Equestrian Tours of Ireland

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IRELAND'S EQUESTRIAN TREASURES Rolling green pastures with fine stallions are part of Ireland’s rich history. Experience the wind in your hair and the thrill of the ride through Ireland’s emerald landscape. An unforgettable journey for all horse enthusiasts and novices alike from County Meath, with its Royal Past and Medieval Monuments located just a short distance from the bustling and fun-loving city of Dublin to the western County of Limerick, gateway to the famous Cliffs of Moher and Medieval Castles. Feel the magic that only the Irish can provide with the help of a faithful horse to lead the way. Rates starting at $ 889 per person sharing based on double occupancy. Detailed Day By Day Itinerary Day 1: Arrive Dublin / Broadmeadow Country House & Equestrian Center – Ashbourne Co. Meath Arrive Dublin Airport. Pick up rental car and drive towards Meath for your 3-night stay at Broadmeadow Country House & Equestrian Center, an exceptional 4 Star country house and equestrian center is run by the Duff family who have been involved in all aspects of the horse industry for generations. Although the house has the look and feel of a century’s old Country Estate, in fact it was built in 1979. In 1996 the Duff family took over and turned it into a four star country house. Then they built a large equestrian center on the surrounding 100 acres of farmland. The country house is surrounded by beautifully landscaped gardens. It boasts eight luxurious and restful bedrooms, all of which are en-suite. Each room is unique - in shape, carpet, curtains and furniture. But, they're all the same in providing direct dial telephones, trouser press, multi-channel TV, hairdryers and tea and coffee making facilities. And, of course, you will receive a warm Irish welcome! The lounge is an ideal room to relax in after an active day while enjoying tea or coffee in front of a blazing fire. An award winning breakfast is served every morning from 7.30am-10.00am and can be enjoyed in the dining room overlooking the gardens. Choices range from smoked salmon and scrambled egg to a full Irish breakfast served with home-made brown bread and croissants. This house is an ideal place to stay when wanting to unwind or relax in luxurious surroundings. Today you may wish to visit Newgrange, County Meath, one of Europe's most extraordinary prehistoric sites, predating the pyramids by some 2,500 years. A huge circular mound, it is so perfectly constructed that the sun's rays penetrate a small aperture above the entrance to illuminate the burial chamber at the winter solstice. See the Hill of Tara, once the seat of the High Kings of Ireland, and the Hill of Slane where St. Patrick lit the Paschal Fire. Drive through the town of Drogheda to see the twelfth century ruins of Mellifont Abbey. Day 2: Broadmeadow Country House & Equestrian Center Today, you may visit the Equestrian Center. The center has 55 stables, in which show jumpers, mares and foals, school horses and ponies and liveries are stabled. The Duff Family will tailor to suit individual requirements. This is an opportunity to ride quality horses and improve your equestrian knowledge and skills. Broadmeadow has horses and ponies that cater for every standard of rider. You have a total of 4-hours of horseback riding included while staying at Broadmeadow Country House. In the afternoon, perhaps visit Tara. "The Hill of Tara has a strange effect on people. From up here on the heights one sees not only into the distance, but into Tara's past. Tara has more than its share of heady stories to tell - tales of intoxicating drinks and chariot-driving High Kings. There are old hags who transform themselves into beautiful women and singing blocks of stone which announce the presence of future kings. Tara is imbued with a magical, mythical atmosphere. It is the stuff of legends, the home of gods and heroes, not mere mortals. At the Hill of Tara, Irish myth, legend and history are one - this magical site has been home to gods and goddesses, to druids and warriors, and to Ireland's High Kings." Day 3: Broadmeadow Country House & Equestrian Center Another opportunity to ride across the beautiful Irish countryside on your faithful horse. Visit Navan to explore Trim Castle. You're a Norman lord who has invaded a land of sword wielding clans. The Irish clansmen are intently interested butchering you and reclaiming their land. What to do? You guessed it. Put a big pile of stone between you and those swords. Trim Castle is the largest remaining Anglo Norman castle in Europe - a huge old behemoth designed for safe refuge and as a strategic base for attack. Day 4: Fitzgerald’s Farm House & Equestrian Center – Abbeyfeale Co. Limerick After a leisurely breakfast, drive west towards Limerick for your 3-night stay at Fitzgerald’s Farm House & Equestrian Center. Fitzgeralds Farmhouse is over one hundred years old. This farmhouse will be your home away from home for the duration of your holiday. Relax in front of an open fire in the lounge, or perhaps you would prefer to watch the sun set over Abbeyfeale town from the sun porch. You can then retire, perhaps to the daffodil room or the rose room, or one of our other cozy rooms with patchwork quilts, sheepskin rugs and tea/coffee making facilities. Fitzgerald's has something very special to offer to everyone. Approved by both Bord Failte and Irish Farmhouse Holidays and the Equestrian Center is AIRE approved. They specialize in quality home cooking. Enjoy horse riding through the open hills where you can take in the beautiful views of the surrounding area. They cater for every age group and standard. Specializing in beginners but there is also a challenging cross-country course for the more advanced rider. During the summer, you can attend one of the pony camps which we have found to be a very popular choice among families. While staying at the farm house, you can also learn how to drive and enjoy a pony and cart experience, feed the animals in the pet-land, walk our lovely nature trail, see an exhibition of antique farm machinery and take a stroll through the rolling hills. Perhaps visit Abbeyfeale, a small vibrant town with a wide range of activities on offer. There are many pubs, 2 clubs, a Town Park, a Go-Carting Track, Tennis Courts, a Driving Range, a nine hole Golf Course and an Internet Café. Day 5: Fitzgerald’s Farm House & Equestrian Center Fitzgerald’s has a wide range of horses suiting both the beginner and advanced rider catering to every age group. Learn all the formalities of riding in a fun relaxed manner. Try the two- kilometer trek that borders the land on which you can walk, trot or canter while taking in the beautiful views. For the more experienced rider, there is a challenging cross-country course which includes banks and ditches. Their specialty includes catering to families, for those parents who are not as "horse-mad" as their children. Located only thirty- minutes drive from the beach, you may choose an amazing trek along the beach including a refreshing swim with the horses. This is a truly special and unique experience. You have a total of 4-hours of horseback riding included while staying at Fitzgerald’s Farm House. Afterwards, visit the impressive Cliffs of Moher which drop dramatically 700 feet crashing into the pounding Atlantic below. The cliffs extend along the majority of county Clare’s coastline. There are towers at either end, from which you will get excellent panoramic views. With the luck of the Irish, you may even see as far as the Aran Islands. Day 6: Fitzgerald’s Farm House & Equestrian Center Today is another opportunity to improve your equestrian skills. By now, you should be able to ride like a Pro! Maybe spend some time feeding the animals at the Pet Farm. Perhaps visit the Aran Islands. . Take a ferry to Inishmore, the largest of the Aran Islands. It has a population of 900, most of who converse in Gaelic. Almost all islanders speak English as well. The island is dissected by winding, hilly lanes that meander between mazes of stonewalls, enclosing little fields of pasture or potatoes. There is a lot to discover on Inishmore. The island houses the ruins of four prehistoric forts, and its north side is liberally dotted with the ruins of monastic sites and old churches. Dun Aengus is the most impressive. Day 7: Depart Shannon Drive back to Shannon Airport and prepare for your return flight. Don’t forget to drop off your car rental! County Meath, Newgrange, Hill of Tara, Hill of Slane, Mellifont Abbey, Trim Castle, Abbeyfeale, Cliffs of Moher, Clare, Aran Islands, Tour Includes: 6-nights Deluxe accommodations Breakfast each day Your horse and tack for the week Self-Drive Car, unlimited mileage, tax, CDW & theft insurance Expert guides to lead you All accommodation taxes and service charges Touring Map of Ireland Concierge service in Ireland while travelling Complimentary Heritage Pass offering Complimentary tour of Waterford Crystal Travel Documents including Personalized Itinerary Self Drive Tour Length: 7-Day Tour April - October Air & Land*: $1899 April & October Land Only: $1099 *Air inclusive rates subject to availability at time of booking EQUESTRIAN CONNEMARA TRAIL For Horse Riding Enthusiasts it does not get any better than this. A week long Inn to Inn journey on horseback led by expert guides over 100 miles of Ireland’s finest scenery. This tour is not just for experienced riders, but for anyone who would enjoy seeing dramatic Irish countryside from the back of a horse! And not just any horse, but Connemara Ponies and Irish Hunters bred to confidently travel the terrain. Special Offers: Book your tour before March 31st and receive $50 discount per person. For groups of 4 or more receive $100 discount per person before March 31st. Detailed Day By Day Itinerary Day 1: Burren in Country Clare Meet at noon at the Great Southern Hotel in Galway and drive to our starting point at Cloonabinna (20mintues). The ride will take us through unusual rock formations similar to those of the famous Burren in Country Clare. Late in the afternoon, we enjoy a stop for tea on the grounds of 13th century Aughnanure Castle, once home to the “ferocious O’Flaherrys.” Afterwards, we have a short ride to the horses’ pasture for the night and go on to our hotel in Oughterard. For non-riders: We suggest an easy day of sightseeing in the old city of Galway and it’s surroundings or perhaps a boat ride up the Corrib River to the lough. Day 2: Lough Corrib, Oughterard Leave the hotel around 10:30 for the impressive ride to Maam Cross. We will ride about six hours, with the mornings ride taking us up in the mountains for fantastic views of Lough Corrib and the chance to see an old farmsted abandoned since the famine of the 1840’s. After a picnic lunch, we will travel across one of the famed Irish bogs and end the day with a gallop on the old Galway-Clifden railway. For non-riders: There is golf at Oughterard’s Wiss Park and fishing on Lough Corrib. Oughterard is well known for it’s craft shops and the Voske carpet factory. Prices: From $2195 to $2295 per person Day 3: Clifden Start riding around half past eleven for a most beautiful seven-hour’s ride from Maam Cross to Ballynafad. We first have the chance to examine the Maam Cross bog at close range, thanks to a road Willie has built right through the middle. After lunch on a small village green, we head up in the mountains, where we’ll have beautiful views of hidden valleys. At the end of the day, we stop for a refreshing cup of tea our last gallop. We leave the horses grazing in Ballynafad and drive to Clifden, where we’ll be spending the next three nights. For non-riders: Be sure to take the opportunity to walk the bog at Maam Cross. Golfers and fishing can practice their sport all week long. You also may want to visit the scene of the film “The Quiet Man.” Day 4: Ballynahinch Six hours of riding offers a great variety in beautiful scenery and the opportunity for long gallops. In the morning, we’ll stop for a quick drink at Ballynahinch Castle, ancestral home of the Martyn family. Lunch will be by a small cottage on the old railway. The afternoon will take us past the Alcock and Brown memorial, landing sight of the first transatlantic flight, and on to Ballynahinch. We return to Clifden for the night. For non-riders: Suggestions would be Ballynahinch castle and its famous salmon fishing (by special arrangement), cycling, or walking across the moutains from Leenane by St. Patrick’s well, where the saint rested for a night. Day 5: Mannin Beach A full day on the fantstic Mannin Beach, cantering, optional jumping over small stone walls and sandy banks and swimming with the horses. This day is most enjoyable and we would like everyone, riders and non-riders alike, to spend the day together on the beach. Day 6: Cashel We spend this last day riding along the coast and then up into the mountains overlooking the sea. Our ride will end at a field near Cashel, where the horses will spend the weekend. We will drive back to Galway for the last night. Customers who have booked for two weeks might spend the next day exploring Galway or perhaps visiting the Aran Islands. For non-riders: Golf at the famous Ballyconneely course, shopping in Clifden, tennis or deep-sea fishing. Day 7: Depart After Breakfast, transfer to Shannon Airport for your flight back to the U.S. Clare, Galway and Connemara Tour Includes: -Private transfers on arrival and departure -6-nights Deluxe Manor and Castle accommodations with private bath -Spend Final Night at Dromoland Castle with Dinner -Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner each day -Your horse and tack for the week -Expert guides to lead you -Luggage transferred each day -Fully detailed itinerary and documentation -Complimentary deluxe room upgrade when available -Concierge Service in Ireland through out your stay -All taxes and service charges Self Drive Special Offers: Book your tour before June 30th and receive $50 discount per person. For groups of 4 or more receive $100 discount per person before June 30th . Tour Length: 7-Day Tour April & October Air & Land*: $3059 May - September Air & Land*: $3099 April & October Land Only: $2559 May - September Land Only: $2599 *Air inclusive rates subject to availability at time of booking Accommodation DAY 1 Corrib Great Southern Hotel DAY 2 Abbeyglen Castle Hotel DAY 3 Abbeyglen Castle Hotel DAY 4 Zetland Country House Hotel DAY 5 Zetland Country House Hotel DAY 6 Dromoland Castle DAY 7 Depart