sheila

Going to Ireland with 12 year old daughter 1st week of September.Flying into Shannon & staying eight days.Probably stay on the west coast but will try to get to Balleymoney as that is where my grandfather was born. Both of us love horses and plan to do some riding and want to see Connemara Park. Want to stay at B&Bs.My daughter is also a beginner at Ceile dancing.Any suggestions for 2 eager Irish-American girls will be greatly appreciated.Thanks in advance!!

Kathleen

Check out the Irish Tourist Board website 'ireland.travel.ie'. They have listing for stables all over the Republic. They also have tons of listings of B&Bs. YOu can request their booklets with all this info.

Cathy

Shelia, <BR>Check out Killykeen Equeine Centre in Cavan - they are excellent and have some beautiful chalets to rent as well. Re traditional Irish dancing the best that I have come across is the Ceili House Bar in Oldcastle Co Meath - they have classes on Tuesday nights and you could stop over there on the way to Ballymoney, Have a good trip, <BR> <BR>Cathy

ann

Sheila, even though it's been several years, I would give the highest recommendation to Horetown House, in County Wexford, near Foulksmills. The son is a BHSAI instructor (and helped train the Irish Olympic Equestrian Team) and the house itself is perfect for riders... a gorgeous old Georgian manor with peat fires burning year-round, a staircase sword-scarred from the time of Cromwell, and threadbare rugs so you don't even have to take off your boots! Rooms are huge and comfortable, just like staying in someone's country house... nothing fancy, but GREAT food and WONDERFUL riding, according to our daughter. She did cross-country one-on-one with an instructor while we watched the family's little terrier ducking into and out of rabbit holes in the field below our room (never did catch one) and studied show-jumping on a long-legged Irish hunter. She was in seventh heaven and we were totally relaxed. Check out their website at www.ehi.ie/horetown and hope nothing has changed in the intervening years... Good luck and have a wonderful time.

kam

About 20 years ago we stayed at Cashel House Hotel in Cashel, Connemara. Our major motivation for this was that the other wife and I had to ride while in Ireland. They have riding stables at the hotel and even will lend you a hat and boots if you don't bring your own. That coupled with a beautiful hotel, excellent dining room, beautiful gardens and walking paths in wonderful Connemara should do well by you. Have a great trip.

Cathy

Shelia, <BR>I have just come across some more interesting information which you might be interested in. Mullingar Equestrian Centre in the Midlands run horse riding holidays. They can be contacted at [email protected]. Hope this helps your <BR> <BR>Cathy

Sheila & Kelly

Dear Kathleen,Cathy,Ann & Kam, <BR>Thanks for your advise so far.My daughter is looking up the info you gave us in our assorted tour books. We are very excited about this trip(I actually won this trip on St Patricks Day). My daughter dreams of horses and long lost Irish cousins. Thanks agaib for yor help. <BR>Sincerely <BR>Sheila