PROMOTION OF RARE AND HERITAGE BREEDS IN IRELAND - May 2022 - A Study on How to Develop Newbridge Demesne and Connemara National Park as Living Heritage Centres for Native Livestock Breeds

Oct 3, 2026

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This study (Q1/2022) examines how to conserve and promote endangered Irish native heritage breeds by applying insights from northern European and UK conservation partners. It evaluates best-practice approaches and then proposes two cross-referencing development plans for Newbridge Demesne and Connemara National Park as Living Heritage Centres. It also outlines how to configure an Irish watch list for native heritage breeds using international best practice. The report identifies funding shortfalls, weak long-term planning, public indifference, and insufficient aligned partner capacity as key drivers of current peril.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages120

Reading Time5 h 2 min

AccessFree to download

Executive Summary

1 Introduction and Context

2 Consultations and Learnings from International Best Practice

2.1 The Process

2.2 Summary Table: Inputs from all Original Consultations

2.3 The International Living Heritage Centres

3 Connemara National Park

3.1 Analysis of the Current Position-Connemara National Park

3.2 Research Findings

3.3 Recommendations for Connemara National Park-Living Heritage Centre

3.4 Conclusion

4 Newbridge House & Farm

4.1 Background and Context

4.2 Analysis of the Current Position

4.3 Recommendations for Newbridge House & Farm

4.4 Key Messages and How They Are Communicated

4.5 Conclusion

5 National and International Rare Breeds Societies

5.1 The Irish Rare Breed Societies

5.2 The International Rare Breed Societies

6 Recommendations

Organisational

Strategic

Connemara National Park

Newbridge House & Farm

PROMOTION OF RARE AND HERITAGE BREEDS IN IRELAND A Study on How to Develop Newbridge Demesne and Connemara National Park as Living Heritage Centres for Native Livestock Breeds PROMOTION OF RARE AND HERITAGE BREEDS IN IRELAND May 2022 PROMOTION OF RARE AND HERITAGE BREEDS IN IRELAND A Study on How to Develop Newbridge Demesne and Connemara National Park as Living Heritage Centres for Native Livestock Breeds Alan Hill & John Ruddle-May 2022 PROMOTION OF RARE AND HERITAGE BREEDS IN IRELAND May 2022 TABLE OF CONTENTS Executive Summary 2 1 Introduction and Context 6 2 Consultations and Learnings from International Best Practice 10 2.1 The Process 11 2.2 Summary Table: Inputs from all Original Consultations 12 2.3 The International Living Heritage Centres 14 3 Connemara National Park 21 3.1 Analysis of the Current Position-Connemara National Park 23 3.2 Research Findings 30 3.3 Recommendations for Connemara National Park-Living Heritage Centre 36 3.4 Conclusion 40 Connemara National Park Action Plan 41 4 Newbridge House & Farm 48 4.1 Background and Context 49 4.2 Analysis of the Current Position 49 4.3 Recommendations for Newbridge House & Farm 55 4.4 Key Messages and How They Are Communicated 62 4.5 Conclusion 71 Newbridge House & Farm Action Plan 72 5 National and International Rare Breeds Societies 79 5.1 The Irish Rare Breed Societies 80 5.2 The International Rare Breed Societies 84 6 Recommendations 91 Organisational 92 Strategic 93 Connemara National Park 93 Newbridge House & Farm 95 7 Conclusions 97 Appendix 1-Advisory Note 100 Appendix 2-Watch List 109 Appendix 3-List of Consultees 116 PROMOTION OF RARE AND HERITAGE BREEDS IN IRELAND May 2022 Connemara Ponies, Connemara National Park EXECUTIVE SUMMARY PROMOTION OF RARE AND HERITAGE BREEDS IN IRELAND May 2022 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This study (Q1/2022) is the first of its kind to address aspects of the performance and future planning required to help conserve and promote endangered Irish heritage breeds. The work aims to examine in detail how other northern European and UK partners are delivering on these conservation and management roles and to see what good practice could be transferred to Ireland. In addition, the brief made recommendations in two distinct yet cross-referencing development plans for Newbridge Demesne and Connemara National Park, which suggest opportunities to enhance their heritage breed offerings. The final element of this work was to examine how best to configure an Irish watch list for native heritage breeds built on international best practice. It can be stated with certainty that native Irish breeds today are in a perilous state largely down to a combination of: . A lack of funding and resources; . Non-existent long-term planning; . Public indifference; and . The lack of a capable critical mass of aligned partners to drive forward the necessary change required. The status quo will be maintained until all these issues can be addressed adequately in unison. The key question to be asked is: ‘…is there the political will to make this financial, organisational, partnership building, and skills enhancement ‘investment’to conserve rare breeds in Ireland in the short and long term?’ The public case for adequate ongoing support for heritage breeds is seldom audible. When it is heard, it often adopts the argument of moral/ethical justification or heritage loss as opposed to the practical and cost-effective arguments. These include: . Heritage breeds often make use of both prime agricultural land and marginal land that cannot be used for other forms of agriculture. . They adapt to both fertile farmlands and harsh environments, often requiring less intervention. . Heritage breeds contribute to Irish food security and generate value from land otherwise unusable for farming. They help define some of our biodiversity and cultural heritage, inspiring a new g

FAQs

What is the purpose of the study on rare and heritage breeds in Ireland?

The study aims to support conservation and future planning for endangered Irish heritage breeds, drawing on international and UK best practice and translating it into development plans for key living heritage centres.

Which organizations or partners are considered for best-practice learning?

The report examines how northern European and UK partners deliver conservation and management roles, then identifies what good practice could be transferred to Ireland, including international engagement with rare breed societies.

Why are native Irish heritage breeds described as being in a perilous state?

The executive summary attributes the current peril to limited funding and resources, non-existent long-term planning, public indifference, and a lack of an aligned critical mass of partners to drive change.

Oct 3, 2026

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