It may be more than two months since the State's only foot-and-mouth outbreak was confirmed in Louth but the costs are still being counted by businesses far and wide. Those costs could reach £30,000 for one family-run enterprise outside Tullamore, Co Offaly.
But Lynda and Henry Deverell, who run the Annaharvey Equestrian Centre and guest-house, still consider themselves luckier than many of their colleagues. Most horse trekking establishments had no income for several months as they could not bring trekkers across other people's farmland.
But because the Annaharvey farm uses only its own land, cross-country riding, could continue undisrupted. And unlike many equestrian businesses, Annaharvey did not have any cattle or sheep on the farm so their guest-house could remain open.
Nevertheless, the foot-and-mouth crisis hit them in other ways. Their spacious indoor and outdoor arenas are suitable for groups organising events. A horse trial event, two dog shows, an art exhibition and show jumping events were all cancelled. Their conference centre, which accommodates up to 50 people, was also hit while the cancellation of events in Tullamore meant that they did not get the customary overflow of guests. Many farmers' children stopped using the riding centre because of the risk of spreading the disease.
"Once those bookings are cancelled, that's it," said Lynda. "It's not like a shop where, if you don't sell something one day, you will sell it the next." Adding to her concern was the fact that Annaharvey employed three people and her two children. She remembers two or three weeks when they received no inquiries. "It has cost something between £20,000 and £30,000 for us. Going into our fifth year, it was an awful land to get. We were gradually building up trade and getting repeat business and suddenly we were hit with this. It really knocked the wind out of our sails. Yet we were better off than most people."
Lynda Deverell is now looking on the foot-and-mouth crisis as a blip, albeit a serious one. "I'm almost afraid to say it, but I think things will come back to normal providing there aren't any more outbreaks. The Bord Failte promotion definitely seems to be effective and we are going to be fairly busy for July and August."
Bord Failte has started a three-month campaign encouraging people to holiday at home and will be using Irish personalities to endorse their own region as a holiday destination.
Annaharvey is busy planning its annual summer camp for local children and a number of other events are being organised. For the farm, the only reminder of foot-and-mouth lies in the precaution of spraying all local horse-boxes and vehicles entering the yard for an event. A vet must be present to supervise this. But Lynda believes it is a small price to pay, considering the alternative. "The restrictions were draconian to say the least but we have succeeded in keeping foot-and-mouth out. Had it become rampant, like in England, it would have closed everything down."
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