The Irish donkey is not native to Ireland/Britain
He is from the line of donkeys being that of the wild asses of Africa and Asia.
These asses were first domesticated between 5000 and 6000 years ago.
These donkeys were used in the trade route “The silk road”, which travelled from china to the Mediterranean ocean, so this is how the donkeys spread into Europe.
Donkeys were only recently introduced to Ireland. The earliest records show in 1642, a reference to a single donkey taken as spoils in the capture of Maynooth castle.
Many donkeys came to Ireland during the peninsular war 1808 – 1814, from England because there was a high demand for Irish horses
The army began to trade horses with Irish farmers, so began the donkey in Ireland.
The little donkey was a valuable asset, due to his strength, been able to carry twice his own weight, he was used to plough the fields, pull a cart full of spuds to market.
He was also used by the tinkers in Ireland to pull their beautifully decorated wagons {what a delight to see}
The classic Irish scene of the donkey is of him in the Irish bog with his 2 baskets either side filled with cut turf.
It is even documented that in London a herd of donkeys made a daily milk round to the wealthy districts, where they were milked in the
Street to produce milk for the children in wealthy families.
Today in Ireland the donkey is mostly kept as a pet, though sadly many donkeys are left unloved and in a terrible state. Thanks to devoted carers
These donkeys have found a safe haven in donkey sanctuaries. | 
