Slieve Aughty Centre

Slieve Aughty Centre is a family run equestrian and activity centre in East County Galway established in 1986. Set on 17 acres and surrounded on 3 sides by more than 2,000 acres of forest, Slieve Aughty Centre offers a wide range of activities for children of all ages in a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere.  They are eco-friendly, which means they offer a lot with a small environmental impact.

For more advanced equestrians, take advantage of the extensive cross country course and large all weather arena for some lessons or schooling, on your own horse or on theirs.  The stables include a large tack room and wash area and they have a selection of boots and helmets available for loan.

With a full service restaurant, make a family party of it! Combine horse riding with a delicious meal, fresh pizzas fired in the clay oven, or book a pancake birthday party for a special boy or girl.  Parties are customised to your needs and budget and can include a variety of activities such as horse riding, donkey games, teambuilding, walking, arts and crafts, and more. 

The food at the centre is home-made and organic, with most fruits and vegetables recently pulled from their own garden.  The Slieve Aughty chickens provide fresh eggs and close neighbours supply cheese and other products.  Everything is made by hand and is fresh and delicious.  The staff are also proud to offer fair trade products, including tea and coffee.

Events At The Slieve Aughty Centre

Although Slieve Aughty is a fun, unique place to visit any time of the year, their festivals are especially wonderful.  They host 4 fantastic festivals a year, Easter, Summer Solstice, Halloween and Christmas.  Each one is a family event with loads to do in a welcoming, warm, non-commercial environment.  The Easter and Halloween Festivals include a charity ride to support activities in the local community, and their Santa won the Best Santa award in 2010

For more information, contact them Tel.090 97 45 246 or email info@riding-centre.com 

Christmas At Slieve Aughty

Every year Santa, who won the Best Santa Award in 2010, plans a stop at Slieve Aughty Centre, where he enjoys a soft chair next to a cozy fire in his cabin while he visits with children from the surrounding community. Each child gets personal time with Santa and a small gift. Slieve Aughty Centre's Christmas Festival offers something new and different.

To Find Out More About The Slieve Aughty Centre's Christmas Festival

Halloween Festival

The ghosts and goblins are back in Kylebrack this year with more spooky surprises.  Free family activities all day every day, bring the kids for face painting, costumes, arts and crafts, pony rides, petting farm and pumpkin treats.  Visit the haunted house in the woods, and for the young ones follow the witch’s walk for a short adventure on foot.  Slieve Aughty famous pancakes are made to order and don’t forget to enter to win a family pass to the Christmas Festival. 

Pony camps run throughout the week and the Howl-O-Ween Charity Ride, to benefit Ramblers Soccer Club, starts at 13:30 on Sunday the 30th

Easter Festival

Easter is a lovely time at the centre as it seems to coincide with warmer weather, emerging flowers and longer days that inspire us to shake out the dust of winter and get busy. There are plenty of animals around to visit, or you can go for a ride on one of the friendly horses or ponies. Step into the restaurant and fill your senses with the scent of fresh, homemade cooking, or simply grab a hot coffee or tea and sit outside in the garden.

The kids can make an Easter craft to bring home, and the whole family can try out a silly "spring" wardrobe and take some family photos. Of course, the best activity is the Easter bunny hunt. Especially for the season, they turn the ordinary walking trail into a treasure trail with clues to help you find the elusive Easter bunny. Fun and creative for all. 

Slieve Aughty Birthday Parties

Family Holidays At The Slieve Aughty Centre

They are aware that most people come to the centre and wish they could stay longer.  With that in mind they offer family holidays and weekend getaways focused on riding, walking, cycling or just relaxing!  For the non-rider in your family, the trails are great for walking and cycling, and they can organise fishing, golfing and sightseeing excursions nearby. English language lessons are available with all holidays.

For guest accommodation there are a variety of options. The centre has 2 chalets and a country cottage on site. Within less than 2 km there are 2 other country cottages, and Cartron House B&B is only 5 km away. All unaccompanied teenagers stay at Cartron House and the centre provides transport to and from the centre. Under construction is a 9 bedroom ensuite guest house on the property which promises to be a luxurious option for adults and families. The variety is wonderful as there are options to suit all needs and group sizes, with a maximum capacity of 35 people when all accommodation is full