originated in Kerry and its role in farms included taking milk to creameries, bringing turf in from the bogs and transporting harvested seaweed.
- Changes in farming practices meant that the ponies were no longer needed for their traditional roles.
- The breed is currently enjoying a resurgence and today there are 450 ponies and approximately 50 foals being registered each year.
Why is it important to preserve native breeds?
- Irish breeds are excellent for their surrounding nature as they are adapted to the environment, such as Droimeann Cattle are adapted to Irish biodiversity such as their ability to thrive in typical Irish weather conditions.
- Preserving native breeds is important for genetic diversity as they carry traits that can be valuable for future breeding programmes. This diversity is important for healthy, resilient animals.
- Native breeds have a cultural and historical significance as they played an important role in shaping the country’s farming practices. Breeds such as the Kerry Bog Pony help us to remember our cultural identity and connect with past generations agricultural practices.
Learn More…
Check out the work at Bunratty Castle and Folk Park…
https://www.bunrattycastle.ie/
Learn more about the work of The Kerry Bog Pony Co-Operative Society…
Find out about the work of the Droimeann Cattle Society…
https://www.droimeanncattlesociety.com/
Discover the work of the Irish Wolfhound Society…
