Country: Ireland

Ride across the beautiful countryside of County Clare to the doors of Norman castles, ringed forts and ancient tombs.  Your evenings are filled with traditional Irish fare and delightful visits to village pubs.

Itinerary:

Day 1: Saturday
Arrive at Shannon Airport and transfer to your guesthouse. Tonight, you will enjoy a traditional home cooked dinner by an open peat fire with a review of the sights and exciting trails that await you.

Day 2: Sunday
You will ride through the peaceful forest of the Slieve Aughty Mountains with scenic views of the Shannon River. After lunch, you take a short boat ride to the Holy Island to visit the ruins of one of Ireland’s most important monastic settlements. Sacred to both Pagans and Christians for many centuries, the legend says that Saint Colm found there an old man named Maccriche and a tree whose juice had the flavor of honey and the heaviness of wine. St. Caiman, who died in 653 AD, created a great center for learning on the island. There is a magnificent round tower, a holy well, seven Bullaun stones, and an extraordinary cell like building. You will see a curious stone called a bargaining stone where deals of every description were performed in the past and woe betides anyone who breaks that deal. Later you will see an ancient cemetery dating from the 8th century, unique due to the fact that the grave markers are still in their original position. During Whit weekend thousands used to flock here to do penance and make atonement for their sins. When the work of penance was finished most would repair to the drinking tents set up around the Island. They believed the penance will take away the guilt and some whisky will wash away the remembrance of it.

Day 3: Monday
The trail will continue across the spectacular Irish farm land bound by stone walls and rolling hills. Your ride will be brisk with long trots and canters along the country lanes. A warm and tasteful lunch awaits you at the Williamstad house, a manor home that hosts a wonderful garden, perfect for a stroll after your meal. Your evening will be spent enjoying the locals in the village pub.

Day 4: Tuesday
You will ascend the hills of the Slieve Aughty to enjoy the majestic views of Lough Derg and River Shannon. You will be taken to visit the impressive Portumna Castle which was the seat of the Earl of Clanricarde in the 17th century and was at one point burnt to the ground by the local Irish in rebellion against the British rule. You will later visit the village of Portumna.

Day 5: Wednesday
You will ride through the part of Ireland that makes it popular in coffee table books and in novels, as you travel across the magical landscape of bog and heather. In the afternoon, you will be driven to Pallas Castle for a visit to one of the best preserved tower-houses and castle grounds of the 14th century where you will have ample opportunity to learn about the history of this  structure and how the Irish clans survived and ruled for centuries.

Day 6: Thursday
After breakfast, you will transfer to your airport.

Dates: Saturday through Thursday: May 22 - 27, August 14 - 19, September 18-23 Length of ride: 4 days
Meeting point: Shannon airport
Ability level: Walk, trot, canter, gallop
Horse: Irish draught, Connemara, piebald, Irish cob, and Irish hunter
Group size: 2 - 8
Saddles: English
Non-riding activity: Hiking, cycling
Hotel/s: 3*** Irish Hunting Lodge
*Price per person:$1,385 per person, shared, B & B
$130.00 single supplement

50% discount on second rider - April 3 - 8, April 17 - 22, May 1 - 6, May 8 - 15 

*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: 5 nights accommodations, all meals, transport, entry fees, horse, guide

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