Day 1: Monday   Meet at 10.00am in Galway at the Meyrick Hotel and drive to the starting point of the long and impressive ride to Maam Cross. Transport to and from the trails is either in minibus, or landrover that is seated for a large number of passengers. Begin the ride on country lanes, passing stone wall fences where sheep and cattle graze, enjoying the rolling green hills in the distance before reaching the mountains. The scenery changes dramatically as the horses climb into the hills. Watch for hidden stone houses of the “Ferocious O’Flahertys” while riding. These are the houses where they lived after being banished from Aughanure Castle as they were at constant odds with the forces of Galway. A long trot on a graveled road brings you to the edge of Oughterard where riders follow the river out of town for a rest and picnic lunch. After lunch ascend a long hill to reach the edge of the bog that appears to be only a grassy meadow. After crossing the soggy bogland, the route continues across the rocky hills with great views of the colorful valleys and pristine lakes below. Riding out of the hills, onto the abandoned Galway-Clifden railway line where there may be the opportunity for a canter. Turn the horses loose by a beautiful lake near Maam Cross and return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 2: Tuesday   Today is a beautiful seven hours' ride from Maam Cross to Ballynafad, a few miles from Ballynahinch. The ride begins by crossing the bogland, on a small road that Willie had built. In the middle of the bog is a small crop of limestone rock where a small copse of hazel trees grow. Hidden amongst the trees is an old limekiln, where the stone would have once been burnt to produce lime for whitewash and fertilizer. Enjoy a picnic lunch on a small village green before riding through beautiful forests and a mountain with the most glorious views over the Twelve Bens and mountain lakes. Late in the afternoon stop for a refreshing cup of tea before a canter along the old railway line. Leave the horses grazing in Ballynafad and drive to Clifden for the night.

Day 3: Wednesday   Today’s six-hour ride offers great variety in beautiful scenery. The morning begins by crossing a winding stream and passing small fields filled with sheep and one of the oldest cemeteries in Connemara. Ride through the grounds of Ballynahinch Castle built in the 15th century, ancestral home of Humanity Dick; a local landlord, MP and one of the chief forces behind the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. After long trots and canters on the old railway line, stop for a picnic lunch near a small cottage. In the afternoon, ride through Roundstone bog, where Alcock and Brown landed on the first flight in a by-plane across the Atlantic. Pass extensive peat bogs and the harvested piles of the dried peat that are stacked by the roadside awaiting collection. In the early evening riders reach Ballyconneely and the sea. Turn the horses loose for the evening and drive to Clifden for dinner and overnight.

Day 4: Thursday   Today is a full day on the fantastic Mannin Beach. The day is free to canter along the wide white sand beaches and swim with the horses if the conditions are right. Keep an eye out for the seals that are usually found in these sheltered waters. Mannin Bay is a regular hauling out and breeding site for common seals which can be seen with some difficulty as they lie almost motionless as they wait for the tide to lift them away. Leave the horses in a field nearby and drive back to Clifden for dinner and overnight.

Day 5: Friday     Today’s route follows the coast. Lunch is eaten in at the foot of Errisbeg, the mountain that we ride over in the afternoon. The horses graze loose close to where the riders eat lunch. After lunch the ride climbs over the mountains above the village of Roundstone. The views in the mountain are spectacular, overlooking the sea and the Commemara mountains. After leaving the horses, return to hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 6: Saturday     Today we ride across rugged mountains towards the beautiful bay of Cashel. In the depths of the mountain there are the remains of ruined cottages, abandoned since the famine. The land around the cottages was once tilled for potatoes and the remains of the old potato ridges can still be seen. Stop for lunch near to the village of Cashel before riding to the Shanndonell, Willie’s own mountain, where we leave the horses for the weekend before the drive back to Galway, drinks and dinner.

Day 7:  Sunday  -  Departure after breakfast
**Subject to change

Non Riders:
There are many things in the area for non-riders to do. They include river fishing, deep-sea fishing, golf, cycling, mountain climbing, walking, and swimming. There are also many interesting castles and other sites to see in the area.  Non riders should have a rental car for greatest flexibility.

Ireland is called the "Emerald Isle" for good reason; although it is never really cold or hot, it does rain frequently in all the seasons. As the Irish say, "In the winter it is cool and damp and in the summer it is warm and damp". This should not be a discouragement! The Gulf Stream warms the island all year, resulting in a mild and pleasant temperature, and the rain is usually a light drizzle of short duration which does not interfere with your riding as long as you have rain-wear suitable for riding. Please note, however, to bring either rain jackets and trousers, or long duster coats - riding capes (ponchos) are not permitted.

Riders must wear hard hats, which can be rented there at a minimal cost, and suitable footwear. Regular riding wear (jodphur, boots, helmet). Chaps and leggings with short boots are also acceptable. Riding gloves, rain-gear, warm wind jacket and a sweater should also be included in riding wardrobe, as Irish weather can be unpredictable.

In Ireland riding helmets are mandatory. The riding center has several models to choose from, but you might be better off to bring your own that fits.

Comfortable clothing - there is no dress code.

The trail doesn’t use saddle bags, but feel free to bring your own if you want to carry cameras etc. We prefer saddlebags with pockets built in, or ones that sling over the horse.

Meals: Start each day with a hearty Irish breakfast complete with hot porridge, fruit, yogurt, muesli, brown bread, bacon, sausage, eggs, and toast along with juices, coffee and tea.
Picnic lunches are provided along the trail. Picnics consist of bread, cheeses, cold meats, lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, cookies and various sodas, tea and coffee. You will prepare your sandwiches in the morning yourself.
Evening meals are at the B&B's or hotel’s restaurant. Meals are wonderful and are typically four courses with a variety of dishes and choices. Vegetarian or other dietary requests can be accommodated with advance notice.

B&B option - here are some samples of our accommodations - final arrangements are made only close to the departure dates - pending on availability:

*Teresa Butler Crossriver Bed & Breakfast, Oughterard
*M.C. Joyce B&B Clifdon
*Mary Tobin B&B, Co. Galway
*Screebe Ledge, Camus, Co. Galway
*Zetland House Hotel, Cahel, Co. Galway

Hotel option - are in the following small quality hotels in the villages or towns along the route.

Sweeney’s Oughterard House is a Georgian country house that has been converted to a comfortable hotel. The hotel is surrounded with gardens and trees and is opposite the Owenriff River. The sitting rooms are adorned with antiques, period furniture and paintings by local artists. There are 20 bedrooms with telephone, television, hairdryer, tea and coffee-making facilities. The hotel offers a pub and a laundry service and nearby there is a post office and a few small stores within walking distance.

Abbeyglen Castle Hotel is romantically set in a beautiful garden with ponds, waterfalls and streams, it offers a panoramic view of Clifden and the bay with a backdrop of the Twelve Bens mountain range. The rooms are quite large with television, telephone, iron and hairdryer. Other facilities include a pub, same-day laundry service, stamps and postcards, post office drop box, outdoor heated swimming pool, tennis courts, sauna and billiards. It is about a 15-minute walk into Clifden.

Meyrick Hotel is a blend of 19th century elegance with today’s modern amenities overlooking Eyre Square in the heart of Galway City. There are 120 ensuite bedrooms, each with a telephone, radio, hairdryer and television. There is the Oyster Room Restaurant on site, a cocktail bar, pub, indoor heated swimming pool, steam room and sauna.

-- Laundry facilities are available at some of the hotels for an average price is 8 Euro per load.

** HOTEL and B&B ACCOMMODATIONS MAY CHANGE DUE TO AVAILABILITY ** --We can only confirm the exact lodgings 2 weeks before arrival.
 

Horses and Tack

Your host maintains approximately 200 horses, each very fit, willing to walk out and well suited for the terrain. These Irish Hunters and Connemara ponies of varying sizes are known the world over for their fantastic jumping ability, gentleness, intelligence and stamina. There is a horse to suit every rider’s needs whether a beginner or a rider with many years of experience. The outfitter knows his horses well and is adept at matching horse and rider.
English tack is utilized. There are no saddle bags available, but there are D-Rings on the front of the saddle providing loops that a rain jacket or sweater can be tied to with leather thongs or string. Water is not provided on the trail and it is suggested that a waist pouch with a water bottle be worn.
The horses are not groomed as they live very naturally outside during the summer. However, riders are welcome to bring a small brush if they wish to groom and tidy them before riding.

The first day will take at least an hour to select horses and get organized due to the size of the group for this particular tour. After gathering the horses, riders are asked to select a bridle and spend a brief time speaking with the outfitter about the size, temperament and preferences for a mount. Once a horse is chosen for the rider, he is asked to lead the horse to the tack trailer, select a saddle, saddle the horse, and check the stirrup length and girth tightness. At lunch stops, the horses are untacked and are released to graze. After lunch, the horses are caught and tacked up.
In the mountains riders are advised to follow the guide rather their own path. The mountains can be quite boggy and rocky and the guide has had years of experience in seeking an appropriate trail through them. The same applies on the beach, please stay behind the guide so that they can set the pace and route.

Tack:		English and Western
Horses:		Irish Hunter, Connemara, Showjumpers
Pace:		Moderate with trots and canters - 5-7 hrs per day. | Trot | Canter |
Level:		(2.5 to 3 out of 5)    Intermediate
Age:		Min 8	Max 80
Riders:		Min 4 riders	Max 16 riders

Horses and Tack

Your host maintains approximately 200 horses, each very fit, willing to walk out and well suited for the terrain. These Irish Hunters and Connemara ponies of varying sizes are known the world over for their fantastic jumping ability, gentleness, intelligence and stamina. There is a horse to suit every rider’s needs whether a beginner or a rider with many years of experience. The outfitter knows his horses well and is adept at matching horse and rider.
English tack is utilized. There are no saddle bags available, but there are D-Rings on the front of the saddle providing loops that a rain jacket or sweater can be tied to with leather thongs or string. Water is not provided on the trail and it is suggested that a waist pouch with a water bottle be worn.
The horses are not groomed as they live very naturally outside during the summer. However, riders are welcome to bring a small brush if they wish to groom and tidy them before riding.

The first day will take at least an hour to select horses and get organized due to the size of the group for this particular tour. After gathering the horses, riders are asked to select a bridle and spend a brief time speaking with the outfitter about the size, temperament and preferences for a mount. Once a horse is chosen for the rider, he is asked to lead the horse to the tack trailer, select a saddle, saddle the horse, and check the stirrup length and girth tightness. At lunch stops, the horses are untacked and are released to graze. After lunch, the horses are caught and tacked up.
In the mountains riders are advised to follow the guide rather their own path. The mountains can be quite boggy and rocky and the guide has had years of experience in seeking an appropriate trail through them. The same applies on the beach, please stay behind the guide so that they can set the pace and route.

Passports
Passport valid for at least three months beyond length of stay required by all except:
(a) 1. persons born in the UK travelling direct from the UK (applicable to British passport holders only).
Note: Whilst UK citizens do not require a passport or visa to enter Ireland, most carriers by air or sea now require some form of identification with photograph, usually a passport or driving licence with photo. Visitors should check what form of ID is required with the individual airline, ferry company or travel agent before travelling.
(b) 2. EU nationals holding a valid national ID card.
Note: EU nationals are only required to produce evidence of their EU nationality and identity in order to be admitted to any EU Member State. This evidence can take the form of a valid national passport or national identity card. Either is acceptable. Possession of a return ticket, any length of validity on their document, sufficient funds for the length of their proposed visit should not be imposed.
Passport Note
3. Imposition of a return ticket as a condition of entry is at the discretion of the Immigration Officer at point of entry.

Visas
Not required by all nationals referred to in the chart above for the following durations:
(a) nationals of EU countries for an unlimited period (nationals of EU countries wishing to stay for longer than three months must register with the Garda National Immigration Bureau).
(b) nationals of Australia, Canada and the USA for stays of up to 90 days.
Note: Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements