Out of the Tack

See what Northern Ireland has to offer.

Build your own Riding and Holiday experience

Allow our dedicated team of tourism experts to further enhance your trip to Ireland by allowing us to help open up our country to you.

We can help you plan itineraries to suit all members of your group whether it be helping you plan your activities to do in the evening or on the days you are not riding.

We can also put together full itineraries for those members of your group who will not be riding with us but want to explore this country while you are enjoying your riding experience.

Ireland itself is one of the world’s leading tourism destinations and Northern Ireland is seen as an emerging tourism market.

Our dedicated team of experts are working on the ground and will use their knowledge and expertise to ensure you and your group have a truly unique and memorable experience in Ireland.

For help and advice on itineraries, please get in touch.

Out of Tack Options

Causeway Coast Discovery Centre

The Causeway Coast Discovery Centre specialises in experiential Irish tourism and offers the opportunity to delve into Irish culture, heritage and history. The centre provides workshops in language, dance, traditional music, Scots/Irish genealogy, traditional crafts and the clan history of the Causeway Coast in the 16th century.

The centre offers a unique brand of quality tourism where visitors meet local people and experience authentic traditional hospitality in the local community and culture.

More than just a visit, it’s an experience.

Irish Clans of the Causeway Coast experience

Relive the epic story of the Irish Clans who ruled Ireland up to the 16th century and become immersed in authentic Irish experiences.

The experience focuses on the mighty McDonnell clan who ruled the land around the Causeway Coast and the Western Isles of Scotland.

Bring your onward journey on the Causeway Coast to life with this true to life Game of Thrones story, told through the eyes of their famous chieftain Sorley Boy McDonnell.

Coastal Sightseeing by Helicopter

Experience the stunning north coast from the air! Enjoy the thrill of a helicopter flight while taking in iconic sights along the coast, such as Mussenden Temple, Dunluce Castle, The Giant’s Causeway, Ballintoy’s Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge and more.

It goes without saying your photos will be epic! !

Sailing Yacht Tour of the Coast

Take in the dramatic & breathtaking north coast scenery on a ½ or full-day yacht tour.

Experienced local captains navigate the rugged coastlines of The Giant’s Causeway, Rathlin Island, Donegal or Scotland, telling the tales and history that surround them.

A Day of Golf on the North Coast

Ireland is famous for its plentiful & challenging golf courses. Northern Ireland offers some of the best golf in the world, from Lough Erne to Royal County Down or Royal Portrush to Castlerock or Porstewart –spend a day (or more) playing on one of our beautiful courses. After your round, carry on to the equally famous 19th hole!

Antrim Garden Tour

North Antrim is not all rugged coastal beauty; this area is home to a series of special gardens all with unique and individual offerings—it’s a gardener’s paradise! Take a tour that showcases some of the best gardens in Ireland: Antrim Castle Gardens, Glenarm Castle Estate, Ballyrobert Cottage Garden, Benvarden Garden, Carnfunnock Garden, Greenmount Walled Garden and Kilcoan Garden.

Country Escape to the Spa

Unwind or recharge at a luxury estate country spa. Set within 163-acres of lush parkland, with the spectacular River Maine flowing through the expansive estate, you’ll spend a full or half day being pampered, leaving you relaxed and rejuvenated.

Enjoy a unique Celtic Sauna treatment, award-winning facials or a range of full body massages.

River Fly Fishing

Spend the day on secluded & private rivers fishing for some of the best trout or salmon Ireland has to offer.

You’ll be joined on this excursion by a professional guide who’ll share some of his best fishing secrets in Northern Ireland.

Scotland Whiskey Tour

Catch a morning ferry from the harbor of Ballycastle to Islay, Scotland, where you’ll spend the day visiting Islay Woolen Mills or famous distilleries such as Ardbeg, Laphroaig and Bowmore.

Enjoy a delicious lunch at one of the many award-winning local restaurants before returning late afternoon.

Dunluce Castle

Take a step back in time to learn the tumultuous history of Dunluce Castle and its former occupants.

Guided by a renowned local historian, you’ll hear fascinating tales beginning with the MacQuillans to the MacDonnells, the Battle of the Boyne and the castle’s unfortunate demise in the late 1600’s.

Guided Coastal Walk & Hike

Experience the fantastic Causeway coast on a guided six-mile walk along some of the best cliff top views Europe has to offer!

Your friends will be green with envy of your photos captured along this one-of-a-kind walk.

Glenarm Village Tour & Castle Lunch

Steeped in history and charm, take a guided tour of the picturesque coastal village of Glenarm. A local guide will introduce village shop owners and locals, while telling the history of this quaint village, before heading to the Glenarm Castle estate for a stroll through the walled gardens and lunch at the castle’s tearoom.

Loughgiel Irish Dancer Exhibition

Watch an Irish dance exhibition by the Loughgiel School of Irish Dance. Founded in 1978, these talented Irish dancers won the World Dance Championship in Llangollen, Wales in 2015. Their hard work and passion is evident in their magnificent performances—truly an experience to watch!

Sea Kayaking & River Kayaking

Spend the day on a guided expedition of the north coast near Portrush Harbour or River Kayak down the scenic River Bann.

Old Bushmills Distillery Co. Tour

Old Bushmills in County Antrim is Ireland’s oldest working whiskey distillery–watch whiskey making take place and enjoy a wee taster too.

Experience a guided tour of Ireland’s only “grain to glass” distillery and discover some of our trade secrets learned over 400 years of distilling.

Bike Tour of the Causeway Coast

Take a scenic tour (guided or on your own) of the Causeway Coast on board an electric bike! Electric bikes give a bit of Oomph and make cycling easier and faster–tackling a hill is no problem. Immerse yourself in the culture and natural beauty of the area, observing details that other tourists miss behind the wheel of a car! This is a great way to see and experience the north coast! *E-bikes, regular bikes and mountain bikes are available for daily hire.

Trout / Salmon Fishing Outings

Relaxing & invigorating–Ireland is an angler’s paradise!

Spend a half or full day fishing the fresh Atlantic waters or cast your rod along the River Bush or River Bann. Rods, tackle, bait and experienced guides await you.

Coasteering

Looking for something unique and adventurous? Coasteering is the sport or activity of exploring the rocky coastline by climbing, jumping, and swimming – a perfectly unique way to experience the north coastline in a thrilling way! All levels of fitness are welcome.

Private Guided History Tour

The north coast is filled with folklore, culture & history.

Spend the day with a top, local historian on a private guided tour where you’ll learn more about this fascinating region. Irish history. Stunning coastlines. Nature. Amazing photographs. It’s right here in this tour.

An Evening of History with Right Hon. Hector McDonnell

Historian, author, world-famous realist painter and descendent of one the most distinguished families on the north coast.

The youngest son of the thirteenth Earl and Countess of Antrim, Mr. McDonnell grew up in Glenarm Castle before leaving to study history at Eton and Oxford.

Spend an evening with this fascinating storyteller and historian, learning about the McQuillan and McDonnell history, Dunluce Castle and the great chieftain Sorely Boy MacDonnell.

Cultural Belfast Tour

Head to Belfast for the day to experience everything this renaissance city has to offer!

From tours of Titanic to the Royal Botanical Garden, shopping at St. George’s Market or a famous Black Taxi, or Crumlin Road Gaol, tour—Belfast has something to offer everyone. End the day with a fabulous meal from any number of great city restaurants before heading to the famed Grand Opera House to take in a play or concert.

Game of Thrones Location Tour

Make your way to key locations along the spectacular Causeway Coast and Glens that represent everything from The Iron Islands (Ballintoy Harbour) to the King’s Road (Dark Hedges), Dragonstone (Downhill Strand) or the Stormlands (Cushendun Caves). Ireland’s rugged coastlines, historic castles and breathtaking scenery make it the perfect setting for this epic story. For serious Game of Thrones fans—this tour can be on horseback in full costume.

Coastal Food Tour

The perfect foodie experience!

This guided food tour showcases some of the best produce, procurers and gastronomic gems the coast has to offer. Meet the owners & chefs and hear fascinating stories, while tasting samples of the best dishes this area has to offer.

Cookery Class with a Local Chef

With so many fresh ingredients produced in Ireland, it’s only natural that good cooking is an essential part of Irish culture.

So if you fancy indulging your creative side and donning a chef’s hat, spend an afternoon alongside an award-winning chef learning the history and cooking methods of unique regional or traditional Irish dishes.

A Day at the Ulster American Folk Park

Immerse yourself in the world-famous story of Irish emigration at the Ulster American Folk Park museum.

This 40-acre, open air museum brings to life the human drama behind three centuries of Irish emigration, telling the remarkable story of the vast human tide that crossed the Atlantic for the New World of North America. Using costumed guides, displays of traditional crafts and replicas of Irish streets & villages, the museum focuses on those who left Ireland for America in the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. This interactive experience is perfect for all ages.

Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge

The Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge is a rope suspension bridge that links mainland Ireland to the tiny island of Carrickarede.

Crossing a 66-foot gap suspended almost 100-feet above the crashing waves and rocks below, the bridge has been used for hundreds of years allowing salmon fishermen to reach the secluded waters around the tiny Island. Thrill seekers come from all over to cross the safe but sometimes swaying bridge where they are rewarded with uninterrupted views of Rathlin Island, Fair Head & Scotland on the other side. Channel your inner thrill seeker with a wee walk across this famous bridge!

Underground Knockdhu Archeology Tour

Archeology & geology fans will love this fascinating tour of the ancient Knockdhu where every pile of stones has its own history.

This archeological site sits on private lands where you’ll explore the underground chamber of the Souterrain by a guiding expert.

Walled City of Derry Tour

Meander through the bustling streets of the only completely walled city in Ireland which reveals a splendid city crammed full of history and heritage. Guided walking tours (or bus tour) are a great way to explore –From a tour of Derry’s Walls, to The Bogside or the People’s Gallery Murals, visitors are in for a cultural & historical treat in Derry.

Livestock Market & Irish Farm Tour

Ireland has a long history with farming that continues today. On this tour, meet local farmers who’ll tell stories passed down for generations, tour a local farm and learn about dairy farming or raising cattle and sheep in Northern Ireland.

Afterwards, head to a local livestock market where you’ll see farmers bid for top cattle or sheep to add to their prized herds.

Local Team Hurling Match and Scullion Hurls Tour

Hurling Match: Widely considered the fastest game on grass, Hurling is an ancient game (over 3000 years old) and one of the national sports of Ireland. You’ll head to a local hurling match to watch this fast paced sport with local supporters who are passionate about their teams!

Scullion Hurls Tours: Nestled in the heart of the North Antrim village of Loughguile, where hurling is the life blood of the community, Scullion Hurls is an Économusée, or working museum, producing fine Hurls. Local craftsman Micheal Scullion will display the traditional craft of hurley making where he will make a hurl or ‘caman’ in the style of an early 1900’s hurl using hand tools that would likely have been used during that time period. Participants will be welcomed into the workshop and given a brief historical presentation on the history & origins of the ancient Irish sport of hurling and the craft of Hurley Making as well as how the Scullion Family became involved in this ancient craft.

Deep Sea Fishing on the Atlantic Coast of Northern Ireland

Head out to sea and spend the day fishing the mighty Atlantic—your experienced Skipper will take you to waters where fish are plentiful.

Or try your hand at Wreck Fishing, literally, fishing among the shipwrecks that dot the rugged Irish coast.

For a unique experience, join a breakfast foodie tour where you’ll spend the morning watching the sun rise over the Mull of Kintyre and Rathlin island while fishing mackerel or other varieties of fish—bring your camera as you’ll likely encounter shark and dolphins on this excursion.

Afterwards, you’ll take your bounty to a local award-winning Portrush restaurant where the chef will make a freshly prepared breakfast dish that not only features your catch of the day, but also showcases a range of local produce and ingredients.

Titanic

Explore the shipyard, walk the decks, travel to the depths of the ocean and uncover the true legend of Titanic in the city where it all began.

The immersive and interactive experience along with utilisation of state-of-the-art technology and attention to detail has helped the centre to become the winner of the World’s Leading Visitor Attractions (World Travel Awards 2016).

More than just a visit, it’s an experience.

Giants Causeway

The 40,000 unique and iconic black basalt columns protruding from the sea have ensured that the Giants Causeway is included on the UNESCO world heritage list.

However, it is the walk across the stones, the spray of the ocean and views of Scotland on the horizon that truly entrance.

Gobbins

The Gobbins experience is one way to get up close and personal with the Causeway Coast!

It takes you along a narrow path hugging the dramatic cliff face; across spectacular bridges amid the crashing waves, traversing hidden Tunnels under the Irish Sea; up and down rugged staircases carved into the cliff face and into caves that were once home to smugglers.