Warning that Old Irish Goat will become extinct without plan to save it

A traditional Irish goat breed will become extinct if urgent action is not taken to preserve it, the Old Irish Goat Society has warned. The society's vice-chairman Seán Carolan said it was incredible the Old Irish Goat was not officially recognised as a breed and the State was not working to preserve it for heritage and tourism purposes.

The distinctive animals have long hair, beards and sideburns and large curving horns. “It would be an absolute crying shame if we lost them,” Mr Carolan said. “They are part of our heritage. They are possibly the oldest breed in Ireland. The goat was the poor man’s cow and saved lives during Famine times. It’s a huge part of our cultural heritage and it’s really sad it has been forgotten about.”

He said no one knew how many Old Irish Goats were in existence because of cross-breeding; the figure was now “in the hundreds, but the reality is they are all destined for integration and eventually extinction because of cross-breeding”.

He said it was ironic the goat was celebrated at the annual Puck Fair in Killorglin, Co Kerry, yet nothing was being done to stop it becoming extinct.