Ireland is a horse-loving country, with a plethora of stables and equestrian centers offering trail rides and instruction. The Association of Irish Riding Establishments (www.aire.ie) is the regulatory body that accredits stables, ensuring adequate safety standards and instructor competence. Riding prices range from €15 to €35 ($20-$46) per hour; expect to pay €20 ($26) on average. A list of accredited stables throughout the country is available from the Irish Tourist Board.
A variety of riding options can be found to suit different interests and levels of experience. Pony trekking caters primarily to beginners, and you don't need experience. Trail riding over longer distances requires the ability to trot for extended periods, and can be exhausting for the novice. Several establishments have accommodations and offer packages that include meals, lodging, and riding. Post-to-post trail riding allows a rider to stay at different lodgings each night, riding on trails all day.
Riding Resources
The Irish Tourist Board has a dedicated horseback-riding website with numerous links and contacts at www.equestrian.travel.ie.
Equestrian Holidays Ireland (www.ehi.ie) is a collection of some 37 riding centers, each registered with the Association of Irish Riding Establishments, offering a wide variety of accommodations and holiday riding experiences. EHI properties include Dingle Horse Riding, Ballinaboula, Dingle (tel. 066/915-2199; www.dinglehorseriding.com); and Drumindoo Stud & Equestrian Centre, Knockranny, Westport, County Mayo (tel. 098/25616).
In Dublin, you can go trail riding through Phoenix Park, with Ashtown Riding Stables (tel. 01/838-3807). They're in the village of Ashtown adjoining the park and only 10 minutes by car or bus (no. 37, 38, 39, or 70) from the city center. Among the other riding centers within easy reach of downtown Dublin are Calliaghstown Riding Centre, Calliaghstown, Rathcoole, County Dublin (tel. 01/458-8322), and Carrickmines Equestrian Centre, Glenamuck Road, Foxrock, Dublin 18 (tel. 01/295-5990).
If you want to try hunting Irish-style, you can go leaping across the hedges with the Broomfield Riding School, Broomfield, Tinahely (tel. 0402/38117), which offers access to the hunt for those who can demonstrate adequate equestrian skills, especially jumping. The riding school is open year-round for lessons and trail rides.
Devil's Glen Holiday and Equestrian Village, Ashford, County Wicklow (tel. 0404/40637; www.devilsglen.ie), at the edge of the wilderness of the Devil's Glen, offers a full range of equestrian opportunities, from lessons to jumping to trekking cross-country. Or you could see the beaches of Connemara from horseback on a trek with the Cleggan Riding Centre, Cleggan, County Galway (tel. 095/44746; www.clegganridingcentre.com). The center offers beach and mountain treks, and the most popular is a 3-hour ride to Omey Island at low tide.
Horseback-Riding Tip
Always phone ahead to make sure any particular equestrian center is still offering rides. Many have discontinued this service in the past few years due to skyrocketing insurance costs.
