Living in S.Ireland?

Dogstar

Dogstar

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Just curious really as to what equestrian life is like in S. Ireland. (I am currently looking to relocate but not sure where to.) I have spent a holiday over there driving around and liked the countryside and the locals, but was told that there are no bridleways- is that correct and if so how do you cope? What are the pros and cons compared to living in England? Thanks
 
No formal bridleways, that is true. It depends on where you are, some counties have a lot of open land that you can ride on, others are more populous and you just have to make friends with the local farmers! Or the forest commission, if you've got forests nearby. I used to be allowed to ride on our local forest tracks. Irish roads tend to be narrow and twisty and Irish drivers tend to be nuts. But there is a healthy respect for horses in general.

In general, equestrian life is pretty similar to what it is in the UK, although there probably isn't as many dressage competitions. SJ is huge, with plenty of shows through the season, and pretty much all under the auspices of SJI. Most competition centers run winter leagues in their indoor schools. Lots of hunts, which in my experience tend to be more informal and a lot less expensive than in the UK. Livery tends to be full or part, DIY is pretty unusual in Ireland for whatever reason. Can't talk about prices as its been a while since I've lived over there.
 
Lots of DIY livery!!! Depends where you are really. Whereabouts are you thinking of moving too?

I have found that a lot more equestrian centres are doing more unaffliated competitions, it's great! Riding Club is very popular over here too.
 
Thanks for the information. At the moment my shortlist is; West Country, Shropshire, Herefordshire or Gloucestershire with Southern Ireland or France (areas unknown!) as outside possibilities. But I keep changing my mind- really anywhere except Milton Keynes ;-) I would be keeping the horses at home and would be looking for 10+ acres and would want to hack, do pleasure rides and hunt, not compete. The lack of bridleways in Ireland would put me off a bit..
 
No bridleways in ireland; but you can pay something like 70 euro for a year's season ticket to ride in any national parks etc. and forests.

There are lots of little roads though and you can hack on those, its as good as a bridleway :)

depends on what part of country - eg. if you go to connemara there is lots of off road hacking, but it is very hilly :p
 
Halfstep said:
In west Cork, when I lived there, there honestly wasn't ANY DIY livery, or around Limerick either, but I guess things have changed!
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I'm in West Cork, and only know of full livery anywhere around here, and what's available is few and far between

Dressage is becoming more popular around here, and there are a few riding clubs around the area.
 
I kept horses in ireland for years and there was no such thing as DIY livery (except perhaps renting a stable on a farm with no facilities) until about 8mths ago. Nowit seems to be quite widespread, however the majority of people still keep horses on part livery (which is called full livery over there).
I lived in Tipp, lots of hunts to choose from (can think of 5 genuine Tipp hunts off the top of my head and there are a few that cross the county borders), plenty of showjumping and more and more dressage comps popping up. Also good riding clbs and equestrian centres there.
Land is decreasing in value - but 10acres of good quality land would still set you back a fair price! You can however buy 2-4acres and a house needing work for 150-200k euro.
 
Thanks to all for the interesting info., I have learnt something. West Cork is a beautiful area. Well, I thought it was all lovely. And the prices are ridiculously cheap compared to the UK. So I think I will keep Irelend on my shortlist :-) Thanks again.
 
I live on the border. We have no hacking directly from the yard, although in the summer months we do ride around the farm. We pay £70 a year to access a local forest which is absolutely fab riding, well kept tracks through woods, up mountains, through and over rivers, red squirrels, pine martens and very few people, worth every penny and more, and so good it doesn't matter that we have to travel (5 mins!;)) to get to it. The permit allows us access to 5 forests in this area, but we don't bother with the others as ourlocal one is so good. Just over the border there is an old estate, now state owned, where the riding is free (beautiful lakeside trails).

House prices in the south are low, and land prices are lower than the north. However, food prices and other goods in general are through the roof, and VAT is high. People come up all way from Cork to go shopping in Asda :eek: - they bring 2 coaches, one for the people and one to take home all the shopping :eek:

Petrol and diesel are cheaper in the south.

I have a livery yard and I don't do DIY. Many people have a small bit of land and simply keep their horses themselves. I tend to get schoolers and backers and only have a couple of permanent (very nice :) liveries).

There are some particularly horsey areas (like Meath) and other places where you may struggle to find a lot of competitions going on.

eta there is a house just near me which has 4/5 beds, 18 acres and kenneling suitable for conversion to stables, on a quiet laneway, asking price £350k
 
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I'm in Louth and it seems to be a good place to be for competitions and hunting. Lots of packs close by and not too far away from the North either!

My aim is to start getting schoolers and breakers and hunting liveries into the yard.

RR is right lots of people have a couple of acres and just keep their horses themselves.
 
Oh yeah I forgot about the beaches - 45 minutes to miles and miles of wonderful sand, parking for boxes right on the beach - we don't get there as often as we like but it's fabby when we do :D
 
Also live in West Cork! Didn't realise there were a few of us from the area on the board! Can echo about the lack of DIY - was helping our local vet find a couple of stables and land to rent recently and it was virtually impossible to find something. We are lucky in that we got our place in 1999 before house prices went sky high - 5 acres, farm yard and two houses ( one more dilapidated than the other) but have worked on it since to add an AW turnout and a sand & rubber arena. Also quite lucky in that our lanes are quiet'ish and you can ride out without too much fear of traffic. Yes, mad drivers here and there but nothing too heavy. Wouldn't dare ride in the local farmers' fields though - they are still quite small farmers and every acre counts, and also there is electric fencing everywhere which stops you going in for a quick canter. Beach only 20 mins away in lorry but don't really go, to our shame.
There are 2 affiliated sj centres within an hrs drive and more if you travel further. Ballindenisk has been joined by a good few events in the county. I used to think that a friend in Oxfordshire had so much more choice of show centres but now I don't think so. She still had to drive quite a distance. The only thing that I don't think there's much of here are clinics and lecture/demos. Or maybe not that well advertised.
I know things are getting more expensive here than they were but we still pay no rates / community charge / water charges. ( at the moment anyway - that will prob change soon) With low cost supermarkets nearby, you can live quite cheaply. Not all that much choice for horse shopping though.. which is why I buy mostly online ( and then get hit with the P & P)
 
I'm in the Sunny South East of Ireland...Waterford to be precise! Fab area, very very horsey, great beaches, cheap livery, great hunting, good access to shows of all varieties and loads of point to pointing. The best advice I can give you is if you want to compete then don't go to too obscure an area as you will have limited competition options!
 
*waves at lobelia_overhill*

Ah but I'm looking at the discount ones! Which ones do you use that are based in Ireland?
Yes, frost terrible. Have to drive home from work now.. an hr will turn into hr and half. Where are you based?


Agree with Amage.. Waterford is a lovely, horsey area. Even drive 2 and half hrs to get to Ballyrafter show centre as we like it there so much
 
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