Friday - Tramore

As we saddle up for the final day of the Trail Ride, mixed emotions overcome the group. We head back over to the everstretching strand of Tramore - a wild and windswept affair that impresses those who make the journey. We have a last glance of the natural beauty of Donegal, we hear the final thunder of our horses hooves across Tramore's golden sand before we share a farewell dinner with new found friends, exchange addresses and plan for another trail riding holiday with John and Helen at Dunfanaghy Stables.

Testimonials 2009

June 2009
The horses are very well tempered, trustworthy, willing workers , also beautiful and sweet. One of the most beautiful places on Earth! Our trip to Ireland is something we will remember and cherish forever, it exceeded our expectations! Mollie and Sophia

July 2009
Your stable, staff and horses all receive an excellent rating from me. Please feel free to use my name, hometown and email if someone wants to contact me directly. I am more than happy to brag about my experience. Miss you all already! Nancy O'Brien Paine, 115 Dogwood Circle, Moultrie, Georgia 31768 USA nancyjane48us@yahoo.com

July 2009
it was the best day ever. The staff were so polite and offered if we needed help.

Unbelievable. The most natural, unspoiled beauty I have ever seen. The changes in scenery from day to day was amazing. One day was purple heather fields with oranges and browns, the next day was the greenest fields with beautiful stone walls. Everyday there were views of beach and bay as well. Someone told me I was getting to go on a trip of a life time, and it was, but I want to make it again. So much to offer for such a reasonable price.


Dunfanaghy Stables on-line Evaluation

Weekend in Donegal 2005

By Gillian Whyte

It started off as usual a beautiful last weekend in September 2005. Everyone could not contain their excitement and we all arrived at the stables that afternoon raring to go! This year there were 3 new faces who were chomping at the bit to get going! Edna got her favourite steed Annie, Dierdre was on Maggie, Violet on Rodney, the little ex-trotter, Carrie on Rince, a Connemara, Laura on Misty, Hillary on the big Chestnut Errigal, Caroline on Tory, Bryan on his favourite Popeye, David on Baileys, Julie on the rocket Guinness, Andrea on wee Rio, Sharon on fiddly Finch, Fiona on Niamh's beautiful grey Anglo-Arab Oscar, Claire got a beautiful grey Connemara pony called Ceol, his name meaning 'music' in Irish and I was on an amazing coloured hunter, Monty, who I could have taken home (but don't tell my own horse!)

We set off with our guides, Mark on Shadow, a sleek black mare, Clare on a beautifully marked Appaloosa named Nikitta and Sarah on Sionnach (which means 'red fox').We were really lucky and had great weather that afternoon, the views as usual were wonderful crossing the bay where we had a canter to warm up our steeds, splashed through a river leading to the forest smelling of pine. We then traversed the sand dunes which brought us to the most amazing beach of Tramore, meaning 'big beach' in Irish, which is perfectly made for a gallop. After a short walk to the shore line we set off at a pace that can only be compared to a bullet leaving a gun! The sand flew everywhere, whipped up by the wind and 72 hooves! It was beyond belief! I'm sure we galloped for about 2 miles, I would love to have seen so many horses flat out on film or in a photograph.
Exhilarated at the end of the strand we took a breather to allow the horses and riders a break before setting off up the sand again. We returned over the sand dunes to the stables in good spirits, and retired to the pub.

The next morning, another beautiful day, we were reunited with our mounts once again. Today I was riding Sionnach, a gorgeous red bay gelding, Julie on the wonderful Monty and Sharon on Guinness. I think Andrea liked the look of Oscar but Fiona was ready to fight off any competition including if Niamh had have been home as she was away getting her BHS exams.
We set off up the country lanes leading to the Famine Track. These tracks were built during the Great Famine 1845-1852 by the women and children of the workhouse and are now covered with purple heather and bog cotton. Helen, the boss, took us out and we had fantastic long trots and canters, dodging the mountain sheep that wander the wilds of these mountains. We even got to see a magnificent Red Deer stag who cantered easily into the distance over the rough terrain. Making our way to the yard again we were in awe of the coastal views of Sheephaven Bay. We bade farewell to our trusty steeds and the yard staff.

Anyone who has not experienced the Dunfanaghy weekend should do so. Arnold's Hotel, the food and the hospitality is great. Most importantly the horses are wonderful, well looked after and incredibly good natured. I have been going to Dunfanaghy for about 9 years now and the quality of the horses are the best yet.
Roll on next year!




Dunfanaghy Stables, Arnolds Hotel, Dunfanaghy, County Donegal.

Email:dunfanaghystables@hotmail.com
reservations@arnoldshotel.com

Phone:00353 (0) 74 9100980
Fax:00353 (0) 74 9136352