Visit us

Visitor update: Our Open Farm will be closed on Sunday 24 March 2024. We apologise for any inconvenience and thank you for your understanding.
Four donkeys looking over a fence

The Donkey Sanctuary Ireland
Free admission

We are delighted to welcome visitors to our Open Farm, and you can find all the information to plan your visit here. 

Opening times

Our sanctuary is open to the public four days a week Friday - Monday (closed Tuesday - Thursday).

  • 9.00 am - 4.00 pm

How to find us

Knockardbane Farm, Knockardbane, Liscarroll, Co Cork, Ireland P51 PH29.

Free admission

As a charity, we believe that our supporters should be able to visit free of charge. However, we welcome donations to help support our work.

Free parking

  • Please park in designated areas.
  • We offer designated areas for disabled parking.
  • Please do not leave dogs in cars.

Dog-friendly

We welcome well-behaved dogs but would ask that you keep them on a lead at all times and dispose of any waste in the bags and bins provided.

Donations welcome

Making a donation, virtually adopting a donkey and buying our donkey related products all help us to continue our vital work.

We don’t charge an entry fee but we welcome and encourage donations and hope that you can make a donation in advance of your visit or when you are here.

Donate Now

Visitor information

If you are visiting with your family, or arranging to meet others, our Visitor Information Centre acts as a good central meeting point.

You can also purchase all your donkey-related gifts as well as find out all about The Donkey Sanctuary. If you can't see what you are looking for, please ask one of our staff.

Adoption packs are also available to purchase and our staff will be happy to chat to you about any of the donkeys on our adoption scheme to ensure you pick the perfect donkey as a gift for a loved one or yourself.

Smoking

The sanctuary is a non-smoking site and vaping is not permitted.

Feeding policy

We ask that you do not feed the donkeys as it encourages them to expect food from everyone and fingers can look deceptively like carrots to a donkey. Some foods also present a choking hazard. Kindly pass any treats to staff in the Visitor Information Centre who will ensure they are distributed to the donkeys at feeding time.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a time limit on how long I can spend at the sanctuary?

Each session will be a maximum of three hours long to facilitate parking. 

Do I need to book in advance?

No. You do not need to book in advance. 

Can I arrive at the sanctuary whenever I like?

Visiting hours are Friday - Monday between 9.00 am - 4.00 pm.

What does entry cost?

Entry is free of charge. As a charity, we welcome and encourage donations. It is with your help that we can continue our work and we hope you can make a donation during your visit.

How many people can I bring with me?

There is no limit on how many people you can bring with you. 

Can I bring my dog?

Yes, dogs are welcome and must be kept on the leash at all times.

What facilities are available?

We have a secure picnic area where you can enjoy your picnic or snacks. You are welcome to stroll on our walkways to meet our donkeys and mules and enjoy the beautiful surrounding countryside. 

Our gift shop selling donkey related products, teas/coffees and snacks will be open and visitor only washrooms will be open to the rear of the shop. Wheelchair access car parking is available, but please contact us in advance so we can reserve wheelchair access parking spot.

How are you ensuring visitor and staff safety?

Hand sanitiser dispensers are located throughout the sanctuary. We encourage you to use sanitiser or to wash your hands in the washroom facilities or hand washing station in the main yard during your visit.

We have introduced enhanced cleaning procedures throughout the day, which seek to disinfect high frequency touch points.

Can I see my adoption donkey?

Yes, you can! All of our adoption donkeys live on the Open Farm and you will be able to see your adoption donkey and many more donkeys and mules. Please do not feed the donkeys. Their diets are carefully managed by our team.

Will the gift shop be open?

Yes, it will. The shop is open Friday - Monday between the hours of 9.00 am - 4.00 pm.  

I’d love to help The Donkey Sanctuary. What can I do?

Thank you. As a charity, we rely on your help to continue our vital work. You can help us by making a donation when you visit at one of the donation points or in the gift shop. Alternatively, you can make an online donation.

If you would like to make a regular donation, please talk to a member of our staff in our gift shop when visiting.

If you cannot make a donation at this time, perhaps you could follow us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter to learn more about our work or sign up to receive newsletters on our website.