Price
2026
Yoga & Horsemanship Riding Holiday
7 Nights - €2,468 per person, sharing
Trek & Train Riding Holiday
7 Nights - €2,186 per person, sharing
Ride & Create - Horsemanship and Traditional Crafts Retreat
7 Nights - €2,636 per person, sharing
Dates & Prices
IRELAND
Slieve Aughty - 3 Programmes
Overview
Have you a holistic approach to your horse riding and always fancied to deeply connect with horses and learn more about natural horsemanship? For something a little different, Slieve Aughty is a little little gem of a place we’ve discovered hidden amongst the foothills of the wild and remote Slieve Aughty mountains, surrounded by forests and lakes. If you need to escape the stresses of the world and take time out to enjoy a holistic approach to country life - in lovely surroundings with cute and quirky accommodation, amazing organic mainly vegetarian food and a relaxed home from home feel this could be the sanctuary to head to.
As well as practicing natural horsemanship the owners also love yoga and we offer packages combining these two. And the real magic of Slieve Aughty is off road access to over 2,000 acres of enchanted forest right on their doorstep. This means miles and miles of fabulous hacking as well as some cross country jumps to play over, options for picnic lunches and all day hacks. It helps if you believe in fairies and unicorns, and even if you don’t, you just might after a stay in this fairytale bubble.
Choose from three different programmes
Yoga & Horsemanship
Trek & Train
Ride & Create: Horsemanship and Traditional Crafts Retreat
The horses and ponies here are well loved and clearly happy horses. It’s the perfect place to build up your confidence, bring your family or friends and to introduce non riders to the magical world of horses. We also have a lot of solo riders coming here as it is such a welcoming spot.
If you’d like to bring your own horse or pony on holiday with you they are very welcome with just small nightly charge of 20€ to cover stabling, feed and hay.
Location
Loughrea, Ireland
Airport
Dublin, Ireland
Duration
7 nights
When to go
April-September
Riding level
Beginners to Intermediate Plus
Weight
95 kg / 15 stone / 209 lbs
Group size
8 max
Accommodation
Modern purpose built lodge onsite
Included
Full board accommodation on Yoga & Horsemanship, half board accommodation Trek & Train and Ride & Create, all riding and other activities as per package.
Extras
Excluded
Flights, transfers, drinks (there is an honesty bar with wines, bottled beers and spirits/mixers you can help yourself to), breakfast if on half board and tips.
Price guarantee
All our riding holidays hold a price guarantee. We believe in your piece of mind on price when you book with us and will refund the difference should you find the same riding holiday elsewhere at a lower price.
Exchange rate
Rates are subject to daily exchange rate fluctuations, please refer to our Terms and Conditions for full details.
Transfers
By Car
Slieve Aughty is close to Loughrea, Galway and an easy drive from most places in Ireland, taking about 1.5 hours from Dublin.
By Plane & Bus
Most people from abroad fly into Dublin from where you can self drive or you can take a bus to Loughrea and we can organize a taxi/transfer from there which will cost approximately 15 -20 €.
Departure dates
2026 Dates
Yoga & Horsemanship Riding Holiday
11 – 18 April
12 – 19 September
Trek & Train Riding Holiday
Departures June, July and August. Please enquire.
Ride & Create: Horsemanship and Traditional Crafts Retreat
27 April – 4 May
29 June – 6 July
21 – 28 September
Riding & Itinerary
Horsemanship Riding Itinerary
Your week will include daily yoga classes, natural horsemanship sessions, ground and mounted lessons, bareback riding and a horse communication session.
Enjoy a peaceful stay in luxury accommodation, ideal for yoga and horsemanship guests. Surrounded by nature, it’s the perfect place to relax, connect with yourself, and enjoy outdoor activities. Unwind in our comfortable, beautifully designed rooms. This tranquil retreat offers everything you need for a restful and rejuvenating escape.
Start your day with a relaxing yoga session, featuring long-held stretches and a calming meditation before breakfast. By midday, join a horsemanship session. These sessions vary each day, offering a range of experiences from bareback riding to ground and mounted work. You’ll also enjoy talks on horse communication techniques and equine therapy, with each session designed to deepen your connection with the horses and enhance your personal growth.
After a nutritious lunch, take some free time to relax, whether it’s reading, a walk in the organic vegetable garden, or taking a peaceful forest walk. You can also choose to help lead a horse for our special needs riders, offering a rewarding experience.
If you’d like more time with the horses, you can book an additional ride out in nature as well. There’s always something meaningful to do, allowing you to create your perfect day.
Trek & Train Riding Holiday
This is a great option for those who wish to focus improving their riding skills in the arena as well as enjoying some relaxing time on horseback exploring the remote Irish countryside. Suitable for any riding level, including beginners who are learning to canter (not complete beginners).
Includes 6 days of riding with 1 horse riding lesson and a 1 hour trek each day as well as the option for a full day ride (not suitable for beginners) or donkey walk with a picnic on one day in the week.
Ride & Create: Horsemanship and Traditional Crafts Retreat
Stay in luxury rooms, connect with nature through horses, enjoy nutritious food, and create a special handcrafted item to take home. Don’t miss this unique experience in a beautiful, tranquil setting, learning from professionals who are truly passionate about what they do.
Start the week with horsemanship sessions offering a range of experiences from bareback riding to ground and mounted work. You’ll also enjoy talks on horse communication techniques and equine therapy. Each session is designed to deepen your connection with the horses and enhance your personal growth, setting a tone of relaxation and a feeling of stability and calm.
Towards the end of the week, choose a two-day workshop from options such as silver jewellery making, basket weaving, bushcraft, leatherwork, or drum making.
The craft workshops are lively and filled with people enjoying the weekend. Combined with horses and the stunning surroundings, they create a dream experience you’ll want to repeat every year.
Horses
Cobs, Connemaras and ponies.
Riding level
Beginners to Intermediate Plus
Type of riding
Natural horsemanship, archery on horseback, hacks and light cross country
Tack
English style
Weight limit
95 kg / 15 stone / 209 lbs
Group size
8 max
Accommodation & Meals
Slieve Aughty is a purpose built modern lodge with 9 ensuite rooms in the main house where there is also a lovely dining area, sitting areas, bar area and spots to relax in. Each room is tastefully decorated by Esther who is from Holland and you can see the Dutch/sometimes Indonesian influence in the design. The rooms are quirky and well thought through with a mix of antiques, clever design using local materials (a stone dashed bath tub which I loved for example) and spotlessly clean.
Outside there are 2 wooden eco cabins which can also be used for families and self catering, again these are cutesy, quirky and unique in their design. We’d love to snuggle up in one of the mezzanine beds in the cabins.
The Food
With a certified organic restaurant on site and organic garden which you are welcome to explore the food is wholesome, pure and absolutely delicious. Outside there is a Pizza oven for pizza nights but most of the meals are served buffet style in the lovely airy dining area indoors. Keeping in tune with the holistic approach here many meals are vegetarian but there are always meat and fish options too so everyone will eat well.
Breakfasts include cereals, granolas, museli, selection of cheeses, salami and pates, yoghurt, eggs cooked to order, pancakes cooked to order, mushrooms, tomatoes, homemade breads, coffee, teas and juices.
A typical light lunch would include homemade soup, signature seasonal salad, homemade breads, homemade dips, spreads and cold meats, organic cheeses, brownies or cookies, juice, tea and coffee.
Delicious and filling dinners are offered with choices that include starters like Roast sweet potato soups, a main could be bangers, mash and onion gravy or a potato and cauliflower curry all accompanied with rice, potatoes, chips and a wide array of fresh garden salads. Desert options include homemade ice-cream and buttermilk pie with berry sauce.
There is a bar with a good selection of bottled beers, wine and spirits with mixers. It’s an honesty bar so groups and individuals can help themselves if there is no-one about to serve, all very relaxed.
Accommodation
Modern purpose built lodge onsite
Single Supplement
Please enquire
Meals
Inform us about food allergies and intolerances
Drinks
Drinks payable
The Destination
Galway is worth visiting for its vibrant atmosphere, cultural richness, and scenic location. It's a compact and walkable city known for its friendly locals, lively pub scene with live traditional music, and bohemian vibe. The city also offers a picturesque setting on Galway Bay and serves as an excellent base for exploring nearby natural landscapes like the Cliffs of Moher and Connemara.
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