Rare Breeds at Bunratty

Bunratty Folk Park and The INRBS hosting a celebration of indigenous breeds. A selection of breeds will be on display as well as crafters working with finished products derived from the breeds in question. Specialists in crafts involving wool and leather and beeswax will be present giving demonstrations while finished products including artworks and garments will be on display. Food tasting of products derived from the breeds present will also take place.
The itinerary as follows;
10 AM to 5 PM Livestock and craft display at the Circus Field. Representatives of breed societies will be present to provide information on the breeds on display. There will be a demonstration of crafting also.
1PM to 2 PM Tasting of products derived from Rare Breeds to take place at The Corn Store.
2 PM to 5 PM A series of lectures on Rare breed Conservation at The Corn Store. Topics being covered include the best practice in implementing Breed Conservation Strategies, the use of genetics in conservation, an explanation of the Heritage Value of breed conservation and the past, present and future uses of Heritage Breeds with an examination of their place in High Nature Value Farming.
Speakers on the various topics to be confirmed. Following the individual talks a round table discussion to take place among the speakers with the Chairman of the INRBS, John Brennan, acting as M.C., followed by a question and answer session with a focus on how best to progress the conservation of rare breeds.

The event has a broad focus for people of all ages, whether they are familiar with some or all of the breeds of livestock on display or have little to no knowledge of the breeds. The crafters and artists working with products derived from the breeds will add an interactive aspect to the event. Talks will take place in the animal display area, people with a deep knowledge of individual breeds will demonstrate the attributes of the breeds which set them apart. The talks in the afternoon will provide a more detailed examination of the place of indigenous livestock breeds in contemporary land management as well as strategies for breed conservation as well as the historical and cultural role of these breeds in Ireland. Agri Aware will be on site to provide a viewing of their short and informative videos on the breeds as part of the Rambling with Irish Rare Breeds series. Speakers from organisations such as The Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST), Farming for Nature (FFN), The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) along with ecologists and people working with the breeds will provide different perspectives on breed conservation and the associated area of biodiverse land management with an exploration of synergies.
The aim of the event, in addition to the display of livestock and associated crafts involving products derived from the breeds and information provided on the day itself, is to stimulate positive collaborations between the various stakeholders going forward.