The famous goats that have been synonymous with Lahinch golf club have been destroyed in response to the foot-and-mouth scare.

According to a club spokesman, the move followed a directive from the Department of Agriculture that animals be removed from any areas used for sport.

The spokesman said that the goats were removed from the course, however efforts to find an alternative home for them were unsuccessful.

He said: "We were left with no option and the members are very disappointed, however the club has and will co-operate in every way with the Government to prevent foot-and-mouth coming here."

In all four goats were destroyed. Over the years, they have acted as a reliable weather guide for golfers and are also part of the club emblem. A barometer inside the front-door of the club says: "See goats".

Two of the goats had been with the club five or six years. The club spokesman said that when the foot-and-mouth crisis is over, goats will appear once more on the links following a restocking programme by the club.

Club member, Donogh O'Loghlin said yesterday that it was disappointing, but understandable that the goats - which have been on the course since the 1940s - have disappeared from the golf-links.

He said: "Anytime, they were congregating near the clubhouse, you knew bad weather was on its way. I look forward to seeing them on the course again when the foot-and-mouth scare has abated."