There’s no need to leave canine chums at home when you can bring your BFF on staycation …
Great guides for pet-friendly stays are Bring Fido or Paws Friendly, which recommend the swish Dylan Hotel in Dublin. It offers a limited number of rooms where supplements for pets cost €100. Close to the Dylan in Ballsbridge is also Pembroke Townhouse, one of my favourite guesthouses that’s convenient to Herbert Park for dog walks. @dylandublin
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Colourful and contemporary, Aloft Dublin City offers thoughtful touches such as a comfy bed and welcome treats to help pets settle in. St Patrick’s Park and the Grand Canal are just a short stroll away. Soak in the views from the hotel’s rooftop terrace and enjoy dinner in Tenters Gastro Pub. @aloftdublincity
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Batty Langley Lodge, Co Kildare
My go-to is the Irish Landmark Trust that offers an interesting range of options from cosy cottages and historic estates to dramatic lighthouses. Provided they’re house trained, dogs are welcome in several properties, including this elegant two-storey Palladian gate lodge. It’s at the entrance to Castletown House where there are plenty of lovely walks through the parkland. @irishlandmarktrust
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Surrounded by 530 acres of parkland and gardens, Rathsallagh is renowned for its fine dining and championship golf course. The hotel allows dogs to stay by prior arrangement, with kennels on site and scenic woodland walks nearby. @rathsallaghhouse
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The Doggie Deal in Tankardstown’s Courtyard Cottage Suites or Stable Rooms includes treats on arrival. Guests have access to 80 acres of parkland and two walled gardens, which means there’s ample opportunity to work up an appetite before dinner in Brabazon Restaurant, always the highlight of any stay. @tankardstownhouse
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Mount Congreve Gardens, Co Waterford
Mount Congreve’s so-called Forest Hotel comprises gorgeous gate lodges, family cabins and apartments that are all pet-friendly. At Rowan Gate Lodge, there’s even a dedicated Dog Room complete with beds and toys from Irish maker Country Pet. Further incentives: guests and their canine friends also have “the keys to the gardens” to explore after-hours, and direct access to the Waterford Greenway. @mountcongreve
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Farnham Estate’s spacious Resort Houses (from just €65 per person per night) can sleep up to eight guests as well as a pet – they even receive their own welcome card, bed, treats and a toy to keep. Additional towels are provided in anticipation of all the muddy fun, lake swims and woodland walkies this resort has to offer. @farnhamestate
Dogs at The Park is a considered pet-friendly programme where your pooch will be accommodated in one of the select number of Terrace rooms. Details include a plush Alice & Co. dog bed, welcome treats and Nádúr dog food, a grain-free Irish brand made in Kilkenny. Discerning pets also have an À La Bark menu to choose from! Beyond the gates, Reenagross Park has plenty of meandering woodland paths and river views, while Kenmare is just a short wander away where many local cafés and pubs have dog-friendly outdoor seating. @parkkenmare
This charming country house hotel welcomes well behaved dogs in select ground-floor rooms with garden access. The house – formerly a converted 19th-century convent – is surrounded by ten acres of beautiful gardens and orchards in the Golden Vale, so there’s plenty of scope for walks. Try its Just Pawfect two-night getaway where pets stay free. @themustardseed
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The Lodge at Ashford Castle, Co Mayo
Set within Ashford Castle Estate, this discreet four-star property has a dedicated Pet Concierge, so there’s no need to pack any additional gear. Pet sitting, dog walking and grooming services are also provided if needed. Pets can be included in a room reservation at a cost of €25 per night per pet (a €500 damage deposit is requested at check-in). @ashfordcastle
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Becoming pet-friendly in 2022, a new S-Paw Days package gives guests guilt-free time to enjoy the hotel’s spa and thermal suite while their pooch is spoiled at The Spaw – a pet pampering service offering unique ozone and microbubble treatments, which improve skin and hair health. Sign us up! @thekingsleyhotel
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A year-round dog-friendly destination with a pet policy of one dog with a maximum weight of 35kgs per room for a non-refundable fee of €20 per night, the Moxy provides cosy beds and all the trimmings. Look out for the opening of Moxy Belfast later this month! @moxycork
There’s nothing happier than a dog on a beach, and during a stay at Dunmore House your pooch can join you to discover ten stunning beaches close to the hotel. Oceanview dog-friendly rooms start from €300. @dunmorehousehotel
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Known for its destination spa, Galgorm has invested €3m to add Forest Dens to its impressive range of accommodation options which includes 125 guest rooms, 29 cottage suites, 16 shepherd’s huts, six log cabins and three large residences. Many of these are dog-friendly such as the characterful Cottage Suites beside the River Maine with private hot tubs and fireplaces. The group also owns The Old Inn at Crawfordsburn which is pet-friendly too. @galgormresort
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Killyhevlin Lakeside Lodges, Co Fermanagh
One of my favourite getaways with Jamie, my four-year-old Irish Terrier, where the spacious two-bedroom Lakeside and Woodland self-catering Lodges provide ample scope for watching the cruisers on Lough Erne and swan spotting. Guests can also enjoy breakfast, lunch or dinner with their pets in the foyer of the hotel. I recommend a visit to Castle Coole, a National Trust gem, in addition to other local attractions such as the Marble Arch Caves and Geo Park, ‘Ireland’s Stairway to Heaven’ (Cuilcagh Boardwalk) and Florence Court. @killyhevlin
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Irish Ferries has a super saver offer for pet owners: dogs or cats travel for free on Britain to Ireland crossings. It’s the only company offering a Pet Den lounge on both Ireland to Britain and Dover to Calais crossings with ample indoor space and access to dedicated outside deck areas.
Brittany Ferries has also introduced 18 pet-friendly cabins for the first time on its ferry Armorique, which runs a twice-weekly Cork Harbour to Roscoff service. These cabins have convenient access to a pet promenade area on the outside deck. Brittany Ferries says that 75,000 pets and their owners have travelled on their routes – highlighting the soaring demand and popularity for pet-friendly travel.
