They're beloved as the nation’s first pets, and now President Michael D Higgins is to welcome a new member of the Aras an Uachtarain brood.
The country mourned along with Michael D when his dog Síoda passed away in September.
But her sibling Bród can look forward to getting to know the newest member of the presidential household - a Connemara pony.
The gorgeous mare is set to arrive at the Aras from Kylemore Abbey in Galway.
In the new partnership, the mare will live in the lap of luxury with President Higgins and his Bernese mountain dog Bród from May to September annually.
Kylemore Abbey’s executive director Conor Coyne said the partnership between Áras an Uachtaráin and Kylemore Abbey is “an opportunity to provide a platform for the west of Ireland and the native breed at probably the most prominent place in the country.”
Explaining how the deal came about to The Irish Field magazine, Mr Coyne said: “We had been in contact with the team in the Áras who are in the middle of putting biodiversity grazing strategy on the grounds and we are looking at doing something similar in Kylemore.
“We spoke about possibly sharing some of the animals and offered them a pony and a foal annually from May to September.”
The decision was made after President Higgins and his wife Sabina visited Kylemore this summer.
“It will provide an opportunity to get national and international media coverage for the breed and will be the beginning of developing a more educational experience for the breed,” Mr Coyne added.
Kylemore Abbey is one of the top tourist attractions in the country.
