The donkey man comes to trim their hooves twice a year.

His tools are the same as his father used before him to do the same job. This is a skill that has all but died out, or been included in the services of the vet or the blacksmith.

It is hard work, even with a helpful neighbour holding the donkey. So, when its all over, then follows the tea and the craic, as always.

I borrowed an APS 35mm compact camera to catch this moment. Later, the figures were cut out in Photoshop, and a tritone conversion applied for the sepia effect. The vignette was helped along with the lighting effects filter.