Ireland - Instruction in Ireland

Please Note: The opinions expressed in these reviews are the author's and do not necessarily reflect the views of Unicorn Trails Ltd. These reviews are "directly from the horses mouth" and unedited. Unicorn Trails may make additional comments for clarification clearly identified in red.

Review received from DS of Maplewood on 21/08/2024

Half-board accommodation is available from March to October. Dinners can be ordered from a local takeaway, or try a local bar/restaurant.
Full-board rates are only available from June to August when dinner is available from Mon - Sat only.
This is a suggested daily program. All programs can be tailor-made.

Breakfast - 9.00am - During this meal the day's activities will be discussed as well as the type of horse one would like to ride, and what disciplines to concentrate on for the lessons.
10.00-10.30am - Out to the yard to meet the horses, get tack, brushes, etc. and prepare horses for the 11.00am ride. There is always help available. Don't be afraid to admit having difficulty with a horse, or are unsure of what to do.
11.00am - Lesson in the indoor or outdoor arenas depending on the weather.
12.45am - Lunch back in the house and a well earned rest after the morning's activities. Lunch is a light meal, usually quiche, toasted sandwiches, or maybe homemade soup and brown bread.
2.00-2.30pm - Back to the yard for more brushing and tacking up. The ride-out is at 2.30pm, when the group leave for the fields for schooling over the huge variety of cross-country fences, or show jumps, or practice some dressage, or just a good amble around the farm for the more casual rider. Riders are not put under undue pressure and only expected to tackle obstacles they are comfortable with, and leave the large fences to those who wish to take them on.
3.30pm-4pm - Horses are un-tacked and put away for a rest, leaving guests time to relax before the evening meal. Take one of the farm walks or a trip to Tullamore town, only 6 minutes away by car, or just sit back and read a book from the large selection available in the house.

6.30pm-7.00pm (If booked on full-board package June - August) - Dinner is served in the dining room, when riders sit around and reminisce about the day's happenings. Evenings usually end early in preparation for the next challenging day.

Please note: All itineraries are given for your guidance only and it may be altered on the ground and in accordance with the prevailing conditions by the organising team.

With 18 Irish-bred horses and 12 ponies available for riders, there is plenty of choice of suitable mounts. The tuition (cross-country, show jumping and dressage) is intensive and the 3-hours a day is the maximum recommended by the hosts. For beginners, general riding tuition is available from the well qualified instructors. The horses vary from 12.2 to 17hh, all are well schooled and willing. Hard hats and body protectors can be borrowed.

From total beginners to intermediate level eventers, all levels can be catered for on suitable horses and ponies with qualified instruction. Minimum rider age 8 yrs. Maximum rider weight 95kg (210lb). Not suitable for non-riders

The weight limit for this ride is 209 lb/95 kg, please enquire if you are an experienced rider exceeding this weight.

En-suite accommodation is available in the farmhouse for all riders; there are 3 family rooms and 4 twin or double rooms (all en-suite). The meals are all freshly prepared using local produce where possible, ensuring the best of Irish food every day of your stay.

Breakfast and lunch is included in the half-board rate. Dinners are available between June and August (extra)

Please note there are no evening meals on Sunday nights.

An outdoor mini-spa with hot tub, sauna and cold plunge bucket-splash has recently been installed for the guest's enjoyment.

Vegetarian or other dietary requirements within reason can be accommodated with advance notice. Please contact Unicorn Trails with requests before booking.

Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct documentation in place for your trip. NB: Be sure to check the COVID status of the country you plan to visit including entry procedures and requirements while travelling. Passport and Visa requirements can change regularly depending on diplomatic relations. Please request information from the appropriate Consulate in your home country. Unicorn Trails will assist with any questions you have or supply any necessary supporting documents as required by the consulate should you need a visa. In the UK the British Foreign Office gives advice: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/ireland In the USA: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Ireland.html In Canada: https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/ireland

Another useful resource is Sherpa - this summarises any travel and vaccination requirements based on when you are travelling simply by entering your home country followed by your destination country: https://apply.joinsherpa.com/travel-restrictions

Spring, summer and early autumn is generally a good time to visit and the days are sunny and warm. Be aware that it can rain at any time!

COVID: Be sure to check the latest COVID regulations for travelling in any country you visit.

Please refer to your country’s latest health guideline for travel in Ireland and contact your own GP for up to date advice on vaccinations and prophylaxis prior to travel.

There are no specific health requirements for Ireland

In Ireland the standard voltage is 230 V and the frequency is 50 Hz. You can use your electric appliances in Ireland, if the standard voltage in your country is in between 220 - 240 V (as is in the UK, Europe, Australia and most of Asia and Africa).

Pack as you usually would for a holiday, for e.g. sunglasses, toiletries and then these are your Horse Riding holiday essentials. If you are unsure, please speak with your Travel Consultant:
ESSENTIALS FOR ALL RIDING HOLIDAYS
Riding helmet – complying with current EU & British standards – (some locations, mostly in the EU, can provide them but if possible bring your own for comfort and correct fit)
Chaps
At least 2 pairs of riding trousers – jodhpur’s/breeches are best for anything, except western riding (Jeans)
Long sleeved shirts
Lightweight waterproof jacket
Water bottle
Mobile phone
Gloves
Hat or beret and a buff bandana (sometimes, especially when it is very dry, horses can kick up a lot of dust during the rides)
Lightweight Riding Boots - it is important to have correct shoes or boots for horse riding. Jodhpur or ankle boots with a rubber sole are recommended but sturdy shoes with a definite heel are acceptable (such as walking boots)
Light summer clothing for departure dates
Waterproof clothing
A body protector is also required if you're participating in any jumping
Jersey
Warm jacket (Spring and Autumn)
Shorts
Long sleeve shirts
T-shirts
wimsuit for the hot tub/sauna
Refillable Water Bottle - it's very important to drink a lot of water when it's hot, especially when doing physical activities

Provided by hosts
- Riding hats
- Body protectors
- Boots
Saddlebags are provided but typically only suited to carrying the following items, due to space:
- rain coat and waterproof over pants
- water-bottle
- extra sweater
- camera
- small bag with personal items
Hairdryers are supplied in the bedrooms.

Any day start during the season - 8d / 7n or 4d / 3n, can be tailor-made on request, with approximately 2hr tuition daily.

2025: Available between March - 24 October. Any day departure

Extra nights available. Please contact your travel consultant.

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Round Ireland With A Fridge - Tony Hawks

Culture Shock! Ireland - Patricia Levy

Bushmills Irish Pub Guide - Sybil Taylor

The Dubliners - J.Joyce

Mother Ireland - Edna O’ Brien

Barrytown Trilogy - R. Doyle

Woodbrook - David Thomson

Fresh water or coarse fishing nearby; golf, walking.
It is also possible to book some time at nearby Kinnitty Castle.

Clara Bog offers the naturalist a wealth of information during the two and a half hour guided tour over the eskers and through the bog, giving a glimpse of times past, which have helped shape the present. Annaharvey Farm offers a peaceful walking route which can be enjoyed at leisure.
Riding around the farm (and into the mountains) gives you chance to see lots of wildlife and birds.

Ireland is a land of almost mythical beauty, often wild and windswept it is said there are fifty shades of green in the landscape but none of them are jaded. The Irish seem to have been put on the earth to restore faith in humanity, their charm and delight in spinning a good tale will entertain you for hours. The pub culture in Ireland is part of the national identity. The folk music tradition has been unhindered here and live, spontaneous music is actively encouraged- you will often stumble across a raucous singalong fired by Guiness and whiskey. The ban on smoking in public places is now in force in Ireland and, with fines of up to €3,000 for ignoring it, a lively sub-culture can now be found on the pavements outside Irelands plentiful watering holes huddled against the often biting wind. They are famed for their love and skill with horses, in racing Irish trainers and jockeys are among the best in the world, and the wild ponies of the Connemara in Galway crop up in many myths and legends in Irish folklore. In some areas you will often see kids messing around on horses with nothing but a headcollar and a handful of mane. Ireland is on GMT and they use imperial weights and measures, so inches, feet, pounds and stones. The international dialling code is +353.