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Ireland - Ashford Castle & Equestrian Holiday
Unique castle adventure with fabulous riding on the 350 acre estate as well as lots of other country pursuits.

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from £794 or €880

Horse Riding Holidays Ireland – Ashford Castle, Mayo

PRICES & DATES top

Ashford Castle & Equestrian Holiday: Prices 2023

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Whatever your riding ability, the equestrian centre at Ashford Outdoor’s on the Ashford Castle Estate offers you the opportunity to reset your busy life luxury surroundings with equine activities and country pursuits. Here are some ideas of current packages, we can also make up individual tailored packages on request for any number of nights, hours and activities. You can even bring your horse and your dog with you to Ashford Castle, just ask us for rates.

3 Night Package
Includes 2 days of morning or afternoon riding (2 hours each ride), staying in a standard room (Corrib room-best value room limited, ask for other room rates) with breakfast & full use of golf course including green fees, tennis courts, bicycles, billiards rooms, cinema, steam room & pool.

2 January – 31 March & 1 November – 22 December

  • Rider $953
    • GBP: 775
    • EUR: 894
    per person sharing

1 – 30 April

  • Rider $1,094
    • GBP: 890
    • EUR: 1,026
    per person sharing

1 May – 30 September

  • Rider $1,512
    • GBP: 1,230
    • EUR: 1,418
    per person sharing

1 – 31 October 

  • Rider $1,395
    • GBP: 1,135
    • EUR: 1,308
    per person sharing

Children, non riders all welcome, prices on request

5 Night Package
Includes 4 half days riding (2 hour rides), staying in a standard room (Corrib room-best value room limited, ask for other room rates) with breakfast & full use golf course including green fees, tennis courts, bicycles, billiards rooms, cinema, steam room & pool.

2 January – 31 March & 1 November – 22 December

  • Rider $1,752
    • GBP: 1,425
    • EUR: 1,643
    per person sharing

1 – 30 April

  • Rider $1,955
    • GBP: 1,590
    • EUR: 1,833
    per person sharing

1 May – 30 September

  • Rider $2,643
    • GBP: 2,150
    • EUR: 2,479
    per person sharing

1 – 31 October 

  • Rider $2,453
    • GBP: 1,995
    • EUR: 2,300
    per person sharing

Children, non riders all welcome, prices on request

Additional Information: The above prices are based on standard room (Corrib) accommodation. You can request superior rooms, suites, and the hideaway private cottage, list of room types in accommodation section below. All prices are all subject to availability at time of booking. We will always offer the best price possible at time of booking.

Note: Rates are subject to daily exchange rate fluctuations, please refer to our ‘Terms & Conditions’ for full details.

Included – All riding & country activities as per described for your package, Corrib room accommodation including breakfast, plus full use 9 hole golf course including green fees, tennis courts, bicycles, billiards rooms, cinema, steam room & pool (please note you do need to prebook slots prior to arrival for these activities).

Excluded – Flights, transfers, other meals, drinks (note food and beverage are also subject to a 15% service charge) and tips.

Getting There

BY CAR

Ashford Castle is an easy drive from most places in Ireland, taking about 3 hours from Dublin, 1.5 hours from Shannon and less than an hour from Galway.

BY TRAIN

It is possible to take a train to Galway and from there we can organise a chauffeur service.

BY PLANE

Knock, Shannon and Dublin are the best airports, with Knock being the closest. Arrangements can also be made to land helicopters at the hotel.

Transfer

BY CHAUFFEUR

Car hire is ideal for international visitors but we can also arrange a chauffeur pick up.
Ashford Castle have their own in-house chauffeurs who are on hand day and night to drive guests to and from the Castle and to other destinations during your stay. We can arrange for one of the chauffeurs to pick you up from Knock, Shannon or Dublin airport or anywhere else, prices on request.

Ashford Castle & Equestrian Holiday: Dates 2023

Open all year

All our horse riding holidays hold a price guarantee. We believe in your piece of mind on price when you book one of our horse riding holidays and will refund the difference should you find the same horse riding holiday elsewhere at a lower price.

SUMMARY OF THE TRIP top

We absolutely love this fairy tale 800-year-old Irish Castle voted best hotel by Virtuoso and the only 5-star Forbes hotel in Ireland. In fact Zara celebrated her 50th birthday here with her family and Jill is planning a visit with hers too. Once home to the Guinness family and a millionaire’s playground in the last century you can ride straight into the 3000-acre forest, as well as explore castle ruins, ringforts and abbeys on horseback. Completely steeped in history each of the 83 rooms have been lovingly restored and are uniquely individual and the stables are within walking distance of the hotel.

Ashford is all about the experience and we love that it is pet friendly…enjoy greeting the two resident wolfhounds Cronan and Garvan in the morning, you may even join them and their carer for their daily morning walk. The staff at Ashford Castle have a unique way of making you feel like their very special guest from the moment you arrive.

As well as beautiful hacking and riding round the estate, it is also great fun to watch hawks soar at Ireland’s first School of Falconry, or maybe you or your non riding partner will enjoy a round of golf on a course designed by Eddie Hackett. With loads more to do such as fishing in the lough, clay pigeon shooting, archery, paddle boarding, kayaking, cycling, tennis, zip wiring or how about climbing Ireland’s tallest tree? Of course, there is also the fabulous spa which we recommend you take advantage of or how about a less taxing activity such as sipping Ashford Castle’s very own Irish Whisky? For those of you who are close enough and able and can’t bear to leave your furry friends at home why not treat your dog and horse to a holiday too…they are both welcome at Ashford Castle!

Ashford Castle is very special with a variety of sumptuous rooms and luxurious suites to choose from, a selection of 6 restaurants, 3 bars as well as a private cinema, Spa & Health Club, a 9-hole complimentary golf course, plus a huge variety of country pursuits to keep you entertained and busy while you are out of the saddle.

Ashford Castle is an ideal treat venue to bring non riding partners with you, family and friends. While you ride others are going to be kept busy on the 9-hole golf course, in the pool or on a bike ride round the estate!

The Equestrian Centre itself is located a short walk from the hotel and includes:

  • 17 stables
  • Indoor & outdoor arenas for assessments & lessons
  • 26 miles of hacking trails in 3,000 acres of beautiful forests
  • Carriage Drive around the estate and beautiful countryside
  • Catering for all levels from 4 yrs. upwards

THE RIDING top

Horses – Up to 17 horses and ponies; A good mix of solid cobs, connemaras and draught horses.

Level of Riding & Pace – Beginner to Advanced. The equestrian centre is well set up to take guests who have never ridden before but equally if you ride very well, you’ll enjoy a well-schooled horse to ride around this beautiful estate and some lovely cantering on beautiful trails.

Tack – English style.

Weight Restriction – 15 Stone / 95 kg / 210 lbs.

Group Size – Maximum 6 riders to any lesson or hack.

ACCOMMODATION top

Bedrooms include Corrib, Corrib Lake View, Deluxe, Deluxe Lake View, Deluxe Queen Room

Suites include The Suite, Presidential Suite, Junior Stateroom, Stateroom, The Hideaway (cottage)

All the rooms are 5-star luxury and include Voya bath products, Egyptian cotton linen, plush robes & slippers, WIFI, TV & blue tooth speaker, Hair Dyer, Kettle, fresh flowers, bottled mineral water & Air Con.

Restaurants & Bars
From bar snacks and brasserie classics to family fare and fine dining, Ashford Castle has a wonderful select dining experience to choose from.

6 Restaurants
George V Dining Room – The graceful setting, with rich, panelled walls and twinkling Waterford Crystal chandeliers bestows a grand sense of occasion. Relax and enjoy exceptional dishes from the kitchen of acclaimed Chef Philippe Farineau, recently awarded two rosettes by the AA Hospitality Awards, combined with much loved recipes of Beatrice Tollman and complemented by a fine selection of wines from Head Sommelier Paul Fogerty.
The Dungeon– As its name would suggest, the unique setting located on the lower ground floor of the castle invites diners to enjoy a range of dishes from the bistro-style menu with a focus on traditional Irish cuisine beneath the historic curved stone ceiling. Together with a relaxed ambience, it makes for a wonderful and memorable dining experience.
Cullen’s at the Cottage – Thatched cottage on site only open March-October. Offers you a relaxed dining experience. With a casual dress code, enjoy international and local dishes inspired by our owner Beatrice Tollman, including our delicious signature dish ‘Chicken Peri Peri’. It is slow cooked in our rotisserie oven in the main dining area, so mouth-watering aromas greet you as soon as you enter the restaurant.
The Drawing Room– Perfect for morning coffee or a light lunch. The drawing room has huge windows overlooking the lough and guests love to pop in spontaneously here during their stay.
Stanley’s Diner – Ashford style diner! With only nine leather-and-copper stools, Stanley’s is intimate and fun, with diner classics given an Ashford Castle twist. The original orange freeze drink is infused with Irish tea, while omelettes and bagels are made all the more luxurious with Ashford caviar and Alba truffle.
The Connaught Room– With panelled oak walls, Donegal crystal chandelier and floor to ceiling windows overlooking the estate and lough, it is easy enough to imagine Lords & Ladys in the past taking afternoon tea here and setting the world right…you can do the same! As well as where afternoon teas are hosted, it is also a good spot to organise a wine dinner too!

3 Bars
The Prince of Wales Bar – Built in the late 1800s, the bar is to this day reminiscent of its captivating past, with its opulent fabrics, fine wood panelling, traditional furnishings and original fireplace creating a warm and welcoming ambience – the perfect place to enjoy your favourite tipple or a pint of Guinness. Private Whisky and Gin tasting on offer too!
The Billiards Room & Cigar Terrace – The traditional elegance of the Billiards Room, with its grand assortment of antique furniture and furnishings is a most welcome addition to the castle. Definitely the spot for a Cuban cigar overlooking the river Cong whilst indulging in Irish tapas and one of finest single pot still whiskey, which is regarded as the real Irish whiskey and is a whiskey style unique to Ireland…where would you get it?
Wine Tasting – Wine Cellars at Ashford Castle offer private wine tastings and wonderful wine dinners in the secret passageways of the castle, which were unearthed during the renovations. The old servants’ entrance was originally a coal bunker and walkway underneath the castle, where the servants used to come in and get their coal buckets to take up to the rooms. It has now been transformed and the 16th-century tunnels provide three unique private spaces with a cosy ambience and soft lighting.

Spa & Wellness
The Spa at Ashford Castle was awarded ‘Ireland’s Best Hotel Spa’ in 2020 for the 5th year in a row by World Spa Awards and we were also voted ‘Best in Sustainability’ in the 2019 Irish Tatler Awards. Their commitment to wellbeing focuses on essential ancient wisdom with modern expertise. So, head here if you want to leave feeling nurtured, purified, pampered and relaxed.
Treatment Rooms – With 5 treatment rooms, a hammam & essence infused steam room & lifestyle showers, the small but discrete spa offers some beautiful treatments.
Relaxation Pool – Within the striking bronze conservatory and overlooking Lough Corrib, the relaxation pool provides an area of calm and tranquillity, with seated jets, unique seashell chandeliers and the ‘Tree of Life’ mural, stretching the length of the pool and symbolising Irish Celtic Mythology.
The fitness suite – With breath-taking, elevated views over Lough Corrib, the fitness suite is far from an average workout space. Floor to ceiling windows draw the spectacular scenery inside, where you’ll find the latest life fitness equipment. A personal trainer will be on hand to create bespoke sessions according to your specific goals.

A-Z of Ashford Castle Country Pursuits

Air Rifle Shooting
Archery
Carriage Driving
Clay Shooting
Cycling
E-rider Adventure
Falconry
Fishing
Horse Riding
Kayaking
Lawn Games
Fishing
Tennis
Trail Rides
Tree Climbing
Wildlife Photography
Paddle Boarding
Zip Wiring

SAMPLE ITINERARY top

We have a selection of suggested packages, and we will build a personalised itinerary to match your requirements.

DESTINATION MAP top

Zara’s Planet Horse Riding Holidays Guarantee:

All our horse riding holidays hold a price guarantee. We believe in your piece of mind on price when you book one of our horse riding holidays and will refund the difference should you find the same horse riding holiday elsewhere at a lower price.

If you are having trouble finding exactly the right horse riding holiday for you from our horse riding holidays collection, please contact us directly using the form below and tell us in your own words what you would like to do and we will use our extensive knowledge to make sure we find that perfect horse riding holiday.

 

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