Explore the Donegal South
Horse Riding along Miles of Beaches, Forests, Lakes and quiet Country Roads - Horseback Riding at the Pilgrims Way - Unguided Trail Riding like with your own Horse - Pass St. Patrick's Purgatory on Saint's Island - Have a Massage in Rosie's Health Centre

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 before 2 PM, 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 riders and horses are picked up for return to the farm.  Say goodbye to your equine friends of the past week.

  see  Slide Show
  see   Trail Map:
      1. PDF high resolution map
      2. Low Res JPG file

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.