Horseback Riding Reviews
Staff Review
Failte in Ireland
Biggi Hayes
September 2001
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An excerpt from Biggi's comprehensive review of the Irish rides following her visit in September 2001
The next morning brought sunshine again as I drove from the northwest coast to the Dingle Peninsula Trail. Along the way I was mesmerized by the ever changing Irish landscape; from the northwestern shores of the Atlantic with their dramatic coastlines, along the industrial area of County Galway, through the beautiful patchwork of neatly laid out pastures divided by stonewalls and hedges of County Kerry. These images are forever imprinted in my mind. To break up the 8-hour drive I chose to ferry across the mouth of the Shannon River from County Clare to County Kerry.
The road to the Dingle Peninsula became narrower and curvier the higher into the mountains I drove. The peninsula welcomed me with its indescribable beauty; mountains reaching into the sea, white sandy beaches and fields of green as far as I could see. The town of Dingle is very colorful with its neat little boutiques, art galleries and restaurants. This is a great destination for non-riding companions. From the minute I arrived, I wished to spend more time here.
The outfitters welcomed me and showed me to my room in one of the beautifully decorated self-catering apartments attached to the stables. The stable is on a hillside overlooking the town of Dingle and the bay and I particularly enjoyed the beautiful view at sunset. The next two days brought blue clear skies, warm and sunny fall weather matched by exhilarating riding, long posting trots along back roads of the peninsula lined by fuchsia hedges, canters along the beaches and some of the most beautiful scenery I have ever seen. The guide was very friendly and knowledgeable and the horses easy to handle. Both days I enjoyed my mounts; Irish Hunter Crosses who were very reliable, surefooted and up for a trot or canter at a moments notice. The highlight of my riding was topping over Mount Eagle and below us the magnificent view of the Blasket Islands, basking in the sunshine. The Blasket Island information center provides educational insights into life as it was 50 years ago when people were still living there. It is a must for visitors to Dingle and is part of the ride itinerary. We left the horses in front of the center, tied to a rail and they waited patiently for our return. The Dingle area lets visitors step back into a time when Gaelic was the tongue of Ireland and to this day it is still widely spoken on the peninsula. The road signs in English and Gaelic are vivid proof.
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