Horses, traditional crafts, good food and time to enjoy the beautiful surroundings of Slieve Aughty.

Stay in our comfortable luxury rooms, spend time with horses, learn a traditional craft and enjoy delicious, nutritious organic food, all in the peaceful surroundings of the Irish countryside.

This is a retreat with plenty to do, but just as much space to slow down and enjoy yourself.

Time with Horses

Your mornings or afternoons will be spent with the horses, with a choice of experiences depending on your interests and confidence.

You might find yourself riding bareback, exploring the countryside on a long trail ride, working with a horse from the ground through natural horsemanship, or taking a riding lesson if you would like to develop your skills.

The emphasis is on enjoying the horses and learning to communicate with them. Along the way, you’ll discover more about horse behaviour, body language and the ways we can build a better relationship with these remarkable animals.

Your Time to Explore

When you’re not with the horses, the time is yours. Explore the surrounding countryside, take a walk, relax in the grounds or enjoy a coffee in the café. Or simply slow down and enjoy having nowhere you need to be.

Traditional Crafts

Towards the end of the week, the retreat comes alive with our popular two-day traditional craft weekend.

Choose the workshop that appeals to you and spend two full days learning from skilled craftspeople, making something with your own hands and enjoying the company of others.

Depending on the dates, workshops may include:

• Silver jewellery making
• Basket weaving
• Bushcraft
• Leatherwork
• Drum making
• and more…

These are practical, sociable weekends where you can learn something new without needing any previous experience.

There is something particularly satisfying about returning home with an object that you have made yourself, something that carries the memory of the place and the experience with it.

Horses, Crafts & Good Company

The craft weekends bring people together from all walks of life, creating a lively and welcoming atmosphere. Combined with time spent with the horses and the peaceful surroundings, it makes for a very special few days.

You might arrive knowing very little about horses or traditional crafts. You might come on your own. You might simply be looking for something different to your usual holiday.

By the time you leave, you’ll have spent time outdoors, learned something new, met some lovely people and most importantly, had the chance to properly slow down and enjoy yourself.

Available for a Limited Time

This special retreat is available to book for just three weeks of the year, making it a particularly unique experience at Slieve Aughty.

However, if you have a group, feel free to enquire about a time that works for everyone as we may be able to arrange something custom.

Come for the horses. Stay for the crafts. Leave with something you made yourself and memories you’ll want to return for.

Available Dates in 2027:

• 26th April – 3rd May 2027
• 28th June – 5th July 2027
• 20th Sept – 27th Sept 2027 

Please email us for more information and prices.

info@slieveaughtycentre.com