Country: Ireland

You will follow 140 miles of ancient Celtic trails through the moutain passes of the Slieve Aughty mountains to the Galway Bay described as “chains of morning dew” by John Lennon in his song, “The Luck of the Irish.”  Along the trail you will see th famous Aran Islands, a timeless land with rugged monuments of awesome cliffs and great labyrinths of limestone.  You will traverse through the unique  split and weathered cliffes of the Burren where traces of megalithic tombs, famous ancient ritual sites of the Pounabrone, ringforts, souterrains, 10 AD cairns and holy wells,  After you ave passed through forests, meadows and villages, your ride will culminate at the majestic Cliffs of Moher.  You will also enjoy the Irish pubs, traditional entertainment, and most of all, the friendly people.  

Itinerary:

Day 1: Saturday
Pick up and transfer from Shannon Airport to the guest house at the riding center.
Day 2: Sunday
After introduction to your horse, ride into the peaceful forests of the Slieve Aughty Mountains and across the rural pastures to the old tracks of the historical Sarsfield Ride. The tracks will take you along the bog, vast carpets and domes of peat and moss.
Day 3: Monday
You will ride over the hills of the Slieve Aughty to view the majestic Lough Derg and Shannon River. The region of Lough Derg is unique as it still manages to maintain a pace where people move more slowly and the mind can be stilled. You will learn about the potato famine and watch farmers cut bog in the traditional way. You will be intrigued by a 9th century dolmen and the ruins of a monastic settlement on Holy Island.
Day 4: Tuesday
Your horse will descend onto the sandy shores of Lough Graney and  briskly canter along the beach. Your afternoon is spent along lush pastures with endless stone walls and grazing sheep.
Day 5: Wednesday
You will ride along wood tracks to Glandaria, the valley of the Irish kings. After lunch, you will ride to Burren National Park for your first glimpse of Galway Bay. Your evening will be spent in the charming village of Corofin with its many pubs.
Day 6: Thursday
You will be immersed in the unique landscape of the Burren, from  lunar-like terrain to colorful flora and fauna. Dolmens, wedge tombs and Celtic ring forts are available to explore. You will pass a fulacht fiadh, an ancient cooking site. In the evening you will enjoy traditional music in the village of Lisdoonvara.
Day 7: Friday
You will learn about the impressive Poulnabrone Dolmen and the surrounding caves. After lunch, you will lead your horse up the last hill for a breathtaking view of the Atlantic Ocean, the Aran Islands and the rugged Connemara Mountains. The afternoon will find you before the impressive Cliffs of Moher. Your ride will end near the eerie ruins of the Ballinalaken castle.
Day 8: Saturday
After breakfast you will be transferred back to the airport.

Details:

Dates: Saturday to Saturday: April 7 – September 29
Length of ride: 6 days
Meeting point: Shannon Airport
Ability level: Walk, trot, canter
Horse: Irish draught, Connemara, piebald
Group size: 4 – 10
Saddles: English
Non-riding activity: Golfing, hiking
Hotel/s: 3*** Irish Hunting Lodge 
Price per person:$1,695 per person, double, April, May, September, October
$1,785 per person, double, June, July, August
$179 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 B & B, 6 days guided trail rides, all meals, horse, tack, guide luggage transfers and tax.

 Not included: Air fare, transfer to and from airport (70 euros).