The donkeys here in Liscarroll are like children on Christmas eve, daffodils are in flower, wild primroses (one of Ireland's protected plants) are in bloom and the birds are in full chorus claiming their territories. These are the little clues that every donkey here knows and remembers from last year, it won’t be long now before our donkeys can be turned out to pasture.

Due to the need to maintain their correct weight they will be introduced gradually back to feeding on grass, and even then we use a method called strip grazing to ensure their health is well maintained and they don’t put on any excess weight.

Why not come and visit to see for yourself how nature converts the Sanctuary from its winter coat to the joyful colours and sounds of spring, and of course, very soon donkeys everywhere running around, rolling and jumping!

Erin is one of a group of donkeys now called the Walton’s who came to the Sanctuary in a dreadful state. They had been left with no water, food or bedding, they were infested with lice that caused bald patches. They had very bad hooves and were suffering from malnutrition.

Luckily with the help of the Gardai they were signed over to the Sanctuary in March 2002 and immediately received the care they needed from the vet, farrier and staff at Hannigans Farm. A few months of hard work, lots of love and attention paid off as the Walton’s have now regained their love and trust of people, as many of our visitors see for themselves every day.