Cards arrive from all around the world for Donegal donkey’s first birthday

Dozens of birthday cards have been arriving from all over the word for a foal born at the Donegal Donkey Sanctuary ahead of her first birthday.

Baby Rose was born to a rescue mare called Daisy at the sanctuary near Raphoe last June, but endured a struggle to survive after being rejected by her mother.

The foal required bottle feeding every four hours for the first five months of her life.

Her battle for survival was captured in videos posted by the team at the sanctuary, which has rescued and rehomed more than 800 donkeys over the last 15 years. 

Baby Roses’s story captured the hearts of animal lovers around the world with one of the more than 120 videos of her attracting upwards of 600,000 views.

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For the first week of her life, Sandra Curran of the donkey sanctuary posted a video of Baby Rose every day and her big personality and zest for life have given her a legion of fans around the world. 

“It was more or less for our own sake,” Sandra said. “But honestly, it grew legs. This donkey is a world-wide phenomenon. Her struggle to survive is the biggest thing we have ever had.”

The sanctuary, which is run by Sandra and her husband Danny, is hosting a birthday party for baby Rose on Sunday, June 8. 

A German couple who were visiting the sanctuary on the day Baby Rose was born, and stayed for three hours to witness the first hours of her life, are returning for the birthday party. Two fans of baby Rose in South Australia are holding their own donkey-themed party to celebrate the birthday.

Sandra Curran with Baby Rose who will be celebrating her first birthday on June 8 at the Donegal Donkey Sanctuary

Ahead of her big day, the foal has received more than100 cards as well as gifts from fans around the world. 

Mail for Baby Rose has been arriving from Australia, the US, Canada, the UK, Germany and across Europe. The cards have been arriving for more than two weeks ahead of the birthday, along with presents including a toy koala, balloons and packets of biscuits. 

“The postman is highly amused,” Sandra said. “Baby Rose is getting cards from all over the world. One of them that came was just addressed to baby Rose, Castledowey - it didn’t even say Donegal Donkey Sanctuary.”

Baby Roses’ birthday party on Sunday, June 8 at the Donegal Donkey Sanctuary is open to the public with cake and candles at 2pm, 3pm and 4pm.