Nicola and Bertie welcome you to their beautiful equestrian center, a recently renovated house, built originally in the Eighteenth Century. You will enjoy good dinners and then relax in front of the open fire.
You will be able to get to know the true irish spirit when you ride on old, celtic roads thru the historic Co Galway, Co Clare and Burren National Park.
Choose from three different trail ride programs below:
"The accommodation was cozy, quiet, and pleasant. Exciting to try different Irish dishes. Fresh and well-prepared.
Beautiful nature and appropriately long riding tours. Lovely and friendly horses with good hooves, well-fed, and with good temperaments.
Enjoyable excursions where you felt welcome and well taken care of.
Nice people, wonderful rides, delicious food, and exciting excursions."
Eva Kjellman, Castle and Monastery Trail Ride
"Such a charming, older place with lots of nooks and crannies. Lovely dining room with a wood-burning stove. The farm was wonderful, with all the animals and greenery, like a fairy tale world.
A lot of riding for the money and very fine, well-cared-for horses.
Absolutely! The best trip in a long time. I will definitely try to go again."
Nadja Rydholm, Galway-Clare Trail Ride
"The best vegetarian food I’ve ever had. The meals at the farm were incredibly delicious and beautifully presented.
Exciting riding with steep ascents and descents. Riding through water several times; I had never ridden through a lake before. Excellent equipment—150 km in the saddle without a single sore spot.
Lively, sweet, friendly horses that confidently went everywhere. The horses were meticulously cared for, and we were matched with horses that suited us well.
Lots of stories about Ireland’s history with stops at interesting sites and viewpoints. Everyone did everything to ensure we had a great time.
The best place we’ve been to so far. I highly recommend it."
Kristina Ericsson, Galway-Clare Trail Ride
"Picked up by one of the owners—so nice! The farm was super cozy! The B&B and the hotel were also fantastic. Fun with variety!
Great logistics too! Very friendly serving staff and chef. Even the food at the pub and hotel restaurant was excellent!
Very varied landscape. Knowledgeable and confident guides and horses—I felt completely safe! Good mix of different gaits.
Superb horses in excellent condition. Energetic, sweet, and happy horses. Great matchmaking between horse and rider!
Best trip ever!"
Anna Falk, Galway-Clare Trail Ride
"Absolutely magical riding with gallops over moors, beautiful forest trails, thrilling windy climbs over hills, and the rocky Burren that must be seen to be believed.
Nicola and Bertie are fantastic hosts. You feel at home right away, as if you’ve never done anything other than sit by their fire drinking tea.
The best trip I’ve ever taken! As someone with a stressful, planning-heavy job, I couldn’t have asked for a better vacation. Everything was so well-organized, and every detail was thought of!
I am also super satisfied with HorseXplore, great communication, and updates."
Elisabeth Jonsson, Galway-Clare Trail Ride
On the Galway - Clare trail ride, you will stay at the equestrian center and small guesthouses along the way in double rooms with ensuite shower / toilet. Exactly how many nights you stay in each place you'll find out on arrival and it may vary depending on season and availability.
On the Castles & Monasteries ride and on the Equestrian Center programs you will stay at the equestrian center in double rooms with ensuite shower / toilet.
Safe deposit box: No
A/C: No
Hair Dryer: Yes
Towels and sheets: Yes
Fridge: No
Single: It is possible to book a single room (price for single supplement is available under Dates & Prices). If there is no one to share a room with, a single supplement will be added.
Beverges are paied in cash and a pint of beer or Guinness is around EUR 5, a bottle of wine cost from EUR 12 upwards.
The horses are Irish Horses of cob type (about 145-155 cm; 57-61 inches at the withers) and Irish Sport Horses 160-170 cm (63-67 inches) and a couple Connemara and tinker horses. They are quiet, safe, yet spirited horses. There is no saddlebags, but guests can bring their own.
Ability description: Trail ride: Level, trail ride 2-3 >>
Stationary program: Level, trail ride 1-3 >>
Included in the price: Galway Clare Trail Ride: 7 nights, 6 days riding full board (excl. drinks).
Castles & Monastery: 5 nights, 4 days riding, full board (excl. drinks).
enter based program: 7 nights, 6 days riding (15 hours), full board (excl. drinks).
Not included: Flighs, transfers, beverages. One beer is about 5 EUR and a bottle of wine from 12 EUR.
Travel: Fly to Shannon or Dublin.
The easiest is to take the bus directly from Dublin airport to Loughrea (end station Galway) with Irish Citylink or Bus Eireann. The journey takes just over three hours.
Transfer: Book in advance with HorseXplore and pay on spot in cash.
From Shannon airport to riding center about 1 hour drive. Price: 55 EUR/person/way.
From Loughrea bus station about 38 km. Price: 45 EUR/person/way. Arrival at Lourhrea around 4:00 pm.
The return journey on Galway - Clare Trail Ride: You take the bus from Lisdoonvarna that arrive in Dublin in the afternoon. Or from Loughrea if you stay the last night back at the riding centre. View bus times and changes in www.buseireann.ie.
Or transfer to Shannon Airport.
Rental car: If you want to explore the surroundings, we recommend a rental car.
Riding: Galway-Clare Trail Ride 4-6 hours riding / day.
Monasteries and Castles Ride: 2½-4 hours / day.
Equestrian Center program: about 15 hours total.
Single room: Can be booked with a supplement. For price click on ”Book on request” under Dates & prices. If there is no one to share a room with, a single supplement will be added.
Currency: EUR
Credit card: Is accepted by riding center, VISA and Master Card. Transfer and drinks are paid with cash.
Tipping: Not required but appreciated, some give around 20-40 EUR to the guide.
Wifi: There is free Wi-fi in most accomodations.
Electricity jack: 220 V. Bring a 3 plug (type G) adaptor for Ireland.
Group size: Minimum number of participants is 3, maximum 10
Age limit: Minimum 8 years together with an adult.
Weight limit: 85kg
Beach: No
Pool: No
Misc.:
Riding equipment to borrow: Helmet
Saddle bag available: No
Special diet: Inform when booking.
For six days you will be discovering Ireland’s beautiful nature and colourful history on horseback. Your horse will be carrying you about 150 kms from County Galway which is situated in the Midwest of Ireland westwards through the rural areas of County Clare into the unique Burren region and on to t...
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