Clew Bay Short Break

5 Days | From £939pp

Ireland ( Best airport: Knock)

This short break takes small groups of experienced riders along Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way. Pick up the pace on breathtaking sandy beaches, explore sea and off-shore islands and discover hidden mountain tracks on board responsive and willing Irish-bred horses. The ideal way to spend a long weekend and a fantastic introduction to riding in Ireland. Evenings are spent in the lively town of Westport where you can experience traditional Irish hospitality.

The Riding

Riders will explore small villages, country lanes, mountain paths, various sea and off-shore islands and, of course, the beautiful sandy beaches. You need not be an expert to ride this trail as great care is taken to ensure that each rider is matched with a suitable horse, however you should be able to ride securely and confidently at a walk, trot and canter in open country.

This is a progressive ride with the pace varying from slow to fast depending on terrain and weather conditions.

Level of Riding and Fitness

Participants should be reasonably fit, we recommend you go riding a couple of times a week before coming on the trail. Riders should be comfortable at walk, trot and canter in open spaces. The weight limit is 90kg.

Guides and Group Size

You will be guided by Padraic Foy who personally leads out all of the trail rides and is a qualified instructor as well as an accomplished horseman.

The maximum number of riders in a group is 8.

Any questions?

The Horses

The majority of trail horses have competition experience and have been started by your hosts on their stud. Featured breeds include Connemara ponies, Irish Sport Horses, Irish Draughts and Irish Cobs. Heights range from 13.2hh to 16.2hh. All the horses used for this ride have friendly temperaments and excellent stamina, making them ideal horses for the trail.

All the horses will have their own individual English saddle and bridle fitted to them.

Clew Bay Trail Ride - Horse Riding Holidays Ireland

Accommodation and Dining

During the trail you’ll be staying in a traditional Irish guesthouse in the bustling and vibrant town of Westport. Each morning you will be collected from your accommodation and driven to the start point of that day’s trail. All guesthouse bedrooms are en-suite and various breakfast options are available including Full Irish and continental. Special dietary requirements can be catered for.

As the accommodation is on a bed and breakfast basis this gives you the opportunity to choose from the many fine, award-winning restaurants in Westport for your evening meal. Picnic lunches on the trail consist of sandwiches, fruit, snacks, drinks etc. and can be tailored to individual needs.

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Gallery

Itinerary

Day 1 On arrival to Westport, check in to your accommodation which is where you will be staying for the duration of the trail. Explore the vibrant and bustling town with dinner in a local restaurant.

Day 2 Transfer to Drummindoo Stud to meet your host, your horse and the other riders. After an assessment ride in the indoor arena, riders and horses are transferred to the village of Aughagower. You’ll ride through the villages of Curvey, Lankill and Knappagh Beg where a picnic is provided on the shores of Knappagh Lake, then on to Drumhill before returning to Aughagower via Peggy's Boreen. After riding you can visit the round tower and monastic site which dates back to the 7th century.

Day 3 Today we start at the village of Culeen for the Culeen Ride. This ride takes us to the west of Croagh Patrick, through quiet country lanes at Kilsallagh and Kinnock and then to bog roads at Dereen where we will have some long canters. We picnic on the bog and get to see the harvesting of the bog peat at close hand. We then return via a river crossing at Bellakip to finish the day at Culeen.

Day 4 Today we start at the village of Formoyle. This takes us over a mountain pass, close to a megalithic burial site (one of many in the area), through the Carrowniskey River and on to the bog roads at Feenone. We then head for Carrowniskey beach where we can canter and gallop before returning to base.

Day 5 Depart after a final breakfast in your accommodation.