Horseback Riding in Ireland
ATLANTIC COAST TRAIL
(Formerly MARKREE CASTLE TRAIL) |
This ride takes place in the part of Ireland immortalized by the poet, W.B. Yates. It is a fine opportunity to fulfill your dreams by riding in mountains, valleys, pine forests and on the beaches of this romantic island. Visits to historical sites and places of interest are also included. You stay in a modern hotel in the heart of the lively old town of Sligo. An upgrade to one night at Markree Castle is available.
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| Itinerary |
| Day 1: | Riders are collected in Sligo and are driven to their accommodations. |
| Day 2: | After taking a leisurely Irish breakfast, riders are taken to the riding center and are introduced to the horses in the large indoor arena. There is a short "get acquainted" ride through the surrounding pastures. After a light lunch, continue with a two-hour ride through Rathcarrick woods and onto Gibraltar Strand to enjoy the first canter along the Atlantic shores. Return to accommodations for dinner.
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| Day 3: | From Carrowmore ride to the top of Knocknarea Mountain to the grave of the legendary queen Meave of the Connaught Region. On a clear day there are breathtaking views of counties Sligo and Donegal. Then follow the mountain path to Strandhill beach, one of Ireland's best surfing beaches.
After lunch in Strandhill, a seaside surfing village, enjoy an exhilarating beach ride to Coney Island, a small island in Sligo Bay. Return to Carrowmore to stable the horses. After dinner enjoy a Guinness in one of the oldest traditional pubs in Sligo.
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| Day 4: | Before riding this morning take an escorted tour through Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetary, ca 4000 B.C.
Have a large breakfast this morning as we won’t stop for lunch today. Ride from Carrowmore through Union forest, a large pine forest and along forest paths into Markree estate. Explore the castle grounds on horseback and ride to the stables where the horses will spend the night. Riders return to their accommodations for dinner.
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| Day 5: | Today is a chance to relax and to visit all the places of interest and historical significance of this ancient corner of Ireland, including a visit to Parkes castle, a 14th century castle restored by the Irish government as well as a crystal factory. There is also time to see the beautiful town of Sligo and do some shopping.
In the afternoon enjoy the famous Celtic seaweed baths in Strandhill. After dinner, visit a local Irish pub if you have energy left.
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| Day 6: | Today the riding takes us up Ballygawley mountain traversing old bog roads once used to bring turf down from the mountain. Pass Lough Lumman, a bottomless lake and you might even see deer grazing in the area. Enjoy a picnic lunch before riding through Ballygawley forest and back to Carrowmore where the horses will stay. |
| Day 7: | The final day’s riding is spent mostly on beaches, ride around the Knocknarea Peninsula from Kelly’s town to Culleenamore beach, cantering along the beaches of Cartys Strand and Strandhill and across the sand dunes at Strandhill. The horses remain in Carrowmore and riders enjoy dinner at a popular Sligo restaurant.
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| Day 8: | After breakfast the riders are driven back to Sligo or Dublin Airport for the return flight home. |
| 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 5 days riding. |
| Riding Ability | Strong Intermediate Intermediate |
| Group Size | Minimum-4 Maximum-10 |
| Riding Per Day | 4-6 hours |
| Pace | moderate |
| Tack | English |
| Horses | Irish Hunters, Connemaras |
| Weight Limit | 220 lbs |
| 2009 Dates | Sunday to Sunday, weekly March 30 - Oct 12, *high season June 28 - Aug 29 |
| 2009 Price | Hotel Price: $1,480; high season *$1,630
Upgrade to 1 night Markree Castle : $180
does not include dinners and all but 2 lunches
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| Single Supplement | $ 135 |
| Transfers | includes transfers from the Sligo airport, bus or train station |
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