Equine Tour of Ireland and the UK

Monday

May 19

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Kansas City – Shannon , Ireland .

Check in at Kansas City International Airport for your flight to Shannon , Ireland . Dinner and feature films on your overnight flight.

Tuesday

May 20

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Shannon – Limerick .

Mid morning arrival at Shannon International Airport . Clear EU customs and immigration, and then meet our guide just outside the baggage claim area. We’ll board our private coach and begin our journey through the Republic of Ireland !

We head through the beautiful county of Clare for a chance to see one of the top visitor attractions of all Ireland – the Cliffs of Moher ! Stretching for 8 km [13 miles] the cliffs reach more than 200 metres [230 feet] above the Atlantic Ocean . We’ll stop at the new ATLANTIC EDGE interpretative center organized into four principal themed areas exploring different elements of the mighty Cliffs of Moher: Ocean, Rock, Nature and Man.

You’ll have chance to get a light lunch here before we continue our travel back toward Limerick – principal city of County Limerick . It dates to the Viking settlement of 812, and lies on the banks of the River Shannon.

Check in and dinner at the hotel, then some time for rest from jetlag and your overnight flight.

Overnight at:

Limerick hotel

Wednesday

May 21

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Limerick – Waterford .

Check-out after our first Irish breakfast, and this morning we’ll visit the Equine Science Department of the University of Limerick . The university’s four-year program provides students with a strong base in Equine Veterinary Science, Equitation and Equine Business Management, as well as Equine Genetics and Pharmacology.

We will then take a short tour of Cahir Castle in Tipperary County , one of the largest and best preserved castles in all of Ireland . Once the stronghold of the powerful Butler family, the castle retains its impressive keep, tower and much of its original defensive structure.

Lunch on own in the area, and then we continue to Fethard to visit Coolmore Stud , the world’s largest breeding operation of Thoroughbred horses. The Magnier family has been turning out Champion racehorses from the likes of Sadler’s Wells, 14 times Champion Sire, since the mid-19 ^th century. The farm was co-founded by Vincent O’Brien, regarded as the greatest trainer in all of the UK and Ireland in the 20 ^th century.

We are off again by coach to the town of Waterford – famous for its Waterford Crystal – both beautiful and expensive! Check in and dinner at the hotel.

Overnight at:

Waterford hotel

Thursday

May 22

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Waterford – Dublin .

Check out after breakfast and we head the coach northward. Our first visit today is Kildalton College . The college is known for their Equine Program and we get to tour the facilities and meet with staff. The college offers a certificate in Horse Breeding and training, and advanced certificates in Horsemanship and Stud Management.

Continuing onward we stop in Kildare for a short visit to the Irish National Stud where breeders can have their animals boarded for short or long duration, mares foaled, and racehorses rest from training. We’ll enjoy a private tour of the stud and the world famous Japanese Gardens !

After a lunch stop, on own, we tour Tattersalls Ireland , near Dublin . In 1766, Richard Tattersall founded the world's first bloodstock auction house. Today Tattersalls is an international firm offering 8,000 horses each year at 17 sales at Newmarket in Britain and at Fairyhouse in Ireland .

Check-in to our hotel and dinner is included. You may want to explore the town this evening!

Overnight at:

Dublin hotel

Friday

May 23

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Dublin .

Breakfast at the hotel and then we plan to visit the Irish Army Equitation School , subject to approval by the Army. The Equitation School has been at the forefront of Irish equestrianism for the last 76 years, both at home and abroad. Since their inception Irish Army riders have been the backbone of Irish Show jumping and Event Teams. You are bound to enjoy this visit!

In the afternoon, we’ll tour Dublin City , see famous Saint Patrick’s cathedral, visit trinity College with its Book of Kells, and much more!

Return to our hotel and a “farewell Ireland ” dinner follows.

Saturday

May 24

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Dublin – Belfast – Stranaer , Scotland – Kilmarnock .

A final Irish breakfast, check out and we are underway by coach to Belfast and the Stena Ferry across the Irish Sea to Scotland !

The ship sails at 12:20 PM , and you have the opportunity for lunch aboard. Crossing time on the Stena fast catamaran is less than two hours!

We are met at Stranaer Port by our British guide and coach, and head northward along the coast to Kilmarnock , and our hotel for tonight. Dinner at this seaside resort!

Overnight at:

Kilmarnock hotel

Sunday

May 25

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Kilmarnock – East Kilbride – Edinburgh .

After breakfast, we drive toward Glasgow and Edinburgh, with a stop to see the Clydesdales at Pollok Country Park : Sam, Mac, Baron and Duke. And the park staff has offered a dray ride through the park with their great horses!

We’ll have lunch at the park, and then head toward Edinburgh for a city sightseeing tour with a licensed guide. You’ll thrill at Edinburgh Castle in all its glory, travel the ‘Royal Mile’, see the Palace of Holyrood House , home to the Queen when she visits Scotland , and much more! Entrance to the castle is included and you’ll spend an hour or so touring the castle rooms and grounds.

Later we check in at our hotel and dinner follows.

Overnight at:

Edinburgh

Monday

May 26

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Edinburgh – Gleneagles – Edinburgh .

Following breakfast, our coach heads us across the Firth of Forth bridge and we travel to Auchterarder, Perthshire. The Gleneagles Hotel and famed golf course have a wonderful equestrian centre that we visit with staff members showing us the “ropes”. Perhaps you’ll have the opportunity for a short trail ride, or exercise in one of the indoor arenas! Perhaps get some photos too of the golf course to show “Dad” at home!

We will stop at the “services” at junction 9 on the M9 motorway for a quick lunch break, and then continue to Windy Gowl Farm in Penicuik to see the UK ’s largest herd of Icelandic horses, Pentland Hills Icelandics! Windy Gowl is a working farm where the horses graze the lands along with Red Aberdeen Angus cattle and a flock of sheep.

Return to our hotel in Edinburgh , with dinner at 7 PM . The evening is free to explore the town!

Tuesday

May 27

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Edinburgh – Liverpool .

Check out after breakfast and we head south toward the English border, with a quick stop at Moffat Woollen Mills for a coffee break or a bit of shopping.

About two hours into our drive we’ll visit Greenlands Equestrian Centre located in the beautiful countryside near Wreay. With one of the largest indoor arenas in all of Europe (seating 150 spectators), many equestrian events are held here year-round. The Centre also operates a livery with 110 acres of grazing land and an outdoor ménage and jumping paddock. Subject to availability, we will meet the centre’s primary veterinarian and learn about veterinary practices in the UK .

Before arriving at our hotel near Wigan , we’ll visit the Derby House flagship store in Wrightington. With over 10,000 square feet, the store has been described as "equestrian shopping heaven!" We’ll have about half an hour to browse through the leisure and competition wear, leatherwork and horsewear and the gift area.

Check-in to our hotel and dinner is on own.

Overnight at:

Liverpool hotel

Wednesday

May 28

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Liverpool - Coventry .

Breakfast at the hotel and then we’ll get on our way. Our coach and guide take us to the Cotebrook Shire Horse Centre and Countryside Park in Tarporley, Cheshire , where the King family has been breeding prize winning Shires for over 30 years. Matthew King, a Shire Horse judge like his father, will show us around and answer any questions you may have. Also found on their 50 acre property are Clydesdales, Shetland ponies, large black pigs, birds of prey, red fox, red squirrels and red deer. We’ll have lunch at Alvanley Arms, a 400 year old family run Inn , also owned by the King family.

We’ll continue to Coventry and visit the famous “ Coventry Cathedral ” that was destroyed by German bombers in the second World War, and rebuilt after the war was over. “To walk from the ruins of the old Cathedral into the splendour of the new is to walk from Good Friday to Easter, from the ravages of human self-destruction to the glorious hope of resurrection.”

Check-in to our hotel and dinner.

Overnight at:

Coventry hotel

Thursday

May 29

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Coventry – Warwick - March – Bury St. Edmonds.

Following breakfast at the hotel, we check out drive the short distance to Warwick for an exciting morning at Warwick Castle – fully restored by Madame Tussauds – as Britain ’s finest medieval experience! We’ll make a stop for lunch after leaving Warwick .

In the afternoon visit with Dave Deptford of Sovereign Quarter Horses. The farm is owned and managed by David and Sarah Deptford and they have been breeders and trainers of the American Quarter Horse since the 1970's. Horse breeding has been part of the Deptford family farming for at least 6 decades. They have a history for breeding great horses from Suffolk Punches to famous show ponies.

In the 1970's Holly of Spring, a horse bred by Mr. Albert Deptford (David's grandfather) was winner of Show Pony of the Year at the Horse of the Year Show held at Wembley Arena, for 3 consecutive years, a feat that has never been done before or since. Many great show ponies competing today come from Mr. A. Deptford's breeding programme.

We proceed to the village town of Bury St. Edmonds and check in, with dinner included.

Overnight at:

Bury hotel

Friday

May 30

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Bury - Newmarket .

After breakfast, get ready for a full day visit to Newmarket ! Newmarket , is, after all, the Headquarters of British Flat Racing - some would say world racing, and no wonder.

The place is steeped in a rich racing history, and the facilities remain unrivalled. Proof of that, if proof were needed, can be found in the fact that in 2005, Newmarket-trained horses won the Derby (Motivator), the Queen Elizabeth 2nd (Starcraft), the Lockinge (Rakti), the Sussex Stakes (Soviet Song), and the Japan Cup (Alkaasad).

There are over 60 trainers in the town and at least 2000 horses in training. To accommodate all these highly-strung thoroughbreds and get them to the training grounds and gallops, there are miles of “horse-walks” all through the town, and special places for crossing the busy roads. The gallops here are second to none, and there is hardly ever a day when trainers are unable to work their horses, as there is so much choice of all-weather and turf tracks.

After our visit, we return to the hotel with dinner at the hotel.

Saturday

May 31

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Bury St. Edmonds – Cambridge – London .

We’ll get breakfast and then depart to Cambridge - famous university town! A visit to the Cambridge Veterinary School Research Dept. or equine hospital is subject to staff availability. Then take a look around the Cambridge University campus (one of the oldest in the world and among the largest in the UK ), perhaps explore the shops for souvenirs to bring home, then get lunch on own at a nearby sandwich shop.

About 2 pm we board our coach and make the drive into central London , arriving late afternoon at Lancaster Gate – just across Bayswater Road from Princess Di’s Kensington Palace .

Our professional London guide meets our coach, and we are off for a 3-hour city tour to see the sights of London : Buckingham Palace , Westminster Abbey, Tower of London , St. Paul ’s Cathedral, and much more!

Check in at the hotel and dinner is served in the restaurant at 8:00 pm. Evening free to explore the surroundings!

Overnight at:

London hotel

Sunday

June 1

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London area.

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast this morning in the restaurant, and then for those who might want to see the Crown Jewels at the Tower of London , or perhaps try London ’s famous Ferris wheel, the London Eye, you need to get an early start! Because you’ll want to be at Buckingham Palace by 11:30 for the Changing of the Guard!

After a quick lunch, we’ll travel by coach to the Ascot Polo Club located not very far from Windsor Castle , and our last visit for today. The Club is the largest polo training academy in the world, and set on 125 beautiful acres, with 3 full-size polo fields. No doubt that we will see a practice game in session! On the return to London , we’ll make a brief stop at Windsor for photos.

Want to check out Madame Tussaud’s wax museum? Perhaps book an evening theatre performance – it’s up to you for our final evening in this great international city!

Overnight again in London .

Monday

June 2

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London – Kansas City .

After a quick breakfast, check out of the hotel and transfer to London ’s International Airport for your return flight home.

Thanks for travelling with Agrotours and welcome home!