Overview
Errislannan Manor sits on a private peninsula just south of Clifden, and it has bred Connemara ponies from the same female bloodlines since 1960. It works as three things at once: a riding centre, a small stud, and a charity garden. The grounds look out towards the Twelve Bens and the Atlantic. The name means ‘peninsula of St Flannan’, after the saint said to have arrived in the early 7th century and built a church beside the lake; a Stone Age waste pit found behind the house suggests people have lived on this ground for something like 7,000 years.
History
The estate began as a hunting lodge for the Lambert family of Athenry. The present house dates to about 1863, built by John Lambert, and was later renovated by the Reverend Richard Wall, who gave it the name Errislannan Manor. It passed to his daughter Henrietta, who married the Reverend George Heather in 1866, and by the 1870s Mary Anne Wall held some 890 acres here.
Riding and treks
The riding centre offers guided rides and lessons on Connemara ponies. Call +353 95 21134 to ask about session times, prices and a ride suited to your group’s age and experience. Routes in this part of Connemara cross heather moor and beach, but ask the centre what it currently offers. Book ahead, particularly in summer.
Gardens
The garden takes part in the Royal Horticultural Society of Ireland’s Gardens for Charity scheme, and donations support charity. A coastal microclimate keeps things growing that arguably shouldn’t be, alongside wildflower meadows. Galway Tourism’s listing has the centre’s contact details. Ask about garden opening and path surfaces before travelling.
Practical information
- Booking and contact: +353 (0)95 21134, or through the Galway Tourism listing.
- Admission: garden donations support charity; ask the centre about riding prices.
- Private estate: the manor is on a private estate, so stay within the areas the centre has opened to visitors.
- What to bring: waterproof layers and a windproof jacket, as the weather here turns fast. Ask the centre what riding gear it provides.
Getting there and nearby
A car is the most reliable way to reach the peninsula; public transport in this part of Connemara is thin. From Clifden, follow the signs for the Errislannan Peninsula. Afterwards, Ballinakill Bay is a quiet shoreline for a walk, and stronger walkers can head for Benbaun, the highest of the Twelve Bens.