Display of indiginous breeds for Heritage Week
Ireland’s first celebration of indigenous animal breeds will take place at Bunratty Castle and Folk Park on August 18th as part of a wide-ranging programme of National Heritage Week events at the County Clare visitor attraction.
Hosted in association with the Irish Native Rare Breed Society (INRBS), the inaugural event will include livestock displays of native breeds such as Tamworth Pigs and Irish Red Deer, lectures on rare breed conservation, and tastings of products derived from indigenous breeds. Specialists in crafts involving wool, leather and beeswax also will provide demonstrations and displays of their finished artworks and garments.
The event will feature speakers from The Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST), Farming for Nature (FFN) and the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), as well as ecologists and people working with the breeds who will provide different perspectives on breed conservation and the associated area of biodiverse land management.
“One of our primary missions 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,” explained Niall Moloney, Farm Manager at Bunratty Castle & Folk Park.
“We are always looking to expand on our collection of native Irish animals from Droimeann cattle to Kerry Bog Ponies and from Irish Wolfhounds to Tamworth pigs, and, in doing so, help to preserve and promote our heritage. Heritage Week provides an ideal opportunity to showcase breeds that are unique to Ireland,” added Mr. Moloney.
Tom Keane of the INRBS commented, “We are excited about partnering with Bunratty for an event that will have a broad focus for people of all ages, whether they are familiar with some or all of the breeds of livestock on display or have little to no knowledge of the breeds. The aim of the event, in addition to the display of livestock and associated crafts involving products derived from the breeds and information provided on the day itself, is to stimulate positive collaborations between the various stakeholders going forward.”
The rare breeds event is included in a comprehensive programme of National Heritage Week (17-25th August) events happening at Bunratty Castle & Folk Park and Craggaunowen where the public is being invited to explore the traditions and practices, knowledge and skills passed down through generations.
At Bunratty, animators will showcase life in times past through storytelling and roleplaying as visitors learn about life as a doctor in early 20th century Ireland, a Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC) Policeman, a musician in the 1900s and as a blacksmith. Meanwhile, there will be woodworking demonstrations by TikTok sensation Eoin Reardon, willow weaving and stone masonry workshops, talks on Celtic folklore and mythology, a tour of the 19th century Bunratty House, a traditional thatching demonstration and an introduction to the Regency Plant Collection at the Victorian Walled Garden.
Meanwhile, Craggaunowen will host reenactors and tradespeople from across Clare who will demonstrate the crafts and traditions of old, including spinning and weaving, blacksmithing, log splitting, bread and butter making, candle making, wool dyeing and bagpipe playing, while stories of mythology and the history of the Ogham stones will be recounted.