Can you help?

When I visited Ireland in the early 1980s where I was led on a horse on a country road which brought me to a quaint little cottage where tea and pastries were served.  It was in the south of Ireland and, for some reason, I think the ride was available at the Muckross House or somewhere near there.  It was a memorable experience that I want to tell a friend, who will be visiting Ireland in the fall, about so she can add it to her itinerary.  Does this sound familiar to anyone?  Thank you in advance for your help and your prompt response.

Hi Donna,

What a lovely mystery! Now of course the area around Muckross House has plenty of opportunity for taking day trips on horseback through the lovely countryside there, but the main thing we'd want to figure out is where the cottage for lunch was! And if we can't find the exact one, I'm sure that there will be alternatives in the area.

Do you happen to have any photos of the trip that might help identify this day trip?

In the meantime you could have a look at some of the day trips on horseback in Co. Kerry and in Killarney National Park that are available today, maybe one of them can help jog your memory?

Warm regards,
Cornelia

Thank you for your reply, Cornelia. I've looked at all the horse riding activities around Muckross House to no avail.  Unfortunately, I don't have a photo but I can tell you that the ride I took wasn't a full day trip but rather a relatively short excursion lasting only a couple of hours, including tea, at the most.  I'll keep searching and let you know if I find what I am looking for. Thanks again. -  Donna

Hi, Donna.

I was searching for horse cart rides on the Killarney Horse & Carriage Tours website. The carriage ride passes by a "Deenagh Gate Lodge (an 1834 Thatched Cottage; currently used as a little tea room)". Could be this little quaint cottage what you were looking for?




Also, in the Gap of Dunloe Tours website you may find open boat and jaunting tours through the Killarney National Park and Gap of Dunloe. There are jaunting carts available at Kate Kearney’s Cottage & Lord Brandon’s Cottage and it's truly worth the journey!

I hope this helps.

Francesco

Hi, Francesco, 
I don't recognize the cottage but the carriage ride sounds very much like what I've been thinking of except I rode on an actual horse accompanied by an escort who walked along beside me.
I really appreciate your efforts, however.
Happy St. Patrick's Day!
Sincerely,
Donna L. Holohan