Ireland is 'top dog' for a pet-friendly break
For travellers who like to holiday with their best friend – the four-legged kind – there is no better destination than the island of Ireland.
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Castlemartyr Resort, Co. Cork
With fabulous forest walks, gorgeous sandy beaches and lots of dog-friendly attractions, the island of Ireland is a top destination for those who love to travel with their canine companion. And the icing on the cake is the fantastic range of luxury accommodation that welcomes pets.
From elegant country houses to lakeside retreats, you can find a wealth of accommodation that offers superior comfort and top-class amenities for both hounds and their humans alike.
At Cabu, luxury log cabins and lake houses on the shores of Lough Oughter offer a chance to immerse yourself in nature. The rustic hideaway has dog-friendly cabins that are beautifully furnished with bespoke rugs, Irish wool blankets, antler chandeliers, and wood-fired stoves. Just a step from your cabin you will be able to enjoy a range of wellness experiences. Follow a forest trail with your dog and then relax in the forest bathing area and fill your senses with the sounds and smells of nature. Take to the water in a rowing boat and rest assured your dog will be safe in its doggy life jacket, available in three sizes, or hire a bike and pop your pooch in a caddie to enjoy the ride with you.
Creature comforts abound for people and their pooches at this tranquil boutique hotel and spa just 20 minutes from the vibrant city of Belfast. Named best place to stay in Northern Ireland in 2024, the Rabbit Hotel has dog-friendly rooms featuring dog pillows and an outdoor bathtub, and dogs are also welcome in the bar. The laid-back vibe extends to the resident dog, Florence, who personally greets each canine guest. For humans, the luxury spa offers the ultimate in relaxation with a Roman bath, lakeside heated pebble beach, waterbeds, hot tubs and a sauna and steam room, as well as a range of spa treatments.
Castlemartyr Resort, Co. Cork
Eighteenth-century Tankardstown Manor House & Orangery is the epitome of Irish country house elegance. It offers a warm welcome to all its guests providing a VIP (Very Important Pooch) welcome package for every dog. The dog-friendly courtyard cottages are beautifully furnished and give easy access to the walled garden and the expansive grounds - ideal for long leisurely walks. The award-winning Brabazon Restaurant located in the Garden Village boasts fine dining using local produce and is a wonderful place to enjoy a relaxing evening meal.
Travelling with a dog doesn’t mean you can’t stay in five-star luxury accommodation. Castlemartyr Resort, a superb manor set in 220 acres of landscaped and wooded grounds, is renowned for its pet-friendly amenities. Dogs are greeted with a welcome gift upon arrival, and the resort offers a unique pet concierge service that can arrange local dog walkers and sitters, as well as groomers and vets. Guests are provided with a map of nearby pet-friendly strolls and the hotel’s complimentary transfers will take you further afield to walking routes such as the Ballycotton cliff walk. Linking Ballycotton village to Ballyandreen beach, this beautiful stretch is bordered by meadows on one side and the Atlantic Ocean on the other.
Lusty Beg Island, Lodge, Kesh, Co Fermanagh
Escape with your furry friend to the serenity of a private island in the beautiful County Fermanagh lakelands. Lustybeg Island Resort is surrounded by a heritage woodland forest with lots of picturesque trails for you and your dog to explore. Choose from a dog-friendly B&B room, self-catering chalet or lodge, and kick back and enjoy the stunning views over the water. The resort’s Lodge Bar and Restaurant is also dog-friendly, so visitors and their canine companions can unwind after a busy day of exploration.