Irish Countryside Biking the Smugglers-Trail Donegal Mountains Cycling the Road to Donegal Lough Eske Cabin Cruiser at Lough Erne At the Lake Ruins of an old Abbey Donegal Town-Center View from the Horse Holiday Farm Riding by the Sea Galopp miles of beaches Trailriding Freedom for Horse and Rider

Day 1: On arrival in Ireland guests are met by a Five Counties Holidays representative and driven to Ardmourne House where they are welcomed by their hosts, Helena and Joe McElhill. This quiet family residente is located 6m (1Okm) west of Castlederg in Co. Tyrone. It is surrounded by green rolling countryside and is close to some of the largest forests in Ireland. Day 2: The full Irish Breakfast is a good base for the day's cycling or walking. Guests are provided with packed lunches which generally include Sandwiches, fruit and soft drink. Cyclists will feel comfortable on the modern 15-Speed bikes with saddlebags. Cyclists as well as walkers will use the same route "The Smugglers Trail" which follows an old trail used by smugglers in days long gone. The route includes the Killeter Forest with its huge old needle trees. You will pass by the ruins of the former homestead of the Caledon Family which overlooks a pretty lake full of water lilies. Coming ,out of the forest you'll be crossing an open area in the Lagheybar Mountains from where you have an impressive view over Donegal Bay and the Donegal Mountains. From here the trail goes downhill most of the time and ends at the outskirts of Donegal Town where guests are picked up and taken back to Ardmourne House. Day 3: After another tasty Irish Breakfast, cyclists and walkers are provided with their packed lunches and may discover picturesque Donegal Town with its traditional pubs and colourful shops. The world-famous Donegal Tweed is manufactured here. From Donegal Town the trail goes towards the Northern banks of the idyllic Lough Eske at the foot of the Blue Stack Mountain Range. This picturesque lake is surrounded by hills on three sides and this sheltered location allows rich woodland to grow on its Western shores. The route along the old, unused railway line leads to the popular Biddy O'Bames Pub which delights guests with its "olde worlde" charm. From here the trail goes North until the Ardmoume House sign indicates the turn-off from the main road. The scenery changes again as the trail leads through the vast boglands of the Moume Valley which brings you back to your original destination, Ardmourne House Day 4: Today guests will have the opportunity to discover one of Ireland's magnificent waterways on board a cabin cruiser. After breakfast guests are leaving for the Manor House Marina in Killadeas at the Lower Lough Erne. Due to the absence of any commercial traffit the Erne Waterway is a true paradise for leisure cruising. After detailed instructions by the experienced Manor House Marina crew it is time to explore this great waterway and observe swans, herons and birds enjoying their natural habitat. From time to time you may even see another boat on this vast expanse of water! Day 5: After breakfast in Ardmourne House guests are setting off to go sightseeing. First stop is the town of Strabane on the banks of the River Mourne. The history of this town dates back to 1613. Regular markets and fairs were held at the time which continued to take place through the centuries up to the 1940's. Strabane has strong connections to the USA: two signatories of the Declaration of Independence came from this area. A visit to the Gray Printers Museum is both interesting and entertaining. John Dunlap who leamt his trade here emigrated to the U.S. and founded the first daily newspaper in America, the "Pennsylvania Packet" . Next stop is "The Old Mill Shop" in Castlederg in the old Spamount Woollen Mills which supply garments to such famous stores als Liberty's and Selfridge's in London. The tour ends at one of the colourful, traditional pubs in Donegal Town for a light pub lunch. Guests are picked up at the pub by a representative of the Horse Holiday Farm in Sligo who drives them South to the farm outside the small village of Grange, Co. Sligo. Surroundings are very different from the rural green environment of Ardmoume House - the Horse Holiday Farm is located right at the Atlantic Ocean. Excellent food is only one well-known feature of the farm: guests may have their evening meal here or Sample the local eateries. Accommodation will be at the Horse Holiday Farm and in neighbouring guesthouses, all of them close to the sea and miles of sandy beaches. (Please note that non-riding guests should not worry about the two days ahead of them: long walks on miles of sandy beaches or in the mountains, cycling, fishing and other activities are easily arranged!) Day 6: After a substantial Irish breakfast (for riders and horses!) it's off to the stables where Tilman Anhold and his experienced staff quickly and precisely find out which horse suits which rider. As Tilman says: "If you tan walk, trot, canter and gallop with confidence, we have the right horse for you". When guests are happy with "their" horse they'll set off for their first experience of riding an Irish Hunter. Just below the Horse Holiday Farm miles and miles of sandy beaches are exciting riding grounds for riders and horses alike. When the tide is out, riders tan even ride across to a small island exactly opposite the farm. But watch out for the rising tide! Guests who would like to improve their riding skills should try the Horse Holiday Farm's own 16 km long Cross Country Course with over fifty obstacles. For lunch everybody does their own thing. Riders (and horses) are very welcome at any local pub! Day 7: After breakfast it's time to decide how to make the most of the last day of eventful Irish holidays: guests may trek along the lanes of the hinterland and mountains, along waterfalls, lakes and historic castles and houses. This is "Yeats Country" from which the famous Irish poet W. B. Yeats drew so much inspiration. His grave in nearby Drumcliffe Churchyard is inscribed: "Gast a cold eye on life, on death. Horseman pass by". One last gallop alongside the crashing wavesof the Atlantic Ocean with the towering Classiebawn Castle in the background, one last drink in Tilman's local pub in the village, one last seafood dinner, one last sunset over Streedagh Beach -long lasting memories of an unforgettable Irish holiday. Day 8: After breakfast transfer to the airport for departure.

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