Donkey Walking Adventure
Together with your donkey companion discover the incredible beauty of Wicklow.
Take to the road with a friendly donkey companion on a 4 night looped trip on the edge of the Wicklow Mountains National Park. Your donkey can carry up to 15kg in his panniers and he’ll provide great company and entertainment along the way.
Warm welcomes await each evening at cosy Bed and Breakfasts directly on the route, all of which provide a nice field of grass and water for your 4 legged trekking companion.
Your 4 night adventure will bring you to the village of Laragh and includes a free day to explore the 2 lakes and monastic site at Glendalough, a must see when visiting Wicklow.
Your booked holiday will include:
- 4 Nights Bed & Breakfast and one dinner voucher per person for 1 night at Lynham’s Hotel.
- Packed lunch on your first day.
- Complimentary transfers to and from our farm to your B&B on your first and last night.
- A well trained donkey as your walking companion and detailed instruction on caring for him.
- Donkey panniers to take approx. 15 kilos. with a blanket under the panniers and a weatherproof cover to keep your luggage dry.
- Secured fields, grazing and water and fodder for your donkey.
- Detailed directions and maps for the route and information on the areas you will be visiting.
- A guided driving tour to the lakes in Glendalough.
- A rescue team on call if you should need help.
*All accommodation based on availability, nearby alternatives may be used.
Hear from some previous holidaymakers
“Wonderful time”
Absolutely wonderful time was had with my mother and two children we had such a lovely time with our donkey Ringo. Weather was amazing so added to the experience, would definitely recommend
Catherine, July 2021
“Like a fairytale”
We really enjoyed this entire experience, from learning about Ringo, to brushing, feeding and walking him. The farm is situated in such a magical location in Wicklow. The surrounding area is like something out of a fairytale. It was so relaxing and lovely spending time with all the donkeys on the farm. Neasa and her family were so welcoming, kind and friendly.
Orla, June 2021
“An magical time”
We had a magical time, the donkeys and horses have such beautiful personalities, everyone was so lovely, I highly recommend visiting. Thank you to Neasa and her team for a fabulous day.
Carla, August 2021
Your Itinerary
Wandering along quiet country roads and forest paths you travel on a looped trip and overnight at a selection of welcoming 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.
Arrival Day
Please inform us about your arrival times so that we can make arrangements for a taxi transfer from the airport or another accommodation or organise a taxi from the local bus stop. (If you are arriving late we will bring you directly to your B&B and see you the following morning.)
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 either in the village of Rathdrum, Ashford or Wicklow Town and we will bring you there.
Before you set off on your travels
After a full Irish breakfast it’s back to our 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 go.
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 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 Laragh
When leaving the farm turn left. Continue along this road where you will pass a house with a flag hanging over the door.
Continue straight on this road for approx. 2 km and then stay right (on the higher road) when the road forks.
Continue approx. 5km on this road where you will have wonderful views of the valley and forests. You will cross a flat concrete bridge and shortly afterwards you will come to a T junction with a small stone bridge to your left. Turn RIGHT here.
This will bring you in to the village of Laragh. Walking approx. 1 km, you will pass signs for the woollen mills on your left and a row of bed and breakfasts on your right.
Continue straight on until you reach the main junction in the village where you will see Lynham’s Hotel on your right hand side. 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 is 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.
Glendalough
As you are spending a second night in Laragh there are various wonderful trips you can do today. While your donkey has a day off, you can visit the Monastic city and beautiful lakes of Glendalough.
At the Visitor Centre there is an excellent Exhibition on the Monastic City. (Please ask for the translation if you need one). You can also view an 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 preserved Round Tower, the Cathedral, St. Kevin’s Kitchen. These buildings are mainly 9th and 10th Century. 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 Lynham’s Hotel about further information on walks in the area.
Glendalough to Cronybyrne
This is a lovely mountain trip via Trooperstown Wood to Cronybyrne. There are no shops or pubs once you leave Laragh, so it important to shop for lunch before you depart. There are 2 shops in Laragh, McCoys Shop and Glendalough Green shop and café.
Leaving the field you turn right, walking away from the village of Laragh. You will come to Trooperstown Lodge B/B, which is on your left. You take a right turn here and continue over the concrete bridge, turn right again. Follow this road all the way until you reach the tarmacadam road. You will see a telephone mast. Turn left onto the tarmacadam road and at a right turn you will see a little old fashioned green post-box built into the wall, turn right here.
Continue to the end of this road until you arrive at a T-junction and turn right at this junction.
Continue along this road until you reach another T-junction and a gate lodge on your right. There is a tree in the middle of the road. Turn left here, the entrance to Cronybyrne Courtyard is just in front of you, pass this and walk for about ¾ km and you will see the entrance to our farm.
