What is it like to ride in Ireland, on Irish horses? We flipped through some of the brochures we received here in Ireland and saw a picture of people riding across a beach in County Kerry. We wanted to do that! So we called right away and booked.
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Horse riding in Ireland
Booking a ride was absolutely no problem. We called the Burkes Beach Ridingor Rossbeigh Beach Riding Centre as it also seems to be called, and when we didn't get a signal we sent a text message. We received a quick reply and booked a 2-hour tour for 60 euros per person. Other options would have been an hour, a half day or a full day.
The only thing the centre wanted to know in advance was our riding experience. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced rider, you're welcome, but they want to know in advance so that they can plan the best way possible. By eleven o'clock the next day we were at the riding centre, located in Glenbeigh, County Kerry, on the west coast of Ireland. Together with two French women and a guide, we were off!
Irish horses: Tinker
We got to ride Irish horses of a breed called tinker or 'Irish cob'. These horses are descended from the horses used by the Irish and British Roma, the so-called Travellers. The horses are sturdy, have a thick hoof beard and are often coloured with the colour of dapple, which means they are spotted. Horses are also known to be calm, friendly and stubborn. They are used to pull carriages, but also as riding horses. Very nice horses, we must say!
Horse riding over the mountains ...
We started the ride by riding on narrow car roads through the mountainous landscape. From time to time we stopped to look out over the fields, crops, mountains and sheep. At the same time, the horses could take a small grass-eating break. Then we started riding down to the sea, and that was what we were looking forward to!
Riding on the beach
Seriously, I knew not that I had this on my bucket list, but apparently I did. Riding on a beach in Ireland should be on everyone's bucket list, what an experience! First we rode through the tall grass along the beach, then through the sand, and then out through the water. Absolutely fantastic! Here is a picture bomb.
What are your experiences with horses and horse riding? Please tell us! Would you like to try riding on a beach sometime? Don't miss this opportunity! You don't need to have previous experience in horse riding.
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Ruth in Virginia says:
Oh, my god what a ride! Could possibly get me up on
a horseback. Such wonderfully beautiful views. Also see that horses
is on the left-hand side of the road 🙂 .
"Pause for a view and eat grass" - It takes your breath away.
such nature. And the weather is perfect. No milk mist there,
good luck.
Come back in the morning and look again. Here it is
bedtime. Thanks for another great post!
11 May 2018 - 6:14
Helena says:
The horse riding was really fantastic! Nice horses, beautiful nature and great weather. Could not be better! Glad you are following our journey Ruth! 🙂
11 May 2018 - 8:59
Mr Nils-Åke Hansson says:
I could imagine a trip on horseback.
11 May 2018 - 7:19
Helena says:
Great experience! 🙂
11 May 2018 - 8:59
Seija Viitamäki-carlsson says:
Really wonderful. You are true ambassadors of Ireland. Enticing trip and lovely photos. We are on our way to Provence. To cycle. And enjoy.
11 May 2018 - 8:24
Helena says:
It is really fantastic to travel through Ireland 🙂 Wishing you a really lovely trip to Provence!
11 May 2018 - 9:00
Matts Torebring says:
I grew up with horses and love them if they are nice, otherwise they can be really dangerous. Again, a great experience.
11 May 2018 - 8:25
Helena says:
This was really an amazing experience! And very calm and kind horses 🙂 .
11 May 2018 - 9:01
Razzy says:
Absolutely gorgeous, I must put that on my bouquet list, love the Tinker horses.
11 May 2018 - 9:20
Helena says:
Really nice horses! 🙂
11 May 2018 - 11:06
Only British says:
I am a horse girl so I like to ride everywhere and Ireland is really a classic dream. Tinkers have been popular in Sweden for a couple of decades, even at riding schools. In Malmö, for example, they are used for disability lessons.
11 May 2018 - 9:24
Helena says:
I have also ridden a lot as a young man. Today it's mostly tours like this one, a great way to experience nature! Nice that tinkers are also popular in Sweden!
11 May 2018 - 11:08
Veiken says:
This is a post that suits me exactly. Not having to jump on a horse, but still being in Ireland which is a favourite country.
Following your journey in Ireland of course! ?
11 May 2018 - 10:04
Helena says:
Glad you are following our journey around this beautiful country! 🙂
11 May 2018 - 11:08
Ama de casa says:
But guuuuuuuuu how wonderful! Really a great thing and what lovely pictures 🙂 .
I grew up with horses. I got a pony when I was five and lived in the stables. My brother and cousin also got a pony each, so initially there were two mares and a stallion. I don't know how it happened, but in the end there were nine of them in the stable 😉.
The interest faded in my teens, then came back in my thirties and disappeared again a few years later. Nowadays I am content to look at the beautiful animals and maybe squeeze their soft beaks 😀.
11 May 2018 - 10:27
Helena says:
Wow, you have a lot of experience with horses! I also rode when I was young. My dream was to have my own horse, but I had to settle for riding school and riding camps 😉 Nowadays it's just occasional rides, like this one. A wonderful way to experience nature!
11 May 2018 - 11:10
Britt-Marie Lundgren says:
How lovely it looks, but my riding experience consists of a ride on an Icelandic horse in the forests of Dalarna (I think horses are big animals, which are dangerous both behind and in front). Lars, however, bought his own horse when his daughter was engrossed in jumping and dressage competitions, so he would love this.
I am content to look at your lovely pictures!
11 May 2018 - 11:07
Helena says:
Most horses are very nice, but of course you should only ride if you feel like it. It was a wonderful nature experience in any case! 🙂
11 May 2018 - 11:12
Eva - People in the Street says:
Oh, now it's on my bucket list too?
I am an old horse girl who got my first pony when I was 11 years old. I used to compete in jumping, but unfortunately I don't ride anything today. But there is a constant lack and longing for the horses.
11 May 2018 - 11:17
Helena says:
An own pony when you were 11, wonderful! It was my dream at that age 😉 Glad you rode competitively! I have also ridden relatively much (twice a week for four years) but now it will only be occasional occasions.
11 May 2018 - 12:25
Annette says:
It is from horseback that you should experience nature, so cool to be in the middle of the beautiful, dramatic landscape! When our children were small, we drove through Scotland, and I thought that we should experience it on horseback or on a quad bike.
I have had my own horse all my life. For a period I took care of a Tinker, he was completely safe and secure and very cosy. Very big contrast to the Arabian horses I rode before that, which flew in the air at the slightest bit ? Now I have started to ride one of my Icelandic horses, there is a little Arabian horse about her too ?
11 May 2018 - 11:48
Helena says:
It's great to have your own horse! And what fun that you took care of a tinker horse! Super nice! 🙂 Icelandic horses are also nice of course! I have lived in Iceland and ridden Icelandic horses a few times.
11 May 2018 - 19:31
Emelie says:
In 2013, I worked on a horse farm in Co Clare, Ireland, including trail riding. The pictures really make you want to go back!
11 May 2018 - 18:26
Helena says:
But oh what a wonderful and exciting job! 🙂
11 May 2018 - 19:32
Camilla Sandmark says:
We also travelled by motorhome in Ireland a number of years ago. A trip that I won. It was the first time for us to travel around by motorhome, experience the camping life and also our first visit to Ireland. A little hard with such a large car and such narrow, winding roads but after the heart found its right place again instead of being in the throat, it was both cosy and educational and we have been to Ireland several times since then. we fell in love with that green, beautiful island.
11 May 2018 - 19:36
Helena says:
What an exciting first motorhome trip!!! Understand that you fell in love with the island, we have also become 🙂 Have you travelled more motorhome since then?
12 May 2018 - 7:32
BP says:
Great pictures again! Riding is not my thing, but walking where you have been would be a dream. Oh what weather! You have really been lucky with unusually nice weather for Ireland.
PS. The horses' whiskers are reminiscent of furry moonboots from the 1970s and 1980s;-) DS.
11 May 2018 - 22:28
Helena says:
Yes, we have probably been lucky with the weather! Often sun 🙂 It rains from time to time too, but most of the time it is over after an hour or so. Love those horses' hoof beards 🙂 .
12 May 2018 - 7:34
Ditte says:
What fun! I would love to do this too. It looks like so much fun. And riding through the landscape gives so much in terms of everything. Fantastic pictures! I have tried to ride in Hungary on Pustan, in France - including in Camargue a cool experience and in Spain. Great experiences in the Camargue were also riding on the beach and swimming with the horses.
Good tip about riding here in Ireland and nice that it is also possible for beginners to join in.
Keep up the good work. And thanks for the ride.
12 May 2018 - 17:43
Helena says:
What wonderful riding tours you have done! I would also like to ride in Hungary 🙂 And of course France sounds great! We like to ride while travelling, so there have been a few rides before, including in Iceland and New Zealand.
16 May 2018 - 22:57
Lena - good for the soul says:
Incredibly nice horse Peter got. Shaggy and cute!
Well, I have never been interested in horses. Sure, I've ridden a few times, but that's about it. But I can think that it looks lovely, so yes, I could imagine such a trip as you did.
Hug Lena
14 May 2018 - 6:14
Helena says:
Wasn't his horse nice? 🙂 Very nice ride we thought! 🙂
16 May 2018 - 22:58
Liniz Travel says:
But such nice horses and pictures! Too bad I'm allergic! Hugs
14 May 2018 - 8:37
Helena says:
Oh, how sad that you are allergic Lina...!!!!
16 May 2018 - 22:58
Elisabeth says:
Not for me, but I'm sure Lennart would like it. He has had horses before.
16 May 2018 - 21:32
Helena says:
Not everyone likes to ride, I am aware of that. IF you like to ride, Ireland is an excellent country for that we discovered 🙂 What fun that Lennart had horses, I did not know that!
16 May 2018 - 22:59
4000mil says:
Riding along a beach is just wonderful! We did it in South Africa last year.
In Ireland (ages ago in 1998, I think I was there), I remember we just popped into horse farms a few times and asked if we could ride. And it always went well.
18 May 2018 - 7:08