Horse Riding and Pony Trekking in Ireland
The beautiful Irish countryside is ideal for horse riding of all levels and there are many centres that offer trail rides or courses in jumping or hunting. Trail riding is a very popular pastime in Ireland and most trail rides offer a good balance of beach, mountain and forest riding.
Riding is classified in three ways: pony trekking, hacking and trail riding.
Pony Trekking is suitable for both novices and more experienced riders who wish to travel at a leisurely pace and enjoy the Irish scenery.
Hacking is for experienced riders who wish to go for a short ride, from one to three hours.
Trail Riding is also for the experienced rider. Horses used are fit and capable of maintaining a brisk pace over a variety of terrain. When booking this type of ride don't over-estimate your riding ability. You should be fit and have a full riding kit.
The Association of Irish Riding Establishments (AIRE) inspects all accredited stables on an annual basis checking safety standards for both the horses, the instructors and the riders. They have an easy to use online database of their member stables.
Association of Irish Riding Establishments: Riding Centre Database
Equestrian Centres around Ireland
West Ireland
Aille Cross Equestrian Centre
Connemara Trails
Loughrea
County Galway
Tel: +353 91 841 216
Fax: +353 91 842 363
Website: Connemara Trails
Dublin and East Ireland
Calliaghstown Riding Centre
The Wicklow Trail Ride
Rathcoole
County Dublin
Tel: + 353 1 458 9236
Fax: + 353 1 458 8171
Website: Calliaghstown Riding Centre
Brennanstown Riding School
Hollybrook
Kilmacanogue
Bray
County Wicklow
Tel: +353 1 286 3778
Broomfield Equestrian Centre
Broomfield
Tinahely
County Wicklow
Tel: +353 402 38117
Shelmalier Riding Stables
Forth Mountains
Trinity
Taghmon
County Wexford
Tel: +353 53 39251
Osberstown Equestrian Centre
Enoville House
Osberstown
Nass
County Kildare
Tel: +353 45 879 074
North West
Ireland on Horseback
Carrowmore
Sligo
Tel: +353 87 230 4828
Fax: +353 71 62 028
Email: info@irelandonhorseback.com
Website: Ireland on Horseback
South West
The Killarney Riding Stables
Ballydowney
Killarney
County Kerry
Tel: + 353 64 31686
Fax: + 353 64 34119
Website: The Killarney Riding Stables
Dingle Horse Riding
Ballinabula
Dingle
Tel: +353 66 915 2199
Useful Links
Horse Trek Ireland
