Mark Downey of Downey Butchers in Terenure confirmed that they stock kangaroo, ostrich, crocodile, bison and springbok (South African antelope) and that they are particularly popular around this time of year.

"They are very good sellers, especially in this type of weather, " he said.

"People are buying them up for barbecues and they make a popular alternative. It's mainly young Irish people who seem to have a taste for them."

Exotic meats have really taken off in Dublin in recent years with two Superquinn stores in Blackrock and Sutton now devoting a section of their store to alternative meats including kangaroo, crocodile and ostrich.

"Kangaroo is very close to beef but a bit stronger, " explained Downey.

"Ostrich is exactly like fillet steak, while crocodile has the texture of chicken. It's a white meat with a slight sea-salt flavour. It's very tasty."

According to Downey, the interest from young people stems from the fact that many have travelled to places such as Thailand and Australia, where such meats are popular.

"Our biggest demand is from young people who have been abroad, who have tried it and liked it and who want to introduce it to their friends, " said Downey.

But it appears that the popularity of exotic meat varies, depending on where one lives. While Terenure, Sutton and Blackrock have a strong customer base, Paddy Buckley of FX Buckley's on Moore St said his customers have no interest in eating crocodile for dinner.

"I tried selling ostrich a while ago and it was very unsuccessful so I gave it up, " he said. "There was simply no demand for it. Ostrich is a lovely meat, very like beef, but it is dear and that probably has something to do with it. People are very price-conscious. Also I think we're a bit shy when it comes to eating animals we regard as pets. Horse meat isn't at all popular over here because of the way we regard our horses. In Paris, you find it in all the restaurants."

In all of his years as a butcher, Buckley hasn't fielded one enquiry about kangaroo and feels it would be very difficult to sell. Kid goat, on the other hand, is running out the door, partly because it is popular amongst the African community. "I can't sell enough kid goat during the season, " he said. "I'm often in short supply of it because you can only get it in small quantities. It is very like lamb, only a bit stronger and very popular around here."

In Downey's, crocodile steaks sell for 39.90 per kg, kangaroo steaks are 29.50, springbok is 33 per kg, while ostrich is the cheapest at 25.35 per kg. They also stock bison (wild buffalo) at 46.50 per kg.

"We've been stocking them for five or six years now, " said Downey.

"But demand is growing every year.

In this weather, we're being inundated with people looking for croc for their barbies."