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

* Wellfield, Oughterard
-- this is a working farm rearing sheep and pedigree Hereford cattle. Guests are always assured a warm welcome, home cooked breakfasts and comfortable accommodation on the outskirts of Oughterard

* Clifden Accomodation
-- either in small guest houses or small local hotel. Dinner is eaten with the hotel group in the Abbey Glen Hotel.

Please note those booking guest house accommodation may sometimes stay in small hotels depending on the availability of guest house room availability.

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.

Peacockes Hotel, Maam Cross, is a 3 star hotel nestled in the shadows of Mount Leckavrea and surrounded by beautiful lakes. Peacockes Hotel is situated in Maam Cross, at the cross road leading to the four quarters of Connemara. The hotel was completely refurbished in 2007 and includes all the facilities you would expect to find in a modern hotel.

Connemara Gateway Hotel, Oughterard This 3 Star hotel is located in the pretty Angling village of Oughterard known as the 'Gateway to Connemara'. All of our guest bedrooms are tastefully decorated with views overlooking the gardens. The hotel has an adjoining pub O Nuallains where guests can relax after a long days ride. All meals are cooked to order and all our produce is sourced locally ensuring the freshest and finest quality at all times. Also has a leisure centre with gym and swimming pool available for guests

-- Laundry facilities are available at some of the hotels for an average price of 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.
 

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.

• River fishing
• Deep Sea Fishing
• Golf
• Cycling
• Mountain Climbing
• Walking
• Swimming

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