From the limestone cliffs of Galway and Mayo to Cork’s sandy beaches and Dublin’s leafy Phoenix Park, Ireland’s diverse landscape makes it an ideal holiday destination for outdoor adventures – whether you’re exploring on two and four legs.
Feast on savoury meals in a 19th-century lodge, indulge in some spa pampering in a 5-star castle, or embrace rural scenery along a peaceful riverside: here are some of our top home bases for you and your dog.
Exuding the authentic character of a 19th-century Victorian country home, the deluxe suites at the Mustard Seed hotel are a refined location to spend some quality time with your four-legged companion.
Gilded couches, four-poster beds and an elegant fireplace transport you to a more peaceful time, while sweeping vistas of the colourful gardens and unspoilt emerald countryside highlight Ireland’s perennial natural appeal. Open up the door and let the fresh air blow in, watching as your dog bounds through the 12 acres of carefully tended grounds.
Set in the Echo Lodge country house, the Mustard Seed restaurant has been dishing up world-class food for more than 30 years. Head chef Angel Pirev serves a sumptuous four-course menu with the finest locally sourced seasonal ingredients – an ideal way to sample the classic flavours of Ireland’s culinary and agricultural heritage.
Dishes like melt-in-the-mouth lamb belly, fall-off-the-bone confit guinea fowl and al dente ravioli add fine-dining flair to the Irish tradition, while the earlier Twilight dinner proposes a range of budget-friendly alternatives that still know how to tempt the taste buds.
Stroll with your dog through the Mustard Seed’s vegetable gardens, soaking in the scent of spices (many of which will feature on the evening’s menu) or head for a walk in one of the nearby botanical centres.
Red roses, purple clematis and snow-white jasmine flowers mingle with verdant shrubs and leafy perennials at the 2 acre Moanwing Garden (around 15 minutes’ drive), an ideal place for you and your furry friend to spend some quality time together.
Inhale the wafting aroma of freshly baked bread and all manner of delicious treats at the Twelve Hotel’s bakery – the hotel’s very own bread, pastry and cake shop. Discover chocolate fondants, cream-filled eclairs and tasty gifts like preserves and marmalades.
The master bakers here prepare their pastries every day, so pop in there to indulge yourself with an early morning coffee and fresh scone, or order a bespoke cake to take back to your room to celebrate a special birthday.
Guest rooms at the Twelve hotel come with super-soft premium mattresses designed for comfort, and a host of thoughtful extras, such as iPod docking stations and hypo-allergenic goose-down bedding.
The ambient purple mood lighting and sleek black tiles in the bathroom create a scenic setting for bubble baths or in-room spa treatments, while spacious pet-friendly suites give you and Fido extra room to spread out and relax. A food and drinking bowl with fresh mineral water is provided in each room, or you can spoil your pooch with room service for two.
A lounge area for dogs is equipped with fun toys and bones to keep them occupied, so why not give your dog some ‘me-time’ and then head to the spa for some of your own?
Built within the leafy grounds of a stately 13th-century manor house, the Lodge at Ashford Castle supplies 135 acres of verdant lawns, intricately manicured gardens and glistening lakefront for a trip with your canine companion.
The on-site School of Falconry – the oldest institution of its kind in the country – offers one hour guided walks through the dense deciduous woodlands.
Experience an elegant bird of prey on your arm and your dog at your heels, while the glittering night-time illuminations of the circular pond in Tollman Garden provide an enchanting setting for an evening stroll. Witness the gentle light casting the reds, greens and blues of the area in an atmospheric glow.
The lavish guestrooms at the Lodge cater to two-legged and four-legged visitors alike. Complete with goose-down pillows and duvets, 400-thread-count Egyptian cotton sheets and luxurious glass chandeliers, the décor creates an opulent yet homely space to unwind in. A cosy bed and fluffy towels are provided for your pup on arrival, ideal for bedding down after a long day of running free.
Awarded 2 AA rosettes, and named Hotel Restaurant of the Year at the 2018 Irish Hotel Awards, Wilde’s Restaurant has a simple but effective motto – ‘local food with imagination’.
Locally sourced produce – think crab from Connemara, mussels from the Killary fjord and scallops from Kilmore – highlights Ireland’s world-class culinary heritage. The kitchen can also whip up tasty and nutritious snacks for your dog, with dishes such as bangers and mash and bread and butter pudding among the offerings.
The suites at the majestic Lough Eske Castle Hotel & Spa embody elegance and sophistication, with granite-top bathroom sinks, marble tiling and walk-in wardrobes lined with cedar wood among the tasteful décor on display.
It’s not just the human guests that are catered for though. On arrival, your four-legged friend will be treated to a welcome bed basket and blanket, encouraging a 5-star night’s sleep for the two of you, as you sink into your luxurious oak-framed bed.
This one-time Victorian glasshouse has undergone a contemporary transformation and been converted into a nurturing day spa. Treat yourself to some pampering amid the glorious surroundings of the Wild Atlantic Way. Bask in the gentle aroma of ginger with a Vitamin E-infused Aroma Energiser massage, or indulge in a detoxifying seaweed wrap with Yon-ka’s signature collection of essential oils.
While you’re unwinding in the pool area, decorated with glittering aquamarine and gold mosaic patterns, spoil your dog with a grooming session. Your pooch can emerge with a freshly washed and shiny coat, embracing the full pampering experience.
Set against the inviting backdrop of dense deciduous woodland and rolling Victorian gardens, the Cedars Restaurant is an idyllic spot for an evening meal. The floor-to-ceiling windows showcase the verdant hinterland, while the extensive menu offers tantalising dishes made from only the finest Irish ingredients.
Sample delectable delicacies, such as barbecue monkfish and Angus beef fillet, before retiring to your room where the food and water tray provided serves your pooch some fine dining, too.
Locally sourced ingredients cooked to perfection, with an added splash of contemporary flair – that’s what’s on the menu at the glamorous Bell Tower restaurant at the Castlemartyr Resort.
Gaze out at the expansive green lawns of this 17th-century manor home, or admire the period-appropriate silver candlesticks and crystal chandeliers, which combine to give this setting a charmingly vintage atmosphere, before tucking into some of Ireland’s most popular delicacies. Dishes like filo-wrapped Dublin Bay prawns, slow-roasted suckling pig and caramel tart with Jameson whiskey underscore Ireland’s culinary charms, while a warm Irish coffee after dinner closes the day in style.
Marble bathroom vanities, plush slippers and robes (plus bedside panels for turning on lights and closing blinds) are just some of the convenient features that the guest bedrooms provide. Why not let the gentle flow of the rainforest shower rejuvenate you after a long, winding walk with your dog?
If you’re feeling a little more freewheeling, opt for the independence of self-catering accommodation. The open-plan layout and floor-to-ceiling windows of the homes in the Walled Gardens make them an ideal spot for basking with your pet on a sunny day.
If you’re in need of a little pampering, look no further than the on-site spa. Indulge your senses with an Oriental Garden Escape, savouring the rich medley of cinnamon, poppy seeds and cardamom that lingers in the air as you experience a gentle foot massage and revitalising exfoliation treatment.
Once you’re feeling rested and re-energised, it’s time to treat your faithful friend to a long walk through the leafy environs of the adjacent Castlemartyr Wood. You and your pet might even spot otters and kingfishers if you follow the trail close to the Womanagh River.
Set inside a red-brick Victorian exterior, the guest rooms at the Dylan Hotel are fitted with all the luxuries you’d expect from a 5-star hotel. Memory foam mattresses for added comfort, silky-smooth percale sheets with a high thread count and Italian marble bathroom fixtures lend each suite an elegant and refined atmosphere.
Thoughtful touches – on-demand movies, Nespresso coffee makers and heated towel rails to name a few, add further luxury to your stay. Your pooch is made to feel equally at home on arrival – they’ll be provided with a bed, as well as a water bowl and food dish (meaning you can pack light for the journey).
The Dylan Hotel is ideally situated for outdoor adventures with your furry companion, thanks to its proximity to a number of Dublin’s most celebrated outdoor attractions.
Wander through the leafy environs of St. Stephen’s Green, admiring the colourful displays of tulips, geraniums and petunias that blossom in the Victorian flower beds in the summer, as well as the graceful skim of the swans across the park’s central lake. Take a minute to let your dog bark a greeting to the birds, before carrying on to the Blind Garden, where fragrant shrubs and aromatic herbs entice the noses of dogs and humans alike.
The hotel’s concierge team is happy to organise off-site treats for your dog, including walks and grooming, so treat them to their private adventure, and head to the Dylan Bar for some relaxation of your own.
Take a seat on the terrace, backed by verdant shrubbery and Japanese-styled partitions, and sample bespoke cocktails, infused with an ever-changing selection of summer flavours, such as honeysuckle, elderflower, cherry and pear.
Situated on the shores of Lough Eske at the foot of the Blue Stack mountains, the elegant Harvey’s Point is a gorgeous luxury hotel surrounded by the natural beauty of Donegal.
Get ready to take in Donegal’s stunning surroundings at the 4-star Harvey’s Point. Tee off at the nearby Donegal links courses, explore the picturesque walking trails or try your hand at surfing at Murvagh and Rossnowlagh.
The suites at Harvey’s Point promise real luxury, whether you go Executive, Deluxe, Premium, Lakeshore or Penthouse. Get ready to lap up gorgeous amenities like private balconies, whirlpool bathtubs for two and even your own personal bar.
There is also a treatment and relaxation room where a range of beauty treatments are available, such as hot stone massages and facials. Gwyneth Paltrow and Natalie Portman are supposedly fans of the organic wellness brand Ila, so you know you’re getting the star treatment.
Enjoy a romantic dinner in the hotel’s theatre-style open kitchen that looks out onto the waters of the lake, followed by a cosy drink by the open fire – the bar and terrace boasts a large gin and whiskey menu.
The Gleneagle Hotel – a top pet-friendly hotel in the south of Ireland – is the ideal base for a night of entertainment at the INEC, particularly if you’re coming with the whole family in tow! The family bedrooms and suites are spacious, modern and bright, but if you fancy even more room, you could always check into one of the self-catering apartments.
Plus, keeping the kids occupied has never been so easy. At the Gleneagle there’s something to suit the whole family, whether it’s the hotel kids club, children’s splash pool at the Aquila Club Leisure Centre, children’s disco or the indoor soft play area for when the typical Irish weather kicks in.
It’s not all about the younger guests though. While the kids are busy and having fun, why not treat yourself to a visit to the sauna, steam room or Jacuzzi in the onsite leisure centre? Or get all dolled up in the hair and beauty salons for a night on the town?
The Backstage Bar is the perfect place for a pre-show drink with some live music to get you in the mood, or if you fancy something more laidback, the Green Room serves a bistro-style bar menu with tasty light bites. Get the whole family on board at OD’s, a refreshingly informal option that still promises great food and atmosphere.
Gregans Castle is a luxurious country house hotel tucked away in the heart of the Burren. The 18th-century manor home – which is also a pet-friendly hotel in Co Clare – boasts incredible views across Galway Bay.
Each one of the hotel’s rooms and suites have been individually designed, with handpicked antique furniture to complete the intimate atmosphere. The piece de resistance is definitely the views, looking over the garden, the bay or the mountains.
Sample fresh, local ingredients such as organic Burren lamb and fresh Atlantic shellfish. The Corkscrew Bar serves local beer and apretifs, or even an afternoon tea if you feel like splurging.