Coast Trail     
Connemara - Ireland

Enjoy the fresh salty breeze from the Atlantic Ocean as you trek through the contrasting landscape of the Connemara region if Ireland. Connemara is the wild and barren region west of the city of Galway. It is a stunning patchwork of bogs, lonely valleys, pale grey mountains and small lakes that shimmer when the sun shines. This ride explores the coast where the mountains meet the sea in a maze of rocky islands, inlets and sparkling white beaches.
In the heart of a contrasted landscape, where the mountains meet the sea, and green land surrounds the lakes you will find one of Ireland's most unusual regions: Connemara, a land both wild and tame. Connemara is a vast region where you will meet a very special man, Willie Leahy, who will be your guide during a week or more of trekking through the Gaelic west. For beginners and experienced riders alike, Willie provides a suitable horse and leads you to the discovery of the Coast Trail. 

IT-IRRT02-C     
Rates: All inclusive from Galway, all meals, lodging in B & B, 6 riding days, luggage transfer 
7 days/6 nights $ 1,850  Single: +$ 250
-- based on € 1,300 / € 175
 ...  add $70  (€ 50)  for trips in July & Aug.
- non riders 50% off
2008 Dates:
05/05-05/11    05/19-05/25    06/02-06/08
06/16-06/22    06/30-07/06    07/14-07/20
07/28-08/03    08/11-08/17    08/25-08/31
09/08-09/14    09/22-09/28
  availability & reservation

Same trip with overnights in 2/3 star hotels:   
IT-IRRT02CH     
7 days/6 nights $ 2,065  Single: + $350
-- based on € 1,450 / € 245
...  add $70  (€ 50)  for trips in July & Aug..
...  add $495 (€ 350) for 2 nights at Luxury Hotel
                                   (The Zetland House Hotel)

Meeting:   Galway
Airport:      Dublin or Shannon
Transfer:   from Galway included
Level:         Low Intermediate+
Horses:      Connemara and Irish Hunter
Tack:          English and Western
Pace:  Moderate with trots and canters
Min/Max: 4-16 riders

Itinerary Coast Trail
Day 1:  Monday....  The riders meet at the Meyrick Hotel (formerly the Great Southern Hotel), Eyre Square, in the heart of Galway at 10am. Here you are introduced to your guide and the back up team who are on hand to move luggage, bring the picnic and help with the horses. The ride begins with a drive to Willie’s Mountain, Shanndonnell, in Connemara. Your first sight of the horse or pony that will be your companion for the week is grazing in the spectacular scenery of Connemara, above a beautiful lake, close to the ruins of an old farmstead. The horses and ponies are assigned to the riders, according to the rider’s ability, weight, height etc. After tacking up the ride departs and heads straight into the mountains for a long ride that will finish at Carna.  On the trail you will see an old poteen still where illegal whiskey was once brewed high in the mountains. The trail goes high into the mountains and bogs over rocky outcrops while in the distance the riders are treated to fantastic views of the spectacular Connemara coastline. The first mountain trail ends on a small track which leads out onto a small tarmac road. The trail then heads off onto more mountain land, wading through a vast, silent lake until emerging close to the village of Carna and then onto Willie’s Beach House where the ride ends for the day.
Day 2  Tuesday...  This is an unforgettable day, Riding on the beaches around the peaceful island of Mweenish. Riders can gallop their horses along fantastic stretches of coastline and through the sparkling seawater. Lunch is eaten in the grounds of an old cottage, situated on rocks high above the sea, while the horses graze. After lunch we visit more beaches on the island, galloping along the sand. Later we return to the beach house where there is an opportunity to swim with your horse. This is an unforgettable experience as your horse begins to swim beneath you.
Day 3   Wednesday...  Today, tide permitting the trail goes through the wide strip of sea that separates Finish island from the mainland. Finish island can only be reached if the tide is low enough and at some times this may not be possible. Riding on the island is a magical experience. The island was once inhabited and the ruins of the houses still remain, along with stone walls that the riders can jump.  We return to the mainland for lunch before heading up into the mountains for a relaxing afternoons ride in the rocky hills above Kikerrin where the views have to be seen to be believed. The horses spend the night in a pasture close to Kilkerrin.
Day 4   Thursday...  The trail leaves the pasture and heads over mountain and bogland above the coastline. Riders can see small herds of Connemara ponies that graze on the mountain sides, past piles of turf stored for the winter. Lunch is eaten beside an old mill where corn was once milled for the village. After lunch the ride heads along the coastline past the awesome Gowla mountain range, which has spectacularly steep slopes. The ride ends at Derryrush where the horses are turned loose into a pasture before the riders return to their accommodation.
Day 5:  Friday.... The horses are saddled in the morning and the trail follows the coastline for the first half of the day. Once past Screebe Lodge, a traditional hunting lodge now a luxurious hotel, the trail turns off into the mountains where lunch is eaten while the horses graze. After lunch the ride heads up into the mountains stopping for a look at a traditional farm cottage. The ride continues over the mountains, through bogs and past abandoned cottages, amidst spectacular scenery, before emerging into a forest at Shanafestin. There is then a short ride to the pasture where the horses spend the night, first fording the deep stream that borders the pasture. The riders then travel to Oughterard and to their accommodation.
Day 6:  Saturday    The final day of the ride. After saddling the horses the riders head into the forest at Shanaphestin where they gallop along forest tracks. This is a completely different landscape from the rest of the week. Lunch is eaten in the forest before the horses are resaddled and then the ride continues along the forest tracks before emerging above Oughterard.  The ride ends by crossing a short stretch of mountain above Oughterard before reaching the pasture where the horses are unsaddled before the riders head off for a well earned drink.
Day 7:  Sunday  -  Departure after breakfast
                                                                     Subject to change

  view large Trail Route map

Those who have booked for a second weeks trekking might spend a day exploring Galway and its vicinity.   We will meet again on Monday. 

HORSES AND TACK
Your host maintains approximately 200 horses, each very fit, willing to walk out and well-suited for the terrain. These Irish Hunters and Connemara ponies of varying sizes are known the world over for their fantastic jumping ability, gentleness, intelligence and stamina. There is a horse to suit every rider’s needs whether a beginner or a rider with years of experience. The outfitter knows his horses well and is adept at matching horse and rider.
English tack is utilized. There are no saddle bags available, however, there are D Rings on the front of the saddle providing loops that a rain jacket or sweater can be tied to with leather thongs, Velcro or string. Water is not provided on the trail and it is suggested that a waist pouch with a water bottle be worn.
The horses are not groomed as they live outside during the summer. However, riders are welcome to bring a small brush if they wish to groom before riding.
The first day will take at least an hour to select horses and get organized due to the size of the group. After gathering the horses, riders are asked to select a bridle and spend a brief time speaking with the outfitter about the size, temperament and preferences for a mount. Once a horse is chosen for the rider, he is asked to lead the horse to the tack trailer, select a saddle, saddle the horse and check the stirrup length and girth tightness. At lunch stops, the horses are untacked and are released to graze. After lunch, the horses are caught and tacked.
In the mountains riders are advised to follow the guide rather their own path. The mountains can be quite boggy and rocky and the guide has years of experience in seeking a trail through them. The same applies on the beach, please stay behind the guide so that they can set the pace and route.

RIDER REQUIREMENTS
Participants must be able to:
• gather, catch, tack and untack the horses
• mount and dismount unassisted
• ride comfortably at a walk, long trots, canters and short gallops
• ride up and down rocky hills
• ride for 5-6 hours a day
• ride comfortably in a large group of riders
• be flexible; the outfitter does not run on a strict schedule
• be independent; there is little direction or instruction given while on the ride

Please note that there can be novice riders.

Accommodations during the trip (hotel option) are in some of the following locations:

Accommodations are in the following quality small hotels in the villages or towns along the route. All rooms have private bathrooms and are very charming. Another option of staying in local bed and breakfasts is available upon request.

Zetland Country House Hotel, built originally as a Sporting Lodge in the early 1800’s, derives its name from the Earl of Zetland, a frequent visitor in the last century. Today, the hotel has the charm and elegance of those days combined with all the sophisticated luxury expected by discerning guests. From the main reception rooms and bedrooms, you look over the gardens rich in flowers, shrubs and trees, sweeping down to Cashel Bay and the Atlantic Ocean.

Carna Bay, Carna lies in the heart of the Gaeltacht, an area where Irish is the everyday languague of the people. It is an area rich in culture and tradition. The hotel is a modern family –run hotel close to white sandy beaches.

Screebe Lodge is the old shooting and fishing lodge of Ballynahinch Castle Screebe is a large, beautiful old house, seeped in history and is beautifully situated – surrounded by lakes, rivers, mountains and trees in abundance.

Sweeney’s Oughterard House is a Georgian country house that has been converted to a comfortable hotel. The hotel is surrounded with gardens and trees and is opposite the Owenriff River. Public rooms are adorned with antiques and period furniture with paintings by local artists. There are 20 bedrooms with telephone, television, hairdryer, tea and coffee-making facilities. The hotel offers a pub and laundry services and there is a post office and small stores within walking distances from the hotel.

Great Southern Hotel. A blend of 19th century elegance with today’s modern amenities overlooking Eyre Square in the heart of Galway City. There are 120 ensuite bedrooms each with a telephone, radio, hairdryer and television. There is an Oyster Room Restaurant, cocktail bar, pub, indoor heated swimming pool, steam room and sauna.

**HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS MAY CHANGE DUE TO AVAILABILITY.