The Irish are long known for their expertise and knowledge of all things “horse”. This trip offers you one of the longtime favorite trail rides in Ireland, featuring a wide variety of Irish landscape and the best variety to be found.
Nestled in the foothills of the Slieve Aughty Mountains, your wonderful Irish Sport Horse or Cob will take you on a fun and adventurous ride through the quintessential parts of Ireland. Your first few days will explore some of the dense forest land and lochs of western Ireland, including views of Holy Island. As you continue through the sheep spotted farmland, neatly parceled out with low stone walls, you’ll have the chance to see ancient Celtic tombs called dolmans as well as ancient Celtic ring forts.
Passing through charming Irish villages, you will be introduced to wonderful Irish jigs as well as the chance to enjoy a rest and a pint of your preference. Your ride culminates at the majestic Cliffs of Moher on the west coast. Truly a marvel, it is breathtaking to stand at the top of the cliffs, looking back toward America, and watch the waves breaking 600 ft. below you as the sun dips beyond the horizon.
*** We offer 3 versions of this ride: 7 night, 5 night, and a stationary ride.
7 Night Inn to Inn Version:
Dates: April 7 through September 29 (Saturday to Saturday) – all departures are 7 nights
High Season Rate: $1,595.00 USD (Single Supplement: $195.00 USD) – June, July, August
Regular Season Rate: $1,495.00 USD (Single Supplement: $195.00 USD) – April, May, September, October
Non-Rider: $850.00 USD
5 Night Inn to Inn Version:
Dates: April 7 through September 29 (Saturday to Thursday) – all departures are 5 nights
Rate: $1,150.00 USD (Single Supplement: $155.00 USD)
Daily Riding:
Dates: April 7 through September 29
Rate: $195.00 USD
Stationary Ride Version:
Dates: mid January to mid December
Rate: $1,275.00 USD (Single Supplement: $175.00 USD)
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Testimonials:
This trip was GREAT! It was exactly what I was looking for: a wonderful combination of exciting riding and peaceful relaxation. The terrain was varied and interesting. One day we rode up a mountain and then rode through a bog on top of the mountain, which was cool (it was strange to see such deep water that high). By far the most fun day was when we rode through the lake. I’d never experienced anything quite like that and it’s something I definitely won’t forget!
The people were great as well, real icing on the cake! Our fellow guests were so nice and fascinating to talk to and our guides and hosts were welcoming and accommodating. Thank you so much for all of your help organizing. I think I’ve now been bitten by the international riding trip bug, so will definitely be contacting you to arrange more trips in the future!
Thanks again,
- Brooke Barta
Nicola and Bertie are exceptional hosts! Their many years of experience provide a seamless schedule that affords you the opportunity to truly relax and enjoy their OUTSTANDING horses and beautiful countryside. We were amazed at the immaculately clean (and wonderfully comfy) tack and daily blacksmith visits. They look after their horses with as much care as their guests and that makes for happy horses, thus happy riders. Nicola and Bertie’s hand-picked guides were a delight, catering to any need we had on the trail and always putting our safety first. I wish I could have brought my sweet mount Colleen home with me. I already miss her sweet eye and wonderfully smooth ride! The delicious food, comfortable accommodations, amazing rides and overall experience were an exceptional value for the price we paid for the trip. Thanks Stacey, Nicola and Bertie for a wonderfully fun and safe riding vacation.
- Holly Gauthier
You were right, the trip was AMAZING! Everything was perfectly coordinated. The accommodations were stellar & the renovated farmhouse is just so adorable. I also can’t say enough about the food @ the farmhouse, as all the meals were gourmet caliber & extremely fresh! Nicola did a great job pairing me with my horse & I had a great time as Coleen cantered through the pine tree forests, the turf fields, the lake & of course along the Atlantic! Each day was a perfect mix of scenery, history, walk, trot & canter. It was definitely a trip of a lifetime!
Will definitely recommend to all my friends!
Thanks so much for all your help planning this trip,
- Melissa Gersin
This was an awesome, well-organized program! I would give it top ratings! The only thing I might recommend is a side trip to one of the castles. I took a day off riding and used the public transportation system to the Bunratty Castle and it was well worth the trip. Thanks for all of your help and I look forward to traveling again next year.
- Karen Norton
We had a great time in Ireland – beautiful scenery – great hospitality (Bertie and Nicola were very gracious hosts), great food – both Heather and I loved our horses (Jasper and Nina). There were 11 of us in total but we rode in two smaller groups, one slightly ahead of the other – great mixed of different ages and nationalities – German/Swedish/French/American/Canadian – we really had some good laughs. The day we crossed the lake was hot and sunny – that was a blast!!. A most memorable vacation in every way – we’re already thinking about where we can ride next.
Thank you again!
Glenda Wansborough
Thank you for all of your help with this trip! It was amazing. The company was great – there were 3 riders from Canada, 3 from the US, 3 from Germany and 2 from Sweden. My friend, Glenda and I hit it off with the US ladies.
The pace was quite surprising! On the Sunday when we went for our first trot – it was a total forward trot – really fast. I was in shock! I figured it out and then the guide said, “Are we ready to do the canter?” The horses speak amazing English! By the time that the guide starts to say ‘tr…” or “cant…” they were gone! So for the first “canter” (gallop!) – I lost a stirrup, but luckily, I was able to pull my guy back to a trot to get myself under control again. Thank goodness, I thought it was funny.
We ended up in hysterics at dinner on the Sunday night with the US girls, talking about the “canter”! We were joking saying that we could save time tacking up in the am as we didn’t need bridles – the horses spoke English so well.
I was totally amazed at how Bertie and Nicola managed the logistics. We had 11 riders plus guides and every morning went smoothly. The food was great, the accommodations were comfortable and the horses were charming. Once you got used to the pace, it was great.
We are actually talking about doing another riding vacation with our new US friends. We were thinking, Scotland, Spain or Italy. What would you suggest? I don’t know how we would top this trip. The countryside was also amazing – as well as the weather – it was 18-21 every day and it only rained twice lightly. We actually got sun burned – in Ireland!!
Thank you for your help in booking a wonderful trip. Happy to be a reference!
- Heather Miranda
What can I tell you – the trip was almost perfect (not too perfect as I lost my phone on the return trip) but minor detail. Nicola and Bertie and their team was great. Food was excellent, they were very accommodating with food. The horses were great! I loved the mare I was riding. Our guides were great and only one day of rain, but other than that, it was a fabulous trip.
I hope to do this again somewhere else in due time! Thanks again!
- Gaby Carson
This was an experience of a lifetime and sharing the experience with my daughter, granddaughter and friends made it even better.
We loved the restored old home that was converted into a rustic and comfortable inn. The grounds were lovingly enhanced with beautiful flowers and landscaping features. Our rooms were comfortable and pleasant. Our hosts were gracious and willing to spend time with us with lots of stories. The staff was friendly and accommodating. The meals were always very good. My daughter has a gluten allergy and they always offered her gluten-free options. Then even made gluten-free bread especially for her that tasted like “real’ wheat bread – this is a very difficult feat.
Clearly they love their horses and have made great effort to ensure the comfort and health of their animals. The pairing the horse and riders was done appropriately. The route planned for us was varied with interesting vistas and experiences. Each day of riding was an all-encompassing environment of history lessons, fun with your horse, new sights and sounds – love the dialects.
I enjoyed the lead rider who told us stories about the area through which we were riding, kept us safe and made us laugh. The end rider was also delightful and concerned with our safety.
I enjoyed the two villages in which we had rooms the last three days. This allowed us to know a little of the village life. Again the accommodations were very comfortable. The old hotel where we stayed for the last two nights had a faded glory about it, including the large and luxurious bathroom, and the staff was very professional. This hotel was a window into an earlier time when our simple horse-riding crew would have been insufficiently important to be guests. So I felt this sense of history with the touch of luxury.
Though I have covered many facets of the trip, I must stress that the horse-back riding was the highlight.
Regards,
Sharon Gentry
The ride was wonderful – after seeing similar areas of Ireland from a car in 2008, nothing compares to the up-close of riding through that beautiful landscape. The horses were incredible – extremely well cared for, with excellent manners, sensitive to the leg, and sound minds and bodies! I’m proud to say I did my first gallops on an Irish Cob! At the same time – safety was number-one and our guides were always checking our girths, giving us fair warning of an upcoming faster gait, etc! Bertie and Nicola have the logistics of that trip down to a science, and there the food at their place was incredible too! In short – loved it!
Thanks for everything, Stacey – it was a blast!
- Adrienne Jones