Irish Castle and Monastic Ruin Ride

Enjoy a combination of visiting the ancient Irish castles and monastic ruins with lovely guided trail rides through Irish bogs, fields and local farmland.

On this 4 day ride you will visit the impressive Portumna Castle which was the seat of the Earl of Clanricarde and Pallas castle - one of the best preserved tower houses and castle grounds of the 15th century. You will also take a boat ride to Holy Island on the river Shannon to explore the ruins of one of Ireland’s most important monastic settlements, and you will ride to a 5000 year old Celtic tomb.

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Day 1 - Saturday

Arrival in Shannon Airport and transfer (if booked) to our An Sibin Riding Centre.

Transfer from Shannon to Whitegate approx. two hours. You will be staying here for 5 nights. On the arrival day you can just relax and recover from your journey, or take a stroll on the well sign-posted nearby walking trails.

In the evening, you will get to know all your fellow riders for this week. You will have dinner in the tastefully restored 300 year old farmhouse in the An Sibin Riding Centre by candlelight and open turf fire.

Day 2 - Sunday

After breakfast we will go out to the horses and every rider can then get used to their own horse for the next days by brushing and tacking up themselves - don’t worry there are always lots of helping hands around you!

Our first ride (2 hours) takes us along forest tracks and country lanes, passed abandoned farms of the 18^th century famine times.

After lunch you will be driven to nearby Mountshannon harbour, from where you will visit Holy Island by boat. Pilgrims travelled to this island until the mid-19^th century.

You will see the ruins of five churches, early monastic cells, a pre-12^th century cemetery and a round tower. After this visit you will have time for a stroll through the village and drop into the pub for a glass of porter ;))

Back to the riding centre for a delicious dinner.

Day 3 - Monday

On today’s ride (2 and ½ hours) you will ride into the hills of the Slieve Aughty Mountains and enjoy fascinating views over the majestic River Shannon.

In the afternoon you will get to visit the Portumna workhouse museum, where the poor and destitute took shelter many years ago during the famine times.

You will also visit the impressive Portumna Castle of the 17^th century with it’s beautifully restored walled garden. The 4^th Earl of Clanricade built this Renaissance castle and lived a lavish life here.

Relax by the peat fire and a traditional home cooked dinner back at the riding centre.

Day 4 - Tuesday

This morning’s ride (2 and ½ hours) will take you on quiet tracks through Ireland’s beautiful rural countryside.

This afternoon’s visit will bring you to the secluded ruins of Pallas castle, one of the best preserved tower-houses and walled castle grounds of the Irish gentry in the 15th century.

In the evening you will enjoy your dinner again at the riding centre.

Day 5 - Wednesday

Today is a full day ride. The 2 hour morning ride brings us across the magical landscape of bog and heather. We will have our lunch picnic out on the trail, where we meet our minibus with all the supplies for horses & riders.

On the 2 hour afternoon ride we will pass by a typical Celtic dolmen, which is believed to be 5000 years old!

The ride will finish on a field where the horses are happily turned out.

Tonight is the final dinner in the comfy atmosphere of the riding centre.

Day 6 - Thursday

After breakfast it is time to say “slan abhaile” and to get ready for the transfer (if booked) back to Shannon.

The itinerary might change due to weather conditions or circumstances beyond our control without prior notice…

Irish Castle & Monastic Ruin ride dates 2024

Fixed Dates 2024

April

06th - 11th

13th - 18th fully booked

20th - 25th

May

04th - 09th fully booked

18th - 23rd

25th - 30th

June

08th - 13th

22th - 27th

29th Jun - 04th Jul fully booked

July

13h - 18th

27th July - 01st Aug

August

10th - 15th fully booked

31st Aug - 05th Sep

September

07th - 12th

14th - 19th

21st - 26th fully booked

28th Sep - 03rd Oct

October

05th - 10th

12th - 17th

19th - 24th

Other Dates on request for groups of minimum 4 riders.

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.