Farm welcomes a new donkey to its family
FINGAL FOLK ASKED TO HELP NAME NEWBORN
The little donkey foal, who was born in Newbridge Farm last week, pictured with her mother Jenny.
Wednesday September 01 2010
DONABATE is celebrating the birth of its newest arrival – and Fingal folk have been invited to help name him.
A little donkey foal arrived on the morning of Saturday, August 21st at Newbridge Farm and is already proving a bit hit with visitors. Mother Jenny and the her baby are doing very well according to staff at the working 18th century farm, located on the grounds of Newbridge Demesne.
' Donkeys are pregnant between 12 to 14 months and the new baby, like other donkey foals, walked within hours,' farmer Joe Kelly said. ' He will drink his mother's milk for about six months before starting to eat grass and hay.' Newbridge Farm promotes a respect for and appreciation of a wide variety of animals and is committed to the highest standards of animal welfare, with lambs, calves and chicks all on view to the public every day, except for Mondays.
The farm specialises in old breeds of livestock, some of which are in danger of extinction, and is also a member of the Kerry Cattle Society, working to ensure the numbers of the Kerry breed have steadily increased by maintaining a herd at the park.
' The new arrival can communicate by posture, as well as by several different sounds and positioning of the ears,' fellow farmer Vinnie Meegan said. ' They can bray, growl, snort and wuffle and for something so small, this can be quite noisy.'
The foal follows in the hoof-prints of ' Newbridge Samhradh', the first Connemara pony to be born on the grounds of Newbridge Demesne, who arrived in May.
' He's absolutely beautiful, a lovely little thing,' property manager, Brenda Comerford said. ' We're looking to name him and we're asking people to email suggested names for this gorgeous little man and be in with a chance to win free passes to the farm.'
All entries should be emailed to brenda@newbridgehouseandfarm.com with the closing date of Tuesday, September 14th.
' We're coming to the end of our birthing season now and we have next have our ' living history' event coming up on September 11th and 12th, the Newbridge House Heritage Festival,' Ms Comerford added.
' Events will include exciting re-enactments, including the North Irish Dragoons, the Roman Soldiers of Legion Ireland and the medieval knights of the Newbridge Living History Society.'
For opening times call 8436534 or visit www.newbridgehouseandfarm.com.
- Robin KIELY
