Weekend plan

Friday 30 September


Warm welcome to the town

• big ramble opener at Oyster Bar
• local live music

Saturday 1 October

Muckish Mountain
Views from Tory Island to Downing’s, Glen and Glenveagh sit “a-top” the world

• Meet at Arnolds 9am, return approx 3pm
• 5km, 450m ascent,5hr walk, free, car share

Muckish Mountain (the ridge)
Beautiful Estate, wild open moorland and timeless lakes

• Meet at Arnolds 9am , return approx 1pm
• 2km, 200m ascent, 2hr walk, free, car share

Traditional Music Session Night
9pm, Oyster, Mollys, Patsy Dans and Arnolds, Free



Sunday 2 October

Mcswyne’s gun
Beautiful rugged walk with breathtaking geological features

• Meet at Arnolds 10am, return approx 2pm
• 10km, 200m ascent, 4hrs, free, no transport required.

Tramore beach
Seclude and Stunning discover the one of Irelands hidden gems

• Meet at Arnolds 10am, return approx 12am
• 2hr ,50m ascent, free, no transport required

Magnificent Mollys Bbq
The biggest challenge of the weekend, can you finish all this fine food….

• Meet Mollys bar 1pm
• Open to walkers and non walkers all welcome

Morning Meet up

Not long until the big Ramble. Weekend kix of in the oyster. First walk sat meeting at 10am at Arnolds hotel all welcome bound for Muckhish . Sunday 11am at Arnolds bound for horn head.

Hotel Offer

Arnolds Hotel are offering a fantastic deal 2 nights B&B + Dinner + Packed Lunch 150 Euro p.p.s

What is The Big Ramble

The Big Ramble is a free walking festival taking place in Dunfanaghy, Co. Donegal over the national trails weekend from the 1st - 2nd October.  We will have organised walks up Muckish Mountain and McSwynes Gun Loop with a mixture of routes tailored to suit your level of walking.  We will have a host of evening entertainment in the bars in the afternoon as well.

For any more information please e-mail: rob@narosalife.com
or call +353 (0) 868831090

What to Wear? Top Tips for Walking Boots

Walking Boots:

There are a lot of really good walking boot/shoe companies out there but who is the best and what do you need to look for?

Here's a Quick Top 5 things to remember when buying a Hill Walking Boot/Shoe:

1. Throw the Insole Out! This should apply across all shoes.  Insoles are generic flappy pieces of material that offer no support to the arch. Get some custom insoles or at least ones that will give your arches some support.
2. Get Sized Up! All ways get your feet measured when buying boots, the shop might have a different way of measuring your feet, your foot size may have changed or your memory might be over shadowed be your ego (men).
3. Heels! make sure that heel is secure in the boot, you don't want that heel shifting about as it will increase friction and the chance of a blister.
4. Leather or Gortex or Event! This will be a personal taste when choosing a waterproof boot.  Leather is a fantastic waterproof material and breathes very well.  Goretex and Event are both fabric membranes that will breath well and keep you waterproof.  Look out for other types of waterproofing, they are more likely to be just a coating on the outside of the fabric are less likely to work as well as Leather, Event or Goretex. (Event is cheaper but is just as good as Goretex if not better)
5. Buy in Shop! Buying on-line when it comes to walking boots is pointless.  Apart from all the expert advise you should be getting from who ever's advising you on your purchase, you can't try on the exact item your buying and it cost you to send it back if you get it wrong.

I could write the top 20 things to look for when buying boots but I think this is a good start if you are buying your first pair of boots and you want them to last.

weekend plan

The Big Ramble Information


Friday 30 September


Warm welcome to the town

• big ramble opener at Oyster Bar
• local live music

Saturday 1 October

Muckish Mountain
Views from Tory Island to Downing’s, Glen and Glenveagh sit “a-top” the world

• Meet at Arnolds 9am, return approx 3pm
• 5km, 450m ascent,5hr walk, free, car share

Muckish Mountain (the ridge)
Beautiful Estate, wild open moorland and timeless lakes

• Meet at Arnolds 9am , return approx 1pm
• 2km, 200m ascent, 2hr walk, free, car share

Traditional Music Session Night
9pm, Oyster, Mollys, Patsy Dans and Arnolds, Free



Sunday 2 October

Mcswyne’s gun
Beautiful rugged walk with breathtaking geological features

• Meet at Arnolds 10am, return approx 2pm
• 10km, 200m ascent, 4hrs, free, no transport required.

Tramore beach
Seclude and Stunning discover the one of Irelands hidden gems

• Meet at Arnolds 10am, return approx 12am
• 2hr ,50m ascent, free, no transport required

Magnificent Mollys Bbq
The biggest challenge of the weekend, can you finish all this fine food….

• Meet Mollys bar 1pm
• Open to walkers and non walkers all welcome

A wee Mention

I know terrible photo but just thought I'd mention our wee snip it in the Air Lingus in flight magazine.  So if you are jetting off anywhere this month check out the featured articles on Dunfanaghy.

The Big Ramble Poster

Join us for The Big Ramble a wonderful weekend this October in the beautiful village of Dunfanaghy. Discover the stunning views and scenery Donegal has to offer.  Full of breath taking walks that won't leave you breath less with a mixture of coastal and mountain walks.

The Big Ramble, 1st -2nd October, Dunfanaghy.

A View From Muchish

A breathtaking from the top of Muckish mountain from yesterday.