Irish goat facts for kids
Near Glendalough
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| Conservation status |
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| Country of origin | Ireland |
| Distribution | country-wide |
| Use | |
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| Weight |
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| Height |
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| Horn status | horned in both sexes |
| Beard | yes |
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The Irish Goat is a special type of domestic goat that has lived in Ireland for a very long time. It's known as a "dual-purpose" breed because people used it for two main things: its meat and its milk. Today, this unique goat breed is in danger of disappearing. Many of them now live in the wild, away from farms. It is different from the Bilberry Goat found in Waterford.
History of the Irish Goat
The Irish Goat is a traditional type of domestic goat from Ireland. People started keeping a special record book for this breed in 1918. This book helped track the goats and keep their breed pure.
In 1994, there were about 6,650 Irish Goats reported. At that time, experts thought the breed was not in danger. However, things have changed a lot since then. By 2019, the number of Irish Goats had dropped to only about 25 to 30! This means the breed is now considered "at risk" of disappearing.
Some groups believe that the Irish Goat now only lives in the wild. This means they are no longer kept as farm animals. They might even be completely gone from farms.
Characteristics of the Irish Goat
The Irish Goat has some interesting features. Both male and female Irish Goats have horns. They also have long hair and beards. Their hair can be different colors, like black, grey, or white.
