Northern Ireland and dogs

Alison32
Alison32 Forum Participant Posts: 2
edited November 2023 in UK Campsites & Touring #1

I am looking for some advice please for our ideas about going to Northern Ireland to do the coastal route for a couple of weeks in April next year. We have two small dogs and our ideal trip away is to enjoy lovely walks during the day and end up in a local pub for a few drinks at the end of it. A few people have told us that Ireland is not that dog friendly as far as taking them inside venues and that we may struggle to find places that are accepting.

Have any of you tried this or heard anything that might help us either choose a route or even think about another tour to Scotland or Wales where we might find it easier?

Thanks

Alison

Comments

  • Takethedogalong
    Takethedogalong Forum Participant, Forum Participant Trusted Posts: 17,293
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    edited November 2023 #2

    I doubt Ireland is more difficult to tour with a dog than anywhere else in British Isles. Just needs some research and going with a common sense approach. As in UK, many places, particularly serving food, may restrict visitors to certain areas of a building, or even outside eateries only, and most UK historic houses (NT, HHA) have certain restrictions for allowing dogs, so it’s just common sense here as it will be there. This might be a useful website, there will be others to check out for proper facts, and not hearsay…..

    https://pawsfriendly.com/pet-friendly-blog/dog-friendly-pubs-in-ireland#:~:text=Dogs%20are%20allowed%20in%20many,restaurants%2C%20and%20activities%20across%20Ireland.

    We have toured both areas of Wales and Scotland, and do similar research for going there. Pubs are always at either the landlord or brewery chain discretion. Avoid Wetherspoon’s.

     

  • nelliethehooker
    nelliethehooker Club Member Posts: 13,935
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    edited November 2023 #3

    Alison, a friend of ours toured the whole coast of Ireland last year with her dog and she did find that some places don't allow dogs in, but she just googled Dog Friendly Pubs and categorised for her, just as tda suggests above.

  • Alison32
    Alison32 Forum Participant Posts: 2
    edited November 2023 #4

    Thanks a lot - I do always research but then some of the comments I had been given just made me doubt.

    However I will properly go into it and sort out my tour.

    THanks

     

  • nelliethehooker
    nelliethehooker Club Member Posts: 13,935
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    edited November 2023 #5

    Hope you get your trip sorted out, Alison, and you find plenty of eating places that allow your dogs in.

  • Brian1
    Brian1 Club Member Posts: 247
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    edited November 2023 #6

    It's 7 or 8 years since we were there, but our experience was that Ireland generally (North and South) was less dog friendly than mainland UK.  There are places where you can take dogs, but less common.  Great apart from that though !

  • Tirril
    Tirril Forum Participant Posts: 439
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    edited November 2023 #7

    On a slightly different point about dogs a motorhomer friend mentioned that the additional papers etc required to take dogs to N.I were not being required for ferry journeys. I have checked and officially the matter seems to be awaiting official confirmation for the last two years and as a result is not being enforced. Attached is a link (page down to the highlighted section).

    https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/articles/travelling-pets#:~:text=On 15 September 2021, DAERA,UK government and EU continue.

     

     

  • nelliethehooker
    nelliethehooker Club Member Posts: 13,935
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    edited November 2023 #8

    Tirril, I have made your link live now.

    https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/articles/travelling-pets#:~:text=On%2015%20September%202021%2C%20DAERA,UK%20government%20and%20EU%20continue.

     

  • edznorthwales
    edznorthwales Club Member Posts: 6
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    edited December 2024 #9

    I have enquired with my vet and they do need the correct injections before going a N ireland, one is minimum 6 weeks before departure from main land UK. I am going Vis Birkenhead to Belfast ( outbound) and Dublin Holyhead ( return) going north then down Atlantic Coast and suggestion of places to visit welcome dae towing All and font forget Red Pennant

  • eurortraveller
    eurortraveller Club Member Posts: 6,851
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    #10
    https://clubtogether.caravanclub.co.uk/discussion/comment/870236#Comment_870236

    On the routes you have given your dog will get into Nortnern Ireland without an expensive Animal Health Certificate, and will be able cross the border without it into the Republic too, but what you need to verify is whether that certificate is needed for the final ferry from Dublin back to the UK. Please check with the ferry company.

  • eurortraveller
    eurortraveller Club Member Posts: 6,851
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    #11

    As you were. You may need the Animal Health Certificate for your first ferry too. Sorry.

  • retiredbeep
    retiredbeep Club Member Posts: 52
    First Comment
    #12

    We live in N Ireland and luckily we did not spend several hundred pounds getting pet passports as they never been asked for. You are correct the new law is not being enforced as discussions are ongoing. We travel to England every year but we travel from the north on the Belfast to Cairnryan route without any paperwork. I can not speak about travelling from the South of Ireland.

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