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10 Days | 9 Nights | From $6,999 per person*

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Dublin to Shannon — a private equestrian journey through the heart of Ireland

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The Journey

Ireland and horses are inseparable. The landscape was made for riding — the soft ground, the ancient hedgerows, the hills that open up without warning into sweeping views. This nine-night journey takes the serious rider through four very different equestrian experiences, from the grandeur of a five-star castle estate to an authentic working farm where five generations of one family have lived and breathed horses. A private chauffeur handles every transfer so you arrive at each yard fresh, focused, and ready to ride.

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This itinerary is designed for riders of intermediate to advanced ability. It can be adjusted for different levels — ask Nancy.

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Please note that equestrian programmes at each property operate seasonally — availability varies by time of year. Spring and early autumn are generally the finest seasons for riding in Ireland. Contact Nancy to discuss the best timing for your journey.

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Castle Leslie Estate — 2 Nights

Glaslough, County Monaghan
 

The Leslie family can trace their ancestry back to Attila the Hun — via several Churchills — and the estate at Glaslough has been in their hands since 1665, when the Fighting Bishop John Leslie was granted it by King Charles II as a reward for defeating Cromwell's forces. The castle itself was built in 1878 and fell into near ruin before Sammy Leslie — daughter of Desmond Leslie, a WWII Spitfire pilot, UFO expert and composer of electronic music — took over as trustee and restored it to its present glory. Mick Jagger visited. Paul McCartney married here. The ghosts, according to Sammy, are still in residence.

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The village of Glaslough itself — nestled within the estate walls — has twice been named Ireland's Tidiest Town, most recently in 2019 when it beat over 900 entries to take the top prize. It also achieved Gold Standard in the European Entente Florale Competition. When Sammy Leslie said she believes the estate is something to be guarded for future generations, the village around it clearly feels the same way.

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Today Castle Leslie Estate sits on 1,000 acres of rolling Irish countryside — one of the last great Irish estates still in the hands of its founding family and one of the finest equestrian properties in the country. The equestrian centre offers structured riding across all disciplines — show jumping, cross country, dressage, and estate hacks across 21 miles of bridleways. The three-day Horse Sport package includes two full days of structured riding on the estate's extraordinary 300-jump course. Evenings in Snaffles Restaurant, where the dining matches the setting.
 

Annaharvey Farm — 2 Nights

Tullamore, County Offaly
 

Transfer south into the Irish midlands to Annaharvey Farm — a five-generation working farm and equestrian centre outside Tullamore that has been welcoming riders for decades. This is not a hotel. It is something better — a beautifully restored grain barn with pitch pine floors, open fires, and the kind of genuine Irish hospitality that no five-star property can manufacture.
 

The riding here is serious — 400 acres of farmland to hack across, an indoor and outdoor arena, a cross-country course running from simple logs up to CNC**, and 85 horses ranging from school ponies to international eventers. Public and private tuition available in all disciplines.
 

After a day in the saddle, evenings are spent around Lynda Deverell's table — home-cooked meals built on the freshest local produce, in a dining room that feels like the heart of the farm. It is one of those experiences that guests remember as fondly as the riding itself. Annaharvey has also produced horses and riders who have gone on to represent Ireland at European Championship level — a testament to the quality of horsemanship that runs through this five-generation family.
 

Mount Juliet Estate — 2 Nights

Thomastown, County Kilkenny
 

Mount Juliet takes its name from a love story — the Earl of Carrick named his Georgian manor after his wife, Lady Julianna Butler, in the 1700s. The estate overlooks the River Nore, where horses have been bred at Ballylinch Stud since the early 1900s — including the legendary Tetrarch, the "Spotted Wonder" who won at Royal Ascot and retired here in 1914. The Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course has hosted the Irish Open five times. The 32 guest rooms are individually named after esteemed guests. And the Michelin-starred Lady Helen restaurant draws diners from across Ireland.
 

Today Mount Juliet is a five-star country house hotel and one of Ireland's most distinguished equestrian properties, set on 1,500 acres of parkland. The Equestrian Escape package includes one guided trail through the estate — 18 miles of private bridleways, past the River Nore and through ancient parkland, with expert instruction from the resident equestrian team. Additional riding is available for those who want more time in the saddle. For those who want to rest, the spa, swimming pool, and walking trails are all on hand.
 

Killarney Riding Stables — 3 Nights

Killarney, County Kerry
 

Killarney Riding Stables has been a family affair since Donie O'Sullivan started it in 1968 with just two horses. Today the stables are home to over 130 horses — many bred and raised by the O'Sullivans themselves — and the operation has been featured in USA Today, Practical Horseman, PBS Equitrekking and Horse & Country TV. Sitting at the very entrance to Killarney National Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, riders head straight from the yard into one of the most spectacular landscapes in Ireland.
 

The Mini Trail Ride covers three nights and two full days in the saddle — through the Killarney Reeks, across mountain passes, ancient bog, forestry and country lanes, with picnic lunches out on trail each day. This is not arena riding. This is Ireland as it was meant to be experienced — from the back of a horse, at a pace that lets the landscape actually sink in. Transfer to Shannon Airport for your return flight.
 

What's Included
 

• Private airport transfers throughout

• Private chauffeur for all transfers between properties

• Accommodation as described at each property

• Daily breakfast throughout

• Dinner at Annaharvey Farm (residents only)

• Castle Leslie 3-day Horse Sport package — 2 days structured riding

• Mount Juliet Equestrian Escape — 1 guided trail ride

• Killarney Mini Trail Ride — 3 nights, 2 days trail riding with picnic lunches

Rates are per person, based on double occupancy, and vary by season and availability. This itinerary is designed for intermediate to advanced riders. Contact Nancy to discuss adjustments for different riding levels.
 

Optional Addition — Dublin Horse Show

2 Nights | Dublin City
 

For those who want to begin their equestrian Ireland experience from the moment they land, the Dublin Horse Show at the Royal Dublin Society — held annually each August — is one of the most celebrated equestrian events in Europe. Five days of world-class show jumping, the prestigious Aga Khan Nations Cup, and a social atmosphere that draws Ireland's equestrian community from every corner of the country. Two nights at a four or five-star Dublin city hotel, show tickets arranged by Nancy, and the perfect start to an unforgettable riding holiday.
 

Ask Nancy about timing your journey to coincide with the Dublin Horse Show.
 

This itinerary can also be run in reverse — arriving into Shannon and departing from Dublin. For those traveling in August, ending the journey with the Dublin Horse Show before flying home makes for a perfect grand finale. Ask Nancy about the best routing for your travel plans.
 

This is a sample itinerary offered as inspiration. Every Equinox Travel journey is tailored to your interests, pace, and travel style — contact Nancy to design your own equestrian Ireland experience.
 

Start Planning Your Ireland Equestrian Journey →