Gillick's World: Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way Re-published August 2015 | Page 13

been entirely under water. We rode on the firm
sand, trotting a bit through the water with only the
sound the horses hooves and a flutter of wings as
a flock of ducks and some black and white
seagulls cleared a path for us.

Noreen Higgin at Oliver’s in Cleggan

The Cleggan Riding Stables are just a short
distance away. My ‘guide’ for the afternoon was
Siobhan and once my horseback riding level was
determined (a bit more than beginner, a bit less
than a confident intermediate), I was assigned to
Henry, a very passive Irish Cobh. Equipped with
helmet, and riding boots, I signed the “I think I
know what I’m getting into” waiver, and then we
headed off with Henry and me following Siobhan
and Cathy, her Welsh Cobh.
We clip-clopped on small meandering country
roads past houses and school kids and were
greeted by curious horses, braying donkeys and
gawking cows, and after an hour, came to the
land bridge leading to Omey Island.
At this time of year (mid-January) the tide goes
out at 10:30 am and does not come in again until
11:00 pm. It was now about 1:45 pm and the first
car had just set out on the sea bed to cross over
to the island. During high tide the car would have

Omey Island was the site of a monastery and
settlement dating to the 6th century and founded
by St. Feichin. The name Omey is derived from
Gaelic and means ‘St. Feichin’s bed or seat’.
We wandered on the beach, through the thick
beds of seaweed and around some boulders but
pretty well stayed near the shoreline, chatting
about tourism and the attraction for many
travellers to experience silence and reflection: just
what a day of horseback riding way off the beaten
track will accomplish.
But all things must come to an end and as the sun
started to set, we slowly headed back to the
stables. I bade farewell to Henry and returned to
my car, ready to exchange the serenity of
Cleggan and the joy of riding to Omey on
horseback, for the Friday night restaurants, pubs
and trad music of Galway.
Horseback riding in Cleggan is listed as one of the
“Secrets of the Wild Atlantic Way”. With Galway
only 90 minutes away, this is a wonderful way to
spend an afternoon: slow, enjoyable, relaxing,
great conversation, lots of photos and of course,
the fresh air.

Siobhan on Cathy, as we return on the land
bridge from Omey Island to the stables