Donkey Walking in the West of Ireland
Make a new friend and lighten your load by exploring the west of Ireland on foot with a donkey companion. It gives hiking a whole new meaning.
Half Day: €30. Full Day: €60. Organic picnics available for €5/child and €7.50/adult. Donkey walking holidays start at €482/week, all inclusive.
Going for a walk has a whole new meaning when you bring a donkey with you. With a donkey and pack, you can go for an hour or a week and a strong donkey can carry your things. Walks begin at Slieve Aughty Centre and can be tailored to your comfort. Quiet country roads offer easy to follow routes for the entire family, while forest paths beckon the more seasoned hiker. For half day and full day trips, bring a tasty organic picnic with you and find a peaceful spot under a tree to enjoy your lunch. For a week long walking holiday, choose from a post to post adventure or stay at the centre and build your own itinerary.
Donkeys have been a part of country life in Ireland for centuries, working on farms and carrying turf from the bog. The area around Slieve Aughty Centre is a place where you still might see donkeys in use on a farm. Donkeys are strong, steady and intelligent, and you will quickly find yourself getting to know your donkey's unique personality. Packs are waterproof and rugid, with ample room for your belongings. Some of our donkeys can even carry a small child.
Donkey walking holidays are a wonderful, eco-friendly family holiday or even a romantic active escape for 2. The residential walking holiday allows you the flexibility of changing your itinerary by day depending on your whim. Designed for the more active traveller, the post to post walking holiday brings you about 35 km from the centre, with difference B&B's every 2 days, ending in the breathtaking Lough Graney area where you can swim or relax on the sandy lake shores with your donkey friend.
Slieve Aughty Centre is a family owned and operated eco-friendly destination started in 1986. The centre is set on 35 rolling acres adjacent to Kylebrack Forest, which offers an additional 2,000 acres of state owned land to explore. The centre is tranquil and remote, and it is not unusual to see deer calmy grazing on the property beside our horses and ponies. We are proud of our tasty food as well, either grown on our own organic garden or locally sourced.
Slieve Aughty Centre is Bord Failte, AIRE (Association of Irish Riding Establishments) and BHS (British Horse Society) approved.
What price includes
- Donkey, packs & maps
- Instruction on donkey handling and pack use
- Complimentary tea and coffee
- Walking holidays are all inclusive
Location
Directions from station:
Transfer is available from the train station to Slieve Aughty Centre. Alternately, a bus can be taken from Ballinasloe to Loughrea, where a taxi can bring you to the centre.
Plan your journey by train
