7 Day Wild Atlantic Way Horse Riding Holiday in Westport, County Mayo
Horse Riding Holiday in Ireland
The Clew Bay Trail Ride takes small groups of experienced riders along the Wild Atlantic Way through new and ever-changing landscapes of small villages, breathtaking sandy beaches, sea and off-shore islands, country lanes, mountain tracks and local heritage sites, stopping for a picnic along the way. Your host Padraic Foy, is a qualified riding instructor, a Monty Robert's Certified Instructor and an accomplished horseman whose family have been involved with horses in the locality for generations. Combined with the spectacular Clew Bay region, quality Irish horses, and excellent accommodation, this program will give you a horse riding adventure holiday you will cherish forever!
Key information
- Rider weight limit: 90 kilograms / 200 pounds
- Horse height range: 13.2hh (138 centimeters) to 16.2hh (168 centimeters)
- Tack type: English
- Horse breed: Connemara Ponies, Irish Sport Horses, Irish Draughts, or Irish Cobs
Highlights
- 5 days of trail riding
- 4+ hours of riding per day
- Ride along the Wild Atlantic Way
- Horses, tack, and a qualified guide
- Transfers during the trail riding
- 6 nights of accommodation
- 5 picnic lunches for riders
- Daily tasty breakfast
Skill level
- Intermediate
- Advanced
Styles
Accommodation
Facilities
- Dining area
The guest house accommodation for the trail has been carefully chosen and is located either in or close to Westport Town. They are approved by the Irish Tourist Board and provide a quality personal service. The bedrooms, which are en-suite are both comfortable and relaxing.
Program
Itinerary
Sunday
On arrival to Westport, check in to your accommodation which is where you will be staying for the trail.
Monday
Transfer to Drummindoo Stud to meet your host Padraic Foy, your horse and the other riders. After an assessment ride in the indoor arena, riders and horses are transferred to the village of Aughagower for the Aughagower Ride. This takes you through the villages of Curvey, Lankill and Knappagh Beg where you picnic on the shores of Knappagh Lake, then on to Drumhill before returning to Aughagower via Peggy’s Boreen. After riding there is a chance for riders to visit the round tower and monastic site which dates back to the 7th century.
Tuesday
Today you start at the village of Culeen for the Culeen Ride. This ride takes you to the west of Croagh Patrick, through quiet country lanes at Kilsallagh and Kinnock and then to bog roads at Dereen where you will have some long canters. You picnic on the bog and get to see the harvesting of the bog peat at close hand. You then return via a river crossing at Bellakip to finish the day at Culeen.
Wednesday
Today you start at Formoyle for the Feenone Ride. This takes you 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. Clare Island (Grainne Uaile, Ireland’s famous Pirate Queen resided there in the 1500,s and controlled all the waters of Clew Bay) and Inishturk Island can clearly be seen. You then head for Carrowniskey beach where you can canter and gallop before returning to base.
Thursday
Today you start at Cloona just outside of Westport and take the Skelp Ride which brings you towards the east side of Croagh Patrick (Ireland’s Holy Mountain which has been a site of worship for over 3,000 years.). This mountain path gives you a great view of Clew Bay. You ride through Prospect and picnic near the ruins of a holmestead which dates back to pre famine times. Then on to Teevnacroagha where you ride in the footsteps of St. Patrick (Ireland’s patron saint) and Brackloon before finishing the day at Cloona.
Friday
For the final day of your trail you make your way to Doughmakeon and to ride the beach at Carrowniskey before crossing the Carrowniskey river and on to Cross Strand. There are ample opportunities to gallop today. You picnic next to Clapper Bridge (the bridge with the eyes). You can see the coastline of Connemara in the distance. There are many standing stones in the area dating back to megalithic times. You ride along Cross Strand and Carrowniskey beach again before returning to the base where you will say goodbye to your equine companion. In the evening enjoy a farewell dinner with your host Padraic in one of Westport’s fine restaurants.
Saturday
Depart after breakfast with fond memories of your equestrian adventure.
Note
The Itinerary of The Clew Bay Trail Ride may change slightly due to circumstances beyond their control such as bad weather, tidal variations, etc. and they reserve the right to change this without prior notice.
Horses
Ireland is known as The Land Of The Horse. A temperate climate and good soil conditions make it an ideal place to raise horses. An ability to cross any country has ensured that the Irish Horse is surefooted and looks after it’s rider. The Irish people have a natural affinity with the horse and this is evident in the horses they have. The majority of the trail horses have competition experience and have been started by them.
- Suitability: Good temperaments and stamina make the horses ideal for the trail
Riding ability
You need not be an expert to ride the trail as they take great care 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.
Please note: In the interests of safety and enjoyment you will be required to submit a recent short video of your riding ability along with details of your age, height, and weight before they can confirm a booking.
Requirements
- Riding level: Intermediate
- Fitness level: Participants should be reasonably fit and they suggest you go riding a couple of times a week before coming on the trail
- Pace: This is a progressive ride with the pace varying from slow to fast depending on terrain and weather conditions
- Group size: 2 to 5 people (private groups of 6 to 8 people by request). For groups of 6 or more there is an accompanying backup guide
- Age limit: Children 12 years and over are welcome if accompanied by an adult
Location
This holiday will take place in Ireland, around Clew Bay and Wild Atlantic Way. Clew Bay is a natural ocean bay situated on the Wild Atlantic Way in County Mayo. It contains many islands, some say there is one for every day of the year. The bay is overlooked by Croagh Patrick, Ireland's Holy Mountain where Saint Patrick spent the forty days of Lent in 441 AD in prayer and fasting for the people of Ireland, and as tradition relates, cast a spell repeatedly down its slopes to drive out the snakes and other repellent creatures from Ireland forever.
Lying just offshore, at the mouth of Clew Bay, is the magnificent Clare Island, the stronghold and headquarters of Grainne Uaile (Grace O'Malley), the legendary Irish Pirate queen who terrorized English, Spanish, and husbands alike along the west coast of Ireland in the 1500's.
Located at the south-west corner of Clew Bay, is the award-winning town of Westport which has won the "Irish Tidy Towns Competition" three times in 2001, 2006, and 2008. In 2013, it was deemed the "Best Place To Live In Ireland" and the "Best Large Town" by The Irish Times. It has a gracious town center in the Georgian Architectural style and is one of the few planned towns in Ireland. The planning of the town by James Wyatt in 1780 was commissioned by Lord Sligo of the stately home Westport House, as a place for his workers and tenants to live. Among the picturesque features of the town are it's tree-lined, flower decorated promenade (The Mall) and several stone bridges over the Carrowbeg River.
Distances
- Ireland West Airport Knock (NOC): 55 kms / 40 miles, 50 minutes by car
- Shannon Airport (SNN): 201 kms / 125 miles, 2 hours by car
- Dublin Airport (DUB): 267 kms / 165 miles, 3 hours and 35 minutes by car
- Belfast International Airport (BFS): 306 kms / 190 miles, 4 hours by car
Food
Various breakfast options are available including full Irish and continental. Special dietary requirements can be catered for. Picnic lunches on the trail consist of sandwiches, fruit, snacks, drinks, etc. and can be tailored to individual needs. 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.
The following meals are included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:
- Regular (typically includes meat and fish)
Things to do (optional)
Clew Bay is a top class activity hub and a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. You can choose from walking, cycling, sailing, fishing, golf, and a host of other adventure activities.
What's included
- 6 nights' accommodation
- Daily breakfast
- 5 days trail riding (4 or more hours per day)
- Horse, tack, and guide
- 5 picnic lunches for riders
- Transfers during the trail for riders
- Return transfers from Westport Train Station and Bus Depot to accommodation
What's not included
- Evening meals
- Arrival or departure transfers
How to get there
Recommended Airports
Belfast International Airport
234 km
Transfer not provided
Dublin Airport
218 km
Transfer not provided
Ireland West Airport Knock
47 km
Transfer not provided
Shannon Airport
128 km
Transfer not provided
Arrival by airplane
Return airport transfers per vehicle (up to 8 people) is available from the following airports:
- Ireland West Airport Knock (NOC): 275 EUR
- Shannon Airport (SNN): 775 EUR
- Dublin Airport (DUB): 1225 EUR
Arrival by bus
Your hosts provide free collection from Westport Bus depot.
Arrival by train
Your hosts provide free collection from Westport Train Station.
Cancellation Policy
- A reservation requires a deposit of 25% 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.
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