Transfer and Other Options:

Day 1 - Failte to Ireland - 
Arrive at Shannon airport and transfer to our guesthouse at the An Sibin riding center. Transfer from Shannon is approx. two hours. You will be staying here for the first four nights. On the arrival day you can just relax and recover from your journey, or take a stroll on the well mapped nearby East Clare Walking Trail. For the more adventurous, there is also the possibility to go on a guided boat tour to the historical Holy Island with its monastic settlement of the 9th century. In the evening, you will get to know all your fellow riders for this week. You will have dinner in the tastefully restored 300 year old farmhouse in the riding center by candlelight and open turf fire.
Day 2 - Binor Ride -
After breakfast you will be brought to the start of the trail, where your guide will have allocated the horses to you according to your experience. Every rider can then get used to his own horse for the week by brushing and tacking it itself, don't worry there are always lots of helping hands around you! We will then leave for an easy ride into the surrounding peaceful forests of the Slieve Aughty Mountains. For the lunch break we will be back at the center for the riders and horses take a rest. In the afternoon the horses will bring us through the rural farming of County Galway and a huge area of heather and bog land using the old tracks of the historical Sarsfield Ride. We leave our horses in a field where they stay overnight and we drive back to the accommodation for a relaxing evening.
Day 3 - Inis Cealtra Ride -
Today's ride brings us up over the hills of the Slieve Aughty Mountains with beautiful views over the majestic Lough Derg and River Shannon. Along the track we will be passing old farm ruins and miles of stonewalls. Your guide will tell you about Irelands most significant incident in history: About 150 years ago many farms and villages where left because of the Famine. This was the time of the severe potato disease, which for a few years, destroyed the sole food supply for the rural and poor Irish peasant and his stock. In addition, a Typhus and Cholera epidemic compounded the disaster, leading to a flood of millions of people emigrating to other countries or starving with hunger. With those tough times fresh in mind, you will be greeted with your own tasty lunch before we head across the extensive areas of bog land in the afternoon. There we will pass local farmers cutting and drying the turf in the traditional way. A Neolithic dolmen, with the legendary Oisin's and Grainne's grave, proves that this area was already mystified about 5000 years ago. Much younger (about 9th cent.) are the ruins of a monastic settlement on Holy Island, which we can easily spot by it’s well kept typical round tower.
Day 4 - Lough Graney Ride -
We are heading this morning for the top of the hills once again, overlooking endless woods and grazing land to the north, west and south. Long before we get there we can spot way under us the sandy shores of Lough Graney which we are heading for. The beach invites us to canter along the water and on the trail that goes right across the refreshing lake! The ride in the later afternoon takes us through the typical farmland of rural Ireland with its juicy green fields and the endless old stonewalls surrounding the peacefully grazing sheep and cattle.
Day 5 - Glandaria Ride -
Today's lovely wood tracks take us further westwards overlooking Glandaria (the valley of the Kings), the wide fertile valley of the River Shannon, where hundreds of years ago Ireland’s kings preferred to settle. After a lunch break near a mountain river, we will cross the boggy uplands. County Clare and in the distance the rising hills of the famous Burren National Park come into view. On a clear day we will even get the first glimpse of Galway Bay. This afternoon our horses will be transferred by lorry across the busy valley to tomorrow's start at the Mullaghmore Mountain in the Burren. You will be staying tonight in the charming village of Corofin with its countless pubs.
Day 6 - Mullaghmore Ride -
The totally different and unique scenery of the world renowned Burren will accompany us for the next two days. The lunar like landscape of this limestone area bears not only an immensely colourful flora and fauna with a large number of very rare species, but also reveals a stunning variety of prehistoric settlements. Dolmens and wedge tombs line up next to Norman stone fort ruins and Celtic ring forts. Close to a fulacht fiadh, an ancient cooking site, we will enjoy our lunch. It is amazing how many eye-catching sites this vast looking landscape can offer us. The next two nights you will be staying in the Lisdoonvarna area, which is famous for the traditional music in the pubs.
Day 7 - Atlantic Coast Ride -
Today we head westwards through the Burren, learning about the impressive Poulnabrone Dolmen, and the huge and dangerous cave systems in this special area. We rest for lunch overlooking the story telling rocky landscape. After the break we lead our horses up the last hill for the breathtaking view over the Atlantic Sea, the famous Aran Islands and the rugged Connemara Mountains. The extremely rough shore of County Clare stretches out under us a good gallop. In the glittering afternoon sunlight the impressive silhouette of the Cliffs of Moher rise in front of us.  Our ride ends near the ruins of the spooky looking Ballinalaken Castle.
Day 8 - Slan Abhaile -
After breakfast you will be transferred back to the airport for your journey home or onwards to your next adventure.
***Subject to change

Starride Option:
The Starride option is available throughout the year - weekly from Saturday to Saturday - with lodging at the riding center. It includes 6 riding days with a total of 15 riding hours - trail riding or lessons.

Non-riders are also welcome, there is plenty to for them to do including hiking, cycling, sightseeing, fishing, golfing etc.

In the West of Ireland there is a unique combination of sand-and limestone soils, bog lands, lakes and woodlands. An immense variety of flowers, shrubs and trees burst into bloom every year. The influence of the Gulf Stream with its warm, moist and "soft" air stream and the very small winter/summer temperature differential enhances the growth of many commonly known plants, as well as several rare kinds of flora. No wonder the local farmers praise every day as it comes "grand soft day today, thank the Lord!"

The diverse landscape offers great shelter and plenty of food supply for a large variety of animals. The common deer, fox, hare and pheasant can often be spotted from the horse. More difficult to find are the badger and the pine martin. Ireland's large bird population is evident where ever you go. And if you are lucky you could even see some, like the grouse, which are getting dangerously close to extinction.

The abundance of lakes and rivers in Ireland attract course and game anglers alike. Often you can spot the pike lying in the shallow waters, taking in the heat of the summer sun. In the clear waters the lively Salmon and Trout challenge every anglers skill.

The peat or bog land is one of Ireland’s great natural assets, not only as an energy source, but as some of its last wild areas. It can be difficult and dangerous to access. But as long as you stay on the old bog roads,you will be alright. In some places you could even spot the Celtic toughers still crossing the bogs.

The dominant influence on Ireland's climate is the Atlantic Ocean. Consequently, Ireland does not suffer from the extremes of temperature experienced by many other countries at similar latitude.

Average annual temperature is about 9 °C. In the middle and east of the country temperatures tend to be somewhat more extreme than in other parts of the country. For example, summer mean daily maximum is about 19 °C and winter mean daily minimum is about 2.5 °C in these areas.

Mean annual wind-speed varies between about 4 m/sec in the east midlands and 7 m/sec in the northwest. Strong winds tend to be more frequent in winter than in summer. Sunshine duration is highest in the southeast of the country. Average rainfall varies between about 800 and 2,800mm.

With southwesterly winds from the Atlantic dominating, rainfall figures are highest in the northwest, west and southwest of the country, especially over the higher ground. Rainfall accumulation tends to be highest in winter and lowest in early summer.

Riders must wear equestrian hard hats and suitable footwear. We can provide hard hats for you, although you can choose to bring your own.

A waterproof coat or jacket and warm sweater should also be included, as the Irish weather can be unpredictable!

Saddle bags are not provided, but you  are welcome to bring your own. You may even bring your own saddle if you prefer!

Please keep in mind that credit card and traveler cheque acceptance is very, very low in the rural West of Ireland!!  On our trail ride there is only one day where an ATM machine is available!! Please get EURO cash at Shannon Airport upon arrival or bring some EURO with you  from home (your bank branch can usually order Euros in for you and you will also get a better rate of exchange than at the airport). Most bank debit cards will work in Irish ATM's. 

Cell phone rental is available and can be pre-booked through www.rentaphone-ireland.com

If you are traveling from the USA you may wish to check out unlocking your cell phone to use and Irish SIM card. Check out www.unlockitfree.com or  www.bilemo.com/unlock  

For the ladies - yes, the accommodations have hair dryers, you do not need to pack your own!

Day 1 to 4:  
During these first few days the horses will stay out on the trail while the riders transfer back to the center each evening. We will overnight in the tastefully restored 300 year-old farmhouse - the heart of the riding center. The ambiance of old times gone by is carefully maintained and yet all modern facilities for the riding guests are provided. You can relax peacefully in your individually decorated en-suite rooms. In the comfortable dining room the guests enjoy the hearty Irish Breakfast and traditional farmhouse cooking, sitting by the open turf fire. It's said that this special place, called "The Mountain", is an inspiration to all who stand on its threshold and recapture the simplicity and peace of this idyllic setting.

Day 5:
We overnight in the charming village of Corofin.

Day 6 and 7:
Will be in the Lisdoonvarna area, which is famous for the traditional music in the pubs!

NOTE: There will be WIFI access at the riding center and farmhouse for Day 1 to 4, but none on the trail Day 5 to 7.

This trip includes and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Tack:		English, Western on request
Horses:		Irish Hunter, Irish Cob, Connemara
Pace:		Moderate with walk, trot and canter mixed every day. 4-5 hrs of riding each day | Walk | Trot | Canter |
Level:		(2.5 to 3 out of 5)    Intermediate
Age:		Min 8
Weight:		Max 185 lbs
Riders:		Min 3 riders	Max 8 riders

Saturday is a resting day for our horses!

The Irish horse is renowned for its stamina, versatility and gentleness and will therefore provide an ideal companion for an unforgettable vacation. You will make friends here with proud examples of several typical Irish breeds such as the tall but gentle Irish Draught, the lively and clever Connemara, the fine and energetic Irish Hunter, the beautifully coloured Irish Piebald and the intelligent and comfortable Irish Cob.

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