Horseback riding in Ireland? (Dublin area)?

Question

Hi :)

My name is Erin, I'm 16, and my family and I are vacationing in Ireland in a little less than a month.

I'm very interested in doing some riding while I'm over there. It will be only me going since the rest of my family don't ride. I have been in horseback riding for about 4 years now and I lease a horse named Sonny. I consider myself an experienced rider and I love to jump!

I have been looking at websites for riding facilities in Dublin and have found a few that offer treks? I'm not quite sure what they are seeing there is nothing called a trek where I am from but from what I can tell, I'm guessing they're like trail rides? Anyway, I'm looking for some more information!

Anything from what you suggest I would like to what facilities would be best would be appreciated!

Thanks,
Erin (:

Answer 1

Ashtown Stables (Navan Rd.,Castleknock, Dublin 15 Tel No 01 838 3807) do lessons and offer treks (trail rides) through the Phoenix Park. They are quite gentle trail rides mostly over bridle paths with the odd jump over fallen trees etc and a canter on the flat in the Park if the ground isn't too soft (they're not allowed to break the soil up too much).



Brennanstown is a good bit outside Dublin, near Bray in Co. Wicklow but you can get to it by public transport (directions on their website). It offers lovely treks in the hills:

http://www.brennanstownrs.ie/



Carrickmines is served by Dublin bus routes 63 and 44. It has an indoor arena and a cross country course:

http://www.carrickminesequestrian.ie/

Answer 2

A trek would be our word for trail ride. What it entails however will depend on where the stable is.

Answer 3

There is a whole bunch of possibilities here

http://www.google.ie/search?hl=en&q=riding+stables+dublin&aq=3&aqi=g10&aql=&oq=riding+stables+&gs_rfai=

and here

http://maps.google.ie/maps?hl=en&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=riding+stables+dublin&fb=1&gl=ie&hq=riding+stables&hnear=Dublin,+Co.+Fingal&ei=UZhBTKXwEJ-y0gTA9NmoDw&sa=X&oi=local_group&ct=image&resnum=1&ved=0CDAQtgMwAA