ITINERARY
Day 1
Sunday : On arrival to Westport, check in to your accommodation which is where you will be staying for the trail.
Day 2
Monday : Transfer to Drummindoo Stud to meet your host Padraic Foy, your horse and the other riders. After an assessment ride in the indoor arena, riders and horses are transferred to the village of Aughagower for the Aughagower Ride. This takes us through the village of Curvey, along the shores of Knappagh Lake, through the village of Mountbrown and returning to Aughagower via an old shepherd’s track. After riding there is a chance for riders to visit the round tower and monastic site which dates back to the 7th century.
Day 3
Tuesday: Transfer to Cloona just outside of Westport. Today we take the Skelp Ride towards the east side of Croagh Patrick (Ireland's Holy Mountain) and then on to Teevnacroagha to ride in the footsteps of Saint Patrick to the foot of the mountain which has been a site of worship for over 3,000 years. We cross the Owenwee river and on to the peat bog tracks at Owenwee to see the bog oak and how the peat is harvested before finishing the day at Cloona.
Day 4
Wednesday : Transfer to the village of Bouris for the Laghta Ride. This ride takes us to the west of Croagh Patrick, high up in the hills to Laghta beside deserted homesteads. We cross the Bunowen River and enjoy panoramic views of Louisburgh and the Atlantic Ocean on our descent. There is evidence in the landscape of the Lazy Beds (dating back to the Great Famine) where people used to grow potatoes. We then ride along some bog roads and finish the day on our return to Bouris.
Day 5
Thursday : We pick up the trail again at Formoyle (our base for the next two days) for the Feenone Ride. This takes us over a mountain pass, close to a megalithic burial site (one of many in the area), through the Carrowniskey River and on to the bog roads at Feenone. Clare Island (Grainne Uaile, Ireland’s famous Pirate Queen resided there in the 1500,s and controlled all the waters of Clew Bay) can clearly be seen. We then head for Doughmakeon Strand where we can canter and gallop before returning to base.
Day 6
Friday : Today we make our way to Emlagh Point and ride the Carrowniskey Ride all the way to Cross Strand. There are ample opportunities to gallop today. We also get a glimpse of Inishturk Island and Connemara in the distance. There are many standing stones in the area dating back to megalithic times. We visit Clapper Bridge (the bridge with the eyes) before returning to our base where you will say goodbye to your equine companion.
In the evening enjoy a farewell dinner with your host Padraic in one of Westport's fine restaurants.
Day 7
Saturday : Depart after breakfast with fond memories of your equestrian adventure.
Dates
2019 Start Dates
April 30th to May 4th
May 5th to May 11th
May 12th to May 18th
May 19th to May 25th
May 26th to June 1st
June 9th to June 15th
June 16th to June 22nd
June 23rd to June 29th
June 30th to July 6th
July 7th to July 13th
July 14th to July 20th
July 21st to July 27th
July 28th to August 3rd
August 11th to August 17th *SOLD OUT*
August 18th to August 24th
August 25th to August 31st
September 1st to September 7th
September 8th to September 14th
September 15th to September 21st
September 22nd to September 28th
September 29th to October 5th
October 6th to October 12th
2019 Rates
April, May, June, October : £1,241 pps
July, August, September : £1,286 pps
Single Room Supplement : £135
2019 Non-Rider Rates
April, May, June, October : £295 pps
July, August, September : £325 pps
Single Room Supplement : £135
Additional Information
Note : The Itinerary of The Clew Bay Trail Ride may change slightly due to circumstances beyond our control such as bad weather, tidal variations etc. and we reserve the right to change this without prior notice.
RIDING ABILITY
You need not be an expert to ride our trail as we take great care to ensure that each rider is matched with a suitable horse, however you should be able to ride securely and confidently at a walk, trot and canter in open country.
Riding Level : intermediate.
Fitness Level : you should be reasonably fit and we suggest you go riding a couple of times a week before coming on our trail.
Pace : this is a progressive ride with the pace varying from slow to fast depending on terrain and weather conditions.
Tack : English.
Note : upper weight limit of 90 kg (200 lbs).
Group size : 2 to 8 people (for private groups this can be increased to 10).
For groups of 4 or more there is an accompanying backup guide.
Hard hats (which we have available if you do not bring your own) and boots with a heel must be worn to comply with insurance regulations.
We recommend that you bring a waterproof jacket and layers of clothing to cope with changing weather conditions.
Children 12 years and over are welcome if accompanied by an adult.
OUR HORSES
Ireland is known as The Land Of The Horse. A temperate climate and good soil conditions make it an ideal place to raise horses. An ability to cross any country has ensured that the Irish Horse is surefooted and looks after it's rider. The Irish people have a natural affinity with the horse and this is evident in the horses they have. The majority of our trail horses have competition experience and have been started by us.
Featured Breeds : Connemara Ponies, Irish Sport Horses, Irish Draughts or Irish Cobs.
Size : 13.2hh (138cm) to 16.2hh (168 cms).
Suitability : good temperaments and stamina make our horses ideal for the trail.
We normally have at least 10 horses available for the trail.
We inspect all the horses and ponies on our horse riding holidays on a regular basis to ensure the best quality riding holiday for you.
Have a riding refresher and get fit for your trail ride, we have a great range of horse riding holidays as well as riding breaks in Cheshire offering tuition in all disciplines and hacking out on well trained horses into Delamere Forest. Please have a browse through our full range of equestrian holidays.