IS it really a holiday if you can’t take your best friend? And we don’t mean the human kind, but man’s furry best friend.
We’re a nation of animal lovers and demand for dog-friendly hospitality venues where four-legged guests are just as welcome as their humans has grown and grown in recent years.
Dublin is awash with dog-friendly restaurants and cafes where dog owners don’t even need to ask for those all-important water bowls and dog treats.
But how does it look when it comes to going on holiday in Ireland with your beloved pooch and where are the most dog-friendly spots?
Firzana Mcphilomey has toured Ireland with her multi-toy poodle mix Miso.
And the Belfast woman documents her doggy travels on her popular TikTok account.
She reckons Miso deserves the same five-star experience as humans at some of Ireland’s top hotels and said luxury accommodation is only becoming more dog-friendly.
Firzana told the Irish Sun: “Miso is like a celebrity. She gets all the attention.
“She gets really, really excited. So she just wants to see people. And I was really surprised at how many luxury hotels are accommodating dogs.
“They’ve made a lot more allowances because previously they might have had a dog weight limit and now we’re seeing bigger dogs like golden retrievers even around various hotels.”
Firzana reckons Cork is the most dog-friendly county in Ireland with the widest selection of hospitality venues.
And her top pick for accommodation is the “luxurious and spacious” five-star Castlemartyr Resort in East Cork.
Firzana said having your own garden and outdoor patio makes a world of difference when travelling with your dog.
She said: “It just makes your pottying so much handier. It’s all closed off so there’s no risk of your dog getting out.
“That’s literally the best feature…I noticed the garden area while booking, but I didn’t realise how good it was until we arrived.
“It felt very safe for her to just roam around.”
The room’s dog-friendly amenities included doggy bowls, treats and a “really nice dog bed”.
FAB FEATURES
The hotel grounds include a forest trail, perfect for taking your pooch for their daily walk.
And the resort also offers a unique dog-sitting service, with hourly rates from €15.
Firzana said while some hotels might charge extra for you to bring your dog, the rates are slightly different at Castlemartyr.
She explained: “Castlemartyr didn’t charge us anything extra but because it’s a dog friendly room it’s a little bit more expensive than the usual rooms.”
Castlemartyr Resort warns pet owners that the maximum size of dog they allow is a that of a standard Labrador and all pets must be well-trained including recall to stay on site.
And Firzana said it’s up to dog owners to ensure they clarify the rules at their selected accommodation before travelling, adding: “Ring the hotel because it’s sometimes not clear, or directly email them.”
Also in Cork, Firzana rates Liss Ard Estate while Carton House in Kildare completes the line-up of her top-three Irish dog-friendly hotels.
At Liss Ard Estate, pets can stay in their garden house king rooms for an extra €40 per night.
And at Carton House, dogs can stay with their owners in the hotel’s Garden Wing for an additional €50 nightly.
The content creator said the price for travelling with your pooch can rack up very quickly.
PRICEY PLAN
She said: “It’s actually more expensive travelling with a dog.
“Miso is so wee so she can’t even be kennelled. So they actually would agree to take her in the house and it’d be only €15 per night.”
But the biggest challenge Firzana faces with Miso on staycations is on city breaks because it’s trickier to find green space to allow her to do her business outdoors.
And before setting out on a doggy adventure, Firzana urged owners to plan ahead.
She said: “The main tips I’d have would be have your car seat, portable water and food bowl in case of delay for check-in.
“If you’re going to a city hotel, bring puppy pads and doggy wipes. We wipe her clean before entering the hotel.
“And my top tip is prepare if you want to travel loads with dogs, have both the option of pee pads and pottying outside.
“Crate train for sure. That saves us a lot of bother – having a crate and she can just sleep in the crate.”
Several more hotels across Ireland are highly rated by dog owners with top contenders including the plush Ashford Castle in Mayo, the Cliff at Lyons in Kildare, Gregan’s Castle in Clare as well as Cork’s Kingsley and Dunmore House Hotel.
And more options include The Twelve in Galway, Cabu by the Lakes in Cavan, Galway’s Glenlo Abbey, Randles and its sister property the Dromhnall Hotel in Kerry, as well as the stunning Sheen Falls Lodge and Glasson Lakehouse in Westmeath.
Dogs Trust Ireland say a staycation with furry friends can be a “wonderful experience” but there are considerations to keep in mind in advance – and going on staycations may not be the best options for all pups.
Bosses advise: “While some pups may have the time of their life, others may be better off left at home with a dog minder.
“Start by assessing whether your pup will cope in the new environment. If they will, what type of holiday would best suit them?
“When choosing where to stay, think about the local amenities that are available. Is there a range of dog-friendly walks, beaches or places to eat?
“It’s worth searching the local area to ensure both you and your pup can enjoy everything there is to offer.
“In the summer season, not all beaches are open to dogs, so if you plan on staying beside the seaside, double-check this before making the trip.”
TOP TIPS FOR TAKING YOUR DOG ON HOLIDAY
- Most dogs love routine. So, keep as close to theirs as possible by feeding them at the same time you would at home, for example.
- Take their food and make sure their diet remains the same as it would back at home.
- There’s lots to do and explore. But remember, dogs need 16 to 18 hours of rest or sleep per day, so make sure this is planned into your schedule.
- Don’t leave your dog alone for too long. Most accommodation will allow you to leave them as long as you are still on the premises. Just make sure they are comfortable spending time alone.
- Take comforts from home, such as a blanket they can snuggle up to.
And when it comes to packing, double check with your accommodation as to what they have on hand for dogs that you can save on bringing plus most importantly make sure your dog’s microchip is all up to date.
They added: “If the details are wrong and your dog was to go missing while you’re on holiday, it’ll be harder to be reunited.
“Different parts of the country may have different disease risk. So, it’s best to make sure your dog is up to date with vaccinations, flea, tick and worming treatment before travelling.”
And as temperatures rise in the summer months, the rescue group warned owners to “never ever leave a dog alone in a car”, as sadly, just a few minutes can prove fatal.
They added: “Please keep in mind that dogs cannot cope with the warmer weather the way we can.
“And stick to walking early in the morning or late in the evening when it’s cooler.”
