GENERAL CONCEPT

GENERAL CONCEPT Together with your donkey companion discover the incredible beauty of Wicklow, “The Garden of Ireland”, where wooded valleys, clear rivers, waterfalls and still lakes provide ever changing scenery.

TRAINING & ROUTES

With a pannier on his back, your donkey can carry 15 kilos and cover approx 10 to 15km a day.

Before heading off we will give you lots of instruction on how to catch, groom, feed and care for you donkey. We also allow ample time for you to get to know the new member of your group before you take to the road.
We set you off armed with maps, a detailed itinerary and abundant information on local history and culture.

Our donkeys are well traveled 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 traveling companion very well. Treats of carrots or juicy apples work wonders.

As your first day goes by you will notice how much your donkey appreciates being valued.
Your donkey will lend a certain rhythm to your holiday which will give you plenty of
time to enjoy Wicklow’s beautiful scenery. While you feast on the visual delights your long eared friend may on occasion choose to simply feast on them!

Travel from village to village, walking at a donkey’s pace and overnighting at local Bed and Breakfasts and country hotels. Your donkey walking holiday will bring you in close contact with the locals of the villages you stay in. Donkeys are a wondrous conversation starter and tend to open doors wherever they go.

ITINERARY

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 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.

The distance one can expect an average horse to travel pulling a three-quarter tonne weight of caravan averages daily at about 12 miles or 20 Km. A typical traveling time for this distance is about four hours, taking into account rest-stops and harness checks.

We find that our visitors actually average some 8 miles (12 Km) daily but then they sometimes spend two days at some favorite location.

This is a holiday where you and your horse decide the pace. You may choose to have a very quiet, leisurely, intimate break, or you may prefer to fill your time with activities.

Then you continue to Ballinaclash and the glacial valley of Glenmalure at the foot of Lugnaquilla Mountain and Croghanmoira, overnighting 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 intrepid 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 together with your donkey walking companion.