Banshees Of Inisherin Star Jenny The Donkey Living In "Secret Location"

The most loved Irish donkey Jenny who starred in the Oscar nominated Banshees of Inisherin is to live at a secret location in the midlands for the rest of her life.

Her trainer Megan Hines confirmed this, stating that the lovable equine star will be shielded from millions at this location, insisting that she will not be "used for any commercial gain, but to live the life she deserves". 

“People might overfeed her with carrots or whatever, or just generally cause her unnecessary distress", Hines added. 

South African born Megan Hines runs an equine training centre near Boyle, co Roscommon, and is Ireland's only qualified Connection Training Coach. 

Having moved to Ireland seven years ago, Megan Hines moved to the Emerald Isle alongside her British husband, and were contacted by Fircroft Animal Actors Centrea, about looking after Jenny and another donkey Rosie, who turned out to be Jenny's stand in for Banshees of Inisherin.

“She is really refined in her characteristics, she has such dainty little hooves and a dainty face and everything", Hines said. “I had never seen a miniature donkey before so it was a big pleasure to get to work with them, so it was a really exciting opportunity to have". 

In 2021, Hines was asked to train these two donkeys for the film in Achill. 

Recalling meeting the cast, including Colin Farrell and Kerry Condon, Hines added, “We met up with any of the actors that were going to be in the scenes with Jenny, Colin and Kerry in particular. We wanted the animals to feel comfortable around them for the scenes, which was handy because the animals need to get used to people". 

Elsewhere, Hines spoke about the training itself, and using a process called positive reinforcement, where she rewarded Jenny with carrots for correct behavior. 

“I think getting her to lie down was maybe the biggest challenge, because I didn’t want to use ropes or force,” she revealed. “I wanted to make sure she was really happy and comfortable. It took her a bit of time to convince, well not convince her – there’s a process called shaping where the animal does the behaviour and then you reward that. You have to kind of wait for her offer her lying down and then reward that. So, it took a bit of time for that".

She continued, “I had a brown check blanket and I would just throw that on out onto the ground and she would go up to it and lie down on it, which was really sweet, just like what a dog might do". 

“I also had to train her to stay on a mark, sit, lie down, heel like a dog and nudge a box". 

The trainer was later asked if she grew attached to Jenny and Rosie in all this.

“You do!,” she stated. "Especially when you’re training them every day, it wasn’t just working with them. You were making sure they were happy and living the best life we could ask for them at the time".

“I haven’t got to see Jenny since, but I’d love to". 

She also joked about an improvised scene, which came about after Jenny stole a loaf of bread!

“There was one part where she was meant to lie beside the fire next to Padraic but she took off and robbed a loaf of bread which wasn’t scripted,” she laughed.  “I also trained her to walk around the room and scamp out the different areas, to go around the chairs and under the table, so she would get used to walking a different route through the room and go to Colin, so it would look very natural,”.