National Alpaca Show in Mullingar this weekend

Mullingar Equestrian Centre (MEC) hosts the National Alpaca Show this Sunday, March 12.

Around 120 animals have been entered for the show, which is organised by local alpaca farmers Paul O’Brennan from Mullingar and Helen Eivers from Glenidan, who are members of the Irish Alpaca Association.

Speaking to the Westmeath Examiner, Paul said the show has expanded significantly since its early years, in tandem with a rise in the number of alpaca farmers in the country.

“Alpaca breeding has become so popular, so much so that the Department of Agriculture are becoming interested.

“It is an economical form of farming. They are expensive to buy, but they live for 20 or 25 years. If you buy any other pedigree animal, you won’t get the same value out of it.”

The alpaca’s soft, strong and, most importantly, hypoallergenic wool is much sought after. Up to now, Irish alpaca farmers have had to export their wool to the Two Rivers Mill in the UK, but because of Brexit, Two Rivers is relocating to Coleraine, County Derry, which Paul says is great news. “We never had a mill in Ireland. For the first time alpaca wool will be spun on the island of Ireland.”

There are currently around 120 alpaca farmers registered with alpaca association and membership is growing at 10-15 per cent a year.

“There are approximately 4,000 alpacas now in Ireland and we expect that figure to grow to around 40,000 quite quickly. There has been relatively slow growth over the last 20 years, but Brexit has made a big difference.

“Europe won’t take animals from the UK any more. They have to come through Ireland, and this is a major advancement.”

A former president of Mullingar Chamber of Commerce, Paul got his first alpacas in 2012 and his herd has grown steadily since. He currently has 80 adults and 30 pre-adults at his farm, Andean Alpacas, in Cullionbeg.

Over the last decade, he has got to know alpacas well and says that despite their reputation for spitting, he says that they are a “placid” species that are often employed as therapy animals for children and other people with additional needs.

Sunday’s show is open to the public (€5 for adults; children admitted free), and Paul says it is great day out for the family.

In addition to the competitions, there will also be craft and food stalls with plenty to interest young and old.