Five Rides in Ireland, from the Coast to the National Park

Westport, County Mayo

Profile. Trail ride. Ride on the beach and in the countryside near Westport, 1 hour, from 92.84 euros. Ride on the beach and in the countryside near Westport, 2 hours, from 195 euros. Level and guide language are stated by the provider. Prices according to the provider, as of 4 October 2026.

Landscape, rules, season. The pages we found on Westport and Mayo contain only judgements with superlatives, so there is no statement about the landscape here. We found no riding rule for the beach.

The Burren, County Clare

Profile. Trail ride. Mountain ride near Lisdoonvarna, 2 hours, from 151 euros. Ride on the Burren Trail, 4 hours, from 202 euros. Ride on the Dirt Trek Trail, 1 hour, from 101 euros. Prices according to the provider, as of 4 October 2026.

Landscape. According to the Irish national parks, Burren National Park covers 1,800 hectares in the south-eastern corner of the Burren in County Clare and takes its name from the Irish boíreann, rocky place. Whether the rides are within the park is stated by the provider.

Connemara, County Galway

Profile. In our selection there is currently no offer here. We list the place because of the proven landscape and the pony.

Landscape. According to the Irish national parks, Connemara National Park covers some 2,000 hectares of mountains, bogs, heaths, grasslands and woodlands in County Galway. The grounds are closed during orange and red weather warnings.

Pony. According to its own site, the Connemara Pony Breeders' Society was founded in December 1923, and volume 1 of the studbook appeared in 1926.

Killarney National Park, County Kerry

Profile. Trail ride. Ride in Killarney National Park, 1 hour, from 107 euros. Same ride, 2 hours, from 177 euros. Same ride, 3 hours, from 235 euros. Prices according to the provider, as of 4 October 2026.

Landscape. According to the park authority, Killarney National Park was designated a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO for its work in conservation and research.

Rules. According to the park authority, permits are required for all commercial and organised activities, including pony trekking. That concerns the provider, ask whether their permit is in place.

Wicklow Mountains and Glendalough

Profile. Trail ride. Wicklow Mountains horse trekking, 80 minutes, from 75 euros. Day tour from Dublin to Wicklow and Glendalough in a small group with riding, 8 hours, from 125 euros, how much of it is spent in the saddle is stated by the provider. Prices according to the provider, as of 4 October 2026.

Landscape. Wicklow Mountains National Park covers almost 23,000 hectares south of Dublin, and according to the Irish national parks Glendalough was a monastic settlement for 600 years.

Weather. The park authority advises checking the weather before you set off and bringing a map.

What to pack

Waterproof jacket and trousers, layers, even in summer. Sturdy, waterproof shoes with a heel. Gloves and a hat that fits under the helmet. Something to drink. Ask the provider what they supply (helmet, rain gear).

Questions for the provider

1. Which route is ridden, and do rules of the park, the winery or the municipality apply there?

2. Which gaits are possible, and how much of it at a walk?

3. How big is the group, how many guides accompany it?

4. Which level and which weight limit apply, and who decides on site?

5. What is included in the price (food, tasting, transfer, helmet)?

6. What happens in heat, rain or fog?

Rules we could not prove

We found no rule for horses on the beach near Westport or in the Burren. In Killarney National Park a permit is required for organised pony trekking, in Wicklow National Park and Connemara we found no riding rule. Check the rules on site with the provider.

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