Knockillaree Riding Centre
Knockillaree Riding Centre, Oughterard: Hours, Address, Knockillaree Riding Centre Reviews: 5/5
Knockillaree Riding Centre
Knockillaree Riding Centre
5
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
About
Based in Oughterard, Co. Galway – only 25 minutes north of Galway City at the “Gateway to Connemara”. Our Centre is located on the Rusheeny road, just outside the town of Oughterard, and is nestled between beautiful hills, mountains and the shores of Lough Corrib. We offer a full range of services including trekking, lessons, showjumping leagues, pony camps, breaking and training, livery and stud. For those interested in the native Connemara Pony, our yard has a large selection of Connemara ponies with champion showing, ridden and showjumping stallions at stud and the opportunity to hear about the history and development of this versatile pony from the yards owner, Roger Joyce. Roger is from a long line of Connemara breeders and stallion custodians. He is also an experienced horse and rider trainer and an international Connemara Pony Judge.
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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Top ways to experience nearby attractions
The area
Best nearby
Restaurants
15 within 3 miles

Connemara Greenway Café & Restaurant
498
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Irish • Seafood • European

Hallorans Restaurant
195
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Irish • European • Vegetarian Friendly

Powers Thatched Bar & Restaurant
691
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Irish • Bar • European

Kelly’s Bar & restaurant
419
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Irish • Bar • European

Camp Street Cafe
153
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Irish • Pizza • Cafe

The Boat Inn
134
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Irish • Bar • Vegetarian Friendly

Faherty's Pub
70
0.2 mi$ • Irish • Bar • Pub

Keogh's Bar and Coffee Shop
20
0.2 mi$$ - $$$

Sullivan's Country Grocer
6
0.2 miDeli

Urban Tearoom
3
0.3 mi$ • Brew Pub • Cafe • Pub
Attractions
9 within 6 miles

Standun Oughterard
8
0.2 miDepartment Stores

Detours Trail
4
0.2 miHiking Trails

The Irish Dance Experience
7
0.4 miSports Camps & Clinics

Glengowla Mines & Family Farm Experience
458
2.3 miFarms

Aughnanure Castle
424
1.9 miHistoric Sites • Castles

Curraghduff Farm
209
Nature & Wildlife Areas • Farms

Brigit's Garden & Cafe
329
Gardens

Quiet Man Bridge
226
Bridges

Annaghkeen Castle
3
Castles
Contribute
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
294 reviews
Excellent
277
Very good
14
Average
2
Poor
1
Terrible
0
Travel583594
1 contribution
Family
Can’t recommend booking a trek here highly enough. We had an amazing time and the scenery we saw was just so breathtaking. Must say a massive Thankyou to Lauren our guide who made us feel so welcome and with being inexperienced with horses ourselves she went above and beyond to help us making this experience the highlight of our holidays
Written August 4, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Sindre B
3 contributions
Friends
Very accommodating.
We were three novice riders and were matched with calm and controlled horses.
Beautiful scenery on our 90 minute trip!
We were three novice riders and were matched with calm and controlled horses.
Beautiful scenery on our 90 minute trip!
Written May 30, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Louise T
Dublin, Ireland9 contributions
Couples
Amazing trekking experience! Very patient with inexperienced riders. Lauren was an excellent guide. The scenery is stunning!
Horses are lovely & gentle. Highlight of our trip!
Horses are lovely & gentle. Highlight of our trip!
Written August 25, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Peter Beswick
Galway21 contributions
Couples
Roger and Lauren were fantastic. We really enjoyed our visit and a big thank you to our beautiful horses Jim and Christy😀 a really enjoyable experience thank you.
Written June 22, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Auni Hadry
1 contribution
Friends
lauren was so kind and friendly, we had such a good time. none of us had any prior experience but it was very safe and we had a spectacular time. the horse i rode, rosie, was such a darling.
Written June 12, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Gemma Waller
Ousden, UK9 contributions
Family
We enjoyed a hour trek today with our 5 year old daughter through the beautiful Connemara countryside. Roger was the perfect host, making us feel at ease (we are all novices!). If you are staying locally or even an hour away I would highly suggest this trek as it is the highlight of our trip and family memories we will treasure. Thank you to Roger, Emma and the team for a fabulous experience.
Written August 17, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Jessica S
Peachtree City, GA12 contributions
Friends
Me and my dad wanted to go horseback riding while we were in Ireland and I found this place with raving reviews and they were not wrong! Great experience, we did the two hour trek and had breathtaking views of Lough Corrib and connamera highly recommend!
Written July 2, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Matthew P
Yankton, SD177 contributions
Couples
My wife and I planned a ride here and had a great experience! Roger was very easy to work with and even offered to pick us up from the bus stop. Our trek was led by Dawn and she was great! She led us up the road to the top of a hill that overlooked the area and made for some nice views. She was also very friendly which made for a great time. We would definitely recommend this if you are in the Galway area.
Written June 17, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Mary T
5 contributions
Friends
My nieces and I enjoyed two pony treks during our visit to Oughterard. Roger Joyce at Knockillaree was most gracious, accommodating and helpful in matching us with ponies to suit our different riding skills' levels. The ponies were strong, steady and surefooted... the perfect mounts to transport us in our experience on the back roads and hillsides of such a beautiful country. Lara and Ailish were excellent guides and provided us with an amazing exeprience and sufficient trail safety support. The rides were the highlights of our week in Ireland.
Thank you for everything.
Thank you for everything.
Written June 3, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Julie L
3 contributions
Couples
We did a horse trek and it was fabulous !
We was so lucky : nice weather, kind horses, beautiful landscapes and smiling guide (Laurine).
Thank you again
Julie & Vincent
We was so lucky : nice weather, kind horses, beautiful landscapes and smiling guide (Laurine).
Thank you again
Julie & Vincent
Written May 5, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Poupouille541
Salbris, France
Bonjour, je commence à préparer notre voyage de noce et je voulais visiter le connemara ... lieu incontournable ! Mais l'idée de faire la ballade à cheval m'enchante et j'aurai aimé en savoir un peu plus sur la manière d'avoir des renseignements sur les différentes ballades et tarifs réservations etc ... n'étant pas très douée pour l'anglais leur site me donne un peu de mal !
Par avance merci pour vos réponses !
annieG740
Fort Collins, CO18 contributions
Congratulations! I would recommend emailing or calling them. You will really enjoy your ride! If you are a beginner rider, they will put you on very safe horses and perhaps they might have someone that speaks French. They offer various rides for an hour and longer, they are very accommodating!
KikietCo A
153 contributions
Nous cherchons une ballade à cheval dans le connemara pour avril 2018. Qu'elle adresse? Coordonnees? Merci de votre réponse
Coralie
dgdoyle
Simpsonville, KY2 contributions
How does one book a trip with you?
I sent a number of messages to the email address you provided, and never received a response, even after sending the messages over a period of days. Very disappointing, since I had wanted to arrange something with you.
I wish you the best, but would encourage you to return communications to potential customers in the future.
Aviatrix777
West Palm Beach, FL
I have always had dreams of riding in vast green fields, or lavender or near ruins/ castles
What is involved in your tours- I would like a one one one tour if possible- I am an experienced rider and really want to feel free with my guide to fulfill this child hood dream of uninhibited riding and beautiful space.
Is this possible?
annieG740
Fort Collins, CO18 contributions
Hi there,
My daughter and I did a trip down to the lakes and that was beautiful. Roger, the owner had told us about various other overnight type trips that they also offered, which I believe would incorporate ruins and castles plus vast green fields. (we rode through green fields and also saw potato famine ruins). Give them a try, really nice Connemara ponies! Hope this helps.
Lisa P
Bath, UK16 contributions
My friend and I are experienced riders and are returning to Ireland for the second year in a row. One reason is the great riding experiences we had last year. We would love to tour Conemarra on horseback. We would rather not ride with a group but would love a guide to make this a tour of the area. Can you provide this. I look forward to hearing back from you and hopefully to meet you very soon. We will be in Galway from July 11 thru July 16 this year.
Have a great day
Lisa
scoyne79
Galway, Ireland
Hi Lisa,
Apologies for the delay in getting back to you!
Thank you for your request. We will absolutely be able to accommodate you. Please email me or phone me on +353879604517 to make arrangements.
Kind regards,
Siobhan
KelownaCutie
Kelowna B.C.82 contributions
Do they supply the riding gear? Boots, and helmets....or do we bring our own?
Fred_Fafa
Bristol, UK91 contributions
They definitely provide helmets, nut sure about boots. Hope it helps.
Meaghan Holmes
Chilliwack, Canada1 contribution
How far in advance should I book a trek? My bf & I will be in Galway with my sister & her bf in September and we haven't decided 100% if we want to go riding. How much notice does Knockillaree need for a group of 4 (2 beginners, 1 advanced-beginner & 1 advanced riders)? Thanks! :)
scoyne79
Galway, Ireland
Hello! Apologies for the delay in getting back to you :-) A day or so would be enough notice to book your trek with us! I do hope you decide to ride with us at Knockillaree :-) Kindest regards, Siobhán
Frequently Asked Questions about Knockillaree Riding Centre
- Knockillaree Riding Centre is open:
- Sun - Sat 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
- Hotels near Knockillaree Riding Centre:
- (0.10 mi) Woodlands Guest Accommodation
- (0.36 mi) Carrown Tober House
- (0.22 mi) Connemara Lake Hotel
- (0.22 mi) The Boat Inn
- (0.23 mi) Railway Lodge
- Restaurants near Knockillaree Riding Centre:
- (0.20 mi) Connemara Greenway Café & Restaurant
- (0.20 mi) Hallorans Restaurant
- (0.21 mi) Powers Thatched Bar & Restaurant
- (0.21 mi) Kelly’s Bar & restaurant
- (0.22 mi) The Boat Inn