Away to Me Sheepdog Trial Demonstrations
Away to Me Sheepdog Trial Demonstrations
Away to Me Sheepdog Trial Demonstrations
5
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We offer authentic sheepdog demonstrations with our very friendly clan of border collies. Enjoy unique insight into the history and heritage of the area, in the company of these hilltop heroes.
Duration: < 1 hour
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- Tina BAurora, Colorado3 contributionsIncredible experience... one of our highlights!Am amazing experience! FJ and his dogs were an absolute joy to watch. They way they worked together and handled the sheep was incredible. The love and connection between FJ and all his dogs was beautiful to see. Plus, FJ shared wonderful stories about the area, some history, the Irish (Gaelic) language and his family. Very entertaining and funny! Definitely one of the highlights of our trip to Ireland. And there is a beautiful secluded beach very near that FJ told us about.Visited July 2023Travelled with familyWritten 9 April 2024
- Alyssa S6 contributionsAn absolute MUST SEE when in the area!!!What an unbelievable experience it was. FJ and his family (dogs) put on an amazing performance. FJ gave us an awesome backstory about his family, the dogs, their land, and the community prior to the demonstration, and left us in awe. Even more so, they showed us that they are more than man/trainer and dog. They left us truly believing that they are family and friends. He showed incredible love and affection to them as all dogs deserve. Everyone needs to go visit them! Also got to hold a lamb - unbelievably amazing experience!!!! If I could give them 100 stars I would.Visited July 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 4 July 2024
- Gary M1 contributionA Fun and Informative Visit.The demonstration TJ did today on our tour was outstanding. He also shares a lot of information about how special sheepdog are to the locals. If you come to the Donegal area you have to make time to see this demonstration. The farm has a very special view of the Atlantic and just tucked away enough to give you a feel for rural Ireland. Please make time for this sight.Visited July 2024Travelled with friendsWritten 7 July 2024
- Amy B10 contributionsHappy as Sásta the Sheepdog with this experience :DI'm a great lover of dogs, and this was top of my list of things to do while back over in Donegal. Very pleased we made the trip up to see these wonderful dogs in action. FJ was passionate and clear, and ensured we had the best experience learning about the work he does with his dogs, and the beautiful partnership they share. Very friendly family (as are the dogs, Terry gives the best kisses!) and it was an absolute joy to have spent this time with them, surrounded by the beautiful landscape of their home. He also had lots of advice for further things to see in the area. We were slightly late due to our previous plans running over time, but Francis was kind enough to wait for us to make sure we didn't miss anything. Highlight of the trip and we will be back :) Si & AmyVisited July 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 31 July 2024
- PasseportActon, Massachusetts83 contributionsSuch a unique slice of Irish rural life!This was one of the highlights of our entire trip. Francis' farm is in a beautiful location overlooking the sea and just meters away from one of the most striking beaches in Ireland. Getting to meet his Border Collies up close and learn how they work was so informative and fun. My teenager loved it more than anything. It was a welcome break for her after so many monuments and museums. Call ahead so that you can have a proper visit!Visited July 2024Travelled with familyWritten 31 July 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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5.0
58 reviews
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Eileen C
Dublin, Ireland4 contributions
Sept 2021 • Couples
This truly was a great find and would 100% recommend to anyone travelling to this part of Donegal ! Meghan and FJ are such genuine people and you can tell they really love what they do. You get meet all the dogs and learn about their personalities and their family history. You then get shown Nell in action with the sheep and learn all about how you train a sheepdog , how they learn and also about farming in this truly unique part of the world. The views are spectacular as well ! You then get to see some of the trainee dogs in action which is really interesting after seeing Nell the master at work ! We saw Lucy and Sweep while we there. FJ answered all our questions and you can tell from him that this truly is his passion. A wonderful way to pass an hour or so in this beautiful part of the country. A must do for tourists and locals alike !
Written 13 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Breeanna1994
Queensland, Australia13 contributions
Sept 2023 • Family
We visited Malin Beg as a family of 5 adults for a private demonstration booked last minute the night before. We met with farmer James who was friendly and thorough in explaining how he and his family train the working dogs. You can tell how passionate he is about his work and dogs, and the dogs show this in return. The weather was a bit wild that day (for us Aussies!) but we still had such a fantastic time watching Lucy and Sinead listen to James’ commands and round up the sheep. It was well worth the drive from our accommodation in Donegal, truly an amazing experience for us and we would 100% recommend to anyone considering visiting
Written 27 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michael O
Oxnard13 contributions
Jun 2022 • Couples
We visited Away To Me sheepdog demonstration as part of a cruise ship excursion not knowing what to expect. Even though we were in a large group of about 30, we felt up close and personal with William, his dogs Blue and Chip, and of course the sheep. In a beautiful setting, he demonstrated the hand, voice, and whistle techniques used to direct the border collies as they moved the sheep around the field. The dogs seemed to enjoy their work almost as much as we delighted in watching them dart through the field totally in control of the flock. The ride out to the farm was an added bonus. The country is simply indescribably spectacular!
Written 1 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kilkennykat Maire
United Kingdom4 contributions
May 2022
Took a group of visitors yesterday to see the magnificent collies at work with FJ.....what a wonderful time we had. FJ made the group feel so welcome and they were thrilled to look after Young Jack, the youngest collie who hasn't started his sheepdog training yet. Nell (14) and Sin E (3) were unbelievably good with the sheep.....a masterclass in herding. I wholeheartedly recommend a visit to the farm to see FJ and his fantastic dogs in action.
Written 28 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Annalisa A
Charlotte, NC37 contributions
Sept 2021
We completely loved our visit to Away To Me! My husband and I had a fantastic time meeting the dogs, learning about herding, and watching Nell the border collie in action - all for an unbeatable price. You can't meet nicer people than FJ and Meghan. FJ is a very engaging teacher and happily answered all of my many questions about sheep herding and farming in Ireland. An additional bonus for us was getting to hold a couple of tiny puppies and bottle feeding a pair of young sheep! And we can't forget to mention that Malin Beg and its surroundings are absolutely gorgeous. The demonstration exceeded our expectations and we would be excited to come again next time we're in the area.
Written 3 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jim D
Midland, United States15 contributions
Jun 2023 • Family
FJ and his sheepdogs gave an amazing demonstration of their herding skills. We were there on a rainy day in June with 19 family and friends and were all very impressed with his love of dogs and their love of him. Took his time to answer every persons questions, gave us time to love on his dogs and explain in detail his training techniques. The demonstration could not have been more enjoyable or informative.
Highly recommend for all ages. Our group has some serious dog lovers and they throughly loved every minute of the demonstration FJ is a very personable and kind man. Impossible not to like him
Highly recommend for all ages. Our group has some serious dog lovers and they throughly loved every minute of the demonstration FJ is a very personable and kind man. Impossible not to like him
Written 1 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MickMoore
Killorglin, Ireland51 contributions
Aug 2021 • Family
Learned so much and saw amazing dogs do amazing work with sheep. The passion on the shepards shine through in this fantastic demonstration they really love their dogs. Couldn't recommend it enough. They kept the interest of 6 children for over an hour which was amazing in itself.
Written 23 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Voyage04500454212
1 contribution
Sept 2023 • Friends
We spent a bit over a week in Ireland and Away To Me was my favorite thing from the whole trip! James was our host and did a wonderful job explaining the training process and demonstrating the skills of the dogs as they herded the sheep. It was incredible to see the rapport between him and the dogs as they worked together. I loved hearing his stories about life in rural Ireland, past and present, as well. In addition, the view from the farm to the cliff’s edge is absolutely beautiful and even includes a Napoleonic tower. It is well worth the trip! A taste of “real” Ireland after a diet of “tourist” Ireland that I will treasure as one of my favorite experiences!
Written 24 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mark W
1 contribution
May 2022
This was the highlight of our trip to Donegal! FJ gave us a very personable and informative session on how sheepdogs do their work and the effort it takes to develop their skills. All with great humor and personality (both from FJ and his dogs). The setting of his farm adjacent to Silver Strand Beach is nothing short of stunning. Don't miss this opportunity to experience Malinbeg and this unique experience. Wonderful.
Written 29 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Meaghan M
Wildwood, MO7 contributions
Jun 2022
Our family very much enjoyed our visit with Francis and his incredible dogs! This is a don't miss experience if you like dogs and are curious to learn more about sheepdogs. The setting is incredible and just down the street from Malin Beg. Francis couldn't be any nicer and the bond between he and the dogs is so obvious. The dogs are truly amazing. Watching them do what they love to do was an experience we won't forget.
Written 16 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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