The new incumbent of Aras an Uachtarain, as well as occupying for seven years a beautiful house and grounds with indoor and outdoor staff and tight security, adjacent to the city with mountain views and round-the-clock transport, also takes on the responsibility of looking after some livestock. There will be little trouble with the couple of racehorses at the National Stud, and as the cows on the 160-acre estate belong to the Department of Agriculture, they come and go at its behest. But the five donkeys are the personal property of the President.
Originally three were given as gifts to former President Patrick Hillery, and when he stood down he asked his successor Mary Robinson to take them on. The donkeys bred and now there are five. She called the new arrivals Corcaigh and Tipp because she was in Cork when one was born and at an All-Ireland featuring Tipperary when the other arrived. At various times there was talk of sending them to a donkey sanctuary but to date there has been no move to banish them from their position of privilege. The next President will have to decide. Donkey rides for children perhaps?