Day 1 – Slieve Aughty Ride

You will be collected from your 4 star hotel in Loughrea or Galway where you will be driven to our riding centre. Here you will be assessed on your riding abilities and assigned a horse or pony according to your ability. 

Today will be an easy relaxing ride, to acclimatise you to your horse. We will set off on a trail across the Slieve Aughty Mountains, going through forest trails you will see stunning views of Galway, Clare, Tipperary and the Burren. You will also be able to see the beautiful lakes that dot this amazing landscape enticing you to visit them which we will be doing later in the week.

As we climb the mountain we will see the ruins of a famine village. The Great famine occurred between 1845 and 1852. Over 1 million people died during this period and 1 million more emigrated to become the irish dispora. The population of Ireland was reduced by between 20 -25% during this period.

Day 2 – Atlantic Coast Trail

In the morning you will be driven to our starting point in Ballyvaughen. This day really is one of the special highlights of the week. Starting off in Ballyvaughen and finishing in Doolin we will be following the old green roads and mountain trails across the burren along the Atlantic Coast.

To the west you will see the stunning vista of the Atlantic Coast, The Aran Islands and Connemara across the shores. The awe inspiring Cliffs of Moher will rise up to greet you. Along the way we will be passing castles once occupied by the medieval O Lochlann family. All along the route we will pass medieval churches, ring forts and megalithic monuments.

Pass Caheranardurrish Fort. This fort is strategically located on well-drained land with commanding views of the surrounding countryside. There are also the ruins of a Mass House and a Shebeen (an illicit drinking house) within the fort, catering for the spiritual and venal needs of the local populace

Don’t forget your camera as the views you will experience along this trail are nothing short of breathtaking.

This night we will be staying in the idealic village of Doolin.

Day 3 – Cliffs of Moher

Today we start off in Doolin and travel south past the Cliffs of Moher. New for 2010 is a stop off at the Cliffs of Moher visitor centre, where you will be allowed time to visit the centre, enjoy the Atlantic Edge Exhibition and marvel at the Cliffs of Moher.  The Cliffs are one of the final nominees for the New 7 Wonders of the World, and when you visit them you will really see why. They really are awe inspiring.

After we leave the centre we journey further south, where you will continue to enjoy wonderful views over the Atlantic Ocean and across to the Aran Islands.  We stop for a picnic break atop the highest point on the Cliffs, a place few visitors to Ireland ever get to visit.

Day 4 – The Burren Trail

Today we ride through the centre of the Burren. Experience one of the most unique and memorable landscapes in the world. Where else in the world will you be greeted with a natural combination of Artic / Alpine / Mediterranean flora all coexisting in the same area.

This region is so rich in history. Along the route you will pass Castles, megalithic tombs and monuments. See the ancient fulacht fia (ancient cooking site). Learn about how in ancient times up to 450 litres of water could reach boiling point in under 30 mins using a fulacht fia.

Passing the numerous lonely cillin (ancient children’s burial grounds) , with their plain unadorned stones standing upright in clusters you cannot help but be deeply moved. The earliest inhabitants of the Burren date back to 6000 BC so pause a moment and let your imagination conjure up a world so long gone, which can now only exist in our imagination and the legacy of their monuments.

Stop to take in the view of the Turlough - a disappearing lake!! A disappearing lake is a feature almost unique to Ireland and this region.

As we leave the disappearing lake we travel east, travelling through the valley of St Columcile. We will have spectacular views of a number of mountains including Faree North, Turloughmore and Slieve Aughty. We travel to Kilmacduagh Monastery, founded in the 7th Century by St Colman. This monastery contains a fine example of a round tower. And there we finish up for the day.

Day 5 and 6 - Forests, Lakes and Mountains

Day 5 and 6 will be spent riding through wonderful forest trails and mountain passes. We will be visiting the wonderful lakes we viewed on our first days trail – Lough Graney, Lough Atorick and the historical Lough Derg.

As we canter along the mythical Lough Graney we will learn about Biddy Early, a 19th Century traditional healer who acted against the wishes of the local landlords and Catholic priests and was the last woman in Ireland to be tried for Witchcraft. There are many sacred wells located at Lough Graney.

Then we venture east to Lough Atorick, site of the old Penal Mass Rock. In the early 18th Century a period known as the Penal times Catholic Priests were hunted with a price on their heads, they travelled through the country in disguise from one mass rock to the next.

The faithful often set out the night before to journey in small quite groups to be at the mass rock before dawn, where they would await in some nervousness for the priest to appear. A close watch was always kept against surprise attack by the English soldiers.

The mass in latin was attended with great reverence as no one knew when they next would be able to celebrate their religion again. These penal laws were gradually repealed at the end of the 18th Century.

Finally we make our way to historic Lough Derg. Lough Derg is home to the famous monastic Island Holy Island. The Lough Derg Vicinity is also the birthplace of the legendry last great High King of Ireland – Brian Boru. Lough Derg really is a beautiful and peaceful place and it is fitting that our journey will end there.

We hope you truly enjoy this wonderful riding experience, and you will return home revitalised and rejuvenated with a renewed appreciation for life.

*We reserve the right to change any detail without prior notice