General Info

Equitrekking Travel’s Clonshire Equestrian Training in Historic Adare is a good fit for people who love horses and the outdoors and would like to learn and improve their riding skills on an Irish riding vacation. Days are spent taking lessons and hacking around the grounds of Clonshire, a top equestrian center that's approved by the British Horse Society. Travelers may focus on cross country, dressage, show jumping and flatwork. The Clonshire Riding Center is set among 140 acres of beautiful parkland with an extra large outdoor arena, indoor arena, sand ring, private livery and competition yard, as well as a cross country course. It's only about a forty minute drive from Shannon Airport.

In July and August, kids may participate in Clonshire’s Children’s Riding Camp. Parents may choose to ride at stay in town at Dunraven or enjoy time out of the saddle by sightseeing while their children train in Ireland at horse camp! Equitrekking Travel’s preferred provider of travel services Julie Snydermay help you arrange these plans to get the most out of your Ireland vacation.

The County Limerick Hunt Club own the Clonshire Estate. Lord Harrington, Senior Master, first came up with the idea for the Equestrian Centre. Dan and Sue Foley, your hosts (scroll down to read more about your riding instructors), began managing the centre in 1992. Clonshire is managed by Dan and Sue Foley. Among Ireland’s most esteemed instructors, Dan has brought many young show jumpers up the ranks to the national level and enjoyed success in the sport of eventing. Dan Foley, a well known horseman, has been hunting, show jumping and generally living in a saddle since before he could walk. Sue is certified by the British Horse Society and an accomplished hunt seat rider. She’s a past winner at the world-renowned Dublin Horse Show. One advantage of traveling to Ireland to improve your riding at Clonshire is that you may be training with other Irish equestrians. It’s always a plus to get to meet locals and discover what horses and horse life is like in Ireland.

Riders may stay right in the town of Adare at the upscale Dunraven Arms Hotel and enjoy its rich equestrian history and ambience, or right by the stables in Clonshire’s various accommodations. The town of Adare, named Ireland’s prettiest village, is similar to Middleburg, Virginia. Besides being a charming village with thatched roofed cottages, historic sites, boutiques, pubs and restaurants, it’s where Ireland’s horsey set live and play.   

Guests who visit Clonshire are ideally situated for visiting the Dingle Peninsula and Ring of Kerry. In fact, travelers may want to consider pairing a three or six day Equitrekking Travel Ring of Kerry Equestrian Vacation with this vacation at Clonshire. We’re happy to customize your vacation in Ireland to fit your goals and schedule.

This vacation has group friendly options, offering a special barn package. Get your stable mates together and travel to Ireland to take lessons and ride at Clonshire! If you bring six people to stay in shared rooms accommodation, the group leader stays and rides for free.

Riding Options
Training Packages (Group Barn Packages- Bring 6 people and the 7th is free!)
July and August Kids & Youth Camp

Awards & Accolades
Clonshire is British Horse Society approved as training and examination centre
Clonshire is in the Association of Irish Riding Establishments
Clonshire is associated with Failte Ireland
Clonshire was featured in The New York Times and in one of Equitrekking's pilot episodes for PBS
Dunraven Arms Hotel is a Member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, Georgina Campbell Hotel of the Year, Best Hotel Bar - Irish Hospitality Awards 2009

Trainers & Riding Instructors
Dan Foley: Joint Manager
Dan has successfully trained numerous young horses through the show jumping ranks to the national level and competed successfully in the eventing field. Dan is also highly valued in Munster as a show jumping and cross-country coach. As a result of Dan's keen eye and expertise in picking the right horses, Clonshire is renowned for its quality horses. Dan is responsible for many great and enduring horse-rider partnerships in Ireland and throughout the world. It is not unusual to meet equestrians from Ireland, Europe and North America at Clonshire. Many visit to give the final veto to a horse or pony Dan has sourced or trained for them. 

They say the judge of a good teacher is the waiting list for his or her class. Dan's evening sessions on a Tuesday and Wednesday night are full and can only be experienced by the luck of a cancellation or booking weeks in advance. Dan is an Equestrian Federation of Ireland level one coach and his pupils have had great success in Amateur, Pony Club, Riding Club, Young Rider and professional competitions at home and abroad.

Sue Foley: Joint Manager
Sue is an accomplished competitor and is a British Horse Society (BHS) certified level II Instructor, as well as being an EFI level two coach. Sue is also a championship hunter competitor and has won at the famous Dublin Show. In recent years Sue has competed with distinction in dressage and eventing competitions. With over 20 years professional experience, Sue has helped many riders improve their technique. She is particularly known for encouraging and training beginners of all ages. Whether you want to compete or just ride as a leisure and relaxation activity, Sue can help you.

Even though the Foleys are raising 3 daughters of their own, Sue has welcomed hundreds of young guests into her home over the years and they have all been treated as part of the family. It is not unusual to meet Sue in Adare, or one of Limerick's shopping centres or at the cinema with several "extra" in the family! Sue acts as "mother", mentor, confidante, personal trainer, riding coach and friend to clients from 8 to 80 years (and over!!)

Joanne Kavanagh: Staff Instructor
Like most of the Clonshire staff Joanne grew up with horses. Joanne graduated from Writtle College, Essex with a degree in Equine Science in 1998. She then qualified as a BHS instructor (AI) in Clonshire in the 1999/2000 and after several years experience in various thoroughbred, hunting and Showjumping yards, she returned to Clonshire to take over management of the school horses. She has continued her equestrian education, becoming a BHS Riding and Road Safety trainer in 2004 and has completed her Equestrian Federation of Ireland Level One Coaching programme.

Yvonne O'Connor: Livery yard Manager
Yvonne is a fully qualified British Horse Society Intermediate Instructor and EFI level one coach. With her assistant Mary Barret, she looks after Clonshire's Livery/Boarding operation where she breaks and schools Clonshire's specially chosen Irish Sport horses and Connemara ponies. In addition to her busy schedule supporting and advising owners, training young stock, managing Clonshire's "recovery clinic", selecting new stock and preparing sold mounts for their new homes, Yvonne enjoys teaching the competitive rider and matching Irish horses with new owners and building the partnership. People who have kept a horse at Clonshire for even a short while, return to Yvonne for advice and assistance, long after they have taken their equine friend home. 

Yvonne teaches a flatwork class and an advanced show jumping class on Thursday evenings with the same regulars who have been coming for years.

Packing

Please see Equitrekking Travel's General Packing Suggestions. 

Plenty of long sleeved cotton tops, a fleece, good waterproof jacket, riding pants, and helmet. Body protector for those who’d like to focus on cross country.

About the Horses

Clonshire has an impressive stable of 32 Irish Sport horses and ponies of varying levels from schoolmaster to more challenging mounts. Horses are trained for show jumping, dressage, cross country, fox hunts, as well as gentle hacks.

There are horses suitable for beginners and advanced level riders. There are a wide range of ponies for children and younger riders. The Irish Sport horse’s generally have a big stride and scopey jump. All of Clonshire’s horses are regularly schooled by the center’s staff, and each has its own specially fitted saddle which is checked a couple of times each year by a specialist saddle fitter.  In the summer, the horses live outside at night, which they love. In the winter, they stay indoors. The farrier visits almost every day in the busy seasons.

Activities/Events

Adare
Clonshire is beside the town of Adare, voted the prettiest town in Ireland. This is a very horsey part of the Emerald Isle. One advantage of riding at Clonshire is that you may be training with other Irish equestrians. It’s always a plus to get to meet locals and discover what horses and horse life is like in Ireland. This vacation is also suitable for non-riders, who may wish to play golf, sightsee or relax in beautiful Adare while their companion rides. Adare is small and quaint with upscale boutiques, fine dining and casual food and local pubs. Equestrians will especially like The Country Dresser, a tack store with select riding gear and clothing, including the Barbour brand of waxed and quilted apparel.

Area Attractions
On this vacation, you are in an ideal location for visiting the Ring of Kerry, Dingle peninsula, Cliffs of Moher, Limerick's Hunt Museum, and Bunratty Castle. You may consider pairing the Equitrekking Travel Ring of Kerry progressive equestrian vacation with Clonshire. From about May to September on nearly every Saturday and Sunday, there are horse and pony shows within a 50 mile radius of Clonshire's Equestrian Center.

Golf
Within 5 minutes of the centre, there are 3 fine Golf courses: 
Adare Manor Golf Club
Adare Manor Hotel Golf course
Newcastlewest Golf Course

Within an hour there is a huge selection including:
Ballybunion (one of the top links courses in Europe if not the world) 
Shannon 
Dromoland 
Charleville 
Dundrum 
Ballyneety 
Ballykisteen 
Limerick 
Castletroy 
Rathbane (a budget municipal course)

Fishing
There is a wide range of fishing available in the area, including professional coaching in flyfishing and other techniques. Guests may inquire at Dunraven or the Country Dresser in Adare.

Accommodations/Food

Travelers may choose to stay at the Dunraven Arms Hotel or The Foley Home. For groups, there’s a self-catering apartment. Kids attending camp in July or August may stay in The Foley Family Home.

Dunraven Arms Hotel is a luxury 4 star hotel in the village of Adare in County Limerick, less than five minutes drive from Clonshire’s Equestrian Center. The hotel features equestrian ambience and old-fashioned hospitality. The Dunraven Arms has been welcoming guests for over 200 years, since 1792. Today, it's run by avid horsemen Brian and Louis Murphy, who are well attuned to the local equestrian community.

The hotel was originally an old coach house. It’s kept its historic charm over the years and acquired modern amenities. There are 86 rooms, a health and leisure center with a 17-Metre Swimming Pool and extensive conference and banquet facilities. Golf and equestrian enthusiasts are particularly attracted to Dunraven. The hotel is near championship and links golf courses and Clonshire Equestrian Center.

Bedrooms are individually appointed with luxurious fabrics and elegant, antique furnishings. All feature private dressing rooms and spacious ensuite bathrooms. All rooms have complimentary wifi access and most enjoy views of either the Hotel’s award-winning gardens or the charming thatched cottages of Adare.

The Foley family home is a practical working home and all rooms are shared with single beds and bunks in the rooms.  Bathrooms are shared.  All meals are served in the family kitchen and guests have a den (sitting room with kitchenette) for their use in the evenings.

The Self Catering Apartment can accommodate six people in shared accommodations. If you bring a seventh group member, they may stay with the Foleys and ride for free. 

Food:
If you are staying with the Foleys, breakfast, lunch and dinner are included and guests are encouraged to help themselves to snacks throughout the day. For kids attending the July and August camp, homemade food with the usual popular macaroni cheese, spaghetti, pizza and salads is served.  For adult groups staying with the Foley family, the food is more geared towards their interests and vegetarian options are available.

Guests who stay at Dunraven have breakfast included in their stay. They may choose to dine in town at one of the many pubs or the upscale Dunraven Arms restaurant. Head across the road to the Blue Door, a "foodies" restaurant in one of the magnificent thatched cottages for which Adare is famous, or head out to Ballingarry to top class fare at the Mustard Seed at Echo Lodge, a gourmet's delight that's been serving guests since 1985. Celebrate your growing equestrian confidence with a pint of Guinness and steak in a local pub or out to hear live music. Sue and Dan, your hosts from Clonshire, are happy to recommend local pubs and restaurants.

Drinks
Wine, beer etc. is available at an extra cost in Adare.

The Foleys do not supply alcohol generally, but they do always try to have some wine with meals for adults.  

The Ideal Traveler

Clonshire is ideal for anyone who loves horses and the outdoors. Travelers who are seeking to better their equestrian skills through training and lessons and possibly meet other Irish equestrians will enjoy training at Clonshire. Children, who want to attend the July and August camp, while their parents tour Ireland.

Clonshire Training Packages

Dates & Rates 2010

Clonshire Training with Dunraven Arms Accomodations
7 days/ 6 nights/ 5 days of riding
Low Season: $1,140.70 USD (929.50 Euros) double occupancy*         
$1,304.50 USD (1,063 Euros) single occupancy*

High Season:  $1,234.55 USD (1,006 Euros) double occupancy*
$1,372.61 USD (1,118.50 Euros) single occupancy*

Guests who stay at Dunraven have breakfast only included in their stay. They may choose to dine in town at one of the many pubs and restaurants and may wish to have a more formal dining experience at the award-winning Dunraven Arms Restaurant. Most travelers rent a car, but transfers and taxis are available for an additional cost. Clonshire Equestrian Center is only a few minutes drive from Dunraven.

Clonshire Training and nights at the Foley’s Home for Adults (available year round except July and August)
6 nights/ 5 days of riding $1,472.53 USD (1,200 Euros)*
If you are staying with the Foleys, breakfast, lunch and dinner are included and guests are encouraged to help themselves to snacks throughout the day. 

Group Barn Package
6 nights/ 5 days of riding
Stay in the self catering apartment on site at Clonshire.
6 people in shared rooms accommodation from Saturday to Saturday and riding from Sunday to Friday costs $1,165.49 USD (950 Euros) per person.* The 7th traveler stays in the Foley home and rides for free. There are two very good grocery stores in the village of Adare as well as numerous pubs and restaurants with traditional music at least one night a week.

* Prices may fluctuate due to currency conversions. 

Riding & Training
There are three separate rides each day giving you around 3.5 to 4 hours in the saddle. Daily riding works as follows:

10am- Arena lesson normally given by trainer Sue Foley, combining flatwork and/ or jumping

11am- Cross country instructional ride until around 12:30pm

12:30pm- Riders are free for lunch, and the horses are given a break. If you have a pack lunch with you, Clonshire's break room is available or have a picnic outside. Many travelers have lunch back in Adare in one of the village pubs, the deli or the Heritage center where there's a fine cafe. Many drop into the Country Dresser Tack and Country Clothing shop in the village to pick up forgotten items of gear, take time to shop or relax.

2pm- Afternoon riding is varied and can be a gentle hack, more cross country work, dressage or show jumping. The riding lasts until around 3.30pm. Sessions are diverse to give you a comprehensive equestrian experience.

For guests who stay in the Foley home, additional evening riding Monday to Thursday at 7 or 8pm for another hour to hour and a half is available.

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

If you desire it, Clonshire provides “a grooms service.” They tack up your horse and have it brought to the mounting block for you and take it from you when you are finished riding and look after it. Of course, you are welcome to care for your horse yourself.

There have been some new developments at Clonshire recently. Clonshire has been approved by the British Horse Society as a training and examination venue.  The BHS exams are the most widely recognized, and Clonshire will be providing residential and day courses as well as conducting examinations from September 2010 onwards. 

The Clonshire riding center is set among 140 acres of beautiful parkland with an extra large outdoor arena, indoor arena, sand ring, private livery and competition yard, as well as a cross country course. Guests may work on riding on the flat and over jumps. Jumps include hunter, cross-country and equitation fences and natural obstacles. General countryside rides help improve balance, pace control, and eye for distances.

Clonshire is run by Dan and Sue Foley. Among Ireland’s most esteemed instructors, Dan has brought many young show jumpers up the ranks to the national level and enjoyed success in the sport of eventing. Sue is certified by the British Horse Society and an accomplished hunt seat rider. She’s a past winner at the world-renowned Dublin Horse Show. One advantage of traveling to Ireland to improve your riding at Clonshire is that you may be training with other Irish equestrians. It’s always a plus to get to meet locals and discover what horses and horse life is like in Ireland.

July/ August Kids & Youth Camp

July and August 2010 Kids & Youth Camp

7 days/ 6 nights

$1,300.74 USD (1,060 Euros per unaccompanied child age 7 to 18)*

* Prices are subject to change due to currency conversions. Price includes transfers from Cork, all food, accommodations and daily riding. Limited to four guests per week.

Does your child want to go to horse camp? Have you always wanted to tour Ireland? Why not combine the two? Many parents wish they could send their kids abroad, but would not be comfortable sending them by themselves. Or, they might want to accompany them to camp, while allowing them to be independent. Clonshire’s July and August Youth & Kids Riding Camp that offers an fun and educational destination experience in Ireland and allows parents to enjoy an independent vacation in Ireland.

Send your kids to stay with Foley Family, Irish equestrian trainers who manage Clonshire Equestrian Center and live on-site. If you wish, Equitrekking Travel’s preferred agent Julie Snyder can plan the adult parents Ireland vacation.

At Equitrekking Travel’s featured Youth Riding Camp, your horse crazy child enjoys the experience of traveling abroad to Ireland and improving riding skills, while you enjoy your own Irish vacation (with or without the horses!).

Children stay in the well-kept home of host and managers Sue and Dan Foley, just steps from the stables and equestrian center, in the rural Irish countryside at Clonshire. Sue, Dan, and their own children create a “home away from home” atmosphere, a comfortable setting for those new to being away from home.

Adults may choose to stay nearby in the luxurious equestrian themed Dunraven Arms Hotel and sightsee locally, play golf, shop and eat? Parents may also travel to other locations in Ireland to enjoy the Ring of Kerry or Connemara. Summer camp allows your child to interact with kids from all over the world and ride horses all day long in Ireland, as they grow as an individual.

General Daily Schedule

8am each morning. Stables open.

"Breakfast is a help yourself" form the Kitchen (cereal, eggs, cheese, bread, rolls, croissants, juice, yogurt, fruit etc. Anyone wishing to do early barn duties should report to the yard).

You should have your horse tacked up by 9.50am.

Riding is from 10am to 12.15pm each morning followed by grooming, cleaning tack and general yard duties. 

Lunch is at the Lodge at 12.45, this is served in the kitchen (pizzas, pasta, sandwiches, soup, etc.)

Riding from 2pm to 3.15pm each afternoon followed by grooming, tack cleaning etc.

Dinner is at the house at 5.30pm each evening.

Evening riding is available at least 2 nights a week, more may be available depending on numbers. Evening classes are Monday to Thursday 7.30pm

Sunday riding is in the morning only so in the afternoon it is possible to either go swimming, or visit a local horse show

If you are tired or sore at any stage and don’t feel like riding just let barn staff know if advance. Don’t overdo the first few days riding as its hard to ride if you are aching!

Friday evening – Movies and visit to the local shopping mall (optional)

Saturday – Swimming optional (available other bys by arrangement)

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

Related Blog Posts

Ireland- Clonshire Training & Adare Village

by Equitrekking host Darley Newman The last time I visited Clonshire, we were filming a pilot episode for Equitrekking. I was really excited to head back on my recent trip to Ireland and see how it had changed. Julie Snyder, Equitrekking Travel’s preferred travel agent, visited Clonshire with me en route to the Ring… Read more »

Traveler Reviews

Our week was a splendid combination of challenge and luxury. Days of terror at Clonshire ended in evenings of blissful comfort at the Dunraven Arms. We took hot baths, ate delicious dinners, and fell into bed, our boots outside the door to be cleaned, the rider's ultimate luxury.... 

Our Irish week turned out to be not only a rider's dream but a series of revelations. I learned to love the splendid Irish horses: lumbering and big-boned, willing and great-hearted. I learned that a certain amount of riding nerve can be coaxed back to life, I learned to love the jumps, even the Irish bank, which had haunted my dreams for years. And watching my muddy daughter remount, watching her drive her horse over the fence into a second downward plunge, I learned something about skill and resolution. I learned to my delight and relief that she can manage the rough stuff.

-- Roxanna Robinson, The New York Times

Has truly been the trip of a lifetime for all of us.

-- Maryville College Equestrian Team, USA

The team in Clonshire Equestrian Centre were fantastic.

-- Vision Independent Productions from "Operation Transformation" in association with RTE, Ireland's National Television and Radio Broadcaster

Reading List

General Guidebooks & Novels

Fodor's Ireland 2010 (Fodor's Gold Guides) (Paperback) 
Updated annually, Fodor’s Ireland provides the most accurate and up-to-date information available in a guidebook.

Ireland: Eyewitness Travel Guide (Paperback) by Tim Perry
Amazon.com Review-- You'd be hard-pressed to find a more comprehensive, engrossing and just plain fun-to-read guidebook than the Eyewitness Travel Guide: Ireland. Spilling over with all sorts of useful information for the traveler, you'll find three-dimensional drawings, floor plans, detailed neighborhood maps with a street-finder index, and even historical timelines.

The Star of the Sea, a novel by Joseph O’Connor 
Publisher’s Weekly-- First published in the U.K. and shortlisted for Irish Novel of the Year, this brooding new historical fiction by novelist, playwright and critic O'Connor (Cowboys and Indians) chronicles the mayhem aboard Star of the Sea, a leaky old sailing ship crossing from Ireland to New York during the bitter winter of 1847, its steerage crammed to the bulkheads with diseased and starving refugees from the Irish potato famine.                                                 

History Enthusiasts

How the Irish Saved Civilization (Hinges of History) (Paperback) by Thomas Cahill
Amazon.com Review-- In this delightful and illuminating look into a crucial but little-known "hinge" of history, Thomas Cahill takes us to the "island of saints and scholars," the Ireland of St. Patrick and the Book of Kells.

Short History of Ireland (Paperback) by Richard Killeen
Since its first publication in 1994 Richard Killeen's Short History of Ireland has been widely accepted as the most accessible introduction to Irish history. It presents the history of Ireland in attractive double paged spreads, which can be quickly read to give an easy overview of the key events of Irish history. It is superbly illustrated with over 150 full color photographs, paintings and drawings.

A History of Ireland (Paperback) by Mike Cronin
Publisher’s Weekly-- A research fellow in history at De Montfort University Leicester (U.K.), Cronin offers synopsis with little insight in this overview of Irish history. 

Modern Ireland: 1600-1972 (Penguin history) (Paperback) by R.F. Foster
Publisher’s Weekly-- In what PW described as an "engaging revisionist chronicle," the author traces Irish history from 1600, when the country had a subsistence economy and was home to a welter of peoples, each of whom defined their "Irishness" differently, to the 1970s, when Ireland--despite three centuries of conquest and fissure--was a country with a powerful identity.

Equitrekking Coffee Table Companion Book & DVD

Equitrekking Travel Adventures on Horseback by Darley Newman with Photographs by Chip Ward available at ShopDarley.com
This companion to the PBS TV series, Equitrekking, proves that the world's most beautiful views are often best seen from atop a horse. This gorgeous book features dozens of scenic rides in the U.S. and around the globe, including Ireland. Denver Post review: For horse folk and dreamers, as well as fans of the show, it's a beautiful trip through stunning equestrian-friendly possibilities.   

Equitrekking: Season Two DVD featuring Emmy winning PBS episode two Ireland episodes! Available at ShopDarley.com

Get off the beaten path to see some of the world's most beautiful horses and classic riding destinations with host and equestrian travel expert Darley Newman on the second season of Equitrekking, the horseback riding travel series on Public Television. This seven episode two disc set includes half hour episodes from Iceland, Coastal Ireland, Hawaii's Big Island, Irish Countryside, Maui, Virginia Hunt Country and California Wine Country.

 

Good Books for Horse Lovers and Equestrians

Animals in Translation: Using the Mysteries of Autism to Decode Animal Behavior (Paperback) by Temple Grandin
Philosophers and scientists have long wondered what goes on in the minds of animals, and this fascinating study gives a wealth of illuminating insights into that mystery. ---Publishers Weekly

The Horse: A Miscellany of Equine Knowledge (Hardcover) by Julie Whitaker with Ian Whitelaw
The Horse is an informative gallop through everything to do with the horse:  evolution, history, biology, breeds, behavior, training, competition, health, and care—all gathered into an accessible gallery of solid information, essential facts, and fascinating trivia.                                                           

Hunter Seat Equitation (Hardcover) by George H. Morris
A classic by a world-renowned teacher and master equestrian--the definitive work on the art of teaching and riding the hunter seat, now updated to include refinements in Morris's insightful program of riding instruction.

The New Encyclopedia of the Horse (Hardcover) by Elwyn Hartley Edwards
Chronicling the history of the horse, this guide encompasses the early domestication of the horse, classical riding styles, as well as a survey of the great stud farms and current international sporting events.