The price includes 7 nights bed and breakfast accommodation in 4 star hotel ,,riding (5 days,4-5 hours daily), 2 days light lunch and one day organized and escorted tour of the local historic sights and places of interest ,including a restored castle,and,a megalithic cemetery.There is also an optional visit to the famous celtic seaweed baths in Strandhill.Also included are trips to local pubs to hear some traditional Irish music.

THE RIDING:

We ride for 4-5 hours each day,.On the trail the riders have a hugely diverse riding terrain,forests,mountains and Atlantic shores.Our trail ride is described as an intermediate ride,ie. we do not simply walk and trot all day,nor do we gallop all day. it is a mix of walk,trot and canter .Riders need to be of intermediate ability,able to control a horse in canter in an open area.Some days are quite strenuous while others are more relaxing.Riders need to ride a few times per week prior to coming on a trail ride to build up their condition. Riders should be over 18 years old (unless accompanied by an adult)and there is a weight restriction of 100 kilo.

Please note that the times and itinerary are subject to change due to weather and tidal conditions.

THE HORSES:

Our horses are Irish hunters, of varying sizes, are easily ridden, and they are used to the terrain and to having different riders each week.

THE BARN:

Our barn / equestrian centre is situated 3 km from Sligo town, pop 25000. It has accommodation for 50 horses. There is a saddlery/equestrian clothing shop and a comfortable club house overlooking the indoor hall.

THE ACCOMODATION:

Our accommodation for the first 4 nights is at the Glasshouse Hotel in Sligo town centre, www.theglasshouse.ie. .It is a modern 4 star hotel built directly on the Garavogue river..Our accommodation is in twin rooms,bed and breakfast,please state if you are will ing to share a room as many of our riders travel alone and would like to share accommodation.

On the last 3 nights riders will stay in Strandhill ,a small surfing town,check out www.gostrandhill.com for restaurants ,activities etc..

Accomodation is bed and continental breakfast,in Strandhill Lodge and Suites, 4 star boutique hotel,with spectacular sea views,within walking distance of sea and all restaurants and bars.

All transfers to and from equestrian centre are in our shuttle bus and are included in the price.

DINING:

Breakfast is provided in the hotel each morning. A light snack is also provided on Monday and Wednesday, on the other days we stop at local pubs, where one can can get lunch or a snack. In the evening one can explore the restaurants and pubs in Sligo town OR Strandhill seaside village, they are all within a 5 minute walk of the hotel. There are many restaurants there to suit all budgets and tastes. We provide a list of our recommended restaurants and pubs to guests. On selected evenings we propose trips to local Irish pubs with live music .

ITINERARY

Day 1 SUNDAY:

Guests arrive in Sligo and are welcomed by Declan Mc Garry, the trail manager. After a short discussion reafirming the riding abilities and requirments of the riders, guests are shown to their guest rooms at the Sligo Glasshouse Hotel.

Day 2 MONDAY 10.30:

Riders are mounted in a large indoor ring, and are introduced to their mount for the week. Declan and Eugene, the trail guides, spend the next hour or so evaluating the horses and riders and their compatability. The group are then taken out to the nearby pastures to test the control of the riders outside. After a light lunch we go for a 2 hour ride outside. We ride to Knocknarea mountain and we climb to the summit to the grave of one of Ireland’s greatest warriors, Queen Maeve (circa 3500 b.c.). From this vantage point one can really appreciate the beauty of this corner of the Emerald Isle. Accomodation tonight is in Sligo Glasshouse Hotel.

Day 3 TUESDAY 12.30:

After a leisurly breakfast,riders have time to explore Sligo town and do some shopping. Our ride is today is from Carrowmore through Union forest (a large pine forest) and along old forest paths into Markree Castle estate. We ride through the castle grounds and to the castle stables where the horses will spend the night. Accomodation is The Glasshouse Hotel.

Day 4 WED 10.30:

Our morning ride takes us around the grounds of Markree Castle where we can see the remains of the old houses where the Irish peasants lived in the times when the English ruled this beautiful island. We have a short lunch at the castle stables and then begin our ride back to Carrowmore through Ballygawley forest where we can see the wild deer grazing. Accomodation is The Glasshouse Hotel.

Day 5 THURSDAY 10.30:

Have a large breakfast this morning because we don’t stop for lunch! Before riding we take an escorted tour through the Carrowmore megalithic cemetary,circa 4000 b.c. Todays ride is an exhilarating beach ride across Cumeen Strand to Coney Island, a small island in Sligo Bay (pop.7). Accomodation is in Strandill Lodge and Suites Hotel.

DAY 6 FRIDAY:

Today is the chance to relax after 4 days riding and recharge the batteries for the final day. Riders are tourists today and our organized escorted tour visits all the places of interest and historical significance of this ancient corner of Ireland, including a visit to Parkes castle (a fourteenth century castle restored by the Irish government) and Yeat's grave in Drumcliff. For those who wish, we can organize a trip to the famous Celtic Seaweed baths. Accomodation is in Strandhill Lodge and Suites Hotel.

Day 7 SATURDAY 10.30:

As todays ride is on the beaches our start time will vary.

Our last day’s ride is spent all on the beaches, we ride all around the Knocknarea peninsula from Kelly’stown to Culleenamore beach along the strand at Strandhill onto Cumeen Strand across to Carty’s strand. This is a truly fantistic day’s Ride, very exilarating and physically challanging.

As its our last night we will all meet after dinner for a final Guinness and a chance to reflect on our weeks adventure.

Please note that the times and itinerary are subject to change due to weather and tidal conditions.

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PRICES

PRICE € 1200
Single Supp € 140
Non rider € 700

DATES; Every week; from APRIL3. Last trail Oct 2.

PRICE INCLUDES;

Riding ;5 days and the organized tour.

Accomodation

Light lunch on 2 days,riders pay for other lunchs and beverages.

Transfer from Sligo Train/Bus station, to Hotel.

All transfers from hotel to the Equestrian centre.

All transfer from and to Dublin airport

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TRANSPORT

We have 2 shuttle bus direct from Dublin airport to the Equestrian centre/accommodation each Sunday; Leaving Dublin 14.00-15.30 and 17.00-18.30 (depending on clients flights)

Once you have reserved flights,please send details.We will contact you 1 week before departure with meeting time in Dublin airport.

Returning Sunday leaving Sligo at 6.00-7.30 and 10.00-11.30 (depending on clients flights)

Journey time Sligo Dublin 2 ¾ hours

There are also public buses direct from Dublin airport to Sligo,please check www.buseireann.ie for info,the bus route is #23.

If you are arriving in Dublin some days before the ride,you can take the train Dublin to Sligo,there are 5 per day,check www.irishrail.ie for timetable.

If you are using public transport to arrive,just contact us by email or mobile phone and we will meet you in Sligo bus/train station.