Ballinasloe Horse Fair Ride Itinerary

05th - 10th October 2024

Once a year in October Ireland’s oldest traditional horse fair takes place in Ballinasloe since the time of the High Kings of Tara. The main purpose of the fair is the sale of horses, and watching the hundreds of horse dealers gathered with their stock and doing business on the Fair Green is a real treat. Riding, jumping and driving horses, mares with foals and stallions. All sorts of horses are sold, from tiny ponies to huge hunters. Selling is done the old way – no fancy sales ring, just horses, buyers and sellers who gather and deals are done in cash.

We offer a riding holiday, which includes a full day visit to this horse fair, please read more in the itinerary.

Day 1 - Saturday

Transfer (if booked) from Shannon airport to the An Sibin Riding Centre in County Clare.

Lunch snack in the riding centre.

Boat ride to Holy Island to visit the ruins of one of Irelands most important monastic settlements.

Traditional home cooked dinner by the open peat fire.

Day 2 - Sunday

After breakfast drive to the famous horse fair in Ballinasloe.

Spend all day between hundreds of horses – just looking…we are not bringing a horse trailer ;))

Drive back to An Sibin in the late afternoon for dinner.

Day 3 - Monday

Full Irish breakfast.

2 hour ride through the beautiful Irish countryside.

Back to the riding centre for tasty lunch.

1 hour ride on ancient Celtic trails.

Candle light dinner.

Day 4 - Tuesday

Full Irish breakfast.

2 hour ride across the magical landscape of peat and heather.

After the lunch snack in the riding centre we visit the ruins of the impressive Pallas Castle, one of the best preserved tower-houses and walled castle grounds of the 15th century.

Drive back to An Sibin for dinner.

Day 5 - Wednesday

Full Irish breakfast.

2 hour ride through rural farmland.

Picnic lunch break along the trail route.

1 + 1/2 hour ride passing a 5000 year old Celtic Dolmen.

Dinner in the comfy atmosphere of the riding centre.

Day 6 - Thursday

Full Irish breakfast.

Time to say “slan abhaile” to your Irish mounts.

Transfer (if booked) back to Shannon airport / rent a car.

The itinerary might change due to weather conditions or circumstances beyond our control…

Nina

18. October, 2019.

Breathtaking place My week on An Sibin Riding Centre was wonderful. Nicola und Bertie are real horse friends and great hosts. The horses are all super nice and reliable. The scenery is beautiful and perfekt for horseback riding. There was no day if the food was not excellent :-) I will come back again.

FellQ

27. July, 2019.

Lovely Irish Hospitality We spent a delightful four days at this cozy farm in County Clare, and enjoyed some terrific rides. Each morning we travelled to a different field to catch and tack up the very happy and healthy horses (I rode sweet Colleen, a pretty and comfortable Irish Cob) and traversed the scenic countryside. Nice varied routes, some good canters, including a memorable one through the river. Thanks to the guides and to the hosts, Nicola and Bertie for making this a seamless trip.

Herbert L

15. February, 2019.

Reiten bei Freunden Das An Sibin Riding Centre befindet sich nahe Whitegate an der Grenze zwischen den Counties Galway und Clare. Hier habe ich eine Woche verbracht, um meine nach einem Reitkurs im Alter von 16 Jahren arg eingestaubten Reitkünste aufzufrischen. An Sibin ist ein echtes Paradies, „in the middle of nowhere“ gelegen, Sie bekommen aber eine gute Wegbeschreibung, damit Sie sicher hinfinden :-). Mehr Ruhe finden Sie nirgends. Sollten Sie nicht motorisiert sein holt man Sie gerne am Flughafen Shannon oder von der nahegelegenen Bushaltestelle ab. Ich hatte ein paar Reitstunden auf dem Reitplatz und wurde dann für gut genug befunden, um einige Ausritte ins Gelände zu unternehmen. Wenn Ihr verlängerter Rücken mal einen Tag Pause braucht (meiner brauchte es), gibt es genügend Gelegenheiten einen Ausflug mit dem Auto zu unternehmen, ich war zum Beispiel in der schönen Stadt Birr. Auf dem Hof sind Hunter, Tinker und Connemara Ponies vertreten (teilweise aus eigener Zucht), insgesamt sind es um die 45 Pferde, in einer guten Auswahl für die unterschiedlichen Bedürfnisse der Reitgäste. Das Haupthaus ist ein liebevoll restauriertes 300 Jahre altes Farmhaus mit 16 einfach aber gemütlich eingerichteten Zimmern. Der Speiseraum mit offenem Kamin ist urgemütlich, wenn man morgens oder abends auf der Terrasse sitzt schauen auch mal ein paar Rehe vorbei. Wenn Sie möchten können Sie auch als Selbstversorger ein im kanadischen Stil errichtetes Blockhaus mieten, Pferd inklusive. Neben Reitstunden und Ausritten werden auch Wanderritte angeboten, zum Beispiel der Galway - Clare - Burren Trail, der Sie ca. 220 Kilometer durch die schöne ländliche Region der Grafschaften Galway und Clare und weiter durch die faszinierende Kalksteinlandschaft des Burren bis zur rauen Atlantikküste bei den Klippen von Moher führt. Die Länge des Trails und die Tatsache, dass Sie täglich um die fünf Stunden auf dem Pferd sitzen machen deutlich, dass dies nur für geübte Reiter mit ordentlicher Kondition und ausgeprägtem Sitzfleisch geeignet ist. Dann aber ist es ein wunderschönes Erlebnis. Auch außerhalb der Zeit auf dem Pferderücken oder wenn Sie eine Begleitung haben die nicht reitet, ist für genügend Abwechslung gesorgt, vorausgesetzt Sie erwarten kein Großstadtleben. Wie schon erwähnt gibt es einige Ausflüge in die nähere Umgebung die man machen kann, es warten entspannte Spaziergänge, auf denen man auch mal gern von einem der auf der Farm lebenden Hunde begleitet wird und auch das nächste Pub ist nur ein paar Kilometer entfernt, dahin macht sich abends auch mal die ganze Gruppe mit dem Kleinbus auf. Auf An Sibin wird auch Englischunterricht angeboten, den man mit dem Reiten wunderbar verbinden kann. Ein ganz besonderes Erlebnis auf An Sibin, das nach meiner Kenntnis in Irland nur zwei oder drei Mal angeboten wird ist das Eselwandern: man bekommt eine Karte mit unterschiedlich langen Routen, ein Lunchpaket und natürlich einen Esel mit, der einen begleitet – und da ein Packtier – praktischerweise auch gleich das Gepäck trägt. Sie können etwa zu den Ufern des Lough Dergh wandern oder in das Gebiet der Slieve Aughty Mountains, ein einmaliges Erlebnis für Wander- und Tierfreunde und ganz besonders natürlich auch für Familien mit Kindern, die allerdings nicht zu jung sein sollten, da der Esel kein Reittier ist und die Kleinen die Wanderungen selbst absolvieren müssen; was aber bei dem süßen tierischen Begleiter viel leichter fällt.

Virginia S

8. October, 2018.

Excellent Equestrian Vacation A group of 5 of us did a week ride, and had a Awsome experience. This is exactly what I wanted my first time travelers to enjoy. The hosts are very special people, and the staff is excellent. They do everything, & anything to make your stay special. We had the small cottage and a couple gals in the main house. The main house has en-suite bedrooms with real ice baths. The cottage was comfortable, beds especially !! The horses are perfect, they know their job, excellent at taking good care of their riders! We are all experienced riders and these are safe steeds. Excellent care is noticeable. This is a great vacation, I highly recommend this company, family ❤️☘️ The food was great,very accommodating,no complaints at all.This place is excellent.

Carl F

13. September, 2018.

Couldn't have been better As a novice horse rider with experienced riders I was a bit nervous. The hosts and guides took excellent care of me. The riding was awesome, the guides informative and safe, and the accommodations and food much better than expected. The castle tours are a welcome break from riding. There were 8 in our riding group and we all become friends quickly.

Jenny F

11. July, 2018.

An Sibin Riding Centre I highly recommend An Sibin Riding Centre in Count Clare. My daughter and I just returned from a fabulous horseback riding tour. Our hosts Nicola and Bertie take great care of their horses and guests. The centre, riding, guides, sights, and food are fabulous!!

kncrew5j

10. July, 2018.

Amazing property Absolutely wonderful trip! Wonderful accommodations, Nicola made us feel at home, the house itself is spectacular, our rooms were comfortable and we felt spoiled from the moment we were picked up by Bertie at our hotel. The grounds are beautiful, the food is incredible. But for us, it was the horses. They are so well taken care of, they have such personalities. Care is taken that the rides are comfortable as much for the horse as for the rider. Binor my boy for our rides, was the sweetest guy. Their guides are very friendly and helpful, always lending a hand and being so nice about doing it, while working hard. Shout out to our guide (Hope I spell this correctly) Manon, and to Tabby in the house. If you have a chance- GO HERE! Thank You Nicola and Bertie for having us.

gaiteddancer

20. June, 2018.

Awesome vacation Nicola and Bertie have a beautiful ranch,. We enjoyed the accommodations, the food was fantastic, and the horses well trained and cared for. It’s an international experience as the horse guides were from different European countries, and even one from Japan. It was relaxing, yet a good riding experience in Ireland. I would go back again!

welchstablesva

28. February, 2018.

Best Horse Experience in Ireland. My wife & I have been to Ireland twice. We have ridden @ 13 different riding centres there. An Sibin beats them all hands down. The Cummins always go above & beyond to insure a memorable stay. The staff, food, amenities & of courses, horses are always excellent. If you can ride @ only one place while in Ireland, regardless of your equestrian experience, An Sibin is the place.

jturnerdcc

8. October, 2017.

Wonderful travel experience I visited An Sibin in September 2017. I have been to Ireland many times, but this trip was the best thanks to Bertie and Nicola. I am definitely going back. The horses are well cared for and well trained. Each day was an adventure. The landscape was amazing. The horses are not old walk alongs.. They are fun. I think cantering was the best part next to mucky paths, going through creeks and streams, and craggy climbs. The riding center is like a picture in a story book. The grounds are well maintained. The big bonus is the food. I had no idea there was a chef who skillfully prepared each meal. This was a wonderful surprise. The afternoons with the exception of the last day were spent sightseeing. The best part of the tour in this respect is Willie Lehey's farm. I bought the most beautiful bridle for my horse at home. The riding museum was worth the trip. I have to say something about the guides: Nicola and Bertie go to a lot of trouble to make sure the guides know what they are doing. All are excellent horsewoman and riders. The purpose of my trip was to ride and I really didn't care about anything else. I was not disappointed. Everything else from the food to the lovely accomodation are a bonus. I am already putting away money to return. This time I want to make it more challenging with longer rides, obstacle courses, and a few extra days. Thank you Nicola and Bertie.