Minister for Foreign Affairs Charlie Flanagan was at Emo Court recently to receive a proposal from the Irish Draught Horse Breeders’ Association, which was drawn up with collaborations from a local working group headed up by Eileen Brennan.

In the early 2000s, a working group was set up to draw up a proposal to have an Irish draught Horse presence at Emo Court. However, the number of horses boomed during the Celtic Tiger and there was little need for such a project. Now the breeding returns for pure Irish Draught horses have reached a critical point for the breed’s survival with foal registrations likely to dip below 300 this year from a high of 1,250 in 2000.

It is now proposed that two or three Irish Draught mares be put on display. Ideally these mares would have foals at foot during the summer months. It is also proposed that a board with information about the breed and its history, with accompanying photos, could be placed outside the horse paddock.

To date the committee have already approached and reached an agreement with a breeder who is convenient to Emo Court to provide a minimum of two mares suitable for this project. The committee members say they do not envisage any major costs to Emo Court. They have estimated costs of approximately €5,000 in the first year to include the erection of a field shelter for the horses, fencing to create a riparian band for health and safety. Thereafter a sum of €2,000 is estimated to cover all, if any, eventualities.

The local branch of the Draught Horse Breeders’ Association hope to have a finalised agreement in principle by the end of the year, with the final location and layout worked out by the end of March next year. It is hoped to move in dry mares or a mare and foal by the spring of 2016.

Speaking about the initiative, Minister Flanagan said: “This proposal has received a very positive response from the OPW.

“Currently a small piece of ground that might be appropriate is being assessed. I would like to reiterate support for this worthwhile project – one that I hope to see come to fruition at the very earliest opportunity.”

His comments were echoed by Kevin Croke on behalf of the Draught Breeders’ Society.

He said: “The minister’s interest and support gives a new energy and support to this project. It is part of our heritage. We cannot let it go.”

The Irish Draught horse is the national horse breed of Ireland, which developed primarily for farm use. Today, they are especially popular for crossing with thoroughbreds and warmbloods, producing the popular Irish Sport Horses which excel at eventing and show jumping.