We are based in Old Connaught Avenue in Bray, using the former grounds of Old Connaught House, an estate which was in the Plunket Family since 1807 when it was leased to the Hon. William Conyngham Plunket (1764 – 1854), who became the first Baron Plunket of Newtown, Co. Cork in 1927. His lease of the grounds as well as his title as Baron stayed within the family until the 1940’s, when it was then sold by the then 7th Baron Plunket Patrick Terrence Conyngham Plunket (1923 – 1975). ‘Festina Lente’ is Latin for ‘Hasten Slowly’ – the Plunket family motto and one which we adopted in 1995 as we believe that it relays our culture perfectly.

We have wonderful facilities here in our riding school, which serves as both a working and learning environment to hundreds of people every year. Our reputation is a strong one as we are proud of our excellent coaching for people of all ages and abilities, where students learn about both riding and stable management. All lessons are designed to improve the rider’s ability and are designed specifically for that person to suit their riding ability as well as their personal goals.

We focus on the inclusion of children and young people with special needs through therapeutic riding and a place to have fun! We have been running our therapeutic riding lessons for over 5 years now, as we accept students with a variety of physical, cognitive, emotional and developmental disabilities. Our newly developed Sensory trail has also gotten great use as a therapeutic tool. We are continuously striving to improve and introduce new courses, learning and support methods for those who need it most.

On our grounds we also have a 2.5 acre beautifully restored walled garden. The gardens were part of the Plunket estate and had been developed throughout their ownership, with each Baron Plunket making changes to the gardens which led to the addition of the kitchen garden, a large greenhouse, and a pool garden as well as various other changes. Today the gardens have an Ornamental Garden, a Pool Garden and a Kitchen Garden. The Ornamental garden has a beautiful fountain, various flower beds and borders, statues as well as various other original features. The Pool Garden has two large square pools and is the home to our terrapins and goldfish. Our Kitchen Garden has a beautiful herbaceous border, our working kitchen garden where we grow fruit and vegetables and our allotments.

The garden is also home to our garden shop where we stock a variety of seeds and plants, as well as various crafts and foods. We very much promote Irish goods and we work at the highest standards in our shop as we only stock the best of plants. We are always willing to give tips and advice to customers who are looking for direction while developing their garden, as we are proud of our very personal approach as it is rare in most industries these days.

Festina Lente
Old Connaught Avenue,
Bray,
Co. Wicklow.
(Office Hrs. 8:30 – 5:00 Mon – Fri)
Main Phone Number:(01)-2720704 / 6

Maps and directions:

Buses that stop on the Dublin Road, Bray (Old Connaught) are the: 45, 45A, 84, & 145

When you get of your bus walk to the Old Connaught Road corner at the traffic rights turn right and walk that road for around 10-20mins (the time will vary with each individual) and turn in right at the sign for Festina Lente outside the lane.

Once again we will have it in the ornamental garden and we will be welcoming back ‘Bagatelle’ again to perform.

BBQ facilities will be available for all to use so pack up lots of food to cook, and don’t forget to bring whatever crockery you’ll need also. You will be urged to bring any refreshments that you would like, and we will also have some on sale.

While the sun will be shining (hopefully) when the party kicks off at 6.30pm on the 15th of June, it will get probably get quite cool as the evening stretches into the later hours. It is also advised that a torch is packed as we do not have many lights in the garden and it’d be quite tough to make it out without a light!

So why not treat yourself to an evening in the beautiful setting of a 2.5 acre restored Victorian Garden with a truly wonderful atmosphere as well as some classic Irish rock n roll.

Tickets are €35 per person and a table of 10 people is €320.

For ticket availability please call Ann on (01) 272 0704.

Festina Lente Enterprises would like to invite applications for the following position    

Equestrian Training Programme Facilitator

This full time position will commence August 22nd 2012 and will involve working as part of a team to facilitate an equestrian vocational training programme for adults whose needs have not been met by mainstream services. This programme aims to equip learners with the skills they require to work in the equestrian industry. The primary purpose of the role is to work with the Training and Day Service Manager and the Equestrian Training Programme Team in the delivery of an Equestrian Training Programme to people with disabilities with an emphasis on person centred planning and personal growth and development.

The ideal candidate will have a third level qualification in a related field e.g. health and social services, and will have a minimum of three years’ experience working with people with disabilities and proven experience of facilitating training or educational programmes. Experience of working with horses and a good knowledge of the theory of stable & yard management are essential. Candidates must be physically able and fit for the strenuous nature of the post.

Closing Date for Applications: Tuesday June 12th

Interviews will be held: Thursday June 21st

For the job specifications please click here

For a job application form please click here

For informal enquiries please contact Siun Aherne: 01-272 0704 Ext: 207

EAL is fast becoming both a recognised and innovative approach to assist people of all ages in increasing their levels of self-awareness, and in doing so, facilitating improvements in areas such as self-confidence, personal responsibility, boundary setting, teamwork, communications, problem-solving and leadership skills. A number of studies have shown that participation in EAL Programmes have shown improvements in these areas. Equine facilitated programmes are experiential by nature allowing a dynamic to develop between the person and the horse providing excellent opportunities for developing self-awareness due to the horses immediate responses to people’s reactions, mirroring people’s emotions and thereby providing instant feedback.

                                                   Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

> What is involved in an EAL Session?
The EAL session starts with an observation session whereby the people observe between two and four horses interacting with each other within an arena space. This is followed by an opportunity for people to approach each of the horses and explore levels of self-awareness in being around horses. There are number of activities that can be used as part of the EAL sessions and in most cases the horses will not wear headcollars. Team focused activities can include individuals or groups to build an obstacle course through which both they and the horses/s walk where the focus is on communications, problem solving and relationships. Other activities explore our level of awareness of our boundaries and how they affect our relationships.

> Why is working with horses so beneficial?
Horses are able to read the most subtle cues and respond to the messages people give them in that moment with complete honesty. Horses reflect back the emotional state of the participant, so that people learn that if they learn their behaviours, the horses will respond differently.
Also, accomplishing a task involving a large and powerful horse instils confidence and self-assurance which the participant can bring to other challenging and intimidating situations in their lives.

>Will children learn to ride a horse?
No, the focus is on children working with horses on the ground, observing and interacting with the horse or pony based on their own levels of comfort.

>Is it safe?
Yes, the role of the equestrian advisor is to ensure the safety of both the people and horses at all times.

Festina Lente Equine Assisted Learning Service is now available to young people as a group or one a one to one. It is also be available to families, teams, and really anybody that would like to participate in an equine assisted learning and personal development session.

Sessions (group or individual) generally last an hour and a half. A group is usually made of between 2 and 4. Sessions may be a once off or can be availed of on a once-off basis or over a number of weeks.

Costs of a group session is €51.00 and the cost of an individual session is €35.00 per session. A separate price list is available for those referred by the private sector.

For further information please contact Jacinta Holly: (01)-2720704 Ext 9 or mobile: 087 9491922

Festina Lente Therapeutic Riding Coach application form1

Therapeutic Training Programme Overview 2012 – 2013

This is a FAS funded programme and as such, you will receive a Fas training allowance and you may qualify for a rent allowance.

For further information, please contact Siun Aherne at 01-2720704 ext. 207

Whils this programme is subsidised by Festina Lente Riding School, there is a cost of €29 per child per morning or €25.00 per afternoon. Further enquires from Clodagh at 01-2720704 Ext 201 or clodagh@festinalente.ie

We need to fundraise over €100,000 each year in order to keep this service going. So far, we have reached one third of our target. You can support this very worthwhile service for €10.00 per month. Please contact us directly or if you prefer, you can download a form from our website. Thank you