- Sunday
You arrive from Dublin and may choose to take an optional visit
to the Irish National Stud Farm via taxi (taxi fare not included),
where Ireland prides itself on their well bred Thoroughbreds.
While right next door you can also visit the Japanese Gardens,
with its delightful plants, flowers and ponds.
- Monday
After selecting your equine partner and having a brief assessment
at the Calliaghstown Riding Centre you will be sent on your
way for a memorable journey through the magnificent scenery
of the Gardens of Ireland. A fun ride is ahead in the Sleavetoule
Forest with optional natural jumps and then follow the quiet
country lanes down to the Kilteel Inn for lunch. Here you will
have your first opportunity to see a real Irish castle - Kilteel
Castle was built in the early 13th century. The afternoon ride
takes you across the heather and gorse covered Sorell Hill overlooking
the Blessington Lakes and you will finish your ride in the old
granite villages of Lacken and Ballyknocken.
- Tuesday
From Poulapuca (the lake of the fairies) over Knocknadroosa
Mountain to a well deserved picnic lunch in the Hollywood Glen.
The trail that follows over Knocknaboley leads to the Church
Mountain and then descends via the heather covered Cuckoo Valley,
where the silence of the hills is only broken by the sound of
the Cuckoo and your horses hoof beats. A welcome drink will
be waiting in Donard (Dun Ard, meaning the High Fort, is the
site of one of the 3 churches founded by Palladius in Wicklow
431AD).
- Wednesday
Spectacular scenery unfolds all around you as you ride through
the Glen of Imaal (the seat of power of Leinster Kings during
the Iron Age - 500BC - 700 AD) Here you will be taken through
small farms and open moors, crossing the River Slaney and on
to Spinnans Hill where you will be able to see Brusselstown
Ring - an Iron Age hill fort. This area is steeped in history,
and one of the many examples that your experienced guides will
share with you is that of Kilranelagh Cemetery known as the
Gates of Heaven.
- Thursday
After a good nights rest at Glenmalure Lodge, where you will
have enjoyed its friendly atmosphere, open fires and traditional
Irish music the night before, you and your horse will follow
the old military road past the ruins of Drumgoff Barracks. Here
many battles were fought in the mountains during the 1798 rebellion.
The ride continues through the forests and rugged mountains
leading down to the mysterious Glendalough Lakes. Here we overlook
the Monastic Valley and the 7th Century Round Tower. This is
the symbol of Ireland's Middle Ages reputation as the island
of Saints and Scholars around the time when the Vikings attacked
Glendalough in 833.
- Friday
From the village of Laragh the ride continues through the National
Park and the Annamoe Valley, renowned for its beautiful scenery
and historic monuments. This is the perfect ending to a memorable
week.
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