The award winning Kilvahan Horse-Drawn Caravan experience gives you the opportunity to step outside of the everyday bustle and unwind in the beautiful Irish midlands. The freedom of the countryside is yours at a slow and relaxing pace. You decide what your holiday will consist of- whether to travel between rural farmhouses or to stop off at a country pub for a lively session of traditional music. Perhaps you’d like to view a castle or medieval monastery or partake in a round of golf or fishing.

Kilvahan Horse Drawn Caravans is owned and run by myself Hans and my wife Julia at Tullibards Stud County Laois. Our base, where you will spend your first and last nights offers you our guest full facilities –toilets and showers, landscaped caravan parking areas, picnic gardens and barbecue and a lounge with a firestove. We are situated in a scenic location in the Slieve Bloom mountains with spectacular views over Leinster.

Our charming restored working farm is home to an eclectic mix of animals including pigs, sheep , goats, llamas, dogs, cats, donkeys, miniature ponies, camel, zebra and plans for many more. We are situated 5kms from Coolrain village which boasts one of the most authentic thatched pubs in Ireland (scene of many a good traditional music session).

Our farm offers you an exclusive range of equestrian products from which to choose-Horse riding and riding lessons in our 25 x 45 m indoor arena ,outdoor all weather arena with various cross country fences, six furlong gallop and trail rides through the beautiful Slieve Bloom mountains. Both myself and my son Benny are highly qualified and experienced riding instructors- and Benny is one of Irelands top young riders competing internationally today.

Apart from running the horse drawn caravans we also breed and train top sport, national hunt horses, show jumpers, eventers and ponies. Also we breed Jack-Russel-Terrier and norwegian Elkhounds. To make a booking inquiry click here .

When you arrive you will be shown to your caravan, they are based on the old traditional Traveler caravans and can sleep up to four adults and one child. They have two double beds and one bunk bed, which is suitable for a child. These all convert to comfortable seating during the day. Lighting is provided by cosy gas lights and you can cook on a modern two- or four-ring gas hob. Outside there are storage boxes at the rear and all our vans have a front platform from which you can drive your horse while admiring the surrounding countryside. You will spend the 1st night in your caravan at our base, giving you a chance to familiarize yourself with your new home.

As we are situated in the beautiful Slieve Bloom mountains we can boast of having some of the quietest roads in Ireland in one of the most under utilized mountain regions in the entire country.

On arrival we will give you a comprehensive guide book and route-map of the area and the stopovers. We will advise you on routes taking into consideration your preferences -this holiday is about you and what you want it to include and we will do our best to accommodate your needs. You will travel through the county on a variety of quiet country roads passing rivers, lakes, forests, historical sites and of course pubs. At night you may park at one of our designated stopover points. These may be quiet country pubs or rustic farmhouses they all offer a proper Irish welcome, good toilet and shower facilities, caravan parking area, a field for the horse to graze in and most will provide evening meals and breakfasts if required. You will be constantly meeting and mixing with the locals at the stops, in the pubs and shops and will no doubt find them very warm and open.

Central to your enjoyment of this holiday is your new best friend! Our horses are chosen for their pleasant ( and very individual ) temperaments and bomb proof characters. Most of them have several years experience as working horses in Dublin city and so have no fears of traffic etc .You will be fully trained in caring for, harnessing and driving your horse the morning after you arrive, and we will take you the 1st kilometer of your route, after this you’re a nomad for the week. No previous experience of horses is required-in this case THEY are the professionals, all we require is a willingness to learn and an appreciation of animals. Additionally you can also hire an extra riding-horse, a tent or bicycles.

There are various activities available en route and in the area such as golf, fishing, swimming, and walking trails through the Slieve Blooms. Mountrath, Roscrea and Abbeyleix towns have some excellent eateries, restaurants, and lots of nice shops. The well known Kinnitty Castle is 25 minutes drive away, also Durrow Castle (20 min.), Kilkenny (1 hour), Emo (25 min.), The Irish Nationalstud in Kildare (25 min.). There are some excellent music sessions in the area and the county is full of good pubs.