Transfer Option:

Day 1:  Monday....  Meet at ten a.m. in Galway at the Meyrick Hotel (the old Great Southern). The ride begins again at Shannadonnell. The horses are rounded up off the mountain and saddled. This morning’s ride is across your host's mountain, Shannadonnell. Lunch is served beside a mountain lake while the horses are turned loose to graze. After lunch the horses are caught again and the ride continues into the village of Carna and onto the beach house. Leave the horses in a field near the beach house and drive back to accomodation.

Day 2  Tuesday...  Enjoy an unforgettable day riding on the beach. The day starts with a ride along the shore on Mweenish Beach. Keep an eye out for the seals that are usually found in these sheltered waters. Mweenish and Mannin Bays regular hauling out and breeding sites for common seals and can be seen with some difficulty lying almost motionless as they wait for the tide to lift them away. Break for lunch after swimming the horses in the sea, before riding along the beach on the other side of the island enjoying the fabulous view of the Aran Islands.

Day 3   Wednesday...  Tide permitting, today’s trek will start with a ride out to Finish Island. This beautiful island has many old ruined houses on it and the remains of the stone walls and roads that were once used. Advanced groups of riders may have the opportunity to jump some of the walls, but this is not always possible. After a long canter along the beach the horses wade back through the sea and head up into the mountains once more. Lunch is eaten in the mountains, before continuing on the ride, in the mountains above the village of Kilkerrin, before the afternoon ride with spectacular views of this stunning coastline. We ride through mountain land, past turf stacks and through areas where turf is cut and then on, bypassing an abandoned quarry and then following the coastline along to Derryrush.

Day 4   Thursday...  From Derryrush ride past Screebe Lodge to Letter Moir to where lunch is eaten at the foot of a mountain range. After lunch the horses are resaddled and the ride continues through a mountain village where there may be the chance to go inside an old farm cottage, to see the beautiful, traditional accommodation. The afternoon ride is over a mountain top with an incredible view that stretches over rolling bogs, valleys with tiny lakes and the shredded coastline below. In the early evening reach Shanafeistin where the horses will graze. Riders transfer to the Oughterard for the night.

Day 5:  Friday.... Enjoy a long canter on forest roads before lunch. View beautiful Lough Corrib at a distance before the last ride to Oughterard this is a fun ride through forestry along gravel tracks with plenty of opportunity for long canters.

Day 6:  Saturday .... Spend the day at Dartfield Horse museum. Riders can trail ride around the museum, or test their skill on the cross country course. The event course has fences to suit all levels, from beginner to the advanced riders so everyone will have fun and the chance to improve their riding and jumping skills. Riders have the opportunity to look around the museum, which is dedicated to the Irish horse and pony breeds and is the only one of its kind in the world. Riders are returned to Galway for their last night. Once in Galway the riders and guides have a farewell drink together before dinner.

Day 7:  Sunday  -  Departure after breakfast.
subject to change

Ireland is called the "Emerald Isle" for good reason; although it is never really cold or hot, it does rain frequently in all 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 rainwear suitable for riding. Please note, however, to bring either rain jackets and trousers, or long duster coats - riding capes are not permitted.

Riders must wear hard hats, which can be rented at a minimal cost, and suitable footwear. Regular riding wear (jodphur, boots, helmet). Chaps and leggings with short boots are also acceptable. Riding gloves, raingear, 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 centre has several models to choose from, but you might be better off to bring your own that fits.
Otherwise comfortable clothing - there is no dress code.

Summary:

• Jodhpurs or comfortable jeans – long hours are spent in the saddle
• Long riding boots (leather or rubber) or boots and chaps. Training shoes are not safe riding wear.
• Pair of boot laces – you can use these to tie coats to the front of your saddle when not being worn.
• Swim suit or shorts & tee shirt if you want to swim on your horse.
• The trail doesn’t use saddle bags, but feel free to bring your own if you want to carry cameras etc. We prefer saddle pads with pockets built in, or ones that sling over the horse.
• Rain gear. Either waterproof trousers and jacket, or long riding coat. Definitely no capes. All rain gear should be lightweight, but hard wearing.

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

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. Evening meals are at the 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.

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 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, however, 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, Velcro 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 outside during the summer. However, riders are welcome to bring a small brush if they wish to groom before riding.

The first day will take at least an hour to select horses and get organized due to the size of the group. 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.

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 years of experience in seeking a trail through them. The same applies on the beach, please stay behind the guide so that they can set the pace and route.

RIDER REQUIREMENTS
Participants must be able to:
• gather, catch, tack and untack the horses
• mount and dismount unassisted
• ride comfortably at a walk, long trots, canters and short gallops
• ride up and down rocky hills
• ride for 5-6 hours a day
• ride comfortably in a large group of riders
• be flexible; the outfitter does not run on a strict schedule
• be independent; there is little direction or instruction given while on the ride

Please note that there can be novice riders.

Tack:		English and Western
Horses:		Irish Hunter, Connemara, Showjumpers
Pace:		Moderate with trots and canters - 5-7 hrs per day | Walk | 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 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, however, 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, Velcro 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 outside during the summer. However, riders are welcome to bring a small brush if they wish to groom before riding.

The first day will take at least an hour to select horses and get organized due to the size of the group. 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.

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 years of experience in seeking a trail through them. The same applies on the beach, please stay behind the guide so that they can set the pace and route.

RIDER REQUIREMENTS
Participants must be able to:
• gather, catch, tack and untack the horses
• mount and dismount unassisted
• ride comfortably at a walk, long trots, canters and short gallops
• ride up and down rocky hills
• ride for 5-6 hours a day
• ride comfortably in a large group of riders
• be flexible; the outfitter does not run on a strict schedule
• be independent; there is little direction or instruction given while on the ride

Please note that there can be novice riders.

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