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Toft Cusco, one of the prize-winning studs available from Hillview Alpacas

ONE of the more unusual events in Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny, located in the south-east corner of the Republic of Ireland, is the annual Wellie Race.

This started on Boxing Day 1976 when a group of men in the surrounding Powley Hills decided to run off the Christmas excesses by racing across country - in wellingtons! Since then, the event has grown and now includes a float parade. Over the years, some £200,000 has been raised for charity.

Now, the wellie race may be an attraction in this part of Ireland but in 2006 a new curiosity arrived in the form of a group of five alpacas including a stud male, Livanti Eros. They took up residence at Hillview House and have fascinated locals and visitors ever since. All the previous experience of Gabriela Briner, owner and manager of Hillview Alpacas, had been with horses. However, she was looking for an animal she could manage on her own, both now and in the future, and one that would not be too costly to keep. She discovered alpacas and this is now where her attention is fully focused.

Gabriela has taken her new responsibilities very seriously and is the only person in Ireland to have successfully completed the advanced alpaca fibre processing and breeding course, given by Cameron Holt, from the International School of Fibres in Australia, who is widely considered to be the international expert in alpaca fibre. She is committed to keeping up to date with all things alpaca in order to be able to advise her clients, both when buying and seeking to improve their herds.

First mini-mill
Although breeding top quality animals is one of the main objectives at the moment, Gabriela is very aware that alpacas are kept for their wonderful fibre and that means using it to process into yarn and finished garments and other items. She spins all of the fibre from the Hillview animals and makes it into produces which will soon be available online at www.hillview-alpacas.com. Until then, they can be purchased from Gabriela's shop.

Conscious of the lack of processing facilities for owners with only a few alpacas, Gabriela is establishing the Republic of Ireland's first mini-mill. Due to begin production in February 2008, the mini-mill will process alpaca, llama and mohair in small individual batches. Although there will be no minimum order quantity, a batch really needs to be at least 2kg to make the effort worthwhile. Small batches mean that individual fleeces can be processed, giving that unique provenance for the resulting yarn or product. Fibre processing can be booked in advance now, ready for when the mill opens.

The mini-mill uses rainwater and biodegradable detergents to wash the fleece. Solar cells power the air-ventilation system to control temperature and humidity. After washing and drying, knots and matted areas are removed before the fleece is put through a separator to remove the coarser guard hairs, vegetable matter and other contamination. The fibre is then carded and made into slivers ready for machine or hand spinning or for production of batts for felting. After spinning, the yarn is plied and stabilised before being used for knitting or weaving.

Gabriela is a member of the Crafts Council of Ireland and her dream is to use her own Irish alpaca fibre to produce a range of luxury garments designed by Irish designers. Her aim is to achieve this within five years so look out for the fashion show she is already planning!

Hillview Alpacas is a growing enterprise. The herd now consists of nine females, at least four of which are pregnant, a wether called Albert, and Livanti Eros. Toft Cusco, another stud male, is currently with the herd. An intensive care unit has been established and shearing facilities installed. As well as starting up the mini-mill in 2008, Gabriela is planning a number of workshops and seminars. On April 26, Liz Barlow, a qualified British Alpaca Society judge, will be leading a fibre clinic which will be followed by an advanced fibre clinic on April 28.

Places on these need to be booked by April 10. On July 25, there will be an alpaca husbandry and neonatal care seminar led by Claire Whitehead and Jane Vaughan. Claire is the first person to be appointed lecturer in camelid medicine and reproduction at the Royal Veterinary College, London, and Jane is an experience camelid vet from Australia.

On July 26, Claire and Jane will lead an alpaca clinic for veterinarians, giving local vets an excellent opportunity to learn from noted experts. The closing date for these clinics is July 10. Owners can bring their animals to Hillview on June 7 when Steve Doughty will be shearing. Places need to be booked by May 15.

As Gabriela says, "Alpacas are fascinating, intelligent and unique animals. Get to know them, call us and share in a new lifestyle! We welcome any newcomers as there is no such things as an oldie in this field."

Hillview Alpacas can be found at Hillview House, Gorteen, Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny, Republic of Ireland. Tel: +353 86 8549858; e-mail: info@hillview-alpacas.com; website: www.hillview-alpacas.com

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