Coronavirus Protocols at Slieve Aughty Centre

The following protocols have been developed in accordance with the latest guidelines provided by the government, the Restaurant Assocation of Ireland, Failte Ireland, and the Association of Irish Riding Establishments. In the interest of public safety and the well-being of our staff, we ask that you please follow the guidelines below as a visitor to Slieve Aughty Centre.

The Three Towers Eco House and Organic Kitchen

We at Slieve Aughty Centre are committed to the health and safety of our guests, staff and suppliers. While we have consistently maintained high standards of hygiene, additional measures have been implemented in response to Covid-19. These measures are in place to minimise any potential risks and adhere to the recommended guidelines from health authorities. The following list is a summary of some of the steps we have taken:

Alcohol-based hand sanitiser is available at all entry and exit points.
Social distance has been put in place in our Reception and bar/lounge areas, to control check-in queues and general crowding.
We have informative posters regarding Covid19 in all public areas.
We provide clean and disinfected keys upon check-in.
All common touch points including door handles, stair banisters, chairs and public toilets are being cleaned, sprayed and disinfected multiple times each day.
Doors will be left open wherever possible to admit fresh air and improve air circulation.
Our accommodation staff are doing a deep clean and full sanitisation of all guest rooms with extra time being assigned per room to allow for common touch areas to be disinfected, including phones, door handles and switches.
We wash all linens professionally at a high temperature for optimal disinfection.
We have spaced tables apart in our restaurant and bar to provide physical distancing.
We serve all food and beverages respecting strict food safety procedures.
All staff have participated in a COVID-19 training programme, and team members have completed additional comprehensive hygiene and prevention training programmes specific to their area of expertise.
We have provided team members with personal protective equipment. Staff in the guest house, restaurant, and riding centre will wear hygenic masks whenever possible.
We are continuously sanitising all office and workspaces including credit card machines.

Whilst we hope that your travel arrangements will not be disrupted as a result of the Covid-19 virus, we are offering 20% deposit policy on all holiday bookings, flexible cancellation terms and are happy to answer any cancellation or postponement queries you may have. For further information, please contact 090 97 45 246 or email bookings@slieveaughtycentre.com.

We look forward to welcoming you to Slieve Aughty Centre.

The Riding Centre

Clients are advised to wash hands thoroughly prior to leaving their homes and use hand sanitiser before riding. Toilet facilities will not be available to the public except in the event of an emergency. Clients who have booked online will receive detailed information about protocols when they book.

We are currently offering all of the equestrian activities which can ensure that:
• A social distance of at least 1-2 metres can be maintained
• No physical contact

In order to meet the above requirements, we are not able to offer horse riding lessons or lead reins to small children (ages 5-7/8) as not being able to be close to your child compromises their safety and does not allow for the recommended social distance.
We are now able to offer pony rides to the Enchanted Forest for children over the age of 5 as long as an adult walks alongside.

We would ask that you wash your hands before leaving your house. On arrival to Slieve Aughty Riding Centre, there will be hand sanitising facilities at all entry points, which must be used before entering the yard. We would also encourage you to bring your own sanitiser with you so that you can use this at any time during the day in the event that you need it.

Parents: If you will be driving your child to Slieve Aughty Riding Centre, we would ask you to drop them off in the car park and let your child enter the yard on his/her own. We request that you do not enter the yard to watch lessons or collect your children but instead either wait in your car or leave and return at the designated time to pick him/her up in the car park.

Clients: If you are driving by yourself – please check before you leave the car that you have not parked too close to another vehicle, allowing you to maintain social distancing when entering and exiting your vehicle and avoid excess contact with others using the car park.

It is possible to order food/drink (see additional protocols) before or after your ride if you wish. Please sanitise your hands (stations available at the table or in the yard) before touching anything or ordering.

Payment and Waiver Forms
Whenever possible, payment should be made in advance. If this is not possible, cash will be accepted only if placed in a sealed envelope for the exact amount due. As a last resort, payments can be sent through paypal to info@slieveaughtycentre.com. For new clients, waiver forms must be completed before riding can begin. A waiver form for walking will be on the car park table for walkers to sign.

Wearing of Masks
As of now, there is no government guidance on the wearing of masks. Wearing of masks at this stage therefore is optional until further clarification is given. Our staff will be wearing masks and we encourage you to do the same.

Bathrooms
We would ask that you please use the bathroom before you arrive at Slieve Aughty Centre to minimise the need for people to use the bathrooms. Of course if needs be, the toilet beside the bar/lounge at The Three Towers will be open for riding centre clients. Please ensure to carefully wash your hands and use the spray provided for the toilet handle, taps, doors and any other surface you may have touched. Please leave the door fully open after use. Please refrain from using the bathrooms for changing. Baby changing facilities will not be available.

Tack, Helmets, Body Protectors and Grooming Kits
We advise where possible riders supply their own helmets, boots and body protectors. Clients are not required to groom or tack horses or ponies, and staff will follow hygiene protocols with grooming equipment after use. Clients are not permitted to enter the tack room. If Slieve Aughty Centre’s helmets or boots are required, disinfectant spray is available for use before and after a lesson. Staff will disinfect all tack and PPE which has had contact with riders after each lesson.

First Aid
In the event that first aid is required, both the first aider and the injured party should wear gloves and masks. Hand washing before and after any treatment should be done on all occasions. Normal protocols to be followed in the event that an ambulance needs to be called. Designated Riding School First Aiders can be called to assist as necessary.

Slieve Aughty Centre General Visitors and Walkers

Anyone visiting Slieve Aughty Centre for walking will find all the instructions at the welcome tent in the parking, including maps, waiver forms (walking), Enchanted Forest packs, menus, and hand sanitizer. Reception will be open for those arriving to check in for accommodation, horse riding, or to enter the restaurant.

Visitors have access to the Organic Garden, front of the guest house and outside decking, bar area and disabled access toilet, back of the guest house (picnic area), the garden by the pergola, and Enchanted Forest. Please do not enter any of these areas if there are more than 2 other people/family groups already in the area (with the exception of the picnic space). It is very important that everyone is able to enjoy the facilities with social distancing. No access is permitted to the playground, arts and crafts room, tack room, inside the guest house (unless a paying guest), the Poplar Room, Locker Room, eco-lodges, glamping cabin, playground hut, or nature hut.

Restaurant Protocol
Tables will be placed minimum of 6 feet from each other so that individuals/family groups adhere to required social distancing measures.

Dogs are only allowed in the picnic areas on a lead and must be cleaned up after by their owners anywhere on the property. Dogs are not allowed in the Organic garden or playground.