Caravanning with a difference in Ireland

Ireland has miles and miles of beautiful countryside to explore, with verdant meadows, rolling hills and inviting villages making it ideal for a caravanning holiday.

One of most the common ways of caravanning is of course to attach a modern portable home to the back of your car and drive on your way. However, what about turning the journey itself into something more entertaining than just driving your car from place to place?

This is where horse-drawn caravanning comes into its own, and there are a host of companies who hire out old, wooden caravans and horses to holidaymakers visiting Ireland.

As you and your horse meander along in the fresh Irish air, the countryside experience opens up to you, as you stop off at places of great natural beauty and small villages where you can stay and eat.

A trip with Mayo Horse Drawn Caravan Holidays includes tuition and a four-berth caravan that is fully-equipped to cater for your every need, with bathroom facilities, a kitchen, TV area and laundry equipment.

Before you embark on your journey around Mayo, guides give you the lowdown on the history and geography of the area, ensuring you get the most out of your exploration.

Or there is the National Tourism award-winning Kilvahan Horse Drawn Caravans, which offers authentic wagons, departing from the stunning midlands county of Laois.

You can take your time on your journey around this area, as roads are empty and quiet, and full guidance is again provided for those who have never operated a horse-drawn wagon before.

For more information about Mayo and Kilvahan, visit www.horsedrawn.mayonet.com and www.horsedrawncaravans.com