Explore the Emerald Isle via horseback on a 5 or 7 night horseback riding adventure! There are options for various riding skills and needs (including a stationary base) for your adventure. This exciting horseback vacation is offered by my affiliate, Active Riding Trips (use Promo Code ATA5 to get 5% off of any of their amazing worldwide horseback riding adventures!)
Relax in a delightful 300 year old farmhouse after you ride your well taken care of Irish Sport Horse, Cobs or Gypsy Vanners through the Slieve Aughty Mountains viewing ancient Celtic tombs, ring forts and other ruins, plus the Burren and Cliffs of Moher. Learn the fascinating history of the region from your outstanding guides as you gallop through magnificent forests and pastures of quintessential Ireland. It’s a magical vacation!
Active Riding Trips
Active Riding Trips (ART) offers multi-day horseback riding adventures around the world. Imagine exploring Eastern and Eestern Europe, North and South America and Africa on horseback!
ART not only offers outstanding horseback riding adventures around the world, but they also offer tours for different riding skill levels so you can go on a horseback riding tour that meets your particular needs.
Where is this Galways and Clare Ireland Horseback Riding Tour
The 5 or 7 night Galway and Clare Irish horseback riding tour is on the stunning west coast of Ireland. Here, you will see magnificent forests and bucolic sheep dotted pastures, the rugged Cliffs of Moher, ancient ruins and charming Irish villages.
How to Get There
You can fly directly into Shannon airport (SNN), and then take a roughly two hour transfer to your first night’s lodging. Or, if you want to explore Dublin (DUB), you can fly into Dublin and then take a bus or train.
Typical 7 Night Itinerary
Day 1 : You’ll arrive and have the afternoon to relax after your journey or you can stretch your legs on the well marked East Clare Walking Trail, or even take a guided boat tour (additional fee) over to explore the historical Holy Island. You’ll meet your group over dinner in a utterly charming 300 year old farmhouse (see pics further below).
Day 2 : You will meet your horse and get aquainted by brushing and tacking him (help available if you are new to this). Then off you’ll go on an easy ride through the Slieve Aughty Mountains, bogs and farmland to get further aquainted and make sure you and your horse are a proper match. After lunch, you have time to relax and unwind.
Days 3 – 7 : Now things are getting truly exciting! For the next five days, you will be riding 5 – 7 hours through the landscapes that have enchanted visitors for centuries (50% trotting & cantering/50% walking). You’ll see ancient ruins which your guide will bring to life for you. You’ll also see iconic landscapes you’ve only heard about, like the Cliffs of Moher. When touring a country on horse, you get to be a part of the local’s day as well. You might chat with a farmer harvesting his sod in the traditional manner, or a shepard minding his sheep.
When staying in the villages, you’ll get a chance to visit a pub to share a few songs and stories with the locals. You can read the complete itinerary HERE.
Day 8 : After breakfast, it is time to head back to the airport or to continue your Ireland adventures on your own.
Accommodations
On the 7 night Active Riding Trips Galway and Clare horseback riding tour, you will spend part of the time in a delightful 300 year old restored farmhouse. But some nights, you will also get to stay in the village so you’ll get a chance to meet and hang out with the welcoming locals at the pub.
What I love about this tour is that you get to stay in a 300 year old restored farmhouse as well as in a village so you get to experience both!
What to Pack
Type of Tack
English cross country saddles with comfortable, deep seat and good knee rolls. Only a few western saddles (which must be requested in advance).
Special Items to Pack
The luggage will be moved as required. Keep weight to under 55 lbs (soft luggage preferred).
* A proper fitting helmet
* Waterproof jacket (and possible waterproof breeches) – no ponchos
* 2-3 pairs of riding pants (coin operated laundry available on days 5-6)
* Sweater: Light for summer; warm for spring and fall. A vest is good, too.
* Long sleeve sun shirt
* Fanny pack for sunglasses, money, camera, etc. (A few saddles will have saddlebags to share, or you can bring your own for an English saddle.)
* Seat savers are useful
* Include shampoo and conditioner with your toiletries as some inns do not provide them (some hair dryers are available)
* Electrical converter 220v/3 prong
TEST YOUR GEAR before your trip! If you need to buy some, to save money, consider buying from eBay and then you can resell it when you return.
Note that wifi is available at the BnB.
When to Visit Ireland
Active Riding Trips offers the Galway and Clare horseback riding adventure from April through October.
Most tours are available from late April into August, when the weather is most accommodating. However, if you are stationary, then you can take advantage of tours from early April into October.
Weather in Ireland
Ireland is called the Emerald Isle for a reason: it is very green because it rains a lot. So you should always be prepared for precipitation daily, even if it is just a brief shower.
This region does not freeze, but it has cold, wet winters, so it’s best to avoid this time period. April through September has a daily precipitation average of around 30%. You can check out the weather temperatures and precipitation averages here.
PRO TIP: Our guest Avery suggests wrapping your rain jacket around your waist and to consider packing waterproof breeches.
Who Can Go On a Multi-Day Horseback Riding Tour
You! If you are fit and you train, you can find a suitable adventure. Active Riding Trips offers worldwide tours according to your horseback skill level, from Beginner to Intermediate to Advanced. They also offer Training tours, and specific Trail Riding tours.
Need training advice? Chat with my affiliate Becki from Trailblazer Wellness (Free Initial Phone Consultation to see if you are a good fit). Mention you heard about her from ATA to get a 10% discount off of any at home personal online fitness training program.
What if I horseback ride but my partner doesn’t ( or maybe doesn’t want to ride every day)?
Let’s face it, sometimes we love someone who doesn’t share our passion for horses. If you want to go on a multi-day horseback riding adventure, but your partner doesn’t, there’s a solution! Simply choose a stationary riding adventure. This way, your partner can choose each day whether to chill out at the inn or join you for the day’s ride. The exciting Galway and Clare adventure is also offered as a stationary tour.
Other Horseback Riding Adventures Covered on ATA
Our guest Avery’s Blog about her Ireland Adventure
Instagram 13 AHA Moments
Custom Personal Online Training
Get a FREE initial phone consultation to see if you are a good fit. If so, Becki from Trailblazer Wellness will design a program for your big adventure using what you’ve got available already. Mention ATA to get 10% OFF!
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