Ireland’s first official long-distance equestrian trail, the Beara Bridleway, has emerged in West Cork’s Beara Peninsula, with exploration of the local Wild Atlantic Way now possible on horseback, with the permission and co-operation of several local farmers and landowners. The village of Allihies on the Beara peninsula in West Cork is home to the Beara Bridle Way. Not only does the horse trail offer an up-close-and-personal opportunity to see rural Irish life and nature, the rider meanwhile enjoys panoramic views of both the Kenmare and Bantry bays, from the Bull Rock to the Skelligs in the distance. The British Horse Society carried out assessments, as certain criteria had to be met in order to have official bridleway recognition. “Jim O’Sullivan of Beara Tourism is our main man on the ground.

Source: Irish Examiner March 20, 2021 16:30 UTC