Ireland - Kerry Short Break

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 LP of BRIGHTON on 13/06/2016

Alternatives to transfers: 

You can take a train from Dublin to Killarney for €81.50 return and from Cork for €49.50 return (Please note that these are approximate rates and may vary slightly) www.irishrail.ie 

You can take a bus from Shannon for €34.50, Cork to Killarney €31.50, Kerry Airport to Killarney €8.50 (Please note that these are approximate rates and may vary slightly) www.buseireann.ie

Reading List
We're avid readers here at Unicorn Trails and have selected several books connected to this ride. If you're interested in reading more about the area before you travel, or want to get into the cultural background, here are some suggestions that may inspire you. Click on the links for more information.

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

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.

There is a wide variety of Irish bred horses and something to suit everyone, from schoolmasters to very forward going horses. All are ridden in English tack and riding helmets are available.

Riders must comfortable at all paces and have experience of riding out.

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

Accommodation is in comfortable twin en-suite bedrooms in B&B's along the way. Evening meals are not included.

Vegetarian or other dietary requirements can be accommodated with advanced notice. Please contact Unicorn Trails with requests.

Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct documentation in place for your trip. If Visa’s are required the requirements can change from year to year 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 on request.

General information:

Visa are not required for U.K. or other European nationals. In the UK the British Foreign Office gives travel advice on travel insurance, passport and visas, health and vaccinations, legal issues and emergency issues. They can be reached on 0207 008 0232/0233 or at www.fco.gov.uk.

The British Embassy in Ireland is at 29 Merrion Road, Dublin 4. Tel: +353 (01) 2053700. Email: management.dubli@fco.gov.uk.

The Embassy of Ireland in the U.K can be found at 17 Grosvenor Place, London SW1X 7HR. Telephone: (020) 7235 2171.

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

No special health precautions are required for visits to Ireland, for further details please see your local doctor.

For up to date information on specific health concerns please contact the Medical Advisors For Travellers Abroad. Their website can be found at www.masta.org

Voltage and plugs are the same as the UK.

Light summer clothing is needed on summer departure dates, also waterproofs! You need a riding helmet or broad rimmed hat which must stay on firmly and sunglasses with string. Two pairs of riding trousers, half chaps are recommended, riding gloves, jersey, warm jacket (Spring and Autumn), shorts, long sleeve shirts, T-shirts, waterproofs, sun block, camera on a shoulder strap with a pouch which can be secured to your belt, binoculars lightweight riding boots. Don’t forget waterproofs!

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.

No ponchos, plastic or cycling capes allowed. Clients will not be permitted to wear these for riding.
Please note that Killarney Riding Stables do not provide any of the above items.

Set dates are available between early May and early October are available, lasting 4 days, 3 nights, with 2 days riding. Tailor made dates for groups of 4 or more.

2020: Every Saturday from 9 May to 10 October.
2021: Every Saturday from 17 April to 9 October.

Please note that during bank holiday or sporting events weekends a surcharge may apply.
Bank holidays in Ireland 2020: May 4, June 1, August 3, October 26.
Ring Of Kerry 2020: July 4

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‘Around Ireland with a Fridge’ – Tony Hawks; ‘Culture Shock! Ireland’ –Patricia Levy; ‘Irish Pub Guide’, ‘Dubliners’-J.Joyce; ‘Mother Ireland’ –Edna O’ Brien; ‘Barrytown Triology’- R. Doyle and ‘Woodbrook’ –D. Thomson. For the equestrian traveller who would like to see what is possible on horseback visit www.thelongridersguild.com also a fantastic place to acquire your equestrian travel books is www.horsetravelbooks.com

Angling, shooting, golf, tennis, boating, sailing, surfing, mountaineering, hill climbing, walking and cycling can all be enjoyed within this wild and beautiful peninsula. This is not included in the package.

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 traditional 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.