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Wednesday 12 September 2012

Donkey Derby

Tell me this, have you ever heard of donkey derbys? Being a city girl, I certainly hadn't...until I met Loverboy, and happened to one day enquire what all the trophies and plaques on his mother's mantelpiece were for. Had he a secret talent that he hadn't yet shared with me?
 Nope, Turns out his family used to own a donkey by the name of Pepe, who was a bit of a Red Rum in the old Donkey Derbys circles. Apparently, these derbys took place in fields all over Ireland, throughout the 80s and 90s and were a great family day out. I can't believe that I never even made it to one, especially when I watched this derby recorded in Castletown in 1994... I thought I'd die laughing.  Let me know what you think...

15 comments:

  1. Let's go to one!

    We can make asses of ourselves...

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  2. Pepe was the man - whe he won the perpetual trophy in the Lurgan Donkey Derby (3 years in a row), Dad was offered 500 pounds for him - a fortune for a donkey in the early 80's.He only died last year - at the ripe old age of 35.

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    1. Poor old Pepe. He developed quite a taste for custard creams in his old age if I remember correctly!

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  3. That is the most ridiculous thing I've ever seen!! And I can't believe LoverBoy's mum had those trophies on display!!

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    1. A pile of them! Theyre probably still knocking about somewhere!

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  4. Oh sweet Jesus Emma thats the funniest thing I've seen in ages!! BRILLIANT! From yer man's outrageously bad interview technique to the wee doll with the curly fringe thinking she's all it in her denim shirt (that's definitely me by the way!) not to mention the dose (obviously the town stud) in the the red shirt...thought i was going to wet myself when I saw him coming round corner hanging off the donkey!!! CLASS!! Also....clearly healthy eating wasn't really big thing in the early 90's! Every single one of those men had massive beer bellies!
    Ah...Just brilliant! Only in Ireland...

    Michelle xox

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    1. I know- sooo funny! When yer man laughs I just can't help laughing along with him :-)

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  5. Emma have to say the All Ireland Donkey Derby held in Mullaghmore the last weekend of the summer holidays each year is a must in the Murphy caravan, Gary has yet to back the winner but always great craic. They hold the alternative dog show at the same time, determined to get Benji in it some year. Its all part of our caravan calendar love it. Fionnuala

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    1. No way! We'll definitely have to make our way to Mullaghmore next year for it!

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  6. Oh Emma, the tears are running down my face! All those lovely readheads and Loverboy on the Donkey. Just hope the producers of Gipsy weddings see this! And he married a BT9 ner! lol He def won the race!x

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    1. Anne- I can't stop laughing- I can't believe you thought that eejit was actually Loverboy :-) now that really would be priceless!

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  7. That was me above!

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  8. Ladies, I just wanted to point out that, contrary to what Anne thought, that was not me on the donkey. That young gent would be a few years younger than me, though I have to admire his style.

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  9. Follow up - when wondering about the whereabouts of Kieran Mulqueen, I came across this - the rider of Percy in the race.

    http://www.eoinbutler.com/home/wait-a-minute-havent-we-met-somewhere-before/

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