Riding with the stars
Not so long ago, there was great excitement around the yard when two of Irelands best-known music stars from Boyzone and Westlife arrived to experience the Northwest on horseback, as part the BBC travel series Ronan Keating’s Wild Atlantic.
Ronan Keating’s Wild Atlantic
The program, which aired on BBC Two and BBC i Player in April 2026, follows Ronan’s journey along Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way, exploring the people, landscapes and traditions that shape the west coast of Ireland. Episode three brought the series to County Sligo, where Ronan met up with his long time buddy and fellow musician Shane Filan.
For anyone who watched the program, it was more than just a celebrity visit. It was a real celebration of County Sligo, Irish horses, local heritage, and the incredible landscape that makes this corner of Ireland so unique.
A Homecoming in Sligo
Although Shane Filan is known worldwide as one of the voices behind Westlife, Sligo has always remained home.
Shane rode Romeo, one of our much-loved homebred Traditional Irish horses. Romeo is particularly special in this instance as his dam’s sire was actually owned by Shane’s late father, connecting the horse to the Filan family’s long-standing ties to horses and rural life in the west of Ireland.
Ronan rode Bouncer, another homebred horse here at the farm. Bouncer is an Irish Draught by Moylough Bouncer — steady, kind and exactly the sort of horse you want beneath you when riding across the open strand.
The beauty of the North West
The day itself was one of those classic northwest days where the weather seemed to change every half hour. One minute there was soft sunshine across the strand and the next the Atlantic mist was rolling in off the sea. But in many ways that is Sligo at its best — wild, quiet and never overly polished.
The program captured a side of Sligo that we sometimes take for granted ourselves — the empty beaches, the views across Donegal Bay and Benbulben sitting in the background. Riding out here is never really just about horse riding. It is about the landscape, the weather, the sea air and slowing down enough to properly take it all in.
There is something very grounding about heading out on horseback along the coast here. You leave the yard and within a short time you are riding across the open beach with nothing but the sound of the waves and the horses’ hooves on the sand. Visitors often tell us afterwards that it feels like stepping into a different pace of life entirely.
That slower pace is part of what draws so many people to holidays in Sligo and the Wild Atlantic Way now. Alongside horse riding, people also come here for surfing in Strandhill, walks around Benbulben, sea swimming, hiking, traditional music sessions, food trails, coastal drives and quiet weekends away in the west of Ireland. Increasingly, visitors are looking for experiences that feel genuine and connected to the landscape, rather than overly packaged tourism.
The northwest of Ireland has become one of Europe’s most exciting slow-travel destinations, offering visitors the chance to disconnect, recharge, and experience authentic Irish culture away from the crowds.
Equestrian Holidays along the Wild Atlantic Way
Over the years we have welcomed riders from all over the world to experience our equestrian holidays along the Wild Atlantic Way. Some come for fast canters along the strand, others for the slower rhythm of exploring the coastline on horseback. Many arrive looking for an Irish horse riding holiday and leave talking just as much about the scenery, the atmosphere and the people they met along the way.
There was also plenty of chatting and storytelling during filming — the kind of easy conversation that naturally happens on horseback. Horses have a way of putting people at ease, whether they are experienced riders or simply enjoying being outdoors for the day. By the end of the ride, everyone was windswept, slightly sandy and smiling, which usually means it has been a good day here.
Reconnecting with the landscape
The series itself has been described as Ronan reconnecting with Ireland, travelling from Cork and Kerry right up through Mayo, Sligo, Donegal and Derry, revisiting places and traditions along the Atlantic coast. Watching the Sligo episode back, it was lovely to see the northwest represented so naturally — not rushed, not overproduced, just the landscape speaking for itself.
Irish Horses, Irish Stories
At Island View Riding Stables, we’re incredibly proud of our horses and the stories behind them. Both Romeo and Bouncer were bred here, raised among the landscapes they now explore with visitors every day.
Traditional Irish horses and Irish Draught horses are renowned worldwide for their temperament, strength, and versatility. They’re part of Ireland’s heritage, and introducing guests to these beautiful animals is one of the most rewarding parts of what we do.
Seeing Romeo and Bouncer carry two iconic Irish singers across the beaches of Sligo felt like a perfect meeting of music, heritage, and the Irish outdoors.
Visit Sligo & Experience It Yourself
From golden beaches and mountain views to unforgettable horse riding adventures, County Sligo offers a side of Ireland that stays with people long after they leave.
And while not everyone gets to ride with members of Westlife and Boyzone, every visitor can experience the same Atlantic scenery, warm welcomes, and incredible horses that made their day in Sligo so memorable.
If you’re planning a holiday in Ireland, exploring the Wild Atlantic Way, or looking for a unique outdoor experience in the northwest of Ireland, we’d love to welcome you to the beach soon.
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