Horseback Riding in Ireland
BEACHES, DUNES AND TRAILS |
An unguided ride for experienced and resourceful horse people who are prepared to take all responsibility for themselves and their mounts for a week. One stays in a different local farmhouse or bed and breakfast each night, where the horses overnight as well. Maps are provided and the routes are marked, but it can still take skill to find the right trail. The route takes in a variety of the beautiful country around Donegal. There are woods and hills, beaches and dunes, farmland and peat bogs as well as quaint villages with their pubs and shops. It is a wonderful opportunity to discover Ireland on your own.
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| Itinerary |
| Day 1: | Arrive in Sligo around midday. Receive the saddlebags, maps, tidal chart, horse-care gear and list of overnight stops. Have a trial ride along the laneways near the farm, to Trawalud Strand and Dunes and return to the farm. Overnight at a nearby guesthouse.
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| Day 2: | After breakfast, receive instructions on tacking up and guidelines for the next 6 days. You and your horse will then be transported to Belleek to begin your first day's trail. This takes you along the shores of Assaroe Lake and then through the forests of the Knader Wood to Cavangarden House, a beautiful country mansion set in its own 1,000 acres. Riding time 4-5 hours. You will be by-passing Ballyshannon - the oldest town in Ireland, created in 1613. Why not pay a visit in the evening and have a drink at Dorrian's Thatched Pub.
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| Day 3: | From Cavangarden House you will ride through the farm to a quiet country road, which brings you to the famous surfing beach of Rossnowlagh where miles of beach and dunes stretch ahead of you. Rossnowlagh is the home of a beautiful Franciscan Friary which has a small museum housing stone age flints and old lrish musical instruments. Take a break at the Smugglers Creek. Follow a small country road to a modern guesthouse. Approx. 4 hours riding.
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| Day 4: | Return to Murvagh - you will have the Golf Club in sight as weIl as a magnificent view to Slieve League and the Bluestack Mountains. Across the bay you can see many islands, lnishpat and Rooney's Island are directly in front of you. Keep to the shoreline, and leave the sea at St. Ernan's Island. Follow a small country lane riding all the time in the direction of Oughternid. Enjoy the magnificent views with Barnesmore on your left and spreads of blanket bog formed up to 7,000 years ago on your right. After approx. 5-6 hours arrive at Moorlands Guesthouse. Rosie and Walter also have a Health Centre –
a massage from Rosie could do wonders for those aching muscles.
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| Day 5: | A rest day can be arranged should you wish to visit the historical Donegal Town with its castle dating back to the 15th century and the ruins of Donegal Abby built in 1474. There are also great shopping opportunities. For some of you wishing to ride you can take a leisurely ride on nearby forest trails.
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| Day 6: | Departing the Moorlands, follow forest tracks to the shores of Lough Derg, Ireland's most famous Pilgrimage site; St. Patrick's Purgatory on Saint's Island - thousands of people travel here every summer for three days of prayer, penance and fasting. Overnight at a farmhouse near Pettigo. Approx. 4-5 hours riding.
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| Day 7: | Leaving Pettigo follow a small track which brings you back to the shores of Lough Derg, this time on the northeast shore. On leaving Lough Derg you follow a series of small forest tracks, riding along the Mullafa Mountain and Meenbog Hill, enjoying the peace and the comfort of wildlife. Arrive to a warm welcome from Helena and Joe at Ardmourne
Guesthouse.
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| Day 8: | After breakfast, riders and horses are collected and returned to the farm. For guests who need to depart early, they can do so directly from the guesthouse and may have their luggage brought to this point by prior arrangement.
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| THIS ITINERARY IS FLEXIBLE. CHANGES MAY OCCUR DUE TO WEATHER OR OTHER UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES. |
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| Pricing and Dates |
| Meeting Point | Sligo |
| Length of Ride | 8 days, 7 nights and 6 days riding. |
| Riding Ability | Strong Intermediate Intermediate |
| Group Size | Minimum-2 Maximum-6 |
| Riding Per Day | 4-6 hours |
| Pace | moderate |
| Tack | English |
| Horses | Irish Hunter, Connemara |
| Weight Limit | 200 lbs |
| 2008 Dates | any Thursday, Friday, Saturday or Sunday, 24 April - 03 Nov
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| 2008 Price | Low season: $ 1,260
High season (July 5 - Aug 23): $ 1,530
Price does not include lunches or dinners. |
| Additional Information | Transfers from and to Sligo included in the price of the ride.
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