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4 Day Iconic Coastal Horse Ride Tour to Dunluce Castle and Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland
Bed and Breakfast, County Antrim, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
Adventure Horse Riding Holiday in Northern Ireland
This listing has one of the 10 most popular offers available in in the United Kingdom
This three-day Irish riding experience offers you a taste of white sand beaches, rugged coastlines, verdant countryside, enchanting mountainous trails and traditional Irish hospitality! This experience begins with a day’s horseback riding in the Irish countryside before spending two more exhilarating days on the famous Causeway Coast heralded for its beauty and spectacular scenery, riding at some of Northern Ireland’s best-known iconic locations, including the Giants Causeway, Dunluce Castle and Mussendun Temple.
Key Information
- Tack Type: English tack
- Horse Breed: Irish Cobs, Irish Drafts, Sport Horses, Connemara’s
- Rider weight limit: 215 lb / 98 kg
Highlights
- 3 days of spectacular trail riding, 4-7 hours daily
- Knowledgeable and engaging trekking guide
- 5-star coastal riding with the best views in Ireland
- Discover Irish white sand beaches and rugged coastlines
- Explore the verdant countryside and enchanting mountainous trails
- Storm Dunluce Castle on horseback and ride to the iconic Giant’s Causeway
- 3 nights accommodation with breakfast
- Enjoy a picnic lunch at a glass-sided mountainside cabin
Skill level
- Beginner
- Intermediate
- Advanced
Styles
3 days with instruction
Accommodation
You will be accommodated in local Bed and Breakfast accommodations in North Antrim Coast, County Derry and County Antrim Coast.
Program
Itinerary
Arrival Day
Céad míle fáilte (one hundred thousand welcomes)
Welcome to Ireland! You can arrive in either Belfast or Dublin. A driver can be arranged to collect you from either location and whisk you off at the beginning of your Irish adventure. You will journey northwards and, if it tickles your fancy, you can opt to travel along the renowned Causeway Coastal Route, lauded as one of the top 5 road journeys in the world. This beautiful drive will give you a taste of the rugged coastlines and sweeping sea views that you will experience over the course of your holiday.
The coastal route is dotted with historic castles and a changing canvas of natural landscapes–incredible fishing villages, quiet beaches, rolling green hills with lush hedges, mountain streams and rugged coastlines with majestic cliffs—all overlooking the magnificent sea.
You can spend the day at your leisure in your accommodation or explore the beautiful North Coast. Enjoy some food at a local pub or restaurant, sample a pint of Guinness with the locals, or dance the evening away to some traditional Irish music. Be sure to get a good night’s rest to be ready for what the coming days have in store!
- Overnight: North Antrim Coast
Day 1: North Antrim Hills - Picnic
A driver will pick you up at your accommodation and take you to the stables. On arrival, Mr. McKinley, members of the Bespoke Equestrian Ireland (BEI) team and “Sheba” the Border collie farm dog, will greet you with a warm, genuine welcome before heading to the barn for a stable tour and meet the team of horses (if you wish, you can assist with grooming and tacking).
After selecting a horse and a riding assessment, you will spend 4/5 hours riding out into the wilderness of the North Antrim Hills with its heather-clad slopes, looking down onto green pasture away below with panoramic views over the North Coast and 5 counties of Ireland.
You will stop at the glass-sided mountainside cabin, high in the hills where a picture-perfect picnic or traditional afternoon tea awaits you. Enjoy a sumptuous lunch, while absorbing magnificent views of the Northern Irish countryside.
You will be riding past the old peat banks that were once the traditional source of fuel in Ireland for generations and can stop and do some peat cutting with the old traditional peat spades and get a few photographs before making your way back to the stables.
After your initial day's introduction and riding, you will be collected and taken to your accommodation near where you will be starting your ride tomorrow morning. Your hosts will help to organise dinner options for you in the local town. After that, it's time to get a good night's sleep and be ready for what tomorrow has in store.
- Overnight: County Derry
Day 2: Downhill - Mussendun Temple - St Aidan’s Church - Gortmore
Enjoy a hearty full Irish breakfast before setting off to begin your adventures. Your driver will transport you to the iconic Downhill beach where your first glimpse of Downhill beach offers panoramic views of the ocean and landscape where miles of open sand, waterfalls and iconic views await. Enroute, you will pass the ancient trees of Mussendun before the journey continues past the ruins of Downhill House which was Frederick Augustus Hervey, Bishop of Derry and Earl of Bristol’s, 18th century home.
Marvel at the architecture and expanse of the flamboyant Georgian ruins before your gaze is taken by the lonely Mussenden Temple, regally perched 120 feet above the Atlantic Ocean. Inspired by the Roman Temple of Vesta in Tivoli, Rome, Mussenden Temple was used as a summer library for Frederick Augustus Hervey, Bishop of Derry and Earl of Bristol.
It is time to meet your trusty stead again at the entrance to the beach. Downhill beach is best known for its magnificent mountain backdrop, cliff scenery and views across Donegal. As you enter the beach, you can stop at the foot of the cliff where Mussendun Temple is located for an ideal picture opportunity before taking a swift canter or gallop across miles of flat, open beach crossing the river onto Benone Strand, with miles of more sand beach to enjoy.
As you pull up at the end of the beach, we stretch our legs, stop at the washrooms and give the horses a rest before riding back across the golden sands, through sand dunes, stopping to view the waterfalls cascading off the majestic cliffs of Bennnevanagh mountain and enjoying some time in the spray of the Atlantic.
On leaving Downhill beach, you will ride through Downhill forest to the site of St Mary’s Church with its legend of the magical cow which could produce unlimited amounts of milk as long as it was kept by the right person and to hear some of the complexity of Irish history and of why this Catholic church was destroyed after the Siege of Derry by retreating forces loyal to the Catholic King James II. The ride finishes back at Downhill, where you load the horses and enjoy a relaxing lunch after an exhilarating ride.
After lunch, you will be taken for a guided tour of this beautiful area, starting off with Mussendun Temple before travelling on to some off-the-beaten-track locations such as St Aidan’s Church nestling at the foot of the mountains overlooking Lough Foyle. St Aidan’s is the site of a Holy well and is also the burial site of St Colombus, soil from his grave is well-recognised as having healing properties for skin complaints. Then on to the Gortmore viewing point with superb 360% views over the Northwest of Ireland before taking in further viewing points as you follow the coastline back to your accommodation for the night.
- Overnight: County Antrim Coast
Day 3: Whiterocks Beach - Dunluce - Portballintrae - Giants Causeway
Today you will start your ride at Whiterocks beach, so named because of the white chalk cliffs and caverns set back from the water’s edge. The west end of the strand is adjacent to the seaside town of Portrush and backs onto one of the top grass-links golf courses in the world, the famous Royal Portrush, host to the British Open which is part of the 2019 Masters Competition. The White Rocks beach also looks out over the Skerries (a small group of islands off the coast of Portrush) and the iconic Dunluce Castle, Donegal and the Western Isles of Scotland.
While riding there, there is the opportunity to ride along the edge of this famous golf course which was used for the 148th Open Championship in 2019. Stop for photographs or to get photographed with your partners if they happen to be playing on this fabulous course. Enjoy some beautiful trots, canters and time in the sea in the most beautiful of surroundings.
After conquering the beach, it is time to storm the 13th Century Castle ruins at Dunluce. Ride along the epic coastline leading you to Dunluce Castle before taking a tour of the castle, learning some of its intriguing history (especially the bit about the kitchen and staff plunging into the sea during a storm in 1639). While there, you will have some snacks before riding on to the tiny harbour town of Portballintrae on route to the Giants Causeway.
As you ride through the quaint coastal village of Portballintrae, you will begin to see the rugged headlands surrounding the Giants Causeway. We will cross the River Bush, on its way to meet the Atlantic after being used to create the world-famous Old Bushmills Whiskey. It’s time to enjoy our second beach of the day! Breathe in the fresh sea air as you trot and canter across the sand and in the gentle swell of the sea. The ride continues as you follow an old tram trail across sand dunes and past the stately Runkerry House before arriving at Northern Ireland’s most famous UNESCO world heritage site.
This unique world heritage site is the destination for today’s ride. There, you will load up the horses and finish off your adventure with a relaxing meal at the Causeway Hotel. After the meal, make the most of the opportunity to visit the famous hexagonal rock formation and allow the memories of 3 unforgettable days of riding, your trusted steed and all the people you have met along the way to permeate through your thoughts.
Onward Journey: If you would like an additional night of accommodation tonight then this can be arranged upon request or Bespoke Equestrian Ireland can help you with your onward journey.
Location
This iconic ride is perfect for those riders who want the very best of the North Coast! It allows you to ride to Dunluce Castle, the Giant’s Causeway and Downhill Demesne. You will also ride on Northern Ireland's famous white sand beaches, iconic coastlines, verdant countryside with its 40 shades of green and enchanting hillside vistas.
Locations where you ride
- Sheans Horse Farm stables
- North Antrim Hills
- Downhill beach and Benone Strand
- Downhill Forest
- St Mary’s Church
- Past Downhill Demesne
- Whiterocks beach
- Coastal route to Dunluce
- Dunluce Castle
- Portbalintrea beach
- Old Causeway tram track
- Giants Causeway centre
Food
Daily breakfast, two lunches at a local establishment, and one picnic lunch are included in the package.
The following meals are included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:
- Vegetarian
- Vegan
- Gluten Free
- Regular (typically includes meat and fish)
- Pescatarian
If you have special dietary requirements it's a good idea to communicate it to the organiser when making a reservation
Things to do (optional)
Allow BEI's dedicated team of tourism experts to further enhance your trip to Ireland by opening up their country to you. BEI can help you plan itineraries to suit all members of your group whether it be helping you plan your activities to do in the evening or on the days you are not riding. BEI can also put together full itineraries for those members of your group who will not be riding but want to explore this country while you are enjoying your riding experience.
Ireland itself is one of the world’s leading tourism destinations and Northern Ireland is seen as an emerging tourism market. The dedicated team of experts are working on the ground and will use their knowledge and expertise to ensure you and your group have a truly unique and memorable experience in Ireland. For help and advice on itineraries, please get in touch.
- Causeway Coast Discovery Centre
- Irish clans of the Causeway Coast experience
- Coastal sightseeing by helicopter
- Sailing Yacht tour of the coast
- A day of Golf on the North Coast
- Antrim Garden tour
- Country escape to the spa
- Scotland whiskey tour
- Dunluce Castle
- Guided coastal walk and hike
- Glenarm Village tour and castle lunch
- Loughgiel Irish dancer exhibition
- Sea kayaking and river kayaking
- Old Bushmills Distillery Co. Tour
- Bike tour of the Causeway Coast
- Coasteering
- Private guided history tour
- An evening of history with Right Hon. Hector McDonnell
- Cultural Belfast tour
- Game of Thrones location tour
- Coastal food tour
- Cookery class with a local chef
- A day at the Ulster American Folk Park
- Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge
- Archeology tour
- Walled City of Derry tour
- Livestock market and Irish farm tour
- Hurling match
- Scullion Hurls tours
- Titanic
- Giants Causeway
- Gobbins
What's included
- 3 nights accommodation
- 3x beaches
- 1x quality picnic in North Antrim hills
- 2x lunch at a local establishment
- Tea and freshly baked scones on arrival
- Explore Downhill
- Demesne and tour of Benone area
- Luggage transport
- All tack and equipment
- Ticket for Dunluce Castle tour
- Entrance to Giants Causeway visitor centre and stones
- Spectacular trail riding
- 5* coastal riding
- Riding at the Game of Throne filming locations
- Knowledgeable trekking guide
What's not included
- Airport transfers
- Hire of photographer for a half or full day
- Upgrade to hotel accommodation
- Itinerary planning for non-riding partners
- Personal expenses
- Dinners
How to get there
Recommended Airports
BFS
Belfast International Airport
9 km
Transfer not provided
BHD
George Best Belfast City Airport
27 km
Transfer not provided
DUB
Dublin Airport
146 km
Transfer not provided
Arrival by airplane
Please arrange your flight to arrive at Belfast International Airport (BFS) or Dublin Airport (DUB). Transfers from these airports are not yet included, for more information, please send Bespoke Equestrian Ireland an inquiry. BEI is a full-service vacation provider and their US team can assist with and arrange travel logistics.
Cancellation Policy
- A reservation requires a deposit of 40% of the total price.
- The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
- The rest of the payment should be paid 30 days before arrival.
For this organizer you can guarantee your booking through BookHorseRidingHolidays.com. All major credit cards supported.
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