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Short Horse Riding Holiday in Ireland

Join Killarney Riding Stables' trail for an unequaled opportunity to explore the highlands of Kerry with the majestic McGillicuddy Reeks, Ireland’s highest mountain range. You will ride on country lanes and mountain tracks, on some of the beaches at Waterville,and on the magnificent stretch of golden sand at Rossbeigh. The Iveragh Peninsula, with many places of archaeological and historic interest stretches Southwest from Killarney for nearly 40 miles and is highlighted by the world renowned Ring of Kerry. Join and ride in this most beloved tourist spot!

Key information

  • Tack Type: English tack. Riders must be comfortable walking, trotting and cantering on an English saddle in order to participate on the Killarney Reeks Trail.
  • Horse Breed: a mixture of Irish Drafts, Irish Cobs, and Percheron Crosses

Highlights

  • 2 days of trail riding, 4+ hours riding per day
  • Ride over the Windy Gap with its panoramic views and the splendor of Caragh
  • Gallop through Rossbeigh beach's water's edge and along stretches of golden sand
  • Enjoy stunning views of Dingle Bay and the Dingle Peninsula
  • 2 picnic lunches out on the trail
  • 3 nights’ accommodation with breakfast
  • Horse, tack and guide provided

Skill level

  • Intermediate
  • Advanced

Styles


2 days with instruction
Group size: Minimum of 2 participants
Airport transfer available:
Cork Airport (US$ 194 per person)
Airport transfer available:
Kerry Airport (Farranfore Airport) (US$ 43 per person)
Airport transfer available:
Shannon Airport (US$ 302 per person)
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Accommodation

Check-in Time:
08:00

During this horse riding holiday, you can choose to be accommodated in twin, double, or single rooms. The accommodation will be in small family run hotels and bed and breakfast accommodations along the route. All rooms will have a private shower and toilet with towels provided.

Program

Itinerary

Arrival

Check-in for the trail is on Saturdays from 08:00 to 17:00. It is necessary to advise Killarney Riding Stables of the approximate arrival time so that there will be a member of the O’Sullivan family there to meet with you. Additionally, if arriving after 17:00, Killarney Riding Stables needs to be advised so as to arrange that someone is available to check you in.

Sunday

On Sunday morning with horses, riders, and all luggage ready, the day will begin with a short trip to the base of Seefinn Mountain which will be about 20 minutes’ drive. Once Killarney Riding Stables have introduced horses and riders, the group will head off and up over the Windy Gap taking in panoramic views and the splendor of Caragh and the valleys beyond. Once the Windy Gap has been conquered, the ride will be continued on to Coomasaharn Lake which is enclosed by horseshoe mountain and followed by a scenic ride over an Irish bog. The first day will be finished for at the stables in Mountain Stage.

Monday

After breakfast on Monday, you will return to the stables of the previous evening to begin the second day of the trail ride. Today will be spent on Rossbeigh beach which you will be galloping through the water's edge and along stretches of golden sand. The day will be finished with the ride taking the old cliff road back to the stables with stunning views of Dingle Bay and the Dingle Peninsula.

Tuesday

Enjoy your breakfast and after, it's time to check out. You can take the bus back to Killarney.

Notes

You’ll stop for lunch each day for approximately 1 hour, please take what you need for lunch out of the saddle bag, as the horses are kept separate from the group and allowed to rest. Please do not disturb them or feed them.

Times for Monday’s rides are unpredictable to tell until the evening before. This is due to both tidal and weather conditions. Schedules are subject to change.

Riding ability

Killarney Riding Stables require that all riders participating on the trail ride are able to walk, trot (post), and canter competently in an English saddle. Killarney Riding Stables advise western riders to take some English style lessons before participating on this trip in order to familiarise themselves with English tack and style of riding.

Saddle bags

Each horse is fitted with a saddle bag, so riders may carry personal items with them, such as; rain clothing, water bottle, camera, sun block, etc.

Safety for riders

  • Please listen to Guides instructions and respect them
  • Please ask for clarification if you do not understand any instruction from your Guide
  • Trail riding involves long and hard hours on both horses and riders. It is up to the guide to dictate the pace and at no time is anybody allowed to ride next to the guide, to pass the guide or set the pace. Any person behaving in a manner likely to cause an accident or disregarding the instructions of the guide(s) will be removed from the ride.

Tack

All horses have English saddles, and bridles. The saddles used are the ‘Swiss Ranger’ saddle, made by Peter August Spirig (Switzerland). These are designed for comfort for the long-distance rider and their horse. So extra gel pads etc. are not necessary, but if you wish to bring them, you are more than welcome to.

Horses

The horses used for the trail are a mixture of Irish Drafts, Irish Cobs, and Percheron Crosses.

Location

Killarney

Renowned for its beauty and famed for the splendor of its scenery, Killarney is one of the world's best-loved tourist spots. Killarney "Cill Airne" (The Church of Sloes) became a magnificent town about 1750 when the local magnate Lord Kenmare developed the tourist business and four major roads were built to the outside world. The area still bears the marks of a group of houses huddled outside the demesne walls. The present population is about 9,000 and the main economic base is tourism.

Killarney offers a wide and varied range of hotels from the large and luxurious to the small and intimate. There are super excellent guesthouses, cozy farmhouses, friendly town and country homes, with self-catering accommodation in the most attractive locations with a total capacity to cater for almost 6,000 visitors. Situated in the south-western corner of Ireland with its three famous lakes reflecting the ever-changing skies above the great mountain ranges, Killarney has been the inspiration of poets and painters for many centuries, and now it is also a thriving commercial and tourist center.

The three main lakes of Killarney occupy a broad valley stretching south between the mountains, the three lakes and the mountains that surround them are all within the Killarney National Park. Nearest the town is the lower lake “Lough Leane” studded with islands and having on its eastern shore the historic Muckross Abbey and Ross Castle.

The wooded peninsula of Muckross separates the lower lake from the middle lake sometimes called Muckross Lake. The tip of the Muckross Peninsula is the quaint Brickeen bridge and Dinis Island further on with its sub-tropical vegetation and views of the meeting of the waters. There is a narrow strait called the “long-range” which leads to the island-studded upper lake.

Around these islands are luxurious woods of oak, arbutus, holly, and mountain ash while beneath grows a profusion of fern and other plants. It adds to the beauty of the three main lakes are many other lakes in the folds of the mountains, and the numerous picturesque cascades such as Torc Waterfall. Rising to the west of the Killarney valley are the peaks of the MacGillicuddy's Reeks. These mountains beloved of the climber including Carrauntohil 3414 feet or 1,050 meters which are the highest peak in Ireland.

Glenbeigh

Glenbeigh comes from the words “Gleann Beithe” which means the glen of the birch trees. The village is almost entirely surrounded by mountains and the area offers a famous friendliness and humor which is nowhere better found than in this tranquil and charming region of Kerry. The scenery within the area is breath-taking with the River Behy and Rossbeigh Strand close by. The village is full of history and such a destination as Winns Folly Castle is well worth a visit.

Waterville

Waterville (meaning the little whirlpool) is the small coastal village which nestles on a narrow strip of land between Lough Currane and the Atlantic Ocean right in the heart of southwest Kerry. Its location, between the seashore and the impressive mountains and headlands, gives the area many interesting scenic points and fine beaches.

By all accounts, the first Celtic invaders are reputed to have landed in Ballinskelligs Bay which is coming ashore near the village. The beginnings of the Gaelic Nation are echoed by the archaeological site remains on Church Island, Derrynane Abbey and Skellig Michael which is thus giving the area a wealth of history.

Food

You will have full Irish or continental style breakfast daily at the accommodations, 2 picnic style lunches out on trail (bread, fruit, meat, cheese etc.). You can also have coffee / tea / water. Dinner is not included; all villages and towns have a selection of pubs and restaurants serving food. Most pubs / bars and restaurants accept credit card payments.

The following meals are included:

  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Drinks

The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:

  • Regular (typically includes meat and fish)
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)

Killarney is the ideal playground for the sporting enthusiast. In Killarney, you can enjoy:

  • Canoeing
  • Golf
  • Mountain climbing
  • Swimming
  • Tennis

Park rides (2025):

  • 1 hour: 70 EUR
  • 2 hours: 110 EUR
  • 3 hours: 155 EUR

What's included

  • 2 days trail riding (4+ hours per day)
  • Horse, tack and guide
  • 3 nights’ accommodation
  • 2 picnic lunches out on the trail
  • Daily breakfast at the accommodations

What's not included

  • Dinners
  • Arrival or departure transfers

How to get there

Recommended Airports

Arrival by bus

You can take a bus from Shannon and Cork to Killarney. Meanwhile, you can also take a bus from Kerry Airport (KIR) to Killarney. Once you have reached Killarney, you can call Killarney Riding Stables and the staff will be happy to collect you. The collection transfer service is free of charge. Please send Killarney Riding Stables an inquiry for more information.

Arrival by train

You can take the train from Dublin to Killarney and from Cork. Once you have reached Killarney, you can call Killarney Riding Stables and the staffs will be happy to collect you. The collection transfer service is free of charge. Please send Killarney Riding Stables an inquiry for more information.

Airport: Cork Airport Airport transfer available: Cork Airport (US$ 194 per person) Additional charges may apply. You can request this in the next step.
Airport: Kerry Airport (Farranfore Airport) Airport transfer available: Kerry Airport (Farranfore Airport) (US$ 43 per person) Additional charges may apply. You can request this in the next step.
Airport: Shannon Airport Airport transfer available: Shannon Airport (US$ 302 per person) Additional charges may apply. You can request this in the next step.

Cancellation Policy

  • A reservation requires a deposit of 16.94% 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.

Value for money
Accommodation & facilities
Food
Location
Quality of activity
4 days / 3 nights
from --
Tour information

Please note that for late bookings, Killarney Riding Stables cannot guarantee their usual accommodation, especially in peak season due to high room demand.

If there is a group of 4+ riders wishing to travel out of season, please send an inquiry to Killarney Riding Stables and they will try to facilitate.

 

Pricing information

Non-riders can also join this retreat with a rider participant for 1,470 EUR (rider and non-rider staying in a private double room). Please send an inquiry to Killarney Riding Stables for more information.

Minimum group size

This trip requires a minimum of 2 participants

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