Improve your riding Castle Getaway
- with overnights at Markree Castle

Improve your Riding while staying in one of the finest castles of its period in Ireland.
If you want to brush up on your riding skills and relax in the comforts of a private castle at night, this is the holiday for you. There will be plenty of time to sight see and visit Sligo town. The staff at the centre will do their best to improve your riding ability and at the same time ensure that you experience a little of that famous Irish "craic". Nestled between Knocknarea and Union Forest, the riding center is just 10 minutes from the beach in Carrowmore - which has one of the oldest Megalithic burial sites in the world. Some of the tombs date back to 3,500 BC! 
This beautiful corner of Ireland is not only home to prehistoric tombs, but also to one of Ireland’s foremost equestrian facilities with indoor and outdoor arenas. The riding center is managed by a former Junior European Championship rider. He offers fundamental training on excellent horses - Irish Hunters, strong-nerved, sure footed and easy to handle. It’s success and popularity among guests is due to its excellent facilities, sympathetic instructors, safe and well trained horses, friendly staff and to its beautiful and diverse riding terrain. From the Atlantic shores for cantering, to the mountains and pine forests for trekking, this is truly a horseman’s paradise. There are lessons in basic instruction, jumping and cross-country riding, or you can join riding groups and ride along the miles-on-end of beaches, or through the woods and hills of the Sligo county. Riders are grouped according to experience and preference.
Your riding is for 3+ hours daily on horses matched to your riding ability. It is a mix of instruction and outdoor trekking, all tailored to your ability. Usually you’ll receive 1 hour of training combined with 2 hours of hacking or cross country training.

IT-IRSL01
Rates include accommodations at Markree Castle throughout, breakfast and dinner, 4 riding days
6 days/ 5 nights  $1,550     Single + $ 195
-- based on € 1295 / € 160
2006 Dates: weekly April 15 - October 21   from Sunday to Friday
Meeting: Sligo 
Airport:  Sligo or Dublin 
Transfer: from Sligo included
Tack:   English 
Horses:   Irish Sports Horse, Connemara 
Pace: to suit riders - with optional Jumping
Level: All levels
Min/Max Riders: 2-12
Note: riding hours can be instructions or guided hacking on the beach or local area; additional riding hours can be purchased
Optional package (Code PG-IRLA)
with 7 nights at guesthouse lodging instead of castle, 6 riding days 
$ 1,225  Single + $95

Riding Facilities: 
An indoor arena of 160 x 100 feet, an outside riding place of 150 x 120 feet, cross- country tracks and a stable to accommodate 40 horses. Last but not least, there is a lounge.

Accommodation
One of the finest castles of its period, Markree has been home to the Cooper family for 350 years. Having been restored over the last 10 years it is now a Country House Hotel - the only Irish castle hotel still owned by direct descendants of the original family. From the spectacular entrance staircase to the enormous stained glass window, depicting the Cooper family tree overlooking the fine oak staircase and gallery. Markree exudes history yet provides all the facilities by modern travelers. The food in the magnificent gilded dining-room has won praise and accolades in many leading magazines and guide books, as has the wine list with some 250 bins from the castle cellar. The Castle lies in the romantic landscape where the poet Yeats found his inspiration, north of awe-inspiring Connemara and south of the beautiful Donegal coast, with the impressive cliffs of Bunglass and Magho. The tale of Markree Castle is a wonderful journey through time. Here the owner still greets his guests and may even serve dinner to them himself. Overall you will experience a historic castle atmosphere without feeling as a tourist, but as a guest of the house.

July 20, 2001   Kit Fleming