Galway Equestrian

Moycullen Riding Centre
The rugged beauty of the Connemara countryside is home to the Moycullen Riding Centre. Situated just a few miles from the colourful and bohemian city of Galway in Moycullen, Co Galway, this is a family-run equestrian centre that has developed a deservedly fine reputation for the first-class horse riding facilities it has to offer.

The centre offers a variety of treks ranging from one hour to half a day and caters for riders of all ages and abilities. they have an extensive, well-planned cross country course and a large and well equipped indoor arena, both designed by people with a passion for horse riding that shows.

Your safety and enjoyment is their primary concern and their guides always accompany the treks; they provide pre-trekking lessons to ensure that you are completely comfortable before setting out. They are open all year round and look forward to welcoming you to this beautiful part of the world.

To find out more about Moycullen, please visit them at www.moycullenriding.com

Errislannan Riding Centre & Connemara Pony Stud
What better place to take a ride on a Connemara Pony than in the county that gave it its name? These reassuringly solid and mild-mannered ponies are a joy to ride and you will quickly bond with your new friend as you are taken on a journey through some of the most scenic places on earth courtesy of the excellent Errislannan Riding Centre and Connemara Pony Stud in Clifden, County Galway.

This ancient place is steeped in history and Neolithic remains can be seen as well as an abundance of wildlife and awe inspiring views of Croagh Patrick, Galway Bay and the world renowned Burren, an area of great natural beauty with tombs and monuments older than Egypt’s pyramids.

If you are looking for something a little more challenging, then try our cross country course. Its stone walls and fences are all sized for ponies. We also give lessons in our popular sand arena, suitable for five year olds to adults. To make sure everyone gets due attention, the classes have a maximum of eight participants, so book early.

We speak German, French and English and look forward to welcoming you – in any language! Minimum participating age is 4 years, tuition is available and we have approximately 25 horses/ponies.

Into The West Horse Drawn Caravans
Think about all the things you miss when you drive a car through Ireland’s towns, villages and countryside. A blur of buildings, fields and hedgerows and people you’ll never get to meet. Now think about slowing it all down to the gentle pace of a steady horse drawn caravan. Think about taking the time to really see this beautiful countryside, to find those out of the way places and hidden gems, to interact with friendly locals.

Into the West 2000 Horse Drawn Caravans based at Cartron House Farm, Ballinakill, Kylebrack, Loughrea, County Galway and they’ll provide everything need. The beauty of the horse-drawn caravan holiday is that it nurtures this kind of contact; you cannot help being won over by the warmth and sociability of people you meet, or drawn to the sound of music and laughter emanating from those wonderful old pubs. Add to this the liberating sense of independence that you get from breaking free from your daily routine and doing something unique and exciting, and it really is the perfect holiday.

Dartfield Equestrian Centre
Dartfield is seeped in Irish history. The original house was built in 1827 by Henry Blake a member of one of the historical tribes of Galway. The museum buildings were redesigned from the old courtyard in the grounds of Dartfield house. In 1993 Dartfield was bought by Willie Leahy, a local horseman and the owner of the famous Connemara Trail riding holiday, to expand his riding holiday business. In June 2000 work began to convert the courtyard. Now in place of the derelict cottages and stables stands a magnificent 19,000 sq ft facility, dedicated to Irish horses and the Connemara pony.

Dartfield is set amongst 350 acres of parkland for no extra charge visitors can enjoy the walking tour along safe level pathways and see deer, cattle, sheep and Irish horses and Connemara ponies. The parkland around Dartfield house was developed to create the Dartfield event course.

Connemara and Coast Trails / Aille Cross Country Trail and Equestrian Centre
Did you know that the Connemara Trail is the oldest trail riding holiday in the world? What better place to ride Ireland’s beloved Connemara ponies and Irish hunters than through its glorious mountains to its wild and beautiful Atlantic coast. The magical trails bring you on a journey of spectacular scenery and hidden gems, with the Coast Trail following the Connemara coast along its beautiful beaches from May to October.

At the Aille Cross Equestrian Centre in Loughrea, County Galway, beginners and experienced riders can enjoy the Great Outdoors on a horse hand picked to suit them and can choose to ride for an hour, half a day or six days and more on a Connemara/Coast Trail.

After a long day in the saddle relax and rest those aching muscles in a local hotel or guesthouse or spend the evening reflecting on your day in one of their celebrated traditional pubs, experiencing the warmth and hospitality their country is famous for.

Slieve Aughty Centre
Located at the edge of the 2000-acre Kylebrack Woods and the Slieve Aughty Mountains, Slieve Aughty Centre in Kylebrack, Lough Rea, County Galway has some of the country’s best horse riding on its doorstep. This unique family-run centre is ideal for small groups of people with a common love of the great outdoors and the unforgettable thrill of horse riding.

Forests by their very nature are ever changing, and each day you can explore new paths and go on new adventures. Don’t worry if you’re a newcomer to riding, all of their forest treks are guided and they have great instructors and wonderful, patient horses and ponies. If you’re a more seasoned rider, there are ample opportunities to hone your skills and challenge yourself on their cross-country course or show jumping in their large sand arena. There are qualified instructors for dressage, show jumping and cross-country lessons.

They look forward to welcoming you to this beautiful part of the world and know that once you’ve been here you’ll want to return again and again.

Galway Equestrian Centre
Like any family-run business, the people at the Galway Equestrian Centre, Peakhoe, Athenry, County Galway have great passion for and pride in their work and it shows in their standards. The centre has been training people and horses for many years, locally, nationally and internationally. Their highly trained staff are friendly and very helpful and are dedicated to their work and to their horses.

All of their carefully selected instructors are BHS qualified; they want to be sure you are learning from the very best. They offer a variety of riding activities to suit all levels and ages and a number of different breeds of horses to ensure that you are matched perfectly.

There is a large outdoor school and floodlit all weather surface ménage, stabling for up to 70 horses, hacking & trekking facilities and much more. They give private and group lessons, livery and schooling and are very experienced in the breaking of horses and ponies.

For a full list of what the centre has to offer, please visit www.galwayequestriancentre.com

The Point Equestrian Centre
The Point Pony Trekking and Horse Riding is a friendly trekking centre, situated right beside some of Connemara’s most stunning beaches. We offer daily one hour or two hour beach rides, suitable for all levels of riding. Longer treks are available on request. Our team is totally commited to turn your equestrian experience into the highlight of your holiday. All ponies and horses at The Point are safe and well schooled.

Dartfield Horse Museum
Dartfield is the only museum in the world dedicated to Irish horses, Connemara ponies and dogs.

The museum, just off the R446, is housed in the courtyard and grounds of the Blake estate. Henry Blake, a member of one of the famous tribes of Galway, built the original house in 1827.

Absorbing and informative displays throughout the museum trace the history of the horse and their immense contribution to Irish society and country life throughout the years. Included in the collection is a brougham carriage once owned by actress, Lily Langtry.

Bright and spacious, the museum also features exhibits on all aspects of Irish country life from 1800 to 1900, as well as veteran cars from 1901 to 1930.

Explore over 350 acres of parkland, either on foot or by pre-booked horseback or carriage rides. An international cross-country course has also been laid out around the estate. Other exciting outdoor activities include clay pigeon shooting, archery and team games for pre-booked groups of 20 or more.

Relax and unwind in the café or browse the gift shop which stocks a range of horse and rider clothing and souvenirs.

Loughrea Equestrian Centre
A range of tours and packages are available at Loughrea Equestrian Centre to individuals, families and groups of up to 15 people. See website for details of packages.

The trails cover some of Ireland’s most stunning landscapes and waterways, from Atlantic coastal views to the breath-taking Slieve Aughty mountains.

Why not choose a one-day or a two-day trail. Shorter trails can be catered for as requested.