Rare animal breed to come to popular Clare castle

Kerry farmer Mick Teahan with a Kerry Bog Pony and foal in the Kerry Bog Village | Picture: Joe Keogh

placeholder image — Kerry farmer Mick Teahan with a Kerry Bog Pony and foal in the Kerry Bog Village | Picture: Joe Keogh

A JOINT initiative to promote and preserve one of Ireland’s rarest animal breeds is coming to Clare.

Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, Clare has teamed up with The Kerry Bog Pony Cooperative Society as part of a joint initiative to preserve and promote awareness of one of Ireland's rarest breeds of pony.

The Kerry Bog Pony has experienced a resurgence in recent years having declined in numbers throughout the 20th century to only 26 known mares and 6 stallions in 1990.

Today, there are around 450 ponies with approximately 50 foals being registered each year.

“One of our primary missions in Bunratty is to increase awareness of native Irish breeds and how they have formed part of our social and cultural history in Ireland down through the centuries,” said Niall Moloney, Farm Manager at Bunratty Castle and Folk Park.

“We are looking to expand on our collection of native Irish animals from Droimeann cattle to Irish Wolfhounds and from Irish Red Deer to Tamworth pigs, and, in doing so, help to preserve and promote our heritage.”

Little is known of the origins of the Kerry Bog Pony. Based on their genetics, it has been suggested that the ponies could have been imported by the Vikings who had an encampment at Beginish near Valentia Island from the 10th to the 12th century.

“The Kerry Bog Pony is a very versatile breed, makes an excellent child’s riding pony but also excels in many equestrian sports such as carriage driving for adults,” said Tomás Rosengrave, Chair of The Kerry Bog Pony Cooperative Society.

“We are delighted that all visitors to the Bunratty Castle Folk Park Farm will have the opportunity to get to know this great Irish breed of pony.”