Horse nappies to be introduced on Aran Islands

Tuesday, July 02, 2013

By Brian McDonald

First it was Killarney now horse nappies are about to be introduced to the Aran Islands as the local council seeks to get jarvies to clean up their act.

While the new regulations will apply countywide when passed, they are being specifically targeted at the Aran Islands off the west coast where more than 20 jarvies operate pony and trap carriages to show tourists the unspoilt countryside.

Many of the jarvies are operating family businesses that have been handed down from a previous generation, while others are more recent arrivals, seeking a slice of the lucrative tourist trade.

More than 60,000 tourists visit the three Aran Islands of Inis Mr, Inis Meain and Inis Oirr during the summer season, but the proliferation of horse dung has become problematical in recent years.

Two accidents involving traps over the last two years have highlighted the need for regulation and Galway County Councils strategic policy committee on roads and transport has drawn up draft proposals to put the business on a more formal footing.

Operators will have to apply for a licence to operate as a jarvey and will have to produce a tax clearance certificate and pay a yearly registration fee of 50.

Central to the operation of a horse-drawn vehicle will be the need for the horse to wear a dung-catcher or so-called nappy.

See the article here:

‘Horse nappies’ to be introduced on Aran Islands