Country: Ireland

It is said that the Irish love three things in life, a pint in the pub, a good laugh and a good horse.  On this adventure, you can have all three.   You will ride through the “Wild West” of Ireland, the Connemara known for hauntingly rugged mountains,  tranquil lakes and rust colored bogs. This is the region where the tradition of Gaelic Ireland are strongest.  Your horse will carry you across contrasting landscapes of rock strewn coastlines and along limestone mountains.  An invigorating gallop along vast stretch of beach and perhaps a swim with your horse awaits you on this special journey. 

Itinerary:

Day 1 :Sunday  Transfer from Shannon Airport to Meyrick Hotel in Galway

Day 2:Monday  You will ride to the impressive Maam Cross, site of the famous October horse fair. As you ascend the mountain, you will have a fantastic view of Lough Corrib and see an old farmstead, abandoned since the famine of the 1840s. After a picnic lunch, you will travel across one of the famed Irish bogs to end the day with a gallop on the old Galway-Clifden railroad. 

Day 3: Tuesday You will ride along the hummocky terrain of the Maam Cross blanket bog along the Lough Sindle and past the remains of a forgotten lime kiln, hidden in a grove of hazel trees.  After lunch on a small village green, you will continue through the silent woodlands through the beautiful Inagh Valley.  On a clear day, you can view the spectacular Connemara landscape to the Rosmac coast.  Another brisk canter along the old Glaway Clifden railway will bring you to Ballynafad.

Day 4: Wednesday  After wading through a wide stream, the ride will ascend  a mountain trail and past the ancient Ballinafad cemetery. A lively canter through the woods leads you to the grounds of Ballinahinch Castle. After lunch, you will ride inland over the Roundstone Bog to a seaside pasture. You will be amazed at the contrasting landscape. Trees and brush which dotted the mountainside are replaced by moss-covered rocks strewn across the leveling land. Watch out for the errant sheep along the way.

Day 5: Thursday You will spend the day enjoying the wonderful Mannin Beach. Long gallops along the irregular coastline, optional jumping over small stone walls and swimming with horses will fill your day with special memories.

Day 6: Friday  From the sea, you will ride to Toombeola, an inland over the mountains.  Passing  small generational farmsteads, your horse will ascend the trail to the Errisbeg mountain high above the seaside village of Roundstone and a stunning view of Dogs Bay which curves into the Atlantic Ocean.

Day 7: Saturday Your final day will take you back into the limestone mountains where you will have a breathtaking view of the ocean. After lunch in the village of Cashel, the ride will continue along the coastline to Willie’s Mountain, Shanndonnel.  You will be transferred back to Galway.

Day 8: Sunday Transfer to Shannon Airport

Dates: April 29th-May 6th, May 13th-20th, May 27th-June 3rd, June 10th-17th, June 24th-July 1st, July 8th-15th, July 22rd-29th, August 19th-26th, September 9th-16th, September 23th-30th
Length of ride: 6 days
Meeting point: Shannon Airport, Meyrick Hotel, Galway
Ability level: Walk, trot, canter, gallop, optional jumping
Horse: Irish hunter or Connemara
Group size: 4 – 10
Saddles: Endurance, Western
Non-riding activity: Fishing, hiking, cycling, golf
Hotel/s: 3*** – 4**** accommodations 
Price per person:$2,350  per person, upgraded, shared,  $450 single supplement,April, May, June, September
$2,475 per person, upgraded, shared, July, August / $450 single supplement
*Prices are quoted in U.S. dollars but are billed in euros. The exchange rate will be fixed on the date of your final payment. 

Includes: 7 nights accommodations, all meals,  6 days guided riding.
Not included: Air fare, transfer to and from airport