Post by drifter6 on Aug 30, 2009 21:42:08 GMT
Hi to all readers on this site, Now i am not too handy on this computer thing but ill give it a go because what i have to say might be of interest to some of you.
Three or maybe four weeks ago a couple of friends and i set off for a weekend at the five oaks ranch which is located in Ballyshannon in Donegal, it was a four drive up the west coast but with such good company the time passed quickly ,there was a few pit stops along the way for refreshments and some nicotine for those that need to spend a little more cash than the horses can do,anyway we arrived safe and well and Curious and his traveling companion ED the Quarter Horse were relived to get out of the lorry and do the things that horses do after four hours in the back of a truck. Having attended to there every need they were then shown to there accommodation by Jerry and Jackie Mannion our hosts for the weekend and proprietors of the 5 oaks . This is an amazing place and i do not use that word lightly ,( i am old school) and believe me when i say that this place is Amazing it IS. The horses stables were very clean and airy ,lots of shavings for bedding and very good hay and a good supply of clean water for the horses to drink ,and might i add at this point that there was no shortage of any kind of beverages in the Saloon (A real Western Saloon) I have never seen anything like it out side of Texas,it was Fabulous .
The first night of our stay we were taken to a bar -restaurant which was on the border a place called Beleake ,where we were treated to a feast for that is what it was for the Huge sum of €15 yes you are not going blind €15 euros ,( the price of a Big M and a drink
, after that feast and the long drive up we were ready for some shut eye.
Saturday arrived with the sun slowly rising in the sky ,with the promise of a good day which was the case ,and our hosts and some of there friends put on a great display of horse riding and showed us some of the training techniques used in training the American Quarter Horse for roping ect, it was fascinating to watch and to see how the young stock responded.
Saturday evening came all too soon and the triangle was sounded for supper which was served in the saloon,this was a meal that was the norm for hard working cowboys Pork beans and rice ,it was out of this world and had me eating the pattern off the plate,and of course there was plenty of water to wash it all down with
. S supper was followed with a very lively discussion on the correct way to fit a Western saddle,all very good humored but informative none the less.
Sunday morning came all too soon ,again the sun rose high and blessed us with its shine ,so when all those mortal creatures who don't know there limits in regard to the consumption of the beverage had finally graced us sober mortals with their company we set off for a mornings trail ride through what i can only describe as breath taking countryside ,and what was most pleasant NOT A CAR IN SIGHT OR TO BE HEARD,our guides took real good care of us and there explanation of the local countryside and the environment made this trail most enjoyable , when we got back some two and a half hours or there abouts we were treated to a meal fit for a king ,all be it out side the sheriffs office which was next to the jail and of course the saloon
Having finished our meal it was time to load up and hit the trail south to Limerick , this was my first trip to the five oaks ranch but it will not be my last God willing , I am not given to giving praise easily as anyone who knows me will verify but Jerry and Jacky Mannion have something really worth while going on up there in Donegal .
Three or maybe four weeks ago a couple of friends and i set off for a weekend at the five oaks ranch which is located in Ballyshannon in Donegal, it was a four drive up the west coast but with such good company the time passed quickly ,there was a few pit stops along the way for refreshments and some nicotine for those that need to spend a little more cash than the horses can do,anyway we arrived safe and well and Curious and his traveling companion ED the Quarter Horse were relived to get out of the lorry and do the things that horses do after four hours in the back of a truck. Having attended to there every need they were then shown to there accommodation by Jerry and Jackie Mannion our hosts for the weekend and proprietors of the 5 oaks . This is an amazing place and i do not use that word lightly ,( i am old school) and believe me when i say that this place is Amazing it IS. The horses stables were very clean and airy ,lots of shavings for bedding and very good hay and a good supply of clean water for the horses to drink ,and might i add at this point that there was no shortage of any kind of beverages in the Saloon (A real Western Saloon) I have never seen anything like it out side of Texas,it was Fabulous .
The first night of our stay we were taken to a bar -restaurant which was on the border a place called Beleake ,where we were treated to a feast for that is what it was for the Huge sum of €15 yes you are not going blind €15 euros ,( the price of a Big M and a drink
, after that feast and the long drive up we were ready for some shut eye.Saturday arrived with the sun slowly rising in the sky ,with the promise of a good day which was the case ,and our hosts and some of there friends put on a great display of horse riding and showed us some of the training techniques used in training the American Quarter Horse for roping ect, it was fascinating to watch and to see how the young stock responded.
Saturday evening came all too soon and the triangle was sounded for supper which was served in the saloon,this was a meal that was the norm for hard working cowboys Pork beans and rice ,it was out of this world and had me eating the pattern off the plate,and of course there was plenty of water to wash it all down with
. S supper was followed with a very lively discussion on the correct way to fit a Western saddle,all very good humored but informative none the less.Sunday morning came all too soon ,again the sun rose high and blessed us with its shine ,so when all those mortal creatures who don't know there limits in regard to the consumption of the beverage had finally graced us sober mortals with their company we set off for a mornings trail ride through what i can only describe as breath taking countryside ,and what was most pleasant NOT A CAR IN SIGHT OR TO BE HEARD,our guides took real good care of us and there explanation of the local countryside and the environment made this trail most enjoyable , when we got back some two and a half hours or there abouts we were treated to a meal fit for a king ,all be it out side the sheriffs office which was next to the jail and of course the saloon
Having finished our meal it was time to load up and hit the trail south to Limerick , this was my first trip to the five oaks ranch but it will not be my last God willing , I am not given to giving praise easily as anyone who knows me will verify but Jerry and Jacky Mannion have something really worth while going on up there in Donegal .