Pony and horse riding expeditions during the summer holidays are some of the most exciting and memorable trips for children. While some children join residential pony clubs for part of the summer, others simply want to enjoy the one-off experience of being on a horse or pony. Here is a selection of stables which cater for younger folk.

The stables at Priestown House, Kilbride, Clonee, Co Meath has five horses and 15 ponies in total. It costs £8 for an hour's morning ride but the children are welcome to stay around the yard and: "brush the ponies down afterwards. Unaccompanied children are welcome. Tel: 01 8251670/8255245 for bookings.

Boro Hill Equestrian Holiday Centre in Clonroche, Enniscorthy, Co Wexford also caters for daily visitors. With 25 horses and ponies at the centre, beginners and advanced riders are welcome. Cost: £8 per hour. And for any children free in the last two weeks of August, Boro Hill has some free places left on its residential riding holiday from August 17th to 31st. Cost: £150, includes full board. Tel: 054 44117 for bookings.

Cooladoyle Riding School in Cooladoyle, Newtownmountkennedy, Co Wicklow is a good choice for complete beginners or children who have previously fallen off a horse or pony, since they specialise in nervous riders. There are four horses and six ponies at the school, and riding costs £10 per hour or £7 per half an hour. Tel: 01 2819906 for bookings.

Finally, Beech Park Riding centre in Rathcormac, Co Cork, is open to children for evening rides from 7 p.m. onwards. Cost: £6 per hour. Tel: 025 36277 for bookings. The Bord Failte information sheet on equestrian activities provides a more comprehensive listing of stables and riding centres throughout Ireland.

Finally, children in the Kilkenny area may like to join the summer music-workshop which runs from Monday to Friday next (from 9 a.m. to noon) as part of Kilkenny Arts Week. It is suitable for primary school children and no prior musical training in necessary. Tel: 056 63663 for details.