Trim Donkey Family

"Great bunch of donkeys bring them some vegetables"

"Done forget apple's"

"Working there"

"Friendly donkey. Great for children."

"Every May the lovable donkeys arrive back in the field beside the river, just across the road from Norbury Hall and Highfield House BnB. The donkeys are visited and photographed by thousands of families every summer. They are probably Trim's biggest attraction after the Castle, which is only two hundred yards away. Feed them but follow the advice on the sign. According to Noelle Finnegan writing in the Meath Chronicle: Trim donkeys proving popular as town attraction Trim has many famous attractions from King John's Castle to the Yellow Steeple that draw visitors from around the world, but a favourite attraction for tourists and locals alike over recent years has been the family of donkeys in the field. The donkeys are owned by Ger Reilly and such has been the interest in the animals that Cllr Reilly has put up a sign giving details about the donkeys and what they like to eat. This sign has been erected in conjunction with Trim Tidy Towns. Cllr Reilly said the donkeys must be the "most photographed in Europe" and that a tour bus of 20 people pulled up last week to take photos. They are also proving very popular with the young people of Trim with some children even insisting that they visit the donkeys each night to say "goodnight". Buns, Biscuits, Raisins, Nuts, Puddins, Crumbs and Muffin are in Ken Pratt's field across from Norbury Hall on a picturesque site overlooking the river and the castle. "People go down the town to buy carrots to feed to them and know them by name," Cllr Reilly said. "We decided to put up a board with some information giving the names of the donkeys and what they like to eat. It also warns people to mind their fingers as they feed the donkeys!" As well as bread, apples and carrots, the donkeys can be fed their namesakes - buns, biscuits, raisins, nuts, pudding, crumbs and muffins. Cllr Reilly said that whenever the donkeys see women pushing a buggy and small children, they come straight over to the fence and love the attention. He added that they are very gentle animals. "I was happy to help the Tidy Towns by putting up the sign. It will be another item to add for next year for the Tidy Towns competition and hopefully get Trim some extra marks. With the donkeys being such an attraction, it's good to put up the information. If people are interested, I might put up more information about donkeys and donkey care." Cllr Reilly has been keeping donkeys at the site for the past six years. They are a mixture of males and females and the donkeys range in age from seven years down to six months. Muffin is the youngest and was born in January. Their mother, Minnie, who is currently on holidays, is in her twenties. Biscuits the donkey is trained to pull a cart and has won competitions for working donkeys at various shows around the country. Nearby residents keep a close eye on the donkeys and if there ever was a problem, Cllr Reilly said they would contact him immediately."