‘Horse nappies’ to be introduced on Aran Islands

First it was Killarney — now horse nappies are about to be introduced to the Aran Islands as the local council seeks to get jarvies to clean up their act.

The nappies, or dung catchers, are among a series of proposals being prepared by Galway County Council for operators of all horse-drawn carriages using the public roads.

While the new regulations will apply countywide when passed, they are being specifically targeted at the Aran Islands off the west coast where more than 20 jarvies operate pony and trap carriages to show tourists the unspoilt countryside.

Many of the jarvies are operating family businesses that have been handed down from a previous generation, while others are more recent arrivals, seeking a slice of the lucrative tourist trade.

More than 60,000 tourists visit the three Aran Islands of Inis Mór, Inis Meain and Inis Oirr during the summer season, but the proliferation of horse dung has become problematical in recent years.

Two accidents involving traps over the last two years have highlighted the need for regulation and Galway County Council’s strategic policy committee on roads and transport has drawn up draft proposals to put the business on a more formal footing.

Operators will have to apply for a licence to operate as a jarvey and will have to produce a tax clearance certificate and pay a yearly registration fee of €50.

Central to the operation of a horse-drawn vehicle will be the need for the horse to wear a dung-catcher or so-called nappy.

Aodan Mac Donnchadha, who is a Galway Community Forum member of the committee, said that the draft proposals had arisen from concern expressed by the council, gardaí and veterinary staff about the need for regulation.

“The draft proposals will go on display around the county in the next few weeks and people will be able to make their views known about them and make submissions to the council if they wish.

“I know there has been a particular problem with horse dung in Inis Mór and Inis Oirr, so the idea is that the dung-catchers, or nappies, will have to be used, just like Killarney.

“There is also concern about the narrowness of the roads on the islands. In Inis Oirr the road are only eight feet wide — they’re a bit wider on Inis Mór, so safety is a concern,” he said.

“There is certainly a need for regulation and I suppose it will be something of a growing-up process for the operators in terms of licensing and all the rest of it. But people should have no fear of what is proposed.”