Your Itinerary:
Day 1: You will arrive at the Shannon airport where you will be picked up and taken to the our riding center in tranquil County Clare. Relax in the afternoon and meet your fellow riders and your trusted Irish mount! Don’t forget to sneak a carrot or two from your lunch plate. In the evening, warm yourself by a traditional peat fire and be regaled by some of your hosts many fantastic riding tales (some of them might even be true)! Your dinner this evening will be home-cooked and hearty!
Day 2: Awake this morning to the lovely Irish sky and all the sausage, soda bread, porridge and tea you can eat! Take your fill, you’re headed out for a 2 and a ½ ride through the lush Irish countryside. Head to the barn, tack up and head out! After your ride, head to the barn for a leisurely afternoon lunch. You’ve got the rest of the afternoon to read a book, write some poetry, chat with your new friends and go exploring. Be back by the dinner bell, you don’t want to miss your dinner this evening – it’ll be by candlelight!
Day 3: You’re off to the famous horse fair and festival in Ballinasloe today! Spend the entire day immersed in a literal sea of horses – and they’re all for sale! Though, be forewarned that the sales are usually closed on a “spit-in-the-hand” shake (might want to bring along the Purel)! It’s a pleasure to say, you’re on your own for lunch – the specialty food vendors are a must! Enjoy the sights, the sounds, the smells of this 100% pure Irish event, all horses – everywhere! Drive back to the riding center in the late afternoon for dinner.
Day 4: Haven’t tried the scones yet? Well, there’s time! Start your day off right with a complete Irish breakfast. It’s off to the stables again, this time enjoy a 2 and ½ hour ride in the rural Slieve Aughty Mountains with scenic views of the river Shannon. The surrounding forest area is quite peaceful, you’ll also pass through some rural farm areas, thoughtfully placed between bog lands and fields of heather. Ride back to the riding center for lunch. Then, if the weather permits, take a boat ride to Holy Island to visit the ruins of one of Ireland’s most important monastic settlement. Dinner tonight will be in the comfy atmosphere of the riding center.
Day 5: Yeah, full Irish breakfast! Head out for your final (sob) day of riding. It’s boggy lands today, totally different scenery awaits you on this 1 and 1/2 hour ride across an absolutely magical landscape of bog and heather. Return to the riding center for lunch. Afterwards, you’ll be driven to Birr Castle. Birr Castle is the private family home of the Parsons family. The castle grounds have become world famous for their exotic tree and plant collections, rivers and lake, formal gardens, terraces and wildflower meadows. The Gardens extend across 120 acres of a 17th century Park, with an outstanding collection of 4,000 species of rare trees and shrubs including the tallest Box Hedges in the world. In the center of the Park is The Great Telescope, built in 1845; the largest in the world for over 70 years. After checking out the grounds, get in some shopping time (that is, of course, if you didn’t already buy 5 or 6 horses at the fair). Drive back to An Sibin for dinner.
Day 6: Full Irish breakfast, sneak the leftovers into your backpack for the plane! Sadly, it’s time to say a final “slan abhaile” to your Irish mount. You’ll be transferred back to Shannon airport/rent a car. “May the road rise up to meet you, and may the wind be always at your back!”
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price per-person sharing is $1,650; single supplement is $160.
Price Includes:
- 5 nights accommodation
- Most meals
- Attendance at the Ballinasloe Horse Fair
- Transfers during the ride
- 3 days of riding
- Horse
- Tack
- Tax.
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
Ireland
Horse Riding
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