Maymont Mourns the Passing of Erin the Irish Dexter Cow

 

Richmond, Virginia – Maymont is sad to share the news of the passing of Erin, an Irish Dexter cow who had been an icon of Maymont Farm for nearly 14 years. She was humanely euthanized last week at the age of 14, after a thorough examination by a veterinarian for a digestive disorder that would not respond to treatment.

Erin will be missed by Maymont staff and guests. She was a gentle and friendly presence in the Maymont Farm pastures, always happy to greet guests, especially if they offered a handful of grass. She bonded quickly with Hampton, a younger Irish Dexter steer who was brought to Maymont to be her companion in 2021, patiently tolerating his need for attention and snacks.

Erin arrived at Maymont in June 2011, when she was nearly a year old. Typical of the breed, she was small and hardy and thrived in both warm and cold temperatures. Dexter cattle were bred for the mountains of southern Ireland, so they are right at home in the hilly pastures at Maymont.

“Erin was a sweet soul who brought joy to anyone who came into contact with her,” said Joe Neel, Maymont Senior Manager of Zoology. “Our animal keepers enjoyed caring for this good-natured girl, who was easy to work with and who truly reveled in special treats we placed in her pasture like Christmas trees and pumpkins.”

“Erin will be missed by the entire Maymont community for her calm pastoral presence,” added Parke Richeson, Maymont President and CEO. “I’ll remember the way she would look directly at you whenever you approached and talked to her. She gave so many community members a positive experience with a typical country farm animal in an urban setting.”

Herd animals benefit from spending time in pairs or groups, so Maymont staff have already begun the process of bringing a companion heifer to live at the Farm with Hampton. The Maymont Farm offers unique opportunities to feed friendly goats and watch the antics of various domesticated animals including alpacas, horses, sheep, pigs, chickens and ducks.

About Maymont

Maymont, located in the heart of Richmond, Virginia, is a well-preserved 100 acres where all are welcome to connect with history, nature, wildlife and each other. Built as a Gilded Age estate overlooking the James River, Maymont opened to the public in 1926 and today offers free admission to explore its miles of walking paths through rolling hills, beautiful landscaped gardens, a petting farm and the Virginia Wildlife Trail with habitats for rescued native animals. In addition, Maymont offers guided and self-guided tours of the 1893 Maymont Mansion*, historic estate buildings and gardens, plus the immersive “Run of the River” experience highlighting the remarkable ecology of the James River in The Robins Nature Center. Since 1975, the nonprofit Maymont Foundation has been entrusted to care for this unique place, galvanizing community support around its mission to delight, educate and inspire all who visit. Maymont annually welcomes over 800,000 guests and is consistently ranked among the region’s top attractions by travelers and locals alike.

*The Mansion is currently closed for a roof restoration project, and portions of the Virginia Wildlife Trail are undergoing an enhancement and expansion project. Learn more here.

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Note to editors: Images are available upon request to mabernathy@maymont.org.