Page 346 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Ireland

344  TR A VELLERS ’ NEEDS

2 km (1 mile) from the heart of
Killarney town. Adventurous
riders can start the four- or six-
day Killarney Reeks Trail here.
The Mountpleasant Pony
Trekking and Horse Riding
Centre can be found within
2,000 acres of forestry and
rolling countryside around
Castlewellan in County Down.
The centre caters for both novice
and experienced riders.
Five Counties Holidays
provides vacations that include
horse riding in different areas
of the north west of Ireland.
Star Irish golfer Padraig Harrington on the Mount Juliet course Also, many riding centres,
such as Equestrian Holidays
Golf Portrush Golf Club and Royal Ireland based in Co Cork,
There are more than 300 golf County Down Golf Club. offer guidance and lessons
courses spread throughout The Golfing Union of Ireland, to beginners as well as to
Ireland, and over 50 are the Irish Ladies Golfing Union more advanced riders and
championship class. Many of the and the tourist boards have lessons in show jumping.
most beautiful greens verge on information on courses, con-
spectacular stretches of coast, ditions and green fees all over
and are kept in top condition. the country. Equipment can Water Sports
In County Kilkenny, the be hired at most clubs. With a coastline of over 4,800 km
internationally acclaimed (3,000 miles), Ireland is the
golf course Mount Juliet perfect venue for water sports.
was designed by golfing Horse Riding and Surfing, windsurfing, scuba
Pony Trekking
legend Jack Nicklaus. County diving and canoeing are the
Kildare’s The K Club is home to The Irish are rightly proud of most popular activities.
two superb 18-hole cham- their fine horses. Many riding Conditions in Sligo are the
pionship golf courses. centres, both residential and best in Ireland for surfing, but
Arnold Palmer designed non-residential, offer trail many other coastal locations
both, but each has its riding and trekking along offer good conditions. The
own charac teristics woodland trails, deserted Irish Surfing Association, the
and special set of beaches, country lanes national governing body for
challenges. Champion and mountain routes. surfing and related activities
golfer Christy The Association of Irish such as knee-boarding and
O’Connor Junior Riding Establishments body-surfing, has plenty of
designed Galway lists riding centres. The information about surfing
Bay Golf Club. This British Horse Society in all 32 Irish counties.
difficult course, a must Ireland shows a map of
for all keen golfers, is Horse riding in horse trails. Dingle,
dotted with historic Killarney Donegal, Connemara
ruins dating back to and Killarney are all
the 16th century. renowned areas for trail riding –
Acknowledged as one of post-to-post and based. Post-to-
the truly great links courses, post trails follow a series of
Portmarnock Golf Club is routes with accommodation in
situated to the north of Dublin, a different place each night.
about 19 km (12 miles) from Based trail rides follow different
the city centre. Its quality routes in one area, but riders
and location have made it a return to stay at the same
splendid venue for some of location each night.
the game’s most celebrated Aille Cross Equestrian Centre
events. On the Atlantic coast, in Connemara offers horseback
Lahinch Golf Club in County trail riding for both experienced
Clare is a must for devoted and novice riders. Riders spend
golfers, and is a recognized four to six hours a day on
Mackenzie course. Connemara ponies or hunting
Northern Ireland’s best- horses. Further south, Killarney Surfing at Bundoran, Donegal Bay
known courses are Royal Riding Stables is located just (see p234)

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