For hundreds of years, Kinnitty Castle has stood in the foot hills of the Slieve Bloom Mountains as one of the three fortresses guarding the lands of the powerful O'Carroll family. Now, Kinnitty Castle is one of the best appointed hotels and equestrian centers in Ireland.
Kinnitty Castle has all the luxuries of modern life within a mansion of historical and architectural importance. Each bedroom is large with its own bathroom and views of either the great lawn or Kinnitty Forest. There is a modern health club and tennis courts on the premises, along with a beautiful dining room and two very comfortable pubs.
Each day you will mount your horse and venture out into the vast 60,000 acre preserve called Kinnitty Forest. The forest is filled with deer, pheasants, badgers, song birds and foxes. You will ride through heavily forested areas, wide open meadows and across streams. Kinnitty Forest consists mostly of pines and hard woods with many interesting trails cut through the lush vegetation. Riders will find trails wide enough for brisk and exciting gallops. A slower pace will reveal the natural beauty of the ancient forest. This is Ireland much as it was a thousand years ago. As you travel along the Shannon River you can imagine what it was like in Ireland during the Middle Ages.
You may also travel to the fascinating Leap Castle, "the most haunted castle in Ireland" and may even hear the famous owner play his tin whistle. You may also travel to the ruins of Saint Kierans Abbey which dates back to the year 839.
After horseback riding, it is back to Kinnitty Castle for a hot bath or shower, a refreshing drink in the warm and cozy library, a delicious meal in the dining room and perhaps a stroll around the grounds. Entertainment is frequently provided by traditional Irish musicians who sing songs of brave deeds and lost loves.
For the non-rider, there is golf at nearby courses, shooting, fishing, tennis, shopping and sightseeing.
Arrive any day of the week you wish. On your day of arrival, you will settle in to your room and explore the castle and grounds, dinner at the castle. Please note that Wednesday is a non-riding day and clients have the option to go to the National Stud.
The following trails are based from Kinnitty Castle. You will be able to ride all or some of the trails depending on how long you stay, weather and terrain conditions. The order of the trails may change.
Log Cabin Trail
This first day, your guide will be discussing your riding preferences and ability to make the best riding program for you for the week. After riding through the Slieve Bloom Mountain trails and streams you find yourself at a quaint Log Cabin on a rushing stream. This is a tranquil spot where a picnic lunch will be served and the horses will rest and have a drink. After lunch, you will remount and be guided through the green groves to see why they call Ireland the Emerald Isle; green fields, green valleys.
Moneyguyneen Trail
After a hearty Irish breakfast, you set off from the stable and head over the rolling hills, where there is plenty of opportunity to canter on the forest tracks. After a few hours of varied countryside, you will find yourself at Moneyguyneen Country House. This 18th century house is still part of the Castle estate. You will ride through the farm out onto the old Coach road passing Knockbarron, a sixth century monastic site associated with St. Brendan the Navigator. As the ride continues, you will pass ruins dating back to 1204.
Leap Castle Trail
Riders leave from Kinnitty forest and ride until they reach Glenefelly Valley. Along the way they will pass many old cottages whose inhabitants used to work in the castle 200 years ago. Riders continue along the Little Brosna River whose spectacular views of several valleys around the Slieve Bloom Mountains have been written about for centuries. The trails offer plenty of opportunities for canters and gallops. Riders will then be transported to Leap Castle, the most haunted castle in Ireland. It is well known that Leap Castle has at least 50 ghosts. Riders will be greeted by Sean Ryan, proprietor, of Leap Castle. Sean will explain the long and eerie history of the castle and it’s chapel room. After the tour, Sean, a renowned Tin Whistle Player, is always happy to entertain guests with some well known tunes, and more stories about the history of the Castle.
Birr Castle Trail
The ride for today is a brisk one with plenty of opportunities for canters and banks on this ride through Glen O Regan, crossing streams and climbing steep slopes to the site of the ancient limekiln. Thrills and spectacular views are the order of the day. After lunch, you will visit the spectacular Birr castle and its incredible gardens. You will be able to walk or if available, take a carriage drive through the grounds of this historic site. It is here that great astronomical discoveries were made.
Poet's Trail To Cadamstown
Leaving from the castle riders head into the Slieve Bloom Mountains and pass by the ruins of Glynsk Castle, another one of the O’Carroll castles which has a commanding view along the Old Munster Road. As you continue on you wander through forests and across streams until you finally arrive on the land of Silver Springs, where the Silver River rises. When lunch is completed and the horses are rested you move toward the villages of Cadamstown, passing the ruins of Letter Lugna Abbey, which was founded in the 6th century. Coming off the mountain to the village, one can recall all of the day's events before meeting with local historian Paddy Heaney and his well cared for Riverbanks.
Breed of horses: Irish Draugh, Connemara/lrish Cob. Flat and jumping lessons also available.
Bicycles are also available for rent from Kinnitty Castle.
Note: Wednesday offers an optional visit to the Irish National Stud Farm and a local tack shop, not included in price.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
7 night program: $2,495 per person, sharing; $580 single supplement.
Price Includes:
- 7 nights castle accommodation
- 5 days guided trail riding
- Breakfast each day
- Lunch on the trail
- Horse
- Tack
- Guide
- Tax.
4 night program: $1,655 per person, sharing; $330 single supplement.
Price Includes:
- 4 nights castle accommodation
- 3 days guided trail riding
- Breakfast each day
- Lunch on the trail
- Horse
- Tack
- Guide
- Tax.
Price Excludes:
- Transfers.
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
Ireland
Horse Riding
Cultural Journey
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