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Horseback riding vacations in
Ireland
Horseback riding is big in Ireland and Hidden Trails has found some of the best horseback vacations for you. Ireland is home to the famed Connemara ponies (originating from the region of the same name), and the country's Irish Hunters are equally acclaimed. Regionally, the Irish countryside has a lot to offer - Kerry's highlands promise mountain tracks and beach horse rides; whilst the Donegal area is famed for its stunning country farms and hunting opportunities. Ireland also abounds with history and heritage, and many people travel there to reconnect with their distant Irish heritage Join us in Ireland for the horse riding holiday of a lifetime!
Horse Riding in Ireland
The ‘Emerald Isle’ has a long and established horse riding history, and is one of the best places to experience the joys of unbounded countryside riding. You’ll find many of our Irish horse riding vacations involve rides in the rolling Irish countryside, often across farmlands.
Many local horse breeds are featured in our Irish horse rides, including the Irish Hunter, Irish Cob and Connemara.
Horse riding opportunities in Ireland are diverse and varied, and cater for all levels of rider – from beginners to seasoned equestrians.
In the areas of Connemara, Galway and Kerry, you will find some excellent coastal and hill trail riding. These areas also abound with historic buildings, mountain ranges and long sandy beaches.
Those looking for a luxury horse riding vacation may wish to try Castle Leslie, in Monaghan. This secluded 1000 acre estate is one of only 30 Irish castles still run by the original family. Here you can relax in 4-star comfort, explore the countryside on horse back, or embark on an exhilarating cross country ride on the estates own cross country course.
Ireland Culture and Climate
Ireland has a unique cultural identity – one that they strongly defend and uphold. Separated from the United Kingdom by a stretch of sea, this fiercely independent island nation has a population of slightly under 6 million.
With a strong and vibrant Celtic heritage, the Irish possess a flair for story telling, music and literature. They also possess a lust for life, undeniable friendliness and strong affection for their national drink – Guinness.
Tourists flock to Ireland every year to enjoy the delights of the green countryside and historical monuments. Dublin, the capital, is also a very popular tourist destination – rich in literature, arts, and heritage.
Ireland has an average annual temperature in winter of around 9°C, whilst in the summer the average is around 20°C. Known affectionately as the “Emerald Isle” Ireland does experience high rainfall (but that just adds to its magnificent greenery!). Because of Ireland’s high latitude, in the height of summer you can expect up to 19 hours of sunlight a day; whilst in the winter expect as little as 9 hours.
Explore more European Horse Riding Vacations
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Holidays on horseback in Ireland
See Mini Country Guide
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Below is a list of our trips in this area with video clips.
 Click on the 'watch video' icon
to view a video clip,
Castle Leslie Equestrian Extravaganza
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A secluded and private estate in Co. Monaghan nestled on 1,000 acres of undulating Irish countryside, dotted with ancient woodland and glittering lakes, Castle Leslie Estate is one of the last great Irish Castle estates still in the hands of its founding family.
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Trip Details
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Ireland
Travel restrictions
From March 6th 2022, all COVID-19 travel restrictions are removed. You no longer need to complete a passenger locator form. You also no longer need proof of vaccination or recovery, or a COVID-19 test.
Measures taken by the government
From March 6th 2022, all COVID-19 travel restrictions are removed.
Testing
While the Government of Ireland is not offering tests for the purposes of international travel, commercial testing facilities are available. You can find additional information on commercially available COVID-19 testing locations in Ireland here: https://ie.usembassy.gov/commercially-available-covid-19-testing/
Pre-departure testing is also available at Dublin Airport, Shannon Airport and Cork Airport.
The cost for a COVID-19 test through commercial suppliers typically range from €100 to €150 for RT-PCR tests.
Ireland’s public health service is at full capacity for COVID-19 tests and is prioritizing people who have symptoms. Most people will get their results within 2 days, but it can take longer.
Test results are sent by text message. If your test is positive, you will also receive a call.
Test results are given 7 days a week up until 9pm.
Call the COVID-19 helpline if you are waiting more than 2 days (48 hours) for your results.
Emergency number (related to COVID-19) while visiting the country
If you are in Ireland and have symptoms, phone a doctor, or dial 112 or 999 locally.
If you are in Ireland and believe you may have been exposed to COVID-19, call the Irish Health Service Executive: 1 850 24 1850.
The Irish government has established a phone number for COVID-19-related travel queries: +353 1613 1733.
Source:
US Embassy in Ireland https://ie.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/
Published on March 31st 2023 (checked on April 5th 2023)
For more information please visit our COVID-19 Updates page at https://www.hiddentrails.com/article/covid19update.aspx
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Ireland
At A glance
Capital City: Dublin
Land size: 68,883 sq km
Population: 5,275,004 (2022 est.)
Official languages: English & Irish
Currency: Euro (€ / EUR)
UNESCO properties and sites:
- Brú na Bóinne - Archaeological Ensemble of the Bend of the Boyne
- Sceilg Mhichíl
Source: https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/ireland/
Ireland is a country of rugged beauty, ancient heritage, and warm hospitality. Experience Irish traditions, listen to traditional music in cozy pubs, and savor the flavors of Irish cuisine. Ireland's rich folklore, ancient castles, and breathtaking vistas offer a truly unique travel experience.
Discover the stunning landscapes of the Ring of Kerry and the Cliffs of Moher, where dramatic coastlines, lush green hills, and mystical landscapes provide a picturesque backdrop for horseback riding adventures. Ride through the rolling countryside, trotting along quiet lanes, traversing meadows, and exploring ancient ruins. Venture into the wild beauty of Connemara, where majestic mountains, shimmering lakes, and rugged bogs create a perfect setting for equestrian exploration.
Brief History
Celtic tribes arrived on the island between 600 and 150 B.C. Invasions by Norsemen that began in the late 8th century were finally ended when King Brian BORU defeated the Danes in 1014. Norman invasions began in the 12th century and set off more than seven centuries of Anglo-Irish struggle marked by fierce rebellions and harsh repressions. The Irish famine of the mid-19th century was responsible for a drop in the island's population by more than one quarter through starvation, disease, and emigration. For more than a century afterward, the population of the island continued to fall only to begin growing again in the 1960s. Over the last 50 years, Ireland's high birthrate has made it demographically one of the youngest populations in the EU.
The modern Irish state traces its origins to the failed 1916 Easter Monday Uprising that galvanized nationalist sentiment and fostered a guerrilla war resulting in independence from the UK in 1921 with the signing of the Anglo-Irish Treaty and the creation of the Irish Free State. The treaty was deeply controversial in Ireland in part because it helped solidify the partition of Ireland, with six of the island's 32 counties remaining in the UK as Northern Ireland. The split between pro-Treaty and anti-Treaty partisans led to the Irish Civil War (1922-23). The traditionally dominant political parties in Ireland, Fine Gael and Fianna Fail, are de facto descendants of the opposing sides of the treaty debate. Ireland formally left the British Dominion in 1949 when Ireland declared itself a republic.
Deep sectarian divides between the Catholic and Protestant populations and systemic discrimination in Northern Ireland erupted into years of violence known as the "Troubles" that began in the 1960s. In 1998, the governments of Ireland and the UK, along with most political parties in Northern Ireland, reached the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement with the support of the US. This agreement helped end the Troubles and initiated a new phase of cooperation between the Irish and British Governments.
Ireland was neutral in World War II and continues its policy of military neutrality. Ireland joined the European Community in 1973 and the euro-zone currency union in 1999. The economic boom years of the Celtic Tiger (1995-2007) saw rapid economic growth, which came to an abrupt end in 2008 with the meltdown of the Irish banking system.
Source: https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/ireland/
Cultural Insights
General rules of social etiquette apply across ethnic, class, and religious barriers. Loud, boisterous, and boastful behavior are discouraged. Unacquainted people look directly at each other in public spaces, and often say "hello" in greeting.
Outside of formal introductions, greetings are often vocal and are not accompanied by a handshake or kiss. Individuals maintain a public personal space around themselves; public touching is rare.
Generosity and reciprocity are key values in social exchange, especially in the ritualized forms of group drinking in pubs.
Source: https://www.everyculture.com/Ge-It/Ireland.html
Transportation
By Air
Dublin airport is the largest airport in Ireland. It caters for most of the country’s domestic and international flights and is also close to the city center.
An international airport with a laidback feel, Shannon, near Limerick city, was the first transatlantic airport in Ireland and is popular with visitors to the west and south west.
Gateway to the south of Ireland, this busy airport just outside Cork city caters to domestic and international flights and is noted for the punctuality of its flights!
Close to the famous Ring of Kerry in the south west, this small but perfectly formed airport offers direct flights from Europe and also caters to domestic flights.
Source: https://www.ireland.com/en-ca/plan-your-trip/travel/getting-to-ireland/
Money
Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted throughout the island of Ireland; American Express is accepted in some places but not all. Credit cards can be used for purchases and also to withdraw cash from ATMs (although this usually is accompanied by a fee). You can also withdraw cash from ATMs with your Mastercard or Visa debit card. Fees will still be charged but at a lower rate to credit cards.
Ireland uses a “chip and pin” system for debit and credit card transactions. Retailers may still accept swipe cards but please note this is not always guaranteed. It is recommended that you notify your bank of your travel plans prior to your departure.
You can make contactless payments, where you "tap" your debit card, of up to €50.
If you hear someone talk about the "hole in the wall" they mean an ATM machine!
Source: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/ireland
https://www.ireland.com/en-ca/help-and-advice/practical-information/money-in-ireland/
Health
Modern medical facilities and highly skilled medical practitioners are available in Ireland.
If you need emergency medical assistance during your trip, dial 999 or 112 and ask for an ambulance. If you are referred to a medical facility for treatment you should contact your insurance/medical assistance company immediately.
Patients who do not receive benefits from Ireland’s Department of Social Protection are expected to pay all costs up-front at the time of treatment and apply for reimbursement from their insurance provider later.
Expect long waits for access to medical specialists and admissions to hospitals for non-life-threatening medical conditions. It is not unusual for emergency room services to be very busy or for post-treatment admissions to include a long wait (sometimes overnight) on a gurney in a hallway.
We advise you carry your medical history, along with a detailed list of any medication you currently take (including dosage and brand name) in your wallet or purse and luggage.
Most types of over-the-counter medications are available but many U.S. brands are not. Some medications available over the counter in the United States may require a prescription in Ireland.
Irish pharmacists may not be able to dispense medication prescribed by U.S. physicians and may direct you to obtain a prescription from an Irish doctor.
Source: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/ireland
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Ireland.html
Electricity
Ireland operates on a 230V supply voltage and uses type G plugs.
The Type G electrical plug has three rectangular blades in a triangular pattern and has an incorporated fuse (usually a 3 amps fuse for smaller appliances such as a computer and a 13 amps one for heavy duty appliances such as heaters). British sockets have shutters on the live and neutral contacts so that foreign objects cannot be introduced into them.
Source: https://www.iec.ch/world-plugs
Communication
Time zone in Ireland: Greenwich Mean Time (GMT)
International country code – 353
Ireland’s telecom market has rebounded from a long period in which fiscal constraints inhibited investment in the sector. Significant infrastructure projects are underway, including the NBN which aims to deliver a fiber-based service of at least 150Mb/s nationally by the end of 2022.
The renewed optimism has been seen in company investment in extending fiber-based networks providing 1Gb/s services.
The MNOs are rapidly expanding the reach of 5G.
Source: https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/ireland/
Entry Requirements
Most people need a valid passport to enter the Republic or Northern Ireland but there are some exceptions:
- If you're a UK citizen, you can also use official photo identification.
- If you're an EU citizen, you can use your national identity card to travel throughout the island of Ireland (including Northern Ireland), as long as you are arriving and exiting the island via an airport or ferry port in the Republic of Ireland. If you are travelling direct to Northern Ireland from the EU or travelling on to Great Britain from Northern Ireland, you’ll need a passport.
Your passport must be valid up to the return date of your trip to the island of Ireland.
Whether you need a visa to enter Ireland depends on your citizenship.
If you’re a citizen of a European Economic Area (EEA) member state (27 countries of the European Union, together with Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein) and many other countries including Great Britain, the USA, Australia, Canada and New Zealand, you don’t need a visa to visit the Republic of Ireland. South African visitors can visit the Republic of Ireland without a visa, but need a UK visa in order to enter Northern Ireland.
Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has a full list of countries whose citizens do NOT need a visa to visit Ireland: https://www.dfa.ie/travel/visas/visas-for-ireland/
If your country is not on this list, contact your local Irish embassy/consulate before you travel to find out your visa requirements. If you’re planning on travelling to Northern Ireland, contact your local British embassy/high commission or consular office.
Source: https://www.ireland.com/en-ca/help-and-advice/practical-information/visas-and-passports/
Embassies and Consulates
U.S. Embassy in Dublin
42 Elgin Road
Ballsbridge
Dublin 4
Phone: +353 1 668-8777
Embassy of Canada in Dublin
7-8 Wilton Terrace
Dublin 2
Phone: +353 1 234 4000
Source: for USA https://www.usembassy.gov/
For Canada: https://travel.gc.ca/assistance/embassies-consulates
UNESCO Sites
Brú na Bóinne - Archaeological Ensemble of the Bend of the Boyne
The three main prehistoric sites of the Brú na Bóinne Complex, Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth, are situated on the north bank of the River Boyne 50 km north of Dublin. This is Europe's largest and most important concentration of prehistoric megalithic art. The monuments there had social, economic, religious and funerary functions.
Sceilg Mhichíl
Sceilg Mhichíl is an outstanding, and in many respects unique, example of an early religious settlement deliberately sited on a pyramidal rock in the ocean, preserved because of a remarkable environment. It illustrates, as no other property can, the extremes of a Christian monasticism characterizing much of North Africa, the Near East, and Europe.
Source: https://whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/ie
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