Calls for protection for the Irish Goat

Mulranny Old Irish Goats. Picture: Old Irish Goat Society

The Old Irish Goat, which has been part of the rural landscape for over 4,000 years, should be urgently added to the list of animals protected under the Wildlife Act.

Paul Murphy, People Before Profit TD for Dublin South West, made the call in the Dail after claiming the species is critically endangered and being ruthlessly targeted by trophy hunters.

Minister of State Malcolm Noonan said there are large numbers of feral goats across Ireland, and newly escaped or released animals regularly join existing herds.

“There does not appear to be justification for the extension of protected status to feral goats under the Wildlife Act at this time,” he said.

Minister Noonan said the National Parks and Wildlife Service is undertaking a project to review and update wildlife legislation. This is an extensive review and is a multi-year project.

“It is examining closely the effectiveness of our legislation in protecting wildlife and regulating activities that adversely impact on wildlife and biodiversity.

“A public consultation process will commence soon, and all submissions in relation to the hunting of the species referred to will be carefully considered,” he said.

Dubin Central Green Party TD Neasa Hourigan also recently claimed in a question to Agriculture, Food and Marine Minister Charlie McConalogue that the species, according to reports, is being hunted for sport and is on the verge of extinction.

The Minister replied that the Old Irish Goat Society is recognised by the Department and is approved to maintain a breeding programme in Ireland.

Over five years, the Department has supported a range of activities designed to recognise and conserve the breed.

“Hunting of wild or feral goats is not within the remit of my Department, and I understand that the National Parks and Wildlife Service is responsible for this area,” he said.

Minister McConalogue previously stated that the Old Irish Goat is celebrated in the country’s folklore, tradition, paintings, and literature.

“By virtue of their hardiness, they provided a crucial component of Ireland’s past farming and rural life. Today, they provide an important resource in conservation grazing, heritage, and tourism,” he said.

The Minister said he recently saw first-hand the benefit that these goats play on the Hill of Howth, Dublin, in controlling gorse and helping to reduce the risk of fires with their amazing skilled grazing techniques.

He was referring to 25 of these goats from Mulranny in Mayo, who made headlines when they were deployed to help reduce gorse fires on the hill.

Originating from the national herd, they arrived in the Dublin Bay UNESCO Biosphere Reserve for the first phase of a three-year conservation project in partnership with Fingal County Council.

Wild goat numbers in Ireland reached a peak by the 19th century. Over 240,000 of them were exported to England in 1926 alone.

But their numbers fell dramatically during the Second World War as they were over-hunted for their meat, which was again exported to England.

The current feral goat herds are present in most counties except for areas in eastern Connaught, southern Ulster and parts of the Midlands.

Their current number in Ireland could be under 5,000 individuals. A large number is located on the Burren in Clare.

Minister of State Pippa Hackett said a decision to recognise the Old Irish Goat as a rare breed status demonstrated the valuable contribution of Irish farmers to biodiversity goals.

“It’s important we acknowledge the value of Animal Genetic Resources to supporting biodiversity mix across the country and the role and dedication of the Old Irish Goat Society in achieving this status," she said.

Other breeds currently recognised as being native and rare include Kerry, Dexter, Irish Maol, and Droimeann cattle, the Connemara Pony and the Irish Draught horse and Galway Sheep.

They hold Ireland’s history in their genes, having served the Celts, the Vikings and the Normans as livestock, and sustained the population over time.

Commenting on the discussions about the breed's protection, Sean Carolan from Old Irish Goat Society, commented: “The Irish State’s inaction in the protection of this Neolithic animal in the wild, contravenes the United Nations Convention of Biological Diversity, UNESCO’s World Heritage Convention, and UNESCO’s Man and Biosphere (MAB) Programme. 

"All three specifically oblige the State to protect the Old Irish Goat. This is both an urgent State and public concern, and we would urge the custodians of our Heritage to take urgent action to secure the protection of the Old Irish Goat."