The Irish Donkey's history can be traced back to 400 BC when the invading Roman Legions carried their stores and equipment on small sturdy Donkeys bred from stock originating in the Mediterranean and the Middle East across the English Channel from Gaul into Britain. The donkeys quickly adapted and were adopted for use by the Britons and traveled into Ireland with traders. When the Romans withdrew from Britain in 44 AD the donkeys were well entrenched into the social fabric and had become an important asset to farmers and merchants alike. They remained so for the next 1800 years.
The Irish Donkey adapted to the colder, damper conditions in the British Isles by growing a thick, long coat, which sheds in the warmer months. They also remained fairly small - typically ranging from 36 inches to 44 inches at the shoulder.
The utility of the donkey declined somewhat during the industrial Revolution in the late 1700's and early 1800's, with a resultant drop in numbers. They remained popular however with poor peasant farmers and small landowners. They also found new roles as pets for children, and the popular "beach donkeys" at English seaside resorts. Queen Victoria was a keen donkey owner and this boosted their popularity with the British aristocracy.
The advent of the motor car further reduced the requirement for the donkey as a hauling animal or mode of transport. By World War II, the donkey in the UK was in rapid decline.
In 1967 the Donkey Breed Society was formed in the UK by a group of donkey owners keen to preserve the breed and today is one of the largest donkey societies in the world - ensuring the future for this humble servant of man.
The donkey first arrived in Australia with the arrival of 3 donkeys of unknown origin first mentioned in the colony records of 1794, only 6 years after the arrival of the First Fleet. Many donkeys were subsequently imported to work the fledgling farms and for breeding mules. Most of these donkeys were large Andalusian or Spanish donkeys.
The first true recorded importation of Irish donkeys was the arrival of donkeys at Geelong, Victoria from Spanish Point Stud, Ireland in 1972.
Since then the Irish donkey has grown in popularity, and consequently in numbers. There are now Irish donkeys in nearly every state in Australia. The Irish donkey in Australia is a little different to its British and Irish cousins due to the climate and feed available in Australia. There has also been the imputation of small wild donkeys into the bloodlines in the early days of Irish donkey breeding in Australia. This was in an effort to diversify bloodlines and avoid in breeding. Today the Irish donkey in Australia has been bred back to "pure" bloodlines as a result of years of careful dedication and commitment by Irish donkey breeders. Breeders like Ashington Park Stud are dedicated to supporting and advocating the unique and useful friend of man. | 
