Donkey Walking Holiday in the Wicklow Mountains
Day 1 Arrival day
Please inform us about your arrival times so that we can make arrangements to pick you up either from the airport or organise a taxi from local bus stop. (If you are arriving late we will bring you directly to your Guesthouse in Rathdrum and see you the following morning.)
After a cup of tea and homemade “brack” we will introduce you to your donkey companion. Then your new donkey friend will bring you on a walk around our farm.
This will be followed by a detailed discussion of your trip and we will supply you with maps and brochures, etc.
Your first overnight will be in the village of Rathdrum and we will bring you there at approx. 17.30
Rathdrum
Rathdrum is situated high on the western side of the Avonmore Valley. The town has been the location of many films and is the birthplace of Charles Stewart Parnell, one of the greatest political leaders of modern Irish history. 7 local pubs make the temptation for an after dinner pub crawl irresistible!
Dinner: Jacob’s Well, Rathdrum
Overnight: Jacob’s Well B/B - your hosts: Helen and Noel Jacob Tel. 0404.46620
Day 2 Before you set off on your travels
After a full Irish breakfast in Jacob’s Well it’s back to Clissmann’s Farm at Cronybyrne to meet your donkey again. We will give you more instructions on how to check your donkey’s well-being and look after him on the road. You will then give him a thorough brushing, pack your saddle bags and settle them comfortably on the donkey rug and off you head……….
Please do not forget to bring your brush with you as you need to brush your donkey every day before departure.
If you have any problems with your donkey you must ring us immediately please do not wait to tell us at the end of your trip – its too late then. Your donkey is depending on you to mind him/her properly.
Oats will be available at all the B/B’s so your donkey does not have to carry them. Please ensure that the panniers have been evenly packed and if they slip please contact us.
We will provide you with lunch today.
Cronybyrne to “The Meetings”
Heading along the “stretch” to the wild life sanctuary you enter the forest at our gateway. Keeping left you follow the forest path towards Rathdrum.
Reaching Rathdrum you head slightly north to Glasnarget Bridge which crosses the railway line. Go R at the end of the bridge, continue uphill and take the next R to Mountlusk and Tilmullen. Past Tilmullen after a sharp corner you will come to a T-junction. Turn R and the road will eventually wind steeply down past the entrance to Castle Howard. Continue across the King’s bridge over the Avonmore River and just before the main road is the entrance to Ashton House where Catriona will be waiting for you.
We will meet up with you approx. 2 hours after you leave us, check that you and your donkey are happy and bring a complimentary lunch with tea and/or coffee.
“The Meetings” and The Vale of Avoca rich in history and heritage is a very unique area. Peace and tranquillity permeate its deep river valleys and densely wooded hills. The poet Thomas Moore (1779-1851) immortalised the valley in his poem “Sweet Vale of Avoca”.
You will reach Avoca at approx. 16.00, just in time to settle in to your B/B, care for your donkey and hop over the fence to The Meetings pub and join the outdoor ceili that takes place every Sunday. A ceili is an Irish dancing session – the origins of Riverdance.
Catriona and Shaun, your hosts are full of information about their home area and are always happy to give you lots of advice.
Dinner: The Meetings Pub, Restaurant and craft shop has the advantage of being just next door.
Overnight: Ashton Lodge,The Meetings, - Catriona Morgan and Shaun Tel. 086.3760783
Day 3 The Meetings, The Mottee Stone, Avoca and the Copper Mines
The Meetings of the Waters
Where the Avonmore and Avonbeg meet amidst glittering waters and quiet woodlands, an area made famous worldwide by Thomas Moore’s melody “Sweet Vale of Avoca”
Castle Howard
The house, in private ownership, is a curious mixture of castellation and Gothic. It was designed by Richard Morrison, a pupil of James Gandon. James Gandon designed some of the most stunning Georgian buildings in Dublin, including the Four Courts and the Custom House on the river Liffey.
The Mottee Stone
A legacy of the ice age, this huge granite rock offers the most amazing views of the county. Iron rungs make it possible to climb to the top of the stone and on a clear day it’s sometimes possible to see the distant outline of Wales.
Avoca
The village of Avoca is known worldwide, between the mines, the writings of Thomas Moore, Avoca Handweavers and most recently the BBC film “Ballykissangel”. Avoca Handweavers built around 1723 is one of the oldest hand weaving mills in the country.
The Copper Mines
Bell Rock marks the entrance to the mines
Copper and sulphur have been mined in Avoca since the Bronze Age. However, the main commercial activities began over 250 year ago, but the 1840’s were the boom years with over 1000 men employed in the industry. The chimney stacks of the great
Pumping stations can still be seen scattered throughout the valley. Gold was discovered in 1796... now there’s a great conversation to follow up in the pub.
There are several different trips that you can do starting out from Catriona’s house and she will be happy to give you advice about them.
Dinner:
Avoca Country Pub Crawl
If you feel like doing something completely different on your second evening at Ashton Lodge you might like to join the pub crawl. A unique experience even in Ireland! Please read enclosed brochure. The tour includes a trip to at least 4 different pubs in the area followed by dinner of traditional Irish stew and homemade apple tart and cream and lots of traditional music and all for EUR 49 per person. Tel. Paula or Toni at 0402.35093 or 088.0258484.
Or Moores Pub on the Avoca Road or
Back to “The Meetings Pub”
Overnight: Ashton Lodge, The Meetings, Catriona Morgan and Shaun Tel. 086.3760783
Day 4 Ashton House, “The Meetings” to the Valley of Glenmalure
This is one of the longest days so it’s advisable to head off reasonable early in the morning so that you and your donkey friend can have a good long break at lunchtime, or even before. Leaving Ashton House carefully cross the road, walk a little in the direction of Rathdrum and then take the first turn left to Ballinaclash. A cooling drink at Phelan’s in Ballinaclash is recommended. Your donkey can be left in the field opposite the pub. Just past the pub follow the signposts to the valley of Glenmalure. When you reach the bridge at Greenane, you can take a detour to visit the Farm Museum and Maze if you have lots of energy. This means following the signpost L up the hill before the bridge. There is a coffee shop here so you could have a nice lunch and there is also grazing for your donkey. (only open at weekends in May)
After your visit to the Maze come back down to Greenane Bridge, cross the bridge and head along the valley towards Glenmalure .
The Glenmalure Lodge Hotel is situated in the longest glacial valley in the British Isles. It is a favourite haunt for hill walkers and mountain climbers. Surrounded by majestic hills it nestles cosily half-way down the valley.
Dinner: Glenmalure Lodge Hotel. Home-cooking is a speciality and highly recommended and the food portions are enormous. Most of the meat and vegetables are locally sourced. Traditional music most nights.
Overnight : Glenmalure Lodge Hotel, Ann and Pat Dowling
Tel. 0404.46188
Day 5 Glenmalure to Glendalough
A spectacular walk along the Military Road across the mountain will bring you from one valley to another. Take a light lunch from the hotel and something to drink as there are no pubs or shops along the way. The scenery is breathtaking. Coming out of the hotel you turn R, at the crossroads you turn R. There’s quite a steep climb but it’s really worthwhile. Views and vistas across the Wicklow Mountains are a sheer delight. The road eventually winds its way gently down into Laragh. At the junction at the end of the road you turn L into Laragh. Lynam’s Hotel is on your right in the centre of the village. Go into the hotel reception for directions to the location of the field for your donkey. At this stage you can also leave the panniers in the hotel. It’s approx. ½ an hour walk to the donkey field. You can make arrangements for someone from the hotel to pick you up by car from the field and bring you back to the hotel.
Dinner: Complimentary 3 course dinner at Lynam’s Restaurant in the hotel. (drinks to be paid separately)
Overnight: Lynam’s Hotel, Laragh, Tel. 0404.45345
As you are spending a second night in Laragh there there are various wonderful trips you can do today.
Day 6 Glendalough
While your hard working donkey has a day off you can visit the Monastic city of Glendalough by horse and carriage. (Please make sure to give him your voucher)
Heading towards Glendalough, a few minutes from the hotel is “The Arches” B/B.
Mr. Jimmy Cullen, owner of the horse and carriage will be waiting for you here at approx. 11.00 o’clock. He will drive you down to the lakes and regale you with the history and legends of the area. He will then drive back you back to the Visitor Centre (again please make sure to hand in your voucher). At the Visitor Centre there is an excellent Exhibition on the Monastic City. Please ask for the German translation if you need one. Then you can view a very interesting Film on Early Christian Ireland, it’s monasteries, it’s gold and silver chalices and it’s famous books – The Book of Kells, Armagh and Drimna and of course the story of St. Kevin who founded Glendalough. Then you can go and explore the Monastic City itself – the beautifully preserves Round Tower, the Cathedral, St. Kevin’s Kitchen.These buildings are mainly 9th and 10th Centure. There is a path – The Green Road to the Poulanass waterfall, the Spink and the lakes – so much to see and enjoy.
You can chat to Aoife or Barbara at Lynam’s Hotel about further information on walks in the area. Your donkey would be happy if you checked him during the day so that he does not get too lonely without you!
Lynam’s pub in Laragh is one of the counties most famous landmarks. Visited by artists, poets, locals, politicians, and real Irish characters you will always find someone interesting to talk to and you will be well fed.
Dinner: Lynams, The Wicklow Heather, Glendalough Hotel
Overnight: Lynam’s Hotel, Laragh, Tel.
Day 7 - Glendalough to Cronybyrne
There is a lovely trip via Laragh to Cronybyrne.
There are no shops or pubs along the first part of this route, so it important to bring nibbles and water with you. There are 2 shops in Laragh both close to the hotel.
Leaving Laragh you take the Rathdrum road, just outside the village, and just before a little bridge there is a L turn leading up towards Garryduff Crossroads and Cronybyrne. There’s quite a climb at the beginning, but the road levels out as you walk along the Vale of Clara with the river down to your right.
You can continue your journey along the roadway back to Cronybyrne or there is a detour through the wild life sanctuary along the river. We will mark both on the map for you.
We’ll be waiting for you to share your experiences over freshly brewed coffee or tea before bringing you back to “Jabobs Well in Rathdrum.
Overnight: “Jacobs Well”, Rathdrum
Dinner Jacob’s Well
Day 8 – Departure Day
Depending on your flight times, you can come back to Cronybyrne before your departure for the Airport and bid farewell to you donkey companion, perhaps giving him a carrot or two and a few apples for escorting you through the Wicklow Mountains.
Your booked holiday will include the following:
7 Overnights and breakfast and one dinner voucher per person for Lynam’s hotel .
(Our experience is that people prefer to make their own dinner arrangements as there is such a variety en route on offer.)
Packed lunch on your first day.
Complimentary transfers to and from our farm to your B/B in Rathdrum.
A well trained donkey as your walking companion and detailed instruction on how to look her/him, how to brush her/him properly and check her/his feet.
Your donkey companion will have panniers to take approx. 15 kilos. She/he will have a blanket or rug under the panniers and a weatherproof cover to keep you luggage dry. We will supply you with a halter and brush. It is very advisable to bring gloves (leather with aeration if possible) as you will be holding the halter all day. Sometimes the donkey might want to go in a different direction so you need to be able to grip the halter properly. We leave a bucket and oats at all the overnight stops so that you do not need to carry them en route.
Secured fields, grazing and water and fodder for your donkey every day.
Detailed instruction on the route you will be taking and detailed maps and information on the areas you will be visiting.
A water container and plastic container for lunches, and a flask if you wish.
A horse and carriage trip to the lakes in Glendalough.
A rescue team on call if you should need help or if you should need anything from your luggage.
If you choose to visit Dublin city we will also supply a city map and information on what to do and see in Dublin city.
Transfers
Airport transfers cost EUR 95 per person return.
It is also possible to take the public bus directly from the Airport to the village of Ashford.
Bus Eireann Nr. 133. Tickets can be booked on line and cost EUR 25 per person return. A taxi from Ashford to Cronybyrne costs EUR 20 each way.
What you need to bring with you
Patience!
Comfortable clothing, waterproof gear and good walking boots or shoes are essential. By waterproof gear we mean a jacket and trousers – the complete set.
A hat or cap and warm socks
A good sun cream
A good waterproof rucksack
A torch – if you want to check your donkey during the night
Cost per adult EUR 800
