Has anyone ever gone to Ireland on a vacation? I truly wish I was horse shopping but I’m looking for recommendations for a riding adventure while there. Specifically near Galway or Dublin.
2 Likes
I’ve been to Ireland several times! I’ve only ridden there once, but I had a great time in Westport, Co. Mayo (one county north of Galway–accessible by train and bus if you aren’t renting a car). I went with a barn called Carrowholly Stables for a two-hour trek, and it was lovely! We had a gorgeous day for it, and were able to gallop through Clew Bay at low tide, learn about Croagh Patrick (the mountain that overlooks the bay, from which St. Patrick ostensibly threw all of the snakes into the sea) and Grace O’Malley the pirate queen, and heard about other local history as we took in the incredible views. My horse’s name was Beauty, and she was a lovely Irish cob.
Other horse-related Irish excursions include a horse-drawn cart tour of Inis Oírr (one of the Aran Islands; tours there can be booked through Galway-based tour companies and usually include a trip to the Cliffs of Moher) and a trip to the Irish National Stud in Co. Kildare, where no riding was involved but we did get to learn the history of the Irish racing industry, meet the top-performing studs in Irish racing, and tour a lovely Japanese garden.
4 Likes
Castle Leslie does luxury riding holidays and teaches jumping, XC and dressage. My friend has been there several times. They’re 1.5 hrs from Dublin. Google their website. Tons of pics, prices and details.
2 Likes
There are plenty of websites available like these;
Yes! We stayed at Annaharvey Farm bnb. I got to ride 3 times a day. Lovely farm and an adorable bnb with great food. Located near Tullamore. Can’t recommend enough!
2 Likes
beowulf and I took a trip to Ireland in October 2023 with Ireland Equestrian Tours which is linked in an earlier post.
We rode at Castle Leslie in Co Monaghan which was incredible. Accommodations are luxurious, the property is stunning, and the horses are very well schooled. About 90 min drive from Dublin, so very do-able. It is in a cute little village but there isn’t much else to do around the estate, but lots of other activities on site besides horses.
Then we went to Westport on Co Mayo and rode with Go Trekking Westport. Westport was SO fun, and such a great little town. I loved it more than Dublin by far. We rode on a bunch of different beaches and on Crough Patrick. Westport is also driving distance to Galway, so we did a day trip to Cliffs of Moher and Galway after a morning ride, so lots of possibilities to see more of the country from that area.
If I were to go back I think I would want to spend more time in Kerry and Galway. I’ve been told the hunting in Galway is A+.
7 Likes
I’ve been on a few horse vacations in Ireland. The last trip my husband and I rode with Oliver Walsh at Flowerhill Equestrian and it was a lot of fun. Huge property with lots of XC and variety of horses. At home we’re only beginner novice but we were doing Novice-Training level with Oliver.
We usually go in the fall so we can participate in drag hunts. Flowerhill is one of the few remaining places where you can even join a drag hunt–unfortunately a lot of places have stopped b/c of exorbitant insurance fees.
In 2019 we stayed at Sleive Aughty and took lessons onsite then hired some of Oliver’s horses to join a drag hunt. In 2023 we booked through Ireland Equestrian Tours to ride with Oliver and they helped arrange our stay at a nearby B&B. If we go again–which I hope so at some point–I would just try to book direclty with Oliver to save the commission fees.
They’re closer to Galway so you can day trip to Cliffs of Moher (though I suggest making sure you drive back when there’s still some light–I probably aged 30 years on the drive back in the dark on windy, unmarked Irish country roads…).
I also know people who recently vacationed at Castle Leslie and had a great time, but I don’t think they do hunts.
1 Like
I was in Ireland last year with two non-riding friends. They both wanted to ride and we had a lovely beginner friendly ride at Castlefergus Stables, near Shannon. It might be worth giving them a call to see if they do more advanced rides. My two friends went on a walk, I got to w/t/c.
Flowerhill is great if you’re looking to bop around over some xc jumps - the horses are all well schooled and the facility is extensive. Oliver is definitely a character, verrry entertaining! I haven’t done a mock hunt there but have friends that have and it sounds like a good intro to it if you’re new to hunting.
If you’re feeling really brave reach out to the Galway Blazers and they can help sort you for a real hunt (you can just DM them on their Instagram I think) - they are super welcoming to visitors. Johnny Geoghegan has lovely hirelings. Be warned though, a good day there is very long, very fast, and the walls are big. I used Equilab on a hunt last year and the stats were something like 5 hours, 16 miles total with 6.5 miles of trot, 5.2 miles of galloping over jumps. If you are fit and brave I highly, highly recommend - it is about the most fun I have ever had on a horse!
My farm is in Galway (Connemara to be specific). I can highly recommend Connemara Equestrian Escapes linked above. Cáit takes excellent care of her clients and you’ll get to see a lot of the area as well as ride places you cannot otherwise (e.g., Ballynahinch Castle). This is if you want a week-long equestrian trip.
For a day trip in the area, I love the crew at https://www.thepointponytrekkingcentre.com/ for a day ride. If you get the weather, Ballyconneely beach is a sublime place for a ride. I take visitors here and everyone loves it. They cater for all levels.
5 Likes
Did you have to bring your own riding gear? This isn’t really a riding trip but I really want to make it a part of my time there.
I received so many great answers and have looked into a lot of the options, thank you everyone!
The one in Ballyconneely will set you up with boots, half chaps, helmet, etc. BYO gloves but that shouldn’t take up much packing space.
If you pack carefully, it is possible to have most of your riding kit with you. Short boots for both riding and walking, leggings for riding and walking, jacket for riding and walking, clean shirt for one day then same shirt to ride stinky horse the next day… The only particularly bulky thing is the helmet and most places where you hire a horse will have them available to hire or borrow. I travel for a week-long riding vacation with hand luggage only (including my helmet).
I brought my own riding pants and Dublin tall boots, both of which doubled as hiking/city wear when we went out and about. I left my $$$ helmet at home.
Make sure you bring versatile items that can play double duty on a variety of needs. That’s the secret to packing light - and wear your heavy items on the plane.
Try to leave some room in your bag for your return trip. You never know what you’ll come home with. I packed so sparingly that my return trip, I had enough room in my small bag for a largeish vase and two new sweaters. 
1 Like
@beowulf Can’t fit that must-buy Irish horse in to a bag, no matter how much room one leaves…
3 Likes
I didn’t bring any riding gear because I assumed it was walk only. I was out there walk/trot/cantering in non-riding jeans and ankle height wellies on the widest Irish Draught I’ve ever seen. I ride a scrawny tb. My whole body hurt for days. 
I would have been fine in jeans + Dublin river boots which I had planned to pack until I ran out of space.
2 Likes
You all are making me want to travel to Ireland. I’ve thought about it before…but this is stoking the fires seriously! 
1 Like
