killarney national park doesn’t know ….dung
Jarveys Banned from Killarney Park – rte news reports
Jarveys, who operate jaunting cars in Killarney, Co Kerry, have been banned from the national park there following their refusal to use so-called dung-catching devices on their horses.
The National Parks and Wildlife Service says the soiling of pathways in the park by the jarveys’ horses is unacceptable.
They have offered to pay for the dung-catching devices, but the jarveys’ claim they are unsafe and dangerous.
45 jarveys have licences from the NPWS to operate 66 horse-drawn jaunting cars in Killarney National Park.
They offer tours of Muckross, Torc and Ross Island on 15km of internal roads and paths to almost 1m people who visit the park every year.
But the soiling of those roads and pathways by the jarveys’ horses has consistently been a contentious issue and the NPWS has said it is no longer acceptable.
After 18 months of consultations and negotiations, the NPWS closed the jaunting car entrances to the park at 6am this morning.
The parks service says the decision was taken as none of the jaunting cars hold a valid permit which requires the use of dung catchers to operate within the park.
They say jarveys will be banned until they sign up to using the dung-catching devices.
Killarney National Park remains open to the public.
....logic?
This is the most rediculous thing I have heard in my life. Horses have been s**ting in the streets and parks of Ireland for centurys. These animals built the parks.
Not only that *this* Parks Department seems to forget that it is they are employed by the state and it is The Jarveys who pay *their* secure wages.
So what is the most logic thing to do – impose the use a nappy of sorts for a horse – that will chafe its rear – I wouldn’t fancy wearing one – or throw the lads out of the park.
It is about as logic as asking the horses to wash their teeth.
What was wrong with dung on the ground for the last couple of hundred years and why only now is it a problem? More importantly what about the tourists who will happily pay for a service and a fine memory as part of *their* holiday and have just had their day ruined….. pure horse s**t I say.
UPDATE 14th july: jarveys picketing Killarney National Park
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“what was wrong with dung on the ground for the last couple of hundred years and why only now is it a problem”
Just because something has been OK for years doesn’t make it right. We used to hang people, allow slavery, stop women from voting for years – but eventually people realised it was wrong. Same with horse crap on the road – it just isn’t right. Don’t get me started on dog crap !
The horses wear a bag in dublin, why not in killarney
A Chara Joe
whilst dogs don’t really attract tourists and with tourism already down by 20% this year is it not fair to say that these guys do fulfill a role in that department – and have done for years? There may exist an issue – but the ‘horse nappy’ is obviously not the option. It seems to me it’s a ‘if you don’t like it lump it’ decision by the upper echelons of the parks department ?
Any one who earns an honest living in this country deserves applause in my opinion. The parks I’m sure could also chose to sit down and have a cup of coffee with the Jarveys and ask what would be the better solution…. but shutting them out entirely…?? I’m not so sure if that was the wisest decision ever made.
slán go foill
peter
I was listening to this on RTE this morning. Are the dung catchers actual horse nappies? If so then it would obviously both cause discomfort for the horse and look ridiculous. If it’s the case that it’s a box-thing that catches poop then I don’t see the problem.
Anyway, the smell of horse poop would be very authentic and evocative for the holiday experience.
@Joe I’d hardly compare horseshit to slavery, human rights, political freedom and gender equality.
The town council in Killarney have been trying to make the jarveys either put a nappy on the horse or clean up after them – but the jarveys said no.
Its not just the National Park that gets covered in horsesh**, but the town centre too. About time someone grew a pair and stood up to the jarveys!
i dont see the point i this what so ever it is only horse c**p. the parks people will pay for the nappies (which is the stupidist ive ever heard of in my life apart from dogshoes and leads for a rabbit) why not employ a human to clear it up. it will create a job and they could use the horse sh** to put on the rose beds.. and if all horses have to wear nappies then i think cats need them too…
Looks like someone needs to invent something. This is not the first time this has caused an issue…http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/2269932.stm
Horse dung is actually relatively easy to collect – can we not have people incentivised to collect the stuff. People pay of horse manure!!
For those of you who what to understand the underlying beneficial effects of horse dung for spreading plant species … – click here
I have to agree with with the Jarveys on this one. The nappy idea needs a serious review. Dung is not Dirt.
Thought this was a wind up first when I saw it. As you point out, tourist numbers have hit record highs in Killarney without this ever having been an issue. Where has this come from and why now?
What is the situation in Central Park and other tourist spots where horses take peeps for a ride? Is there a hygiene issue? Not sure where this is coming from now or why now? Have there been complaints by tourists?
Will be following this with interest. Something stinks!
think i’ve just found the solution to the entire …eh? problem?
Anyhow, Ministers, Jarveys and those who actually give a sh**- pardon the cliché
– click here but just play the clip
what d’ye reckon’ ?? you don’t even have to sweep it up !
tadaaaaaaaah
i’m going for some tea now
peter