THE Kerry Bog Pony Society held a most unusual event recently at Lullymore Heritage Park, Rathangan, Co Kildare and Mary McGrath of the Society takes us through the story.

“We were contacted by Katrin Lorch, a German lady who has a holiday home in Lauragh, Kenmare, Co Kerry, who was writing an article about the ‘Ponies auf Moor’ (Kerry Bog Ponies). It so happened that her daughter works for the Department of Architecture at ETH University in Zurich. They were planning a visit to Ireland with the theme ‘Outside the Pale’, and wanted to do some interesting activity linked with Heritage and the Land. Katrin contacted the Kerry Bog Pony Society to see whether we could plan some joint excursion that would incorporate these objectives, unlikely as it might sound.

“On the continent, walking with animals is quite a thing. Walking with donkeys is a time-honoured pastime of the French and Spanish, and as an Irish twist, we thought we might substitute Kerry Bog Ponies for donkeys. The therapeutic value of horses and donkeys is well known to reduce stress, lower blood pressure and improve overall health but they also create a fun sense of community where people can come and connect to nature while enjoying a walk.

“Fifty architecture students and their professors were coming to Ireland in search of Islands, Follies, Gardens, and now Kerry Bog Ponies! And they also told us they would like to experience a bog, maybe cut a sod of turf – and ‘bond with the ponies’ – quite a tall order.

“This is where Lullymore Heritage Park came into the story. And when they got their head around the strange request, they couldn’t have been more helpful. It was a great can do experience. Once we sorted out the insurance coverage, it was all plain sailing.

“We collected up 10 quiet ponies belonging to three Kerry Bog Pony breeders and brought them over to Lullymore on the morning of the visit. After lunch and a tour of the Heritage Centre, it was time for the ponies and the students to ‘bond’! Each pony had two lead reins and two handlers. There was no shortage of volunteers. The First Aid kit and spare bits and pieces were carried in saddlebags on one of the ponies, fondly named Crazy Horse.

“The walk set out along a trail through some beautiful ancient woodland then out onto the bog for a photo opportunity. This was great fun and the testing underfoot conditions gave rise to much hilarity.

“Then it was back to the lane which lead around the heritage park for about 2.5 km and finally back to the starting point where the students bid a fond farewell to the ponies and went on their way to see Follies in Kerry.

MARKET OPPORTUNITIES

“The Kerry Bog Pony Society is constantly looking for a market for the ponies and this may be something worth looking at more closely. Having an animal with you makes walking a more enjoyable and immersive experience. It is an interesting and unusual addition to a day out and one that makes great memories.

“The story of the ponies, their threatened extinction, their rediscovery in the 1990s, their unique DNA profile, and their recognition by the EU and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine as Ireland’s third Native Breed makes them a fascinating addition to Ireland’s Heritage tourism. They represent a way of life that is now only a memory but one we can tap into by slowing our lives to the walking pace of a working pony,” concluded Mary McGrath.