Ashford Equestrian Centre

Ashford Equestrian Centre is located on the Ashford Castle Estate, next to the island village of Cong which is nestled between the great lakes of Lough Corrib and Lough Mask, making Cong the natural gateway to Connemara. It is only a 45 minute drive north of Galway city and a 45 minute drive south of Westport, County Mayo.

The Ashford Castle Estate once home to the Guinness family and millionaires playground in the 19th Century, plays host to underground rivers, caves, castles, towers, abbeys and ringforts, as well as some of Irelands oldest species of wild life, red squirrels and pine martins.

Ashford Equestrian Centre’s trail rides are through forest paths and quiet laneways filled with wildlife between Lough Corrib and Lough Mask. There are beautiful views of the lakes and the Connemara Mountains.

They offer trail riding by the hour and cater for beginners and people who have never ridden. For families who wish to go on a trail ride with younger children they guide them on foot, leading the children’s ponies. Hard hats and jodhpur boots are supplied. All rides are supervised by their guides. A two hour ride allows riders to get a bit further off the beaten track and there is the possibility of exploring a ruined castle. For more experienced riders they offer half and full day trail rides. A pub lunch can be organised as part of this package.

Lessons are also available in their outdoor and indoor arena and if outdoor jumping or hunting is more visitors’ thing, this can be arranged in season with prior notice.

Ashford Equestrian Centre can also provide bike hire, archery and clay pigeon shooting on site. There is a wide variety of accommodation stretching from hostels to a five star hotel within walking distance.