Ride Overview
Connemara – rugged landscape, quaint fishing villages and long, deserted beaches. A dream destination with exceptional horses!
Far away from any touristy areas, you enjoy the spectacular views of Connemara only seen from the saddle. Your home bred Connemara steed, bred for their extra height, kind temperament, sure-footedness and energetic personalities are a perfect match for a fun week. For taller riders, Irish Draught Horses are also available.
Other inclusions on the week take you to local places of historic interest such as Kylemore Abbey and Brigit’s Garden, to name two.
Accommodation are in the well appointed farm guesthouse as well as a luxury manor hotel, known for its quality of service and comfort as well as award winning cuisine.
Dates: The season runs from May through mid September. May 4-10, Ma 11-17, May 18-24, May 25-31, June 1-7, June 8-14, June 15-21, June 22-28, June 29-July 5***, July 6-12, July 13-19, July 20-26***, July 27-Aug.2, Aug. 3-9, Aug. 10-16***, Aug. 17-23, Aug. 24-30, Aug. 31-Sept. 6, Sept. 7-13, Sept. 14-20, Sept. 21-27, Sept. 28-Oct. 4
Rates: $4,440.00 USD or 3,350€ per person (Single Supplement: $595.00 USD or 475€)
***Special weeks: Women Only (June 29-July 5 and July 20-26), Royal Dublin Horse Show (Aug. 10-16)
Special week rate: $4,940 USD or 3,950€ per person (Single Supplement: $640.00 USD or 510€)
Included
- 7 days including riding and cultural site visits
- Professional Guides
- 3 nights accommodation in luxurious farm house
- 3 nights accommodation in The Station House Hotel
- All meals
- Transfer to/from set pickup point in Galway
- Entrance and guided tour fees to all cultural sites
- Luggage transportation between accommodations
- All local taxes
Not Included
- Airfare
- Transfer to/from airport
- Travel Insurance
- Alcoholic beverages
- Gratuities (for wait staff at restaurants, tour guides and the team)
- Laundry services
Day 1
You will be collected at the tourist office in Galway city to travel to Moycullen, at the gateway to Connemara and then on to Curra Farm, the breeding ground of our Connemara Pony herd.
Before your riding adventure begins you'll have an opportunity to settle in, relax in your room, refresh in the bath or take a walk around the farm.
Once you’ve settled in we will have a quick familiarization with our tack and the English style of riding before being paired up with the Connemara Pony that will be your partner for your holiday. After an initial assessment in the outdoor arena, you will be ready to set off for a short trail ride around the farm before our chef cooks a traditional Irish meal in the comfort of your home away from home. Relax on out boat shaped deck or have a glass of bubbly in our outdoor hot tub.
Day 2
Today our ride takes us on a quiet country road from the farm house to a local forest that can only be described as a scene from a Harry Potter movie. As we weave our way through the narrow passages in the trees we pass through the remains of a famine village deserted in the late 1800’s. Continuing on to a sand track we have an opportunity to up the pace for a while. We will pass the remains of Moycullen Castle and learn more about the local history and culture before returning to the enchanting woods where we stop for a picnic. After returning to the farm and grooming the ponies down after the long ride, you will have a chance to refresh yourself before we visit the home of Connemara Marble and onwards for a tour of Aughnanure Castle. This evening, we will light up the BBQ and enjoy a relaxing evening on the boat shaped deck in the garden with wonderful views of Lough Corrib.
Day 3
Today, now that your pony/rider relationship has developed, you will have a chance to improve your English riding skills in the arena with one of our expert instructors. We practice our dressage skills and the grand finale will be our musical group ride. You choose the music and you will be surprised at how synchronized the ride will look when we play it back later on the TV. After lunch we travel to Bridgits Garden for a tour and time to relax in the cleverly landscaped representation of the four Celtic seasons of the year. Tonight we dine out in one of our local award winning restaurants to sample Irish style gourmet dining at its best.
Day 4
Day 4
Today we pack our bags, horses and tack for the onward transfer to our second accommodation, the wonderful Renvyle House Hotel & Resort. En-route, we visit the hidden treasure of Glengowla Silver Mines where we descend over 120ft in into the mine shaft to witness the hardship of the mining industry that many locals endured to survive centuries ago. The owner Keith will take you on a tour of the onsite “Klondike” film set before he gives us a working sheepdog and turf cutting demonstration.
After check-in at the 4 Star Renvyle House Hotel & Resort, your ponies will be ready for a ride around the 150 acre hotel property, taking in the spectacular views while soaking up the fresh Wild Atlantic Way air. This will work up your appetite for the 5 course meal ahead, to be prepared by Renvyle’s award winning chef's.
Day 5
After being spoilt by choice with the extensive “cooked to order” breakfast menu, we travel though the Quaker village of Letterfrack, the home of Connemara National Park, to the grounds of the wonderful Kylemore Abbey. We normally allow 3 hours for this tour, taking in the abbey itself, the spectacular gothic church (modelled on some of Europe’s biggest cathedrals) and the wonderful walled gardens. Our ride today takes us around the Renvyle Peninsula. More spectacular scenery and history talks along the way allow us to envisage the life and traditions of the generations gone before us. Later, at the hotel, take a dip in the ocean, the outdoor heated swimming pool or Canadian Hot Tub, of simply relax with one of the many books in the hotel library before dinner.
Day 6
Today we will load up the horses for our trip though Clifden town where you will have an opportunity to stop and stroll around the town and maybe visit some the Connemara Pony Museum and some of the gift shops and art galleries before our ride at the wonderful Omey Island. En route, we stop off at the home of DK Connemara Oysters for a guided tour of the oyster farm and sample the unique taste of the Connemara oyster.
Omey is a tidal island situated near Claddaghduff on the western edge of Connemara. From the mainland, the island is inconspicuous and almost hidden. At low tide, it is possible to ride, drive or walk across the large sandy strand to the island by following the arrowed signs. Again, the pace will be your choosing and if you dare, you can even swim with your horse before we stop off at the local pub with spectacular views of the island for a chowder or fresh crabmeat salad to name but a few choices from the menu. Dinner that evening will be served at the hotel.
Day 7
Today, after a hearty breakfast you will say farewell to the ponies and horses and your private coach will take you from Renvyle House back to the Tourist Office in Galway City for your onward journey.
For your return, you either need to find a flight that leaves late in the afternoon the last day of the trip or fly out the next day. We drive from Renvyle to Galway and will arrive in Galway around 1pm. Of course you might also want to go on and explore more of Ireland before returning home!
Itinerary Disclaimer
Connemara Equestrian Escapes and our local partners intend to adhere to the described itinerary and this is only a general guide to follow on your tour of the region. CEE itineraries are subject to change, as we cannot predict the weather or other environmental conditions. We are continually striving to make improvements to all our trips based on feedback from CEE guests, guides, partners, and other research.
CEE reserves the right to alter itineraries based on this feedback at anytime.
Lois G.
I just wanted to let you know that the trip went well. Cait is truly “super woman” and she goes all out to make things interesting and fun. There was too much road riding the first 2 days, but after that the horses were trailered to other locations with nice riding and beautiful scenery. The beach/Omey Island ride was especially a treat for me.
I loved Ireland, and the Irish people are very friendly and helpful. Beautiful country, beautiful people. The food was awesome and plentiful.
Cait surprised us with some things that were very special, like individual photos, showing up with wine, water, cheese, and other food during one of our breaks, etc. Too many nice things to list them all.
Cait’s horses are beautiful and well cared for. Her tack is high quality and in very safe condition. All in all we had a wonderful time.
Donna B.
How can I put into words the experience you helped afford us last week in Ireland. When I think and am asked about the trip I can’t help but get emotional. It truly was one of the best weeks of my life. And I know I can include Sam, Katie and Nicki in my sentiment when I say ” we had the BEST of the BEST time ever”.
It is so hard to put into words the feeling(s) you get when you are enveloped in such truly magical adventure. Every day we thought “We are dreaming”. It was a childhood dream come true for me. Cait took such good care of us with her kind, generous and most caring safe way one could. We are blest to have her in our lives now.
A bond has been created with Cait and the land of Ireland with it’s splendor of the landscape, cohesiveness of everything and everyone. To ride her “ponies”, which are gentle, sure footed, beautiful, trust worthy and sensitive, you can’t help but feel the confidence you can when you are riding and one with them.
With the most appreciative regard, thank you.
Laura D.
I have been meaning to write to you for several days but trying to pick photos to properly illustrate what a dream week we had is near to impossible.
Cait and her guides could not have been nicer, we fell in love with her home, her ponies and her dogs, and we are still in withdrawal from the experience. I would love to take my daughter and husband back next year so I will talk to you soon to arrange everything!
Thank you for planning this wonderful life-changing trip for Erica and I!!
With gratitude,
Erica D.
This was a dream trip and I am still gushing when people ask how my trip was. Cait and her staff were not only competent and caring they were so much fun to be around.
Cait’s home is so amazing I never wanted to leave. The trip was also made more wonderful by the clear love Cait has for all of the creatures under her care. We wouldn’t have been able to enjoy ourselves if we were worried at all about the conditions for the horses, and there was no doubt they were all well loved.
Thank you for arranging it all. I can’t wait to do it again!