President Michael D Higgins will welcome a Connemara pony and foal to graze on the fields adjacent to Áras an Uachtaráin in the Phoenix Park as part of a new partnership with Kylemore Abbey. The mare and foal will make the trip across to Dublin in May next year and stay there until September.

This partnership will provide an opportunity to promote the native breed and indeed the west of Ireland.

President Higgins and his wife Sabina visited Kylemore during the summer to give the official seal of approval of sending a Connemara pony to Áras an Uachtaráin after the team at Kylemore Abbey discussed the proposal with the team at the Áras.

In a normal year, some 90% of visitors to Kylemore Abbey are from overseas, and the aim of having these ponies at the estate is to educate visitors and raise awareness for the Connemara pony.