What we LOVE about our Castle & Estate Ride in County Monaghan, Ireland is that the riding itinerary can be designed to suit your personal riding experience, interests, and also what you’d personally like to achieve while staying at the Castle. You’ll be offered a combination of instruction, dressage, show jumping, cross country and estate rides. There is also a mechanical horse available for beginners or novice riders who wish to improve their seat and position in a personalised lesson before swinging a leg over a horse.

ALL riding holidays will begin with a one hour assessment lesson to determine which horses will best suit your ability throughout the week. Remember, you will be riding a variety of horses throughout your stay, which also aids you in becoming a better rider, as you’re introduced to a variety of horse personalities and abilities.

Please also note that you will only be allowed to enjoy a cross country lesson should the instructors deem you capable and safe to do so. This may result in you working on your jumping skills in the indoor arena throughout the week, culminating in a cross country lesson towards the end of your stay. Please keep in mind, this is for the safety of both yourself as the rider and your horse.

Below is a sample itinerary for a five day, five night ride. Please remember, this is a suggested itinerary only and subject to change due to your riding ability, interests, local weather conditions and other influencing factors.

Bubbling with excitement and anticipation, you’ll arrive at the Castle in County Monaghan today. You’ll check in and be shown to your deluxe room in either The Lodge or the Castle itself where you can unpack, settle in and pinch yourself because you’re finally here! Then you’ll head to the on-site equestrian centre, where you’ll have a one hour lesson/assessment in the afternoon. This is purely an introductory ride so you can be matched to a selection of horses that best suit your ability. The castle has a herd of 27 riding horses ranging from Thoroughbreds to Irish Draughts, Sport Horses and even ponies (for the children). Generally you’ll ride a different horse every day.

As part of your riding package, each night you have the choice between a two course meal at Conor’s Bar, a traditional Irish pub with hearty country cooking located on the ground floor of The Lodge, or  a one course meal at the more intimate and award-winning Snaffles Restaurant (also located on site at The Lodge).

Wake up and feast on a full Irish Breakfast which is so elaborate and filling you won’t look twice at lunch (remember, lunch is not included in the price but is readily available from Conor’s Bar. Alternatively, you can ask for a take-away container at breakfast and fill it up with some pastries or fruit to snack on throughout the day). From traditional porridge topped with cream, to fresh fruit and pastries, to hot breakfast made to order, you won’t go hungry, that’s for sure.

Today you’ll be in the saddle for three hours, broken up into a two hour estate ride and a one hour jumping lesson. Rest assured, your daily itinerary is only a suggestion and can be altered depending on your Globetrotting needs and desires. An estate ride will see you exploring the 1000-acre estate, winding through ancient woodlands and skirting shimmering lakes. Your Irish riding guide will be a wealth of knowledge about the region, the castle, and of course its rich history.

The afternoon’s riding activity will see you head to the indoor arena for a one hour jumping lesson to gain confidence and pointers from your instructor.

When you’re not in the saddle there are plenty of opportunities to do absolutely nothing, or walk around the estate, or lie under an elm tree and read a book, or stroll into the nearby village. This itinerary has the perfect balance between riding and relaxation, let me assure you. In saying that, if you’re keen to notch up more than three hours in the saddle each day, this is also possible on request at an extra charge (subject to availability).

Dine again tonight in either Conor’s Bar (two courses) or Snaffles Restaurant (one course) before hitting the pillow.

There is a taxi service (€100 for one guest one way or €40 per person one way for 2+ guests) to and from the estate which is located in County Monaghan, Ireland, an 80 minute drive (121 kilometres) from Dublin International Airport. However, we recommend hiring a car so you have the flexibility to explore the surrounding region when not in the saddle. Globetrotting is happy to provide a competitive quote on international flights, travel insurance (only available for Australian residents), car hire and hotels before and after your ride. We can also assist with teaming you up with another globetrotter if they are booked on the same departure date so that you can share the cost of a hire car.