6 Day Clew Bay Trail Horse Riding Holiday Along Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way

Your host, Padraic Foy, is a qualified riding instructor, a Monty Roberts-certified instructor, and an accomplished Irish horseman whose family has been involved with horses in the locality for generations. This, combined with the spectacular Clew Bay region, quality Irish horses, and excellent accommodation, ensures a horse riding adventure holiday you will cherish forever.

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 Brackloon 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 homestead that dates back to pre-famine times. Then on to Teevnacroagha, where you ride in the footsteps of St. Patrick (Ireland’s patron saint) before finishing the day at Brackloon.

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 1500s 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

For the final day of the trail, you make your way to Doughmakeon and 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), where you can see the coastline of Connemara in the distance. There are many standing stones in the area dating back to megalithic times. 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 drink in one of Westport’s pubs.

Friday

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 control, such as bad weather, tidal variations, etc., and Clew Bay Trail Ride reserves the right to change this without prior notice.

The 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 its 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 Clew Bay Trail Ride.

• Featured breeds: Connemara Ponies, Irish Sport Horses, Irish Draughts, or Irish Cobs.
• Size: 13.2hh (138 cm) to 16hh (164 cm)
• 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 the Clew Bay Trail Ride team takes 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 we 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.
• Tack: English
• Upper weight limit of 90 kg (200 lbs)
• Group size: 2 to 8 people. 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