Our Destinations

Why travelling with Randocheval ?

IRELAND : BURREN TRAIL RIDE...

Here in the rural Western Ireland, we are nestled in the rolling hills of Slieve Aughty Mountains, gazing through the purple-blue haze down to the majestic River Shannon. The forest lanes and little roads are so quiet and peaceful, it is as if time is passing slower here. There is no noise here, just the sounds of nature. With our horses, you'll discover the treasures of Ireland History and the beautiful nature on our Galway Clare Burren Trail ride.

ITINERARY

Day 2 - Sunday : Binor Ride
After breakfast, you'll be brought to the start of the trail, where your guide will allocated the horses to you according to your experience. Every rider can then get used to his own horse for the week by brushing and tacking it - don't worry there are always lots of helping hands around you! We will then leave for an easy ride into the surrounding peaceful forests of the Slieve Aughty Mountains. For the lunch break, we will be back to the riding center and riders and horses take a rest. In the afternoon, the horses will bring us trough the rural farming land in County Galway and the huge area of heather and bog land using the old tracks of the historical Sarsfield Ride. We leave our horses on a field where they stay overnight and we drive back to the accomodation for a relaxing evening.

Day 3 - Monday : Inis Cealtra Ride
Today's ride brings us up over the hills of the Slieve Aughty Mountains with fascinating views over the majestic Lough Derg and River Shannon. Along the track, we will be passing old farm ruins and miles of stonewalls and your guide will tell you about Irelands most significant incident in history : about 150 years ago, many farms and villages where left because of the Famine. This was the time of the severe potato disease, which destroyed for a couple of years the sole source of food supply for the rural and poor irish peasant and his stock. Knowing about those times you'll be greating the tasty lunch waiting for us, before we head across the extensive areas of bog land in the afternoon. There, we will pass local farmers cutting and drying the turf in the traditional way. A neolithic dolmen, with the legendary name Oisin's and Grainne's Grave, beside the track proves that this area was already mystified about 5000 years ago. Much younger (about 9th cent.) are the ruins of a monastic settlement on Holy Island, which we can easily spot by the well kept typical round tower.

Day 4 - Tuesday : Lough Graney Ride
Leaving the sheltered pasture we are heading this morning for the top of the hills again overlooking endless woods and grazing land to the north, west and south. Long before we get there, we can spot way under us the sandy shores of Lough Graney where we are heading for. The beach invites us to a canter along the water and on the trail goes right across the refreshing lake! The ride in the later afternoon takes us through the typical farmland of rural Ireland with its juicy green fields and the endless old stonewalls surrounding the peacefully grazing sheep and cattle.

Day 5 - Wednesday : Glandaria Ride
Today's lovely wood tracks take us further westwards overlooking Glandaria (the valley of the Kings) the wide fertile valley of the River Shannon, where hundreds of years ago Irish kings preferably used to settle. After the lunch break near a typical mountain river we will cross the boggy uplands. County Clare unfolds all around us, in the distance rising hills of the famous Burren National Park. On a clear day we will even get a first glimpse at Galway Bay. This afternoon our horses will be transferred by lorry across the busy valley to tomorrow's start at the Mullaghmore Mountain in the Burren. You will be staying tonight in the charming village of Corofin with its countless pubs.

Day 6 - Thursday : Mullaghmore Ride
The totally different and unique scenery of the world renowned Burren will accompany us for the next two days. The moonlike landscape of this limestone area bears not only an immensely colourful flora and fauna with a large number of very rare species, but also reveals a stunning variety of prehistoric settlements. Dolmens and Wedge Tombs line up next to Norman stone fort ruins and Celtic ring forts. Close to a fulacht fiadh an ancient cooking site, we will enjoy our lunch. It is amazing how many eye-catching sites this at first sight so vast looking landscape can offer us. The next two nights you will be staying in the Lisdoonvarna area, which is famous for the traditional music in the pubs.

Day 7 - Friday : Atlantic Coast Ride
Today we head westwards through the Burren, learning about the impressive Poulnabrone Dolmen, and the huge and dangerous cave systems in this special area. We rest for lunch overlooking the story telling rocky landscape. After the break we lead our horses up the last hill for the breathtaking view over the Atlantic Sea, the famous Aran Islands and the rugged Connemara Mountains. The extremely rough shore of County Clare stretches out under us for the last gallop. In the glittering afternoon sunlight the impressive silhouette of the Cliffs of Moher rise in front of us. Near the ruins of the spooky looking Ballinalaken Castle our ride ends.

Day 8 - Saturday : Slan Abhaile
After breakfast you will be transferred back to the airport for your onwards journey.

EXTEND YOUR TRIP

HORSES AND REQUIRED RIDING LEVEL

Horses The Irish horse is renowned for its stamina, versatility and gentleness and will provide an ideal companion for an unforgettable holiday. You will make friends here with proud examples of several typical Irish breeds such as the tall but gentle Irish Draught, the lively and clever Connemara, the fine and energetic Irish Hunter, the beautifully coloured Tinker and the intelligent and comfortable Irish Cob. Tack You'll ride on comfortable english trail saddles.

Required riding level
This ride covers about 140 miles, which represent about 20-25 miles a day.
To join that ride, you should be comfortable at all gaits, and have at least a short experience in trail riding.

Useful information
Non-accompanied minors are welcome from 16 years old, if they are good riders and mature enough to stick with a group of adults all week long.
Accompanied minors are welcome from 8 years old, if they are good riders.
You must wear an helmet on this trail ride. Helmets can be lent at the stables.
Maximum weight : 90kg

Non riders are welcome on this trail ride ! Golfing, fishing, cycling, trekking, tours and observation of fauna can be suggested. You can also follow the trail ride with a bicycle or meet the riders for their lunch break with the logistic vehicle.

YOUR GUIDES

During that ride you will be guided by a guide who perfectly knows his environnement and horses.

A logistic vehicle takes your luggage from one accommodation to another, and your packed lunch for the lunch breaks.

ACCOMMODATION

Accommodation :
The tastefully restored 300 year-old farmhouse is the heart of the riding centre. The ambiance of old times gone by is carefully maintained and yet all modern facilities for the riding guests are provided.

Guests can relax in individually decorated ensuite rooms.
It was always said, that this place called "The Mountain" is like an inspiration to all who stand on its threshold and recapture the simplicity and peace of this idyllic setting.

Hotel accomodation could be available too, please contact us.

All other accomodations along your ride are comfortable guesthouses. One night is spent at Corofin (night 5) and two nights in Lisdoonvarna (nights 6 and 7).

Catering :
In our comfortable dining room, our guests enjoy the hearty Irish Breakfast and traditional farmhouse cooking, sitting by the open turf fire.

DATES AND RATES

Single supplement : 120 €
The single supplement will be added to the rate if you're travelling alone even if you agree to share. We'll give it back to you if we find another rider to share the accomodation with you.

Reduction for non riders : -510 €.


Flights to Shannon
Please contact us to check the best available rate from your country.

BOOKING - INFORMATION

Contact Chloé for any enquiry !

PRACTICAL INFORMATIONS

Shannon airport.

We can arrange private transfers for you if necessary from Shannon airport (35 euros per way per person to pay directly).

Formalities
Contact your ambassy. For European people, the Identity card is enough.

Vaccination - health
No specific vaccinations. Don't forget your repatriation insurance.

We recommand to be updated in usual vaccination, and especially tetanus..