Horse riding holidays in Ireland have always been a popular choice with many of our clients returning year after year. With a combination of fantastic horses, friendly people and stunning scenery horse riding holidays continue to be a winner in Ireland. If you are looking for a fast and exciting riding holiday then Ireland is THE place!
A ring of coastal mountains surrounds low central plains making for a scenic back drop to your horse riding holiday in Ireland. The highest peak is Carrauntuohill (Irish: Corrán Tuathail), which is 3414 feet (1041 m). The island is bisected by the River Shannon, at 161 miles (259 km) the longest river in Ireland or Britain. The island's lush vegetation, a product of its mild climate and frequent but soft rainfall, earns it the sobriquet "Emerald Isle". The island's area is 32,477 square miles (84,079 km²).
Ireland is divided into four provinces: Connacht, Leinster, Munster and Ulster. In Irish these are referred to as Cúige's ( Cúige - meaning fifths). Previously there were five provinces - Connacht, Munster, Ulster, Leinster and Meath, comprising the counties of Meath, Westmeath and Longford. These were further divided into 32 counties for administrative purposes. Six of the Ulster counties remain under British sovereignty as Northern Ireland following Ireland's partition in 1922 (the remaining 26 forming present-day Republic of Ireland); since the UK's 1974 reshuffle these county boundaries no longer exist in Northern Ireland for administrative purposes, although Fermanagh District Council is almost identical to the county. In the Republic, the county boundaries are still adhered to for local government, albeit with Tipperary and Dublin subdivided (some cities also have their own administrative regions). For election constituencies, some counties are merged or divided, but constitutionally the boundaries have to be observed. Across Ireland, the 32 counties are still used in sports and in some other cultural areas and retain a strong sense of local identity.
Ireland's least arable land lies in the south-western and western counties. These areas are largely spectacularly mountainous and rocky, with beautiful green vistas.
Today a warm welcome and good 'craic' is guaranteed, a horse riding holiday in Ireland lets you really discover an island of contrasts.
