An exciting Irish horse riding tour takes you on a circular route from Dublin. Go horse riding near Dublin at the Calliaghstown Riding Centre, set in the idyllic foothills of the Dublin and Wicklow mountains. Then stop over at Birr, where you can enjoy a trail ride through the Slieve Bloom Mountains. Limerick and Ennis both offer scenic horse trekking, and Galway provides beach, lake and forest trails, ensuring plenty of options for horse riding enthusiasts in Ireland. Finally, return to Dublin, perhaps a little saddle-sore, but with wonderful memories of your horse riding holiday.
On the trot
Breathtaking landscapes and adventurous horseback trails make horse riding in Ireland a must for any equestrian-minded visitor. The Irish are fanatical about their horses and a horse trek will be an authentic Irish experience to add to your itinerary. Even if you've never had your feet in the stirrups before, you needn't miss out on the experience, as you'll be able to find a riding centre that offers safe, gentle horses and easy trails through beautiful landscapes. Whether it will be a quick hour-long ride on the beach or a multi-day trek into the countryside, horse riding in Ireland will be an unforgettable experience.
Equestrian Trails
One of Ireland's most picturesque areas is County Wicklow, due to its stunning green and mountainous landscapes. It's the ideal area to explore on horseback, and the Calliaghstown Riding Centre is set in the idyllic foothills of the Dublin and Wickow mountains, not far from Dublin itself. The centre offers horse riding holidays for both children and adults on their safe, well-trained horses, many of which were bred at the centre.
The riding centre provides an excellent possibility for more experienced riders to try the long-distance Wicklow Trail Ride, which traverses the lovely Wicklow Mountains and Glens, and ends up in the village of Glendalough. You'll walk, trot and canter along river banks, over craggy mountains, through dense pine forests and along tranquil lake shores, while friendly guides inform you about the myths, history and ecology of the region. You'll stop at comfortable guest houses along the way (your luggage is pre-delivered) so you can recover from the day's riding before heading off the following morning for some more exploration on horseback.
Annaharvey Farm in Birr is a top-notch equestrian centre, specialising in delightful horse riding holidays. They welcome horse riders of all abilities, from complete novices to experienced showjumpers. Their cross country routes cover fine farmland, and the centre also provides the opportunity to take a trail ride through the stunning Slieve Bloom mountains.
Saddle up
You can also venture out on treks across awe-inspiring countryside with Clare Equestrian in Ennis, which offers both challenging trails and more gentle ambles for different levels of riders. For more experienced riders, there are fences and stone walls to jump along the routes, and water challenges to keep things interesting. Pre-trekking lessons are available for those who need to brush up on their horsemanship before hitting the trail.
The Killarney Riding Stables are located in Killarney National Park, which ranks among the most attractive natural areas in Ireland. The stables are the base location for the Ring of Kerry Trail, which takes riders through the Kerry highlands, along country lanes and on the glorious beaches of Waterville and Rossbeigh. Alternatively, you can experience shorter rides in the National Park, taking in views of Ross Castle, Ross Island, and the park's majestic mountains.
You probably wouldn't normally associate America's dusty wild west with the green landscapes of Ireland. But at Five Oaks Ranch near Bundoran, you can experience Western Style riding on American Quarterhorses. The ranch offers lessons in this distinctive style of horse riding as well as trail riding through the mountains, forests and beaches of South Donegal. Western horse riding skills such as cow penning and barrel racing are also offered at the ranch.
Sand and Surf
With Ireland's dramatic coastline, it makes sense that many of the country's top equestrian centres are located along the seaside. Galloping through the surf on an unspoilt Irish beach is a wonderful way to spend an afternoon. Cleggan Beach Rides near Clifden offers a variety of beach treks, including an enjoyable three hour trek, done at low tide, across a vast beach all the way out to Omey Island.
Another perfect destination for beach rides is County Sligo, and Island View Riding Stables provides trails that allow you to admire the area's spectacular coastline. Rides on Trawalua Beach provide riders with beautiful views of Donegal Bay and Classiebawn Castle. Beginners can ride at a tranquil pace, while more experienced riders will delight in galloping along the golden sands.
Explore the famous Dingle Peninsula with beach rides offered by Dingle Horse Riding. A six day trail ride allows keen riders to cross the whole peninsula, while staying over at villages along the way. Day, half day, or hour-long trail rides take you across the Dingle's stunning beaches, where you can gallop in the surf and appreciate the dramatic scenery of cliffs, mountains and the crashing waves of the Atlantic.
About the author:
Toureagle is an online travel company which enables travellers to have the security and great organisation of a professionally prepared trip but with the privacy of going with your own group. Many activities are available on the trips such as horse riding in Ireland.
