A farm which lay unused for many years close to the Kildare/- Offaly border has been converted into a breeding ground for some of the first alpacas to be bred in the State.
Alpacas, members of the camel family, are llama-like animals which are native to South America but are now being bred in some western countries because of the value of their fleeces, which are used in the fashion industry.
English-born Mr Andre Day and his partner, Ms Xandria Williams, who inherited a farm in Carbury, Co Kildare, decided some time ago to get one or two alpacas because they were "gentle creatures" and they "liked the look of them".
After browsing on the internet, he realised the commercial potential and began a breeding programme.
They ordered the animals through an alpaca farm in West Sussex in England. Its owner also had an alpaca farm in France and it was from there in recent weeks that five arrived in Carbury, following foot-and-mouth quarantine.
"We had a birth the other day, the first alpaca born on the property," Andre says. "It was 10 lb and was standing up in just half an hour and having its first feed from its mother within 11/2 hours. It was so black we called it Ebony."
A further 50 to 60 alpacas are expected from Canada early next month. They are expensive, with a pregnant female costing over £10,000. However their fleece, which is like cashmere, is worth up to 20 times that of sheep wool and can command up to £50 a kilo at the farm gate. It is also three times stronger than sheep wool.
"They are delightful animals to handle and children absolutely love them," Andre adds.
Alpacas require low maintenance, surviving on marginal quality land, they do not need to be housed in winter and they do not get worms, foot rot or fly strike. Females have one young called a cria every year and the animals have a life-span of up to 20 years.
There are 4,000 alpacas in Britain and while there are some on two other Irish farms, this is believed to be the first commercial breeding operation here.
The farm can be contacted at 0405-31191.