FINGAL County Council is involved in a pilot project that will see goats grazing on the Hill of Howth in 2013 for the first time in more than 40 years.
The council recently brought three goats from Newbridge Farm to Howth for a six-week introduction period.
Last week, they were brought back to Newbridge Farm, where they will remain for the winter months. Then, in February 2013, they will be transferred to Howth where they where they will stay until the end of October of next year.
Cllr Peter Coyle (Lab) hosted the official
‘handover’ to Julian Gaisford-St Lawrence who accepted the goats on behalf of the people of Howth in the company of local groups Howth Pathways, Friends of Balscadden, Hill Watch and local school children.
In addition to enjoying the wonderful scenery on offer, next year walkers on Howth Head will be treated to the sight of a small herd of Golden Guernsey goats who will be working hard to graze the heather, gorse and small trees that dominate the area.
Deborah Tiernan, Fingal County Council’s biodiversity officer, said:
“This heathland habitat, which is an important European habitat type, requires management in order to maintain its biodiversity value.
“This pilot project hopes to showcase
‘conservation grazing’ as an effective management tool for the heathland, and the re-introduction of goats to the Hill of Howth has gathered huge local support.
“We are currently working with volunteer goatherds from the local community to train them to monitor the flock and keep an eye on them, and everyone is very excited about this innovative project.
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Ms Tiernan added:
“As part of the grazing experiment we will record what they eat and how much of it. We are hoping they will eat birch, bramble, bracken, gorse and heather.
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Up until 40 years ago there were goats on the Hill of Howth, where many fishermen milked them.
This project was part funded by the Heritage Council and the Howth Special Area Amenity Order (SAAO).
Meanwhile, Ellen Mulligan, a sixth class pupil at Burrow National School, won a goat naming competition held in conjunction with the event.
There were over 500 entries from the three local national schools and Ellen won her prize for naming the goat
‘Grace O’Mally’.
Ellen won a certificate and a family day pass to Newbridge Traditional Farm, where Grace and her
‘mammy’ (Maggie May) and Lucy Lou are staying over the winter months.