The Sathya Sai Sanctuary Trust for Nature was founded in 1991 primarily to offer a place of peace and refuge for old, injured, unwanted, abandoned, neglected and abused donkeys, who through no fault of their own, no longer fit into a world geared for profit and productivity and which is presently dominated by heavy agricultural machinery. Once an important part of the Irish heritage and farming economy these forgotten animals so often suffer through mankind's greed for money and power and even today are generally valued more for their financial worth than for the spirit within.

The project was blessed by Sathya Sai Baba at Christmas 1992 and has quietly grown over the ensuing years to network with other like organisations for the greater good of equines in general. We have come across a few despicable cases of genuine cruelty, many sad welfare cases born of ignorance, sickness and sometimes loneliness - and known untold joyous rewards in return for the hard work. Whenever it gets tough something beautiful happens, from the heart, to keep us on track: much needed money arrives from unlikely sources; wonderful people arrive to give support and encouragement; others write unsolicited poetic and informative articles in books, magazines and newspapers the world over, help to create a Sanctuary's website, make CD's and DVD's, give generously of their photos (as below).........always a clear message comes through to keep going, to keep focused, Swami is in charge! We are too small to make a difference to all the world but to the animals where we can make a difference, it is the world.

Situated in truly magnificent surroundings adjacent to the Carrowkeel Megalithic Site at Castlebaldwin, Co. Sligo, Ireland, only 5 kms off the main N4 Sligo to Dublin road, the Sanctuary is open to visitors at all reasonable times. Bring waterproof boots, enjoy your visit and give these humble animals the love they deserve.

Sue Paling




If you are interested in learning more on this project, fell free to write us at sai.donkeys@gmail.com. Our telephone and fax number is as follows: 00353 7196 66196.