HORSE owners on the Southside have called on South Dublin County Council to provide them with land so they can set up a club.
A recently established group called the Clondalkin Horse Project has asked the council to explore the possibility of providing it with at least 30 acres of land that would allow for the establishment of a horse club in the area.
Local horse owner Roisin Kearney said there was a local problem whereby horses that are left to graze on public land in Clondalkin are being impounded by the council.
She said the local horse project is currently working in conjunction with the Irish Horse Welfare Trust (IHWT) on proposals for a horse club in the area.
She revealed that both groups met officials from the council last November and made a presentation on their proposals for the establishment of the club.
She said the project would require the council to provide at least 30 acres of land where local horse owners could put their animals out to graze in a safe environment and where stables could be erected eventually.
“There is land in Clondalkin around the canal and up at Corkagh Park that would be ideal for the project,
? she said.
“Some of it is zoned for residential use but there is a lot of it that is just lying there that could be used for such a brilliant project.
?
Ms Kearney said the project would promote responsible horse ownership among children in Clondalkin, many of whom are from disadvantaged backgrounds. She also said the project could help prevent youths becoming involved in anti-social activity in the area.
“The children who would really benefit from this are those who own horses,
? she continued.
“But the club would be open to people of all ages.
?
Ms Kearney said local horse owners want the council to be actively involved in the project. However, she stressed that the group will try to source funding for the scheme from the Department of Agriculture so they will not necessarily need any funding from the council.
Sharon Power, co-founder of the Irish Horse Welfare Trust, said the council would have to become involved in the project if it was to succeed.
She said the project would be modelled on the Dunsink Horse Club where 60 members look after their horses.
“A piece of land would have to be identified and made available by the council,
? she said.
“We would need about 50 acres of grazing. It would not have to be all in the same place, and we would want a couple of stables.
“The club could be self sufficient the way the Dunsink one is,
? she added.
A spokesperson for South Dublin County Council said they had met with the Irish Horse Welfare Trust and horse owners from the Clondalkin area in relation to a possible project.
“While generally supportive of the idea, the groups have been asked to develop the idea further and revert to the council for further discussion,
? the spokesperson said.
“The groups have been advised that the council is not in possession of land in the area that could be used for such a purpose and that the council does not have funds to contribute towards the project.
?