Annual Curragh Dog Walk to raise funds for Kildare Animal Foundation

This year’s Annual Curragh Dog Walk will take place on New Year’s Day January 1st at noon.

The annual walk, which brings together hundreds of dogs and their walkers, will raise funds for the Kildare Animal Foundation, based just outside Kildare town. Donations will be collected on the day from participants and each donation entitles walkers to an entry in the free raffle for a Maxi Zoo Hamper.

The walk has taken place virtually during Covid-19 restrictions and organisers are delighted to have dogs and walkers back on the Curragh for the annual walk. Which will attract hundreds of walkers with their many different types of dogs, many of them rescued dogs.

The walk in total is approximately three miles but there are options for shortcuts for those who do not wish to do the entire walk.

The walk starts out at noon from the car park situated opposite the main entrance to the Curragh Racecourse, used normally by trainers and is situated just in front of TRI Equestrian Superstore.

Along a route normally reserved for racehorses, the walkers will proceed down the tunnel, crossing under the road and then out onto road that runs alongside the Old Vic gallop.

Carmel Oakes, wife of Curragh trainer Frank Oakes is co-founder of the Curragh Dog Walk. Carmel explains that the walk is of huge importance: “Kildare Animal Foundation relies on donations from the public to rescue, rehabilitate and rehome the many animals in their care. The work done by the Foundation for more than two decades is outstanding and we urge people to come out and support the event.

All donations collected at the walk go directly to towards saving and caring for these animals.” Kildare Animal Foundation has been in existence for over 20 years and rescues and re-homes a whole range of animals.

Camel explains, “The Curragh Dog Walk is a great way to close out the year - a fun walk that will help shift some of the excesses from Christmas for both humans and dogs! Be assured that if you don’t have a dog then you are more than welcome to come along, join the walk and enjoy the fun, relaxed atmosphere”.

The walk takes place with the kind permission of the Curragh Racecourse. All dogs must be kept on leads.