General Info

Ireland horse vacation with legendary Irish horseman Willie Leahy in dramatic Connemara. This Western part of Ireland is where mountains meet the sea and lush landscapes surround lakes. Connemara is both wild and tame, and so are the wonderful Connemara ponies you'll ride here. Choose the Aille Cross Trail or fox hunting in Ireland from October to April and the Connemara Trail or Coastal Trail from April to October.

The Connemara Trail is not just for riders, but for anyone who enjoys other activities in a peaceful Irish atmosphere on trail riding vacations. Non-riders who want to accompany their riding partners may spend the day river fishing and deep-sea fishing, playing golf, cycling, mountain climbing or walking the little deserted roads, swimming and more. Non-riders will meet their riding Partners every evening to share their daily experience in the hotel pub. 

Ride with a legend, Willie Leahy, the very incamation of an lrish horseman. Willie will be your guide during a week or more of trekking through the gaelic West. Willie is a character and an outstanding horseman. Since Willie getting on in years, now is the time to ride with him and enjoy this unique, classic Irish riding vacation in beautiful Connemara. 

Enjoy six days or more of an exciting and relaxing Irish equestrian vacation. Spend five to seven hours a day on horseback and then relax amid luxurious hotels or guesthouses while the horses graze freely in a nearby field.

To traverse this area, you need to be with a local like Willie, who intimately knows the route, guiding you through the wild green hills and the rust coloured bogs. Ride horses among castle and manor ruins and along mountain paths and picnic stops.

Your luggage is brought by car from accommodation to accommodation and picnic lunches on the trail taken care of by the Connemara Trail's dynamic team.

For the Aille Cross Trail & Optional Irish Hunt your host is the legendary Irish horseman, Willie Leahy, who is known throughout the world for his famous Connemara and Coast trails and his Connemara Ponies. Depending on the dates you choose, you can either hunt with the famous Irish hunt the Galway Blazers or ride to Knock Ash and jump on the farm land surrounding Aille Cross. Willie Leahy has been field master of this pack for over a decade, so riders are given a great introduction to this exciting sport.

This superb Ireland horse vacation takes place from October to April amidst some of the most beautiful countryside in County Galway. It is a land of rolling hills and green fields, divided by a latticework of stone walls and quiet country roads. It is a land rich in folklore, legend and archaeological treasures all waiting to be explored on the back of an Irish hunter or a pure-bred Connemara pony.

The varied terrain includes the Slieve Aughty mountains and large tracts of woodland. On the trail there are opportunities to jump a large variety of natural obstacles, hedges, ditches and of course the walls for which County Galway is famous. All of these can be avoided if you would rather not jump. We would be delighted to custom design a programme for you that includes as much or as little jumping and instruction as you like, so please contact us. 

The trail provides riding and jumping at a pace that can be varied to suit riders of different abilities. Willie Leahy is famous for matching horse and rider to ensure that your holiday is as enjoyable as possible.

One of the highlights for more advanced riders and for those wanting to improve their jumping skills is the Dartfield event course. The course was professionally designed to accommodate riders and horses of all levels from novice to advanced. An international three day 2 star event has been held at the course since 2004 attracting riders from all over the world, including America and Europe. As well as the international standard fences, there are plenty of natural and man made fences that any rider will enjoy jumping.

Accommodation for the week is at the friendly local hunting hotel, O'Dea's in nearly Loughrea, or at family run B&B's. During the day a simple picnic lunch is eaten with plenty of tea and hot port on hand. The evening meal is taken at a variety of friendly restaurants in the Loughrea area.

Participants must be able to:
• gather, catch, tack and untack the horses
• mount and dismount unassisted
• ride comfortably at a walk, long trots, canters and short gallops
• ride up and down rocky hills
• ride for 5-7 hours a day
• ride comfortably in a large group of riders
• be flexible; the outfitter does not run on a strict schedule
• be independent; there is little direction or instruction given while on the ride

Packing

Packing for Horse Riding Ireland

Ireland is called the "Emerald Isle" for good reason. Although it is never really cold or hot, it does rain frequently in all seasons. As the Irish say, "In the winter it is cool and damp and in the summer it is warm and damp". This should not be a discouragement!

The Gulf Stream warms the island all year, resulting in a mild and pleasant temperature, and the rain is usually a light drizzle of short duration which does not interfere with your riding as long as you have raingear suitable for riding. Please note, however, that you should bring either rain jackets and trousers, or long duster coats - riding capes are not permitted. Laundry facilities are available at some of the hotels.

This outfitter recommends that you bring the following for equestrian vacations Ireland.

• Riding hat
• Jodhpurs
• Long riding boots (leather or rubber) or boots and chaps. Training shoes are not safe riding wear.
• Pair of boot laces
• Rain gear. Either waterproof trousers and jacket, or long riding coat. Definitely no capes. All rain gear should be lightweight, but hard wearing.
• Warm Sweater

Please see Equitrekking Travel's General Packing Suggestions.

About the Horses

Your host maintains approximately 200 horses, each very fit, willing to walk out and well suited for the terrain. These Irish Hunters and Connemara ponies of varying sizes are known the world over for their fantastic jumping ability, gentleness, intelligence and stamina. There is a horse to suit every rider’s needs whether a beginner or a rider with years of experience. The outfitter knows his horses well and is adept at matching horse and rider.

English tack is utilized. There are no saddle bags available, but there are D-Rings on the front of the saddle providing loops that a rain jacket or sweater can be tied to with leather thongs or string. Water is not provided on the trail and it is suggested that a waist pouch with a water bottle be worn.

The horses are not groomed as they live outside during the summer. However, riders are welcome to bring a small brush if they wish to groom before riding.

The first day will take at least an hour to select horses and get organized due to the size of the group. After gathering the horses, riders are asked to select a bridle and spend a brief time speaking with the outfitter about the size, temperament and preferences for a mount. Once a horse is chosen for the rider, he is asked to lead the horse to the tack trailer, select a saddle, saddle the horse and check the stirrup length and girth tightness. At lunch stops, the horses are untacked and are released to graze. After lunch, the horses are caught and tacked up.

In the mountains riders are advised to follow the guide rather than their own path. The mountains can be quite boggy and rocky and the guide has years of experience in seeking a trail through them. The same applies on the beach, please stay behind the guide so that they can set the pace and route. 

 

Activities/Events

Trail riding vacations in Connemara, fox hunting or try an exciting cross country course.

Non-riders may enjoy activities such as river fishing and deep-sea fishing, golf, cycling, mountain climbing or walking the little deserted roads, swimming and more. Non-riders will meet their riding partners every evening to share their daily experience in the hotel pub.

Accommodations/Food

Below are accommodations for the Connemara Trail, the Coastal Trail and Aille Cross Country Trail.

Aille Cross Trail Meals and Accommodations
Accommodation for the week is at the friendly local hunting hotel, O'Dea's in nearly Loughrea, or at family run b&b's. During the day a simple picnic lunch is eaten with plenty of tea and hot port on hand. The evening meal is taken at a variety of friendly restaurants in the Loughrea area.

Coastal Trail Accommodations

Accommodations are in the following quality small hotels in the villages or towns along the route. All rooms have private bathrooms and are very charming. Another option of staying in local bed and breakfasts is available upon request.

Zetland Country House Hotel, Cashel built originally as a Sporting Lodge in the early 1800’s, derives its name from the Earl of Zetland, a frequent visitor in the last century. Today, the hotel has the charm and elegance of those days combined with all the sophisticated luxury expected by discerning guests. From the main reception rooms and bedrooms, you look over the gardens rich in flowers, shrubs and trees, sweeping down to Cashel Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. 

Carna Bay, Carna lies in the heart of the Gaeltacht, an area where Irish is the everyday languague of the people. It is an area rich in culture and tradition. The hotel is a modern family –run hotel close to white sandy beaches. 

Screebe Lodge is the old shooting and fishing lodge of Ballynahinch Castle Screebe is a large, beautiful old house, seeped in history and is beautifully situated – surrounded by lakes, rivers, mountains and trees in abundance. 

Peacockes Hotel, Maam Cross, is a 3 star hotel nestled in the shadows of Mount Leckavrea and surrounded by beautiful lakes. Peacockes Hotel is situated in Maam Cross, at the cross road leading to the four quarters of Connemara. The hotel was completely refurbished in 2007 and includes all the facilities you would expect to find in a modern hotel. 

Connemara Gateway Hotel, Oughterard This 3 Star hotel is located in the pretty Angling village of Oughterard known as the 'Gateway to Connemara'. All of our guest bedrooms are tastefully decorated with views overlooking the gardens. The hotel has an adjoining pub O Nuallains where guests can relax after a long days ride. All meals are cooked to order and all our produce is sourced locally ensuring the freshest and finest quality at all times. Also has a leisure centre with gym and swimming pool available for guests.

Sweeney’s, Oughterard is a Georgian country house that has been converted to a comfortable hotel. The hotel is surrounded with gardens and trees and is opposite the Owenriff River. Public rooms are adorned with antiques and period furniture with paintings by local artists. There are 20 bedrooms with telephone, television, hairdryer, tea and coffee-making facilities. The hotel offers a pub and laundry services and there is a post office and small stores within walking distances from the hotel.

Meyrick Hotel Galway. A blend of 19th century elegance with today’s modern amenities overlooking Eyre Square in the heart of Galway City. There are 120 ensuite bedrooms each with a telephone, radio, hairdryer and television. There is an Oyster Room Restaurant, cocktail bar, pub, indoor heated swimming pool, steam room and sauna.

Guest House Accommodation

Wellfield, Oughterard this is a working farm rearing sheep and pedigree Hereford cattle. Guests are always assured a warm welcome, home cooked breakfasts and comfortable accommodation on the outskirts of Oughterard. 

The Beach House, Kilkerrin, sited just a short walk away from spectacular beaches and a quiet country pub, this guest house offers comfortable accommodation and home cooked food.

Please note those booking guest house accommodation may sometimes stay in small hotels depending on the availability of guest house room availability.

**HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS MAY CHANGE DUE TO AVAILABILITY. Please note that you may sometimes be placed in small hotels depending on the availability of guest houses.

Connemara Trail Accommodations
Accommodations are in the following small quality hotels in the villages or towns along the route. Another option of staying in local bed and breakfasts is available upon request.

Sweeney’s Oughterard is a Georgian country house that has been converted to a comfortable hotel. The hotel is surrounded with gardens and trees and is opposite the Owenriff River. The sitting rooms are adorned with antiques, period furniture and paintings by local artists. There are 20 bedrooms with telephone, television, hairdryer, tea and coffee-making facilities. The hotel has a pub and laundry service and there is a post office and small stores within walking distance from the hotel.

Abbeyglen Castle Hotel, Clifden is set in beautiful gardens with ponds, waterfalls and streams. It offers a panoramic view of Clifden and the bay with a backdrop of the Twelve Bens Mountain Range. The rooms are quite large with television, telephone, iron and hairdryer. Other facilities include a pub, same-day laundry service, stamps and postcards, post office drop box, outdoor heated swimming pool, tennis courts, sauna and billiards. It is about a 15-minute walk into Clifden.

Meyrick Hotel, Galway is a blend of 19th century elegance and modern decor with today’s modern amenities overlooking Eyre Square in the heart of Galway City. There are 120 ensuite bedrooms each with a telephone, radio, hairdryer and television. Other amenities include Oyster Room Restaurant, cocktail bar, pub, indoor heated swimming pool, steam room and sauna.

Peacockes Hotel, Maam Cross is a 3 star hotel nestled in the shadows of Mount Leckavrea and surrounded by beautiful lakes. Peacockes Hotel is situated in Maam Cross, at the cross road leading to the four quarters of Connemara. The hotel was completely refurbished in 2007 and includes all the facilities you would expect to find in a modern hotel.

Connemara Gateway Hotel, Oughterard is 3 Star hotel is located in the pretty Angling village of Oughterard known as the 'Gateway to Connemara'. All of the guest bedrooms are tastefully decorated with views overlooking the gardens. The hotel has an adjoining pub O Nuallains where guests can relax after a long days ride. All meals are cooked to order and produce is sourced locally ensuring the freshest and finest quality at all times. This hotel also has a leisure center with a gym and swimming pool available for guests

Guest House Accommodation

Wellfield, Oughterard is a working farm rearing sheep and pedigree Hereford cattle. Guests are always assured a warm welcome, home cooked breakfasts and comfortable accommodation on the outskirts of Oughterard.

In Clifden, accommodations are either in small guest houses or small local hotels. Dinner is eaten with the hotel group in the Abbey Glen Hotel Wednesday – Friday evenings. 

**HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS MAY CHANGE DUE TO AVAILABILITY. Please note that you may sometimes be placed in small hotels depending on the availability of guest houses.

Meals for Connemara Trail & Coastal Trail

Start each day with a hearty Irish breakfast complete with hot porridge, fruit, yogurt, muesli, brown bread, bacon, sausage, eggs, and toast along with juices, coffee and tea.

Picnic lunches are provided along the trail. Picnics consist of bread, cheeses, cold meats, lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, cookies and various sodas, tea and coffee.

Evening meals are at the hotel’s restaurant. Meals are wonderful and are typically four courses with a variety of dishes and choices. Vegetarian or other dietary requests can be accommodated with advance notice.

 

The Ideal Traveler

Equestrians who want to experience trail riding in Connemara -- wild Western Ireland -- with a true Irish horseman and character, longtime guide Willie Leahy. Ride to various areas of Connemara, taking in the dramatic beauty of this varied region. Those who want to try fox hunting in Ireland and improve their cross country skills may enjoy the Aille Cross Trail from Oct to May.

Connemara Trail 7 days

Experience Gaelic richness in the Irish countryside, passing by small thatched cottages and villages built around a stately manor or castle ruins on horse riding holidays in Ireland. Ride through the wild bogland and rocky mountainsides of the Connemara region, an area renowned for scenery, which changes with every passing cloud or ray of light. Rivers, lakes, mountains and the sea provide a pristine and beautiful contrast to the russet boglands.

Dates & Rates 2012
Connemara Trail Dates
April 30-May 6, May 14-20, May 28-June 3, June 11-17, June 25-July 1, July 9-15, July 23-29, August 6-12, August 20-26, September 3-9, September 17-23

Prices:
6-Day Hotel Package
April/ May/ June/ September
$2,159 USD* (1,582 Euro) per person double occupancy, $2,443 USD* (1,790 Euro) Single

July / August
$2,230 USD* (1,634 Euro) per person double occupancy, $2,514 USD* (1,842 Euro) Single

6-Day Guesthouse Package
April/ May/ June/ September
$1,962 USD* (1,437 Euro) per person double occupancy, $2,175 USD* (1,593 Euro) Single

July / August
$2,033USD* (1,489 Euro) per person double occupancy, $2,245 USD* (1,645 Euro) Single

* All prices include 6 days riding, guide, all meals (full Irish breakfast, picnic lunch and superb evening dinner), accommodation (Mon-Saturday inclusive) and transfers during Trails.  Prices may change due to currency fluctuations. 

Itinerary

Monday
Meet at 10.00am in Galway at the Meyrick Hotel and drive to the starting point of the long and impressive ride to Maam Cross. After meeting your horse or Connemara pony, mount up and begin the ride on country lanes, passing stone wall fences where sheep and cattle graze. Enjoy the rolling green hills in the distance before reaching the mountains. The scenery changes dramatically as the horses climb into the hills. Watch for hidden stone houses of the “Ferocious O’Flahertys” while riding. These are the houses where they lived after being banished from Aughanure Castle as they were at constant odds with the forces of Galway.

A long trot on a graveled road brings you to the edge of Oughterard where riders follow the river out of town for a rest and picnic lunch. After lunch ascend a long hill to reach the edge of the bog that appears to be only a grassy meadow. After crossing the soggy bogland, the route continues across the rocky hills with great views of the colorful valleys and pristine lakes below. Ride out of the hills onto the abandoned Galway-Clifden railway line where there may be the opportunity for a canter. Turn the horses loose by a beautiful lake near Maam Cross and return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

Tuesday
Today is a beautiful seven hours' ride from Maam Cross to Ballynafad, a few miles from Ballynahinch. The ride begins by crossing the bogland, on a small road that Willie, the owner of these treks, built. In the middle of the bog is a small crop of limestone rock where a small copse of hazel trees grow. Hidden amongst the trees is an old lime kiln, where the stone would have once been burnt to produce lime for whitewash and fertilizer. Enjoy a picnic lunch on a small village green before riding through beautiful forests and a mountain with the most glorious views over the Twelve Bens and mountain lakes. Late in the afternoon stop for a refreshing cup of tea before a canter along the old railway line. Leave the horses grazing in Ballynafad and drive to Clifden for the night.

Wedesday
Today’s six-hour ride offers great variety in beautiful scenery. The morning begins by crossing a winding stream and passing small fields filled with sheep and one of the oldest cemeteries in Connemara. Ride through the grounds of Ballynahinch Castle built in the 15th century, ancestral home of Humanity Dick; a local landlord, MP and one of the chief forces behind the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. After long trots and canters on the old railway line, stop for a picnic lunch near a small cottage. In the afternoon, ride through Roundstone bog, where Alcock and Brown landed on the first flight in a by-plane across the Atlantic. Pass extensive peat bogs and the harvested piles of the dried peat that are stacked by the roadside awaiting collection. In the early evening riders reach Ballyconneely and the sea. Turn the horses loose for the evening and drive to Clifden for dinner and overnight.

Thursday
Today is a full day on the fantastic Mannin Beach. The day is free to canter along the wide white sand beaches and swim with the horses if the conditions are right. Keep an eye out for the seals that are usually found in these sheltered waters. Mannin Bay is a regular hauling out and breeding site for common seals which can be seen with some difficulty lying almost motionless as they wait for the tide to lift them away. Leave the horses in a field nearby and drive back to Clifden for dinner and overnight.

Friday
Today’s route follows the coast. Lunch is eaten in at the foot of Errisbeg, the mountain that we ride over in the afternoon. The horses graze loose close to where the riders eat lunch. After lunch the ride climbs over the mountains above the village of Roundstone. The views in the mountain are spectacular, overlooking the sea and the Commemara mountains. After leaving the horses, return to hotel for dinner and overnight.

Saturday
Spend the day at Willie’s Dartfield Horse Museum. Riders can trail ride around the museum, or test their skill on the cross country course. The event course has fences to suit all levels, from beginner to the advanced riders so everyone will have fun and the chance to improve their riding and jumping skills. Riders have the opportunity to look around the museum, which is dedicated to the Irish horse and pony breeds and is the only one of its kind in the world. Riders stay in Loughrea on last night and, if required, are returned to Galway City on Sunday Morning.

Sunday
Departure after breakfast.

* Please note that the above itineray is flexible and subject to change based on the weather, the tides, trip guide's discretion or other factors. 

Coastal Trail 7 days

Enjoy the fresh salty breeze from the Atlantic Ocean as you trek through the contrasting landscape of the Connemara region of Ireland. Connemara is a wild and barren region west of the city of Galway. It is a stunning patchwork of bogs, lonely valleys, pale grey mountains and small lakes that shimmer when the sun shines. This ride explores the coast where the mountains meet the sea in a maze of rocky islands, inlets and sparkling white beaches.

Dates & Rates 2012
Coast Trail Dates
May 7-13, May 21-27, June 4-10, June 18-24, July 2-8, July 16-22, July 30 -August 5, August 13-19, August 27-September 2, Sept 10-16, Sept 24 - 30

Prices:
6-Day Hotel Package
April/ May/ June/ September
$2,159 USD* (1,582 Euro) per person double occupancy, $2,443 USD* (1,790 Euro) Single

July / August
$2,230 USD* (1,634 Euro) per person double occupancy, $2,514 USD* (1,842 Euro) Single

6-Day Guesthouse Package
April/ May/ June/ September
$1,962 USD* (1,437 Euro) per person double occupancy, $2,175 USD* (1,593 Euro) Single

July / August
$2,033USD* (1,489 Euro) per person double occupancy, $2,245 USD* (1,645 Euro) Single 

* All prices include 6 days riding, guide, all meals (full Irish breakfast, picnic lunch and superb evening dinner), accommodation (Mon-Saturday inclusive) and transfers during Trails. Prices may change due to currency fluctuations. 

Itinerary 

Monday
Meet at ten AM in Galway at the Meyrick Hotel (the old Great Southern). The ride begins again at Shannadonnell. The horses are rounded up off the mountain and saddled. This morning’s ride is across Willie’s mountain, Shannadonnell. Lunch is served beside a mountain lake while the horses are turned loose to graze. After lunch the horses are caught again and the ride continues into the village of Carna and onto Willie’s beach house. Leave the horses in a field near the beach house and drive back to accommodation.

Tuesday
Enjoy an unforgettable day riding on the beach. The day starts with a ride along the shore on Mweenish Beach. Keep an eye out for the seals that are usually found in these sheltered waters. Mweenish and Mannin Bays regular hauling out and breeding sites for common seals and can be seen with some difficulty lying almost motionless as they wait for the tide to lift them away. Break for lunch after swimming the horses in the sea, before riding along the beach on the other side of the island enjoying the fabulous view of the Aran Islands.

Wednesday
Tide permitting, today’s trek will start with a ride out to Finish Island. This beautiful island has many old ruined houses on it and the remains of the stone walls and roads that were once used. Advanced groups of riders may have the opportunity to jump some of the walls, but this is not always possible. After a long canter along the beach the horses wade back through the sea and head up into the mountains once more. Lunch is eaten in the mountains, before continuing on the ride, in the mountains above the village of Kilkerrin, before the afternoon ride with spectacular views of this stunning coastline. We ride through mountain land, past turf stacks and through areas where turf is cut and then on, bypassing an abandoned quarry and then following the coastline along to Derryrush. 

Thursday
From Derryrush ride past Screebe Lodge to Letter Moir to where lunch is eaten at the foot of a mountain range. After lunch the horses are resaddled and the ride continues through a mountain village where there may be the chance to go inside an old farm cottage, to see the beautiful, traditional accommodation. The afternoon ride is over a mountain top with an incredible view that stretches over rolling bogs, valleys with tiny lakes and the shredded coastline below. In the early evening reach Shanafeistin where the horses will graze. Riders transfer to the Oughterard for the night.

Friday
Enjoy a long canter on forest roads before lunch. View beautiful Lough Corrib at a distance before the last ride to Oughterard this is a fun ride through forestry along gravel tracks with plenty of opportunity for long canters.

Saturday
Spend the day at Willie’s Dartfield Horse museum. Riders can trail ride around the museum, or test their skill on the cross country course. The event course has fences to suit all levels, from beginner to the advanced riders so everyone will have fun and the chance to improve their riding and jumping skills. Riders have the opportunity to look around the museum, which is dedicated to the Irish horse and pony breeds and is the only one of its kind in the world. Riders stay in Loughrea for their last night and, if required, are returned to Galway City on Sunday Morning.

Sunday
Departure after breakfast.

* This itinerary is flexible and subject to changes based on the weather, trip guide's discretion or other factors.
 

Aille Cross Trail & Fox Hunting in Ireland 6 days

Your host at Aille Cross is the legendary Irish horseman, Willie Leahy, who is known throughout the world for his famous Connemara and Coast trails. Riders may either try fox hunting in Ireland with the famous Irish hunt the Galway Blazers or ride to Knock Ash and jump on the farm land surrounding Aille Cross, depending on the time of year.

2012 and 2012 Dates & Rates

2012 Dates
January 2nd, January 9th, January 16th, January 23rd, January 30th, February 6th, February 13th, February 20th, February 27th, March 5th, March 12th, March 19th, March 26th, April 2nd, April 9th, April 16th, and April 23rd.

2012 Rates
6-Night Hotel Package: $1,997 USD* (1,474 Euro) per person double occupancy, $2,136 USD* (1,577 Euro) Single occupancy

6-Night Guesthouse Pkg.: $1,848 USD* (1,364 Euro) per person double occupancy, $1,933 USD* (1,427Euro) Single occupancy

* Prices are subject to change based on currency conversions. Includes 6 nights (Mon-Sat. incl.) All meals. (Full Irish Breakfast, Mid-Day Snack, Superb Evening Dinner)

Description

This superb riding holiday takes place from October to April amidst some of the most beautiful countryside that County Galway is famous for. It is a land of rolling hills and green fields, divided by a latticework of stone walls and quiet country roads. It is a land rich in folklore, legend and archaeological treasures all waiting to be explored on the back of an Irish hunter or a pure-bred Connemara pony. Riders interested in the Irish Hunt should contact us.

The varied terrain includes the Slieve Aughty mountains and large tracts of woodland. On the trail there are opportunities to jump a large variety of natural obstacles, hedges, ditches and of course the walls for which County Galway is famous. All of these can be avoided if you would rather not jump. We would be delighted to custom design a programme for you that includes as much or as little jumping and instruction as you like.

The trail provides riding and jumping at a pace that can be varied to suit riders of different abilities. Willie Leahy is famous for matching horse and rider to ensure that your holiday is as enjoyable as possible.

One of the highlights for more advanced riders and for those wanting to improve their jumping skills is the Dartfield event course. The course was professionally designed to accommodate riders and horses of all levels from novice to advanced. An international three day 2 star event has been held at the course since 2004 attracting riders from all over the world, including America and Europe. As well as the international standard fences, there are plenty of natural and man made fences that any rider will enjoy jumping.

Accommodation
Accommodation for the week is at the friendly local hunting hotel, O'Dea's in nearly Loughrea, or at family run b&b's. During the day a simple picnic lunch is eaten with plenty of tea and hot port on hand. The evening meal is taken at a variety of friendly restaurants in the Loughrea area.

Sample Itinerary:
This itinerary is only a sample of what is available for riders. As this is a working farm riders sometimes have the opportunity to help with an exciting horse, cattle or sheep drive, a necessity for farming in this area.

Riders can enjoy the trail at Aille Cross for a week, or just a few days. We will always be delighted to tailor make a holiday to meet your requirements, so please contact us.

This itinerary is only a sample of what is available for riders. As this is a working farm, riders sometimes have the opportunity to help with an exciting horse, cattle or sheep drive, a necessity for farming in this area.

The week begins on Monday with a ride through the forest to Killnadema, where riders have an opportunity to jump small obstacles while the guide assesses their ability. There is plenty of jumping for those who want to, but it must be stressed that all obstacles can be avoided.

On Tuesday riders can either go fox hunting in Ireland with the famous Irish hunt the Galway Blazers or ride to Knock Ash and jump on the farm land surrounding Aille Cross. Willie Leahy has been field master of this pack for over a decade, so riders are given a great introduction to this exciting sport.

On Wednesday the ride begins at Dartfield - Ireland's Horse World, Willie Leahy's latest venture. Here there are 350 acres of rolling parkland with a superb cross country course for riders to jump. The visit to the course is the highlight of many visits to Aille Cross. Lunch is eaten at Dartfield after which riders have the opportunity to look around the only museum in the world to be dedicated to the Irish horse. The afternoon is spent riding and jumping on the farmland surrounding the museum.

On Thursday riders can hunt again, or ride to Killnadema where there are natural obstacles and stone walls to jump. After lunch, riders will enjoy a hack through a large area of forestry where there are plenty of opportunities for fast gallops along woodland tracks.

Friday is spent at Dartfield again. There is another opportunity to try your skill over the event course. Those not wishing to jump can ride through the farmland around the museum and beyond into the surrounding area.

Saturday is the final day of your stay at Aille Cross. The Galway Blazers meet on a Saturday, so those who are foxhunting will join Willie for an exciting hunt with this popular pack. Those who are not hunting will ride around Aille Cross. Riders will be surprised at how much their confidence and ability has increased during the week under the guidance of our professional tutors. After lunch there is a final opportunity to ride around the beautiful farmland surrounding Aille Cross, before it is time to say goodbye to the horses that have been your faithful companions during the week.

* This itinerary is only a sample. Itineraries are flexible and subject to changes based on the weather, trip guide's discretion or other factors.
 

Related Travel Articles

Traveler Reviews

In the Press
Tippling at the local pubs, stopping to chat with farmers along the trek, and breaking for tea on the grounds of Aughnamure, a five-Story, thirteenth-century castle, also kept us refreshed during the six-hour rides.

A perch atop the horse gave me a bird's-eye view of the land. And the pace - lots of walking and trotting-gave me time to take in Western Ireland's wide array of fauna, which ranges from bright, blooming fuchsia bushes to miniature palm trees. We smelled the sweet aroma of peat burning in the hearths of the thatched-roof cottages. As we trotted down narrow cow paths, I could reach over and pluck a fistful of ripe blackberries. At noon, we unbridled our horses and set them loose to graze while we dined on a picnic lunch.

By the end of the Connemara trip, my group, an international mix of French, British, and American riders, had developed an admiration for the sure-footed mounts that had carried us safely over rocky slopes and squishy bogs. By the final day, we even scrambled on our horses bareback and splashed in the Atlantic Ocean.

-- Wendy Carlson, "Ireland on Horseback"

Willie Leahy was born on May 1, which, he says, qualifies him to become a leprechaun. With his round, tanned face and bushy eyebrows, he already looks a bit like one, mind. Willie is the kind of Irishman who says "top of the morning " to you, flirts with all the women, tells a pretty tall yarn and can, you suspect, charm the brass handles off a coffin. He claims he once had a leprechaun by the throat but the little man distracted him by telling him there was a "sexy woman" behind him. Willie turned to look and when he glanced back, the leprechaun had gone. "He knew my weakness," says the Irishman with a smile...

Days are spent traversing the bare, wildflower-covered hills of the National Park or cantering along the beach and swimming the horses in the bay. For those who want the experience, there are stone fences to jump. Willie, who seerns to know everyone in Connemara, frequently Stops to chat to the locals. On our trip, we were introduced to a 90-year-old fisherman who still plies his boat in the waters of Cashel Bay. In the evenings, there may be a concert of Irish music, although, like everything else in Ireland, it is a haphazard affair - depending on whether Willie tan convince the local dancers and singers to turn up.

-- Viginia Westbury, "Connemara on Horseback - Trailriding in Ireland"