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The legend of the Kerry Bog Pony
by Aidan Coleman Lyrics: Chris Foley
Chorus:
Soft through your favourite childhood dreams
Their faerie hoofbeats chime
Kerry Bog Ponies drift in view
From out the mists of time.
In quaking bogs unerringly
Would always give the lead-
And bring you safely through the mire-
This small and dainty steed.
Tireless this little friend
would work through every day
And dine on gorse and heathertops
To save the farmer's hay.
But flaxen manes and tails it seems
and coats like eastern spices
Or silver greys could not outshine
Mechanical devices.
Abandoned, lost, neglected waifs
They felt the butcher's knife
The lovely creatures almost lost
Their flimsy hold on life.
Till all at once a kindly man
Whose name you may recall
Decided he would prove their worth
upon a mountain tall.
With fearless hearts undaunted
On Kerry's cliffs so bleak
They proved to all that they could scale
McGillacuddy's Reeks.
With gleaming stars upon each head
and moonbeams in their eyes
What pet's they'd make! it was agreed
For children of all size!
So Kerry Bog Ponies have survived
Descended from the band
Still here to bring us heart's delight
In fairest Kerry's land!
Chorus:
Soft through your favourite childhood dreams
Their faerie hoofbeats chime
Kerry Bog Ponies drift in view
from the mists of time.
The Bog Pony
A rare breed of pony, the Kerry Bog Pony, which only a few years ago was on the verge of extinction, has kept it's name alive in the history books as Ireland's very own 'Heritage Pony'.
The ponies were originally bred in the 17th century specifically for working on the peatlands to help move the cut turf to drying areas. They were also used to bring seaweed from the shore for use as a crop fertiliser and even to transport the family to Sunday mass.
The ponies, measuring only 10 to 11.1 hands (40 inches) are always chestnut, dark bay or grey and have distinctive dish shaped faces similar to that of an Arab breed. Referred to as "Work maids of all farmers", they were ideally suited to the working conditions because of their size, strength and resilience.
The plight of the ponies generated much interest and concern amongst breeders who were anxious lest they became extinct like so many other rare Irish breeds. John Mulvihill, from Glenbeigh in the Ring of Kerry, has a long family association with the breed. His grandfather, Con Mulvihill, told him stories of the ponies working on the bogs and his father ran a turf yard in Limerick using the ponies to deliver the turf around the city.
In fact it was John who pioneered the movement to save the breed from extinction. Eight years ago he found a stallion in Glencar and bred two foals before the pony died. He now has 7 mares, 2 stallions, 6 foals and 5 geldings on his stud farm. John and his wife also set up a committee to document and organise support for the cause. As a result, a network of Bog Pony enthusiasts and breeders has been established and the breed is now thriving. There are an estimated 130 bog ponies in Ireland today.
Since undertaking the project, John has produced the official Kerry Bog Pony passport, carrying all the vital information about the breed and it's links to Irish peatlands. The breed has been given the official seal of approval by the Irish Equine Centre following blood and DNA testing. John Flynn from the 'Irish Rare Breeds Directory' registered the breed as the 'Heritage Pony'.
John is not alone in his struggle to save the breed. There are many enthusiasts around the country who have taken on the cause of these ponies. Robert Donaldson from Enniskillen is one such person. He is the proud owner of 15 Bog ponies which he transports all around Ireland to show at Agricultural Shows, Exhibitions and recently at a special pony show in the RDS in Dublin. He breeds the ponies to sell and also to increase awareness of this breed.
John's sister, Jean Mulvihill-Stack is also involved in the project. She is currently working on a book which will tell of Ireland's peatland heritage and the history of the Kerry Bog ponies.
There has been much media interest from horse enthusiasts all around the world in the rediscovery of this breed. It appears that Ireland's 'Heritage Pony' has become a living legend!
Bronagh Lowe