Happy 21st to the Donkey Sanctuary, but it proves a bit too much for some

A STORY of loving care for the humble donkey, which began over ham sandwiches and homemade cakes, came of age in Liscarroll, Co Cork yesterday.

The celebrated sanctuary where 2,500 neglected donkeys have been rehabilitated over the past 21 years, reached an important milestone.

Dr Elisabeth D Svendsen, founder of the Donkey Sanctuary in Devon, recalled how she had met with Paddy Barrett’s parents, who were running the Richard Martin Restfields in Liscarroll during the early 1960s.

“I had been concerned over the difficult conditions for donkeys in Ireland. My first visit to the Restfields had impressed me greatly, mainly due to the dedication of Paddy’s parents — not to mention my first taste of the Barrett’s hospitality.

“Our discussion on the problems was interspersed with delicious home-cooked ham sandwiches and piles of home-made cakes, so delicious I must have put on pounds of weight.

“After Paddy’s father’s death, Paddy took over but there was a desperate shortage of money for shelters and general running costs.

“Paddy rang me and I immediately went over armed with a donation of £500 and was met by Paddy and Eileen, his wife, and ham on the bone and piles of cake.

“We all got on so well and I was so impressed with the genuine desire to help donkeys that I hoped one day we could work together. That day came in August 1987 — 21 years ago.”

The sanctuary, which has its own donkey hospital and isolation unit, has 388 donkeys on site and another 486 in foster homes.

Spread over 70 acres on two farms, the sanctuary attracted 20,000 visitors last year. It has a visitor centre and many walks.

Two further walks were opened yesterday by Cllr Dan Joe Fitzgerald, who said they will further contribute to the recreational aspect of the facility.

Paddy Barrett, the manager, said a €50,000 allocation from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food is put towards a schools education programme.

About 50 people are employed by the sanctuary, which costs €1.8m to run each year and relies on the public’s generosity. There is no admission fee for visitors.