A most original walking holiday in the Wicklow Mountains - together with your donkey companion discover the incredibly beautiful landscape of “The Garden of Ireland”. Travel from village to village, walking at a donkey's pace and overnighting at local bed and breakfasts and country hotels. With a pannier on his back, your donkey can carry 15 kilos and cover approx 10 to 15km a day.
Your donkey will lend a certain rhythm to your holiday which will give you plenty of time to enjoy Wicklow's beautiful scenery and will bring you in close contact with the locals of the villages you stay in. Our donkeys are well travelled and like being with people on the road. Even if you have no experience with these animals it won’t take long before you get to know your travelling companion very well. Treats of a carrot or juicy apple work wonders!
Before heading off we will give you lots of instruction on how to catch, groom, feed and care for your donkey. We set you off armed with maps, a detailed itinerary and abundant information on local history and culture.
Your first and last evenings will be spent in the village of Rathdrum, overnighting at Jacob’s Well Guesthouse in the centre of the village, while your donkey rests at our farm. Your gentle, well trained donkey companion will escort you to the famous “Meetings of the Waters” and the village of Avoca, overnighting for two nights at Ashton House, charmingly situated on the banks where the Avonmore and Avonbeg rivers meet. There’s time to explore the countryside around Avoca, the Motte Stone and the Avoca Mines.
You continue towards Glenmalure, stopping for a break at the Greenan Farm Museum and Maze where you can explore the large 1/2 acre hedge maze, traditional farming museums and enjoy some home baking in the tea rooms. In the glacial valley of Glenmalure at the foot of Lugnaquilla Mountain and Croghanmoira, you overnight at the Glenmalure Lodge Hotel.
A trek across The Military Road in the shadow of Mullacor will bring you to the village of Laragh and the monastic city of Glendalough, founded by St. Kevin in the 6th Century. Two nights at the famous landmark Lynham’s Hotel will give you plenty of time to follow the pilgrim’s trail to Glendalough, enjoy a drive in a horse drawn carriage and walk in the mountains.
Grassy fields and fresh streams will keep your donkey companion happy. Heading home, passing Tropperstown Hill you will have wonderful views of the Vale of Clara and the countryside around Ballard and Ballylug before winding downhill back to our farm at Cronybyrne.
Refer to the website for detail of The Horse Caravan Experience or Glamping Caravan experience.
