Featured in Equitrekking Coastal Ireland on PBS and Create TV.

Visit the picturesque Cooley Peninsula, a hidden gem in Northeastern Ireland, and combine lessons in dressage, cross country jumping, show jumping or flatwork with the signature two-day overnight horse trek to the medieval town of Carlingford with its charming pubs and restaurants on this special Ireland Training, Trails & Medieval Village Ride, created by the Equitrekking team.

You’ll be riding at a British Horse Society approved equestrian center, located on 40 acres of parkland in the idyllic countryside against the Cooley Mountains and the National Forestry’s Award-winning Ravensdale forest. Centrally located only an hour from Dublin and Belfast, many travelers choose to combine this vacation with Equitrekking Travel's Castle Leslie equestrian vacations.

This area of Ireland is steeped in history and local legend. Wide-open spaces ideal for trotting and cantering, forested lanes that lead to old stone age circles and historic turf cutters roads surrounded by fields of bogland make for interesting riding, as do Ravensdale’s professional riding facilities.

Owner Niall Connelly is the fourth generation of his family to be born and raised on Ravensdale’s farm. Ravensdale’s refurbished slated stone and brick buildings have been tastefully converted into stables and the Equestrian Center features two indoor arenas, two of Ireland’s biggest all weather grass arenas, and an impressive cross country course. The centre has won four Irish National Enterprise Awards over a ten-year period in 1997, 2002 and twice in 2007.

Activities

Dressage, Ecotourism, Inn-to-Inn Riding, Natural Horsemanship, Pack Trips, Hiking, Ravensdale’s Cross-Country Course, Sightseeing in the nearby medieval town of Carlingford.

Cross-Country Course: Designed by world renowned course builder Tommy Brennan, Ravensdale’s cross-country course offers something for every level of rider. Built over 40 acres of parkland, forest and river, the course includes natural stone, log and bank fences that feature challenging water and newgrange complexes. Together with an inviting introductory play area consisting of 20 more novice rustic fences, this course provides plenty of options in a beautiful setting.

Lessons: Ravensdale Lodge Equestrian and Trekking Centre offers qualified lessons in all aspects of equitation, including showjumping, dressage and cross country. If you wish to better your riding skills on your Ireland horse vacation, this Ireland training centre is a great place to do it. Ravensdale is approved by the Association of Irish Riding Establishments (AIRE) and British Horse Society (BHS). Ravensdale strives to provide lessons in a relaxed and fun way and can accommodate all levels from beginners' horse riding to advanced horse riding lessons. Lessons incorporate flatwork and jumping for Ireland equestrian vacations.

The Arena: Ravensadale Lodge is proud to announce the opening of its Arena Maximus, where Ravensdale hosts training shows and registered shows.

Specifications: All Weather Grass Arenas (similar to RDS) Indoor Area: 65m x 40m Outdoor Arena: 60m x 40m

Accommodations

During these Ireland riding holidays, you'll stay at area hotels and B&Bs, most likely Carrickdale Hotel or something similiar near Carlingford. On your two day, you’ll ride from Ravensdale’s Equestrian Center to the medieval town of Carlingford, where you’ll stay the night in a local hotel, most likely the Four Seasons Hotel, which is in the center of town, so you can walk to area pubs and restaurants.

Area Attractions

Medieval town of Carlingford: This historic town has many restaurants, pubs and historic sites, like King John’s Castle, built by the Normans to keep watch over the port, and Taafe’s Castle, a 16th century fortified home that demonstrates the wealth that some of Carlingford’s merchant families garnered from trade. Carlingford’s historic sites are well preserved, making a stroll in this village, a true step back in time.

Proleek Dolmen: A megalithic tomb that dates back to around 3000 B.C. Thought to be the entrance to an ancient burial tomb.