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Emerald Isle - Land of colorful rainbows. In the North
West corner of Ireland: Donegal, the wildest and most romantic of all
Irish counties. Its austere melancholy is unforgettable! Setting off
from the riding center, riders will discover this region and all its
beauty. Look at the pattern of grey stone walls around the green
meadows, pass by dark blue lakes, ride through boggy hills and valleys
and across chocolate brown marshland. Ride along rugged coastline, rocky
cliffs and on miles of sandy beaches stretching towards the horizon.
Unforgettable highlight: the crashing gallop across the white sands.
This is a unique riding vacation. You and your friends
explore the northern Part of the west coast - just you and your horse.
We provide the horses and tack, the overnight stays, detailed maps and
all the information necessary to make this a wonderful horse vacation
for you.
 IT-IRSG01
Rates include 7 nights bed and breakfast, your horse for one week
(6 riding days) with all equipment and saddlebags.
8 days/ 7
nights $1,145
... during High Season
from July
5 to Aug 22 add $130
-- based on
€ 795 / € 895
2008 Dates:
Any time
from April 26 to early November - arrival days are possible on TH,
FR, SA, SU
Meeting :
Grange, County Sligo
Airport :
Sligo
Transfer : from Sligo $65
-- € 45
Level:
Intermediate
Pace:
at your own
pace, some
long riding days
Tack:
English
Horses:
Irish Hunters
Min/Max: 2 to 6 riders
Note:
Deposit 50%
If you are interested in a two-week trip, you can
ride the Donegal West
itinerary on week 2.
Single travelers
can find a travel buddy
on our web:
Buddy
Horses and other important details:
We provide you with strong and experienced horses, which are used to
carry you safely through all kinds of open country. Our Irish Hunters
are known for easy handling and safe riding - and they love a lively
gallop on the beach.
Our horses graze on green pastures and are friendly and reliable towards
their riders. At the moment we have almost one hundred horses in our
stables. You will find that "your" horse becomes your friend during your
week. Our equipment such as bridles, saddles, blankets and cleaning
tools are practical and well looked after. The same goes for saddlebags
to carry your clothing from station to station and maps with trail
descriptions and marked trails.
There is a luggage room at the farm for you to leave
your excess clothing, luggage etc.
You are issued with saddlebags for the trail, two
large ones to the rear of the horse (30 cm x 40 cm x
15 cm ) and two smaller ones for the front of the
horse (20 cm x 30 cm x 15 cm ).
The Food
A substantial Irish Breakfast is provided in the offer. At lunch time
you could call to one of the local pubs and in the evening you can avail
of one of the local restaurants for a good dinner, which would include
shell-fish, fresh salmon and lobster as well as lamb, beef, pork and
chicken. Vegetarians are also catered for. (Lunch and dinner not
included in program) Transport will be provided for those who do not
have their own.
Itinerary
DAY 1 - ARRIVAL DAY
Arrive, receive saddlebags, maps and have a trial ride along the
laneways near the farm, to Trawalud Strand and Dunes and return to the
farm.
DAY 2 - COUNTRY MANSION
After breakfast, receive instructions on tacking up and guidelines for
the next 6 days. Then you and your horse will be transported to Belleek
to commence your first day's trail. This day takes you along the shores
of Assaroe Lake and then through the forests of the Knader Wood to
Cavangarden House, a beautiful country mansion set in its own 1,000
acres. Riding time 4-5 hours. You will be by-passing Ballyshannon - the
oldest town in Ireland, created in 1613. Why not pay a visit in the
evening and have a drink at Dorrian's Thatched Pub.
DAY 3 - ROSSNOWLAGH
From Cavangarden Hause you will ride through the farm to a quiet country
road, which brings you to the famous surfing beach of Rossnowlagh, miles
of beach and dunes stretch ahead of you. Rossnowlagh is the home of a
beautiful Franciscan Friary which has a small museum housing stone age
flints and old lrish musical instruments. Take a break at the Smugglers
Creek. Leaving at Murvagh to follow a small country road to a modern
guesthouse. Approx. 4 hours riding.
DAY 4 - PEACE, TRANQUILITY AND RELAXATION
Return to Murvagh -you will have the Golf Club in sight as weIl as a
magnificent view to Slieve League and the Bluestack Mountains. Across
the bay you will see many islands, lnishpat and Rooney's Island are
directly in front of you, keep to the shoreline, and leave the sea at
St. Ernan's Island. Follow a small country lane rising all the time in
the direction of Oughternid. Enjoy the magnificent views, Barnesmore on
your left and spreads of blanket bog formed up to 7,000 years ago on
your right. Arriving after approx. 5-6 hours at Moorlands Guesthouse.
Rosie and Walter also have a Health Centre, a massage from Rosie could
do wonders for those aching muscles.
DAY 5 - THE PILGRIMS WAY
Departing the Moorlands, follow forest tracks to the shores of Lough
Derg, Ireland's most famous Pilgrimage site,
St. Patrick's Purgatory on Saint's Island - thousands of people travel
here every summer for three days of prayer, penance and fasting.
Overnight at a farmhouse near Pettigo. Approx. 4-5 hours riding.
DAY 6 - ARDMOURNE GUEST HOUSE AND STABLES
Leaving Pettigo follow a small track which brings you back to the shores
of Lough Derg, this time on the north east shore. On leaving Lough Derg
you follow a series of smaU forest
tracks, riding along the Mullafa Mountain and Meenbog Hill, enjoying the
peace and the comfort of wildlife to a warm welcome from Helena and Joe
at Ardmoure Guesthouse.
DAY 7 - BARNESMORE GAP
Leaving Ardmourne you will ride a series of forest tracks through
Killeter Forest rising to a height to give magnificient views of the
very scenice Barnesmore Gap and Bluestack Mountains. You will ride down
into the Gap where you take a break at Biddy's of Barnes (Pub). At this
point we can pick you up at Biddy's Pub and bring you back to equestrian
center.
DAY 8 - FAREWELL
After breakfast say goodbye to your equine friends of the past week.
A rest day can be arranged should you wish to visit the historic
Donegal Town with its castle dating back to the l5th century and the
ruins of Donegal Abbey built in 1474. There are also great opportunities
for shopping. |
see
see Trail Map:
1.
PDF
high resolution map
2.
 |
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Donegal
West (week2) Day 1:
Letterhillue Bogland and hand-knitted Sweaters
Around lunchtime we set off from the the riding
center. In the morning you have a lot to do to
prepare for the adventures ahead of you. Your horse
has to be taken care of, fed and groomed. Saddlebags
have to be packed properly. Don't be afraid:
everything you really need on your trail fits into
our saddlebags. Many riders who came before you can
vouch for that. We will drive you and your horse
from the farm into County Donegal. After about an
hour we drop you at the starting point of the first
day of your trail. Follow the yellow arrows and
check the route on your map from time to time.
Depending on how fast you ride you will arrive at
Mrs. Logue's after about four to five hours after a
lovely trek across bog land and through forests. An
excellent dinner waits for you. Mrs. Logue owns a
modern farmhouse and you and your horse will be able
to enjoy the best facilities. And if you talk to
Mrs.Logue about Irish sweaters there might be a bit
of a fashion show after dinner!
Day 2: Glenties Secluded Mountains, Glen
Tavern and an impressive Waterfall
You will start the day with an opulent breakfast of
muesli, cornflakes, bacon and egg, which gives you
the strength for a day's riding, long and full of
excitement. The trail goes through the Blue Stack
Mountains - secluded, majestic, wild and romantic.
You will enjoy picturesque views and impressive
scenery. The only living souls you meet along the
way are sheep and birds. Enjoy the tranquility and
the wind, which accompanies you on your way.
Care for some adventure?! High up in the mountains
it needs a bit of courage to follow the signposted
trail which crosses boggy terrain. Don't worry,
though, the horses are familiar with the area and
will carry you safely across. Hungry? Thirsty? After
a few adventurous hours everybody welcomes a rest.
Riding down the mountain you will pass an impressive
waterfall and arrive at the welcoming Glen Tavern.
Allow the horses to relax for a short while and
enjoy a pint of Guinness or a pot of tea yourself.
It will do all of you good. You still have a few
hours riding ahead of you. Don't say you are tired
already - the Ward family expects you to enjoy their
sumptuous evening meal.
Day 3: Fintown Romantic River Trail
Enjoy your hearty breakfast. The Wards know exactly
what kind of a day you will have and a good
breakfast will help you to manage those hours in the
saddle. They will be glad to discuss the route with
you before you leave and then a long and exciting
trail lies ahead of you.
At the beginning you follow an old railway line
which is not used anymore, then you ride on the road
and finally you reach a mysterious river and forest
area, ride along the shores of beautiful Lough Finn
and into the Gaeltacht area (Gaelic spoken as well
as English). First of all we want to show you our
magical forest. Just be careful that you don't loose
your way. Fairies and elves seem to hide behind the
trees. There are no threatening goblins, though, are
there? The area seems to come straight out of a
fairytale book.
In the evening you will rest your weary bones in
Fintown. Mrs. Breege McGill knows her riders very
well and what they need to revive them again - a
lovely meal and a friendly chat.
Day 4: Clooney Overnight in an Irish
Cottage
Soon you'll get closer to the sea, which you can see
in the distance already, the bright sunshine
lighting up the waves, but you'll still have to wait
a while yet. Today you will have the chance to
decide what you like better - riding in the
mountains, through forests or on the beach. This
tour offers a wide variety of scenery, new
perspectives and exciting views, wonderful isolated
area with such peace you cannot imagine. Did you
ever see such a beautiful beach before? We are sure
that you won't be able to resist galloping on the
empty sandy beaches, which is a great pleasure.
Enjoyment and excitement is the order of the day!
We promise that you will encounter the most
beautiful beaches you every saw on the other side of
the peninsula beyond the Gweebarra River, white sand
as far as your eyes can see. How about a gallop?
Mrs. Mary Shark will be waiting for you, her guests
will have a lot to tell her and she will listen
attentively. Today you are staying in a real Irish
Cottage, comfortable and cozy beneath a warm
thatched roof. You didn't forget your camera, did
you?!?
You are on "shore leave" tonight. The Sharks will
drive you to the next village where you will be able
to eat in a picturesque restaurant or a typical pub.
And if you are lucky the evening will be perfect.
Music tonight. You'll have the chance to join in the
dancing and enjoy the cheerful locals around you.
Day 5: Glenties White Beaches and quiet
Bog land
Say Goodbye to the sea? That's hard. Maybe you
should change your timing slightly and take two or
three hours for another ride along the sea or
through the lovely mud flats when the tide is out.
Then it's back to the Ward residence which you will
reach after riding through picturesque mountains.
You have time to stop en route, pause for a moment
above Lough Laragh and take a look back to Gweebarra
Bay and enjoy the lovely view which is breathtaking:
mountains, rivers, bog land and the glittering sea
in the distance. You will still remember it when you
continue on your quiet trail.
Day 6: Inver Weary Bones and a long Trail through
the heather
Slept well? Had a nice breakfast? Today it is
especially important to be in top form since this is
the day with the longest trail of the entire week,
but aches and pains are long forgotten anyway and
after a full Irish Breakfast you are wide awake and
ready to prove that you are well able to manage any
adventurous trail. Bogland as far as you can see -
dark muddy water and green grass. The scenery looks
totally different again. Make the most of your last
day, which ends at Terry and June Coyle's Cloverhill
House, again on the beach, at Inver.
Day 7: Grange Farewell to Equine Friends
Unfortunately, the week has come to end quickly.
Time to remember all the lovely days and different
experiences. Before lunch we collect you from
Terry's and drive you and your horse back to the
riding center. Hopefully, you still have enough time
to say Goodbye to your equine friend. You will
probably shed a tear or two when you watch your
horse grazing for the last time.
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