Brackloon and Owenwee
This is a woodland and boreen trek - a ‘boreen' is word coming from the traditional Irish, it means
a small road or country lane (often with grass growing up the middle). We ride through an old oak
wood and down by a small river where the horses may get a chance to cool their feet on a hot day.
This ride is directly from the stables, no lorry transfers are necessary.
Skelp, Prospect
The Skelp is one of the loveliest rides (or walks) in the area. Again it starts from and goes back
to the stables. It is mainly on country roads and mountain road and meanders up one of the foothills
of Croagh Patrick. The view from the top of the Skelp is truly magnificent, it is a panoramic vista
stretching right out over Clew Bay with all its islands, Achill Island and Clare Island. On a bright
clear day it is a wonderful sight. This trek is for more experienced riders, there is plenty of
opportunity for trotting and cantering and the horses love to stretch out on the hillside. The
route goes through some lovely unspoilt areas with whitewashed cottages and the scent of turf smoke
through the air.
Shebeen and Carramore
Belclare Beaches
Bertra and Murrisk
This is probably our most popular trek allowing people to live out their fantasy of cantering through
the Atlantic shallows on the west coast of Ireland. We get wonderful reviews.
The horses are brought by lorry to the beach and back to the stables so all the riding is on the beach
itself. We have several options of sandy beaches but please note this trek is subject to the tides.
We ride out to two islands, Annagh and one at Bertra Beach. Sometimes we go to Murrisk Abbey or to
the Oyster Farm Beach, depending on the level of the tides. The views from all the beaches are just
gorgeous, over Clew Bay, and out as far as Achill and Clare Island. Clew Bay is a product of the last
ice age and there are hundreds of drowned drumlins forming islands - the locals say one for every
day of the year. Croagh Patrick overlooks the whole area, a towering and splendid backdrop.
Carrownisky to White Strand White Strand to Carrownisky
Carrownisky and White Strand are adjoining sandy beaches which stretch for miles south of Louisburgh.
We do this trek in both directions. Going from Carrownisky towards White Strand the views are all to
the south with the islands and sea stretching out towards the horizon. In the opposite direction,
the views are across Clew Bay to Clare Island and Achill Island each with a dramatic history involving
Granuaile, the Pirate Queen. Both islands are much beloved of artists these days, Achill is particularly
associated with the famous painter Paul Henry. The artists come for the very special light, best they
say in the ‘golden hour' just before dusk.
These beaches are deserted for the most part, with just one busy area popular with surfers who love
the huge Atlantic waves. We are often completely on our own, enjoying the beauty of the ocean in
solitary splendour.
Sheffry and Louisburgh Drummin Back Road
As a contrast to beach riding, these are inland routes, mainly on small country roads and green roads.
This gives an opportunity to see the flowering hedgerows this area is famous for, inhaling the scent
of the coconut flavoured gorse and other wild flowers. There are many ruins and remains to look at
along the way, deserted cottages and old churches. Many of these date back to pre-famine times. The
potato famine which occurred in Ireland in the mid eighteenth century hit Mayo very strongly as it
was such a rural county. The population today is still a lot less than it was before 1845. Lazy beds
can be seen along out route, these are the undulating ridges left in the ground, remnants of the small
potato growing fields of famine times.
