What fairytale stay in an actual honest to goodness castle (Dromoland) in the Irish countryside…read morewould be complete without an obligatory horse ride? If you answered none, you are correct. Booking through the castle, it seemed like something simple to just check off the list of "Can you be believe we are actually doing this" after sitting on a horse for an hour or so of successfully not killing ourselves, and move on (perhaps to skeet shooting or falconry). We had not counted on the charm of Ballyhannon House & its staff which easily turned a cool thing to do, into one of the most memorable of the trip. A living embodiment of Irish hospitality Johnny picked us up at the castle, after being really flexible on the timing as we were a bit behind schedule, and took us to the stables where we filled out the appropriate paperwork, assessed existing skill level (read: none), and enjoyed a nice crisp glass of white wine (beer etc were also an option). Things progressed quickly from there as we got fitted for helmets, boots (my "wellies" were already g2g thank you very much), stored our purses, gathered our courage (read: finished the wine) and headed into a stone courtyard. Where (drum roll please) I promptly fell in love. No, there was not a strapping Irish stablehand lurking... I met my "safe for a 5-year-old" stud of a horse, Hector. Showing more faith in us than I believe we had warranted thus far, we got a quick lesson on how to make horse friends (protip: the spot between the eyes along the nose) and were entrusted to walk them them on into the indoor barn like space (arena?) for mounting & basic instruction. This is a good time to note that I have had a firm belief since childhood that I was meant to be an excellent horsewoman, if not for my prohibitive severe dust/hay/horse allergies. It was also a good time for me to mention this to our host, who was surprisingly sensitive to them and made sure to keep things short inside (the worst possible trifecta for my breathing passages) and checked in often to make sure I wasn't slowing passing out. Amazingly the combination of Benadryl, wine, and fresh-air gave me an opportunity to ride that I have never really enjoyed until this point (face hives were still included however). In the barn we: mounted up, learned stop/go and left right basics, posture tips & tricks, along with some horsie trust exercises (think eyes closed) and were pronounced fit to head outside. We mixed walking with some trotting action right out the gate and it helped us settle in early on for the trek. After a nice outdoor venture along country lanes we reached a point where our pre-negotiated time was coming to an end. Perhaps it was the absolute glee that I am sure was radiating off of us, but we were able to come to a new agreement on the spot that extended our time, enabled us to see even more of the countryside, and was more than reasonable on the pocket book (at that point I would have paid triple to keep the experience going, so they fact that I paid less than budgeted originally is another mark in their favor). This really let us relax and enjoy the fact that we were not only sitting on REAL horses, but were riding about the Irish countryside like it aint no thang. During the leisurely ride (where we demonstrated enough competency to be riding completely on our own, handle the occasional car, and get up to a decent trot alternatively) I learned about the generational business itself and the 18th century manor house. They have a fairly large amount (to my untrained mind) of instructional horses, along with racehorses on the property. They seem to do a lot of corporate events, kids, and tourist type riding opportunities and would be great for groups. Care was also taken to point out geographical and interesting views (and a sad swan) during the ride; which I appreciated, especially when we were riding along the edge of the castle property. Upon return I was loathe to say goodbye to my trusty steed, learned about my lack of leg strength on dismounting, and was offered after ride drinks/snacks. Johnny drove us back to Dromoland completing the door to door service, really putting an exclamation mark on how 'is this real life' the whole experience was. It is hard to top making a childhood fantasy come true (I was meant to jockey at Churchill Downs I am now even more convinced, and my friend's fiancé better look out... I see ponies in the future for that one) in such spectacular fashion (read: Irish FREAKING countryside). This will easily be a memory I carry with me for a long time to come, and it was the openness, hospitality, and skill of Ballyhannon House Horse Riding Stables that really enabled it to happen.

From the moment he answered the phone we knew we were in good hands with Johnny. Had an amazing…read morehorse experience at his stable. So thankful we had an afternoon to learn from his wisdom and provide an amazing first time experience for our kids. Recommend for anyone even thinking about being around a horse, stable or good people.

This was absolutely the highlight of our trip. My 8 year old had never ridden before and I haven't…read morein a very long time and the family was so sweet and patient with us. The trail that you ride through is so beautiful. Rambling hills and sheep covered fields were so serene and peaceful. This ride was magical. We've already started planning a trip to come back. I asked my son what rating he would give it on a scale of 1-10 and he said 2 million!!! We highly recommend!!!

For as long as I could remember, I dreamed of galloping and riding through the beautiful hills &…read moreland of Ireland. Every thing I could dream of was filled to the fullest at Castlefergus. So much so I rode the two days I was in the area. The only thing that was disappointing was I could not have stayed longer! MR. Morgan & his beautiful family made my experience a memory I will never let go! I can't express anything less than having the time of my life with "Bluey", the Morgan's, the country side in Ireland. So much so Im planning on returning with friends all the way from Florida. Thank You to all of you for the best experience of my life

Out in the cold on a bright February morning is no place for a woman of creature comforts like…read moremyself, but I'm willing to make an exception if that morning is spent at this excellent equestrian centre. Spacious, well maintained and with in-and-outdoor riding rings, this is the place to go for introductions, refreshers or Olympic-grade riding lessons. Each grouping is managed well by centre staff and experienced students -watching a group of under-tens take their first few trots around an indoor ring, I was delighted by the positive encouragement of the instructor (and the high level of safety -lead holders for every horse waiting to help, protective vests and helmets all around... I don't remember all that in my horse camps!). Prices for adult instruction hover around the €30 mark. €32 for an assessment and a prepay 12 lesson package comes to about €27 per session. Kids Pony Play 40 minute sessions are just €20 and can be scheduled lesson by lesson - a great way to get a kid in the saddle without committing to more sessions than they might want. The centre isn't just for instruction though, and a brisk trade in horse-themed parties, day camps, shows and other horse-related activities. The community that's grown up around the venue is positively encouraged with canteen and cafe facilities, outdoor areas for picnics, plus an open and spotless livery barn where horses and ponies are stabled between riding sessions (and always appreciative of a well-mannered hello and gift of apples or hay). In better weather I'll be up here with boots and helmet on, till then I'll huddle on the sidelines!

Great! nice way to spend a couple of hours…read more It's not a riding school in the traditional sense, it's more a place to go to for treks and walks through the countryside. The horses are lively, and the instruction was earthy and direct. You're likely to be told "wallop him" or "give him a good kick in the ribs, you're just flapping at fresh air". Which is nice as it's rare you're given useful tips or that you're allowed free rein with your horse at a rental. Having said that, the staff do their best to line you up with something suiting your skills, and then trust you to live up to that. Great scenery, and lovely treks along a beautiful lake. The people are also very friendly.

From the moment we arrived at Castlefergus Equestrian, we were met with an atmosphere of warmth,…read morekindness, and genuine hospitality. Every member of the staff went above and beyond to make us feel welcome, and their exceptional patience and encouragement--especially with the children--was truly remarkable. Great help from some of the young women who ride at the stable. The team's expertise and calm manner put even the most nervous riders at ease. They took the time to ensure everyone felt safe and confident, which made the experience enjoyable for riders of all ages and abilities. Our children, in particular, had the time of their lives and are still talking about the horses and the people who helped them. A special highlight was meeting the proprietor, Mr. Morgan O'Brien. His deep knowledge of the area's history, combined with his passion for sharing it, added a rich layer of storytelling that made the day even more memorable. Listening to his tales about the heritage of Castlefergus and its equestrian traditions was a privilege in itself. This was more than just a horseback riding experience--it was a warm, personal, and educational journey that we will cherish. I can't recommend Castlefergus Equestrian highly enough for families, history lovers, or anyone who appreciates genuine Irish hospitality.

What a wonderful experience! We called a day before and were able to be squeezed in no problem for…read morean hour ride. The horses were all so sweet and the O' Brian family welcomed us warmly. We learned so much about their lovely farm and can't wait to come back!

My son and I had theeeeee best experience here! Beautiful scenery, very pleasant ride, & our guide…read morewas AMAZING nothing short of personable. He was very patient with us new riders and I recommend this to anybody who wants to view the gorgeous Irish countryside while traversing the land on a kind steed. 10/10 experience!

Ray was amazing. Had the best day ever.I felt so relaxed and can't wait to do it again.I haven't…read morerode a horse in years.It was the best experience. Ray knows how to put you at ease so that you get the best put of the day. I look forward to doing this again real soon. A fantastic hour in a half.