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Moat Farm & Donard Village

This is not a walk just a brief description of a very nice place to stay.

Donard is a lovely little village which is signposted off the N 81 road between Blessington and Baltinglass to the south of Dublin. Donard has a lovely camping and caravan site if you are not in a rush and can stay a few days. The village has two pubs, a grocers/stores/post office. Blessington and Baltinglass are both small towns to the north and south respectively.

Donard is ideally placed for those wishing to explore the Wicklow Mountains. It sits close to the Glen of Imaal which is a popular starting point for the ascent of Ludnaquilla, at 925 m, the highest mountain in the east of Ireland and one of the 13 Irish Munros (mountains over 3000 feet high). Donard is also well placed for access to Glenmalur – the other side of Ludnaquilla. A few miles north lies the village of Hollywood and the road over the Wicklow Gap to the picturesque Glendalough. Easily walked from the Glen of Imaal is Ireland's own Table Mountain.

The whole area is rich in history from the Norman Conquest to the local uprisings of the late eighteenth century. There is much pre-history to explore as well.

The camp and caravan site is called Moat Farm Caravan and Camping Park.

The name may derive from the “mound” behind the old graveyard which is thought to be the remnants of a Norman motte and bailey castle. Over the centuries “motte” has become “moat”.

Moat Farm is an excellent camping and caravan site. It has beautiful landscaped grounds, including a stone circle (!) and is very well laid out. There is a large campers’ kitchen with tables, sinks and worktops where you can use your own cooking equipment and pans. There is also a communal fridge and freezer. There is a comfortable sitting room with a TV as well as a laundry. The toilet blocks are spacious with free hot showers. The whole site is maintained to a very high standard and the facilities are exceptionally clean. The owner, Nuala, and staff are very welcoming, very friendly and very helpful. You would be very hard pressed to find a nicer site.

As well as photos of Moat Farm, there are a few added photos of some of the surrounding hills. More such photos can be found under the walks for the area.

The contact details for Moat Farm are

Telephone: +353 (0)45 40 4727

Fax: +353 (0)45 40 4727

Email: [email protected]

Address: Moat Farm Caravan and Camping Park, Donard, County Wicklow, Ireland.