You’re off on your summer holidays, and this year, with foreign travel probably less likely, your four-legged friend doesn’t need to be checked into boarding kennels or billeted out with friends or family.
But is Fido welcome to join you everywhere you might want to visit for a meal or a drink? Since November 2017, when regulations were amended, cafe, bar and restaurant owners have been able to decide whether or not to allow dogs on their premises.
The take-up has been slow to allow dogs join their owners indoors, the Restaurants Association of Ireland has said. But with ever more outdoors dining and drinking options, has that made it easier to have the family pet part of the holiday dining experience?
A recent visitor to Co Mayo reports that “most cafes were welcoming of our little dog. However, a few said, sorry, no dogs - even outside, leashed, sitting quietly under the table.”
In contrast, Dungarvan and West Waterford Chamber of Commerce recently launched a promotional video, A Dog’s Day Out, highlighting the attractions the region offers to dog owners and the efforts hospitality providers were making to welcome four-legged visitors.
Before you set off, you can look for pubs, cafes and restaurants that welcome dogs by checking the listings at pawsfriendly.com. Sarah Hanrahan has also collated a list of 90 Dublin restaurants that welcome dogs on her Instagram account @i_come_undone.
We asked dog owners on social media to recommend the cafes, bars and restaurants where their four-legged companions have had an extra special welcome. Here is a selection of the responses.
DUBLIN
Amy Austin
Drury Street car park, Dublin 2, amyaustin.ie
Hobknob, restaurateur John Farrell's boxer, rules the roost here, so dogs are welcome indoors at Amy Austin, when reopening is allowed, as well as at the restaurant's outdoors, all-weather area, Afuera.
Farmer Brown's
Clonskeagh, Dublin 6, farmerbrowns.ie
Anna McHugh says that in the Clonskeagh branch of this pub chain, "our dog was welcomed and remembered the next time we visited, and welcomed again." McHugh also recommends Casper & Giumbinis in Dún Laoghaire which she says are "very welcoming to well behaved doggies who like to dine out."
The Orange Goat
Ballsbridge, Dublin 4 and Killester, Dublin 5
David Gilmartin has done a lot of research into dog-friendly cafes and restaurants. "Without a shadow of a doubt, The Orange Goat in Ballsbridge is the best in Dublin, after a year of searching. We go every morning now and our fella Kobe is greeted with fresh chicken and treats. They even threw him a birthday party with presents!" Ciara McGowan is similarly impressed by the Killester branch: "My very large greyhound Dobby got his own bowls with complimentary chicken and some extra eggs I ordered him in Killester at the weekend."
777
South Great George's Street, Dublin 2, 777.ie
Ted loves 777, according to his owner Paul Allen, where he gets "a great welcome, a doggie bowl and treats."
Coppinger Row
Dublin 2, coppingerrow.com
Lots of appreciation for the warm welcome given to dogs at both Coppinger Row and sister restaurant Charlotte Quay. "The team spoiled the two we have, says Michael Boyle of his visit to Coppinger Row. "Apollo is a Hungarian Vizsla and Twiggy is a cocker spaniel. They are well behaved and all the team asked if we were ok with giving them scraps, which we were delighted about. They were nearly better fed than we were. It was a really positive experience and will certainly be bringing them back."
“We always have plenty of bowls for water and we keep a nice supply of treats available. We even have our own canine regulars,” says a representative of both restaurants.
Dylan Hotel
Eastmoreland Place, Dublin 4, dylan.ie
Thora Mackey's Alfie is a pampered pooch who likes the good life. "Before Covid, Alfie sussed out the best places for doggos and his favourite was the Dylan hotel - and anywhere in France. Ireland's hospitality needs embrace its doggie customer base a bit more."
Rascals Brewery
Inchicore, Dublin 8, rascalsbrewing.com
Tom Mughal voted for this popular pizza and beer spot, where his greyhound Sukie is made very welcome. "The folks in Rascals are great and there's a fab outdoor area, I so would definitely recommend this place for dog owners."
Michael's
Mount Merrion, Co Dublin, michaels.ie
Seafood and steak are the draw here, and the outside dining terrace gets the paws up from a very discerning cocker spaniel, who has her own Instagram account, @roisethecocker. She also likes Gaillot et Grey, and according to her owners, Rustom Manecksha and Venita Broderick, "the red carpet was rolled out for her in both places."
Lemon and Duke
1 Royal Hibernian Way, Dublin 2,lemonandduke.ie
This city centre bar welcomes dogs on its terrace. Pamela Laird says, "I've had my pooch here and they were amazing."
Fade Street Social
6 Fade Street, Dublin 2, fadestreetsocial.com
Hospitality public relations firm HOST has its own office dogs, including Sadie and Cooper, owned by Breffni O'Dwyer. Spoiled for choice when it comes to dining spots, they favour Fade Street Social and also like Drury Buildings, after a hard day at the office. " Both are really welcoming and brought out a bowl of water immediately," O'Dwyer says.
The Belfry
Stoneybatter, Dublin 7
"I have had nothing but positive experiences nationwide with both dogs and consider it an upshot of the pandemic that Ireland is becoming more dog friendly," says Ciara Ahern. As well as her locals, The Belfry and Bonobo, she also recommends Glasson Lakehouse and Cashel House Hotel.
CLARE
Holly's
Kilkee, Co Clare
Vivienne Lawlor recommends a new cafe in Kilkee called Holly's. "Water bowls outside, hooks to attach dog leads, dog treats for sale, and also the best coffee and most incredible cakes in west Clare."
CORK
Idaho Café
19 Caroline Street, Cork, idaho.ie
Proprietor Richard Jacob says: "We always welcome well behaved customers, on two legs or four." Get your dog camera ready though as their hashtags is #WePappOurPups.
Paradiso
Lancaster Quay, Cork, paradiso.restaurant
"They were really good to our sausage dog, who was given water and lots of attention by staff," says Twitter correspondent @norahops123. "Freddy loved it there, but the only thing is, he'd way prefer meat."
Dunmore House Hotel
Clonakilty, Co Cork, dunmorehousehotel.ie
Andrew Walker gives this place his number one vote. "Dunmore House sets the standard for dog friendly hotels and places to eat, that we have come across in Ireland." Management says: "We love welcoming dogs to all our outdoor dining areas and our sea terrace. Irish organic dog treats for all too."
Celtic Ross Hotel
Rosscarbery, Co Cork, celticrosshotel.com
The welcome mat is out at this Co Cork hotel. "We have lovely outdoor seating, including some covered and a "Dog Bar" at our food truck Craft," they say.
DONEGAL
Quay West
Quay Street, Donegal town, quaywestdonegal.ie
Award winning seafood restaurant and Ulster seafood restaurant of the year 2020 has an open door policy for dogs. "One of the benefits of outdoor dining, all doggies welcome," they say.
GALWAY
The Twelve
Barna, Galway, thetwelvehotel.ie
Several dog owners vouched for The Twelve hotel as being an exceptionally dog friendly business. "The outdoor dining space Nóin always lays out the red fluffy carpet for ours. There are really cool doggie bowls that always put a smile on your face and even a doggie menu - my labradors won't go anywhere else now. They're treated like royalty," says Deborah O'Halloran.
Tartare
56 Dominick Street Lr, Galway, tartaregalway.ie
"We are dog friendly in all our restaurants, Cava, Tartare and Aniar," says restaurateur and chef JP McMahon. Even Michelin-starred Aniar? "Yes, we only had them once or twice They were small dogs. Our guests seemed fine about it. We have had plenty of young children in Aniar that made more noise."
Kai
22 Sea Road, Galway, kairestaurant.ie
Proprietors Jess and David Murphy are the proud owners of much Instagrammed pugs Gertie and Francis, and they welcome all dogs outside at their Galway restaurant.
Lamplight Wine Bar
Clifden, Co Galway, lamplight.ie
Denise Ni Cheallaigh enjoyed "a great evening meal and fabulous wine" at this restaurant which she says is " very dog friendly."
KERRY
Beachcove Café
Waterville, Co Kerry
There is an extensive doggie menu at this cafe which has plenty of wooden picnic tables and benches outdoors. The Yappy Dog menu features a selection of canine treats including Rover Easy - free range eggs, scrambled, served with fresh water for just €2. Owners might prefer one of Beachcove's famous pork, sage and apple sausage rolls.
The Fish Box
Dingle, Co Kerry, thefishboxdingle.com
Fiona Madigan says, "The Fish Box in Dingle welcomed our rottweiler Hera and gave her a bowl of water. We were also in Quinn's Bar in Ventry with her. They couldn't have been more welcoming and accommodating.
Out of the Blue
Dingle,Co Kerry, outoftheblue.ie
Laura Walsh and her miniature schnauzer have high praise for this fish restaurant. "We are currently touring the Wild Atlantic Way and were in Dingle this week. Out of the Blue in Dingle were absolutely superb and welcomed us warmly, supplying fresh water for Heidi and giving her lots of attention which she loved. I couldn't recommend them highly enough."
Global Village
Dingle, Co Kerry, globalvillagedingle.com
"Dingle loves dogs," says Sarah Geraghty. "Global Village and Dick Mac's were particularly lovely to Scout."
Yummy Café Market
Tralee, Co Kerry, yummycafemarket.com
Proprietor Ken Tobin says dogs are always welcomed and given water bowls. Daisy and Boo are very much at home in the cafe. "They're a customer's dogs. One of them has her own Instagram profile," Tobin says.
LIMERICK
Woodlands House Hotel
Adare, Co Limerick, woodlands-hotel.ie
Sharon Noonan says: "We have brought our cockapoo Lucy to lots of places since we adopted her pre-Christmas. The Treehouse at Woodlands House has treats, water bowls and a safe 1.2km walk." Also in Limerick, Noonan recommends Platform 23 on the Limerick Greenway.
LONGFORD
Lough Ree Distillery
Lanesborough, Co Longford, lrd.ie
Michael Clancy reports that this tourist attraction and working distillery is "dog- friendly with water bowls and free doggie treats", with a coffee shop overlooking Lough Ree.
SLIGO
Grappa
Rockwood Parade, Sligo
Sean Barrett says he had "a really nice experience yesterday in Grappa in Sligo. The waitress kindly offered a bowl of water and some pieces of chicken to our little madra. Nice touch in the sunshine!"
TIPPERARY
Steeple's Café
Nenagh, Co Tipperary, steeples.ie
A vegetarian cafe, grocers and bookstore that sells organic vegetables and locally sourced artisanal foods. Also has an outdoor courtyard that welcomes dogs.
Loughmore Cottage
Loughmore, Co Tipperary
Community co-operative and tea rooms, serves locally sourced baked goods and afternoon tea platters. Pets are welcome, they even have a 'pet rehydration station'.
WICKLOW
Brew Twenty One
Blessington, Co Wicklow
Sophia Daly and Teddy are fans of this coffee shop that is "dog friendly and has a fab outdoor area and lovely coffee and cakes." For the canines, there are puppaccinos and pupcakes.
Chester Beatty Inn
Ashford, Co Wicklow, chesters.ie
Chester, the resident dog, welcomes all other dog friends to this pub's outdoor area "and they can even bring their owners too," he says. Water bowls provided.
The Wicklow Heather
Laragh, Co Wicklow, wicklowheather.ie
Natasha Murtagh's pub meal looks very appetising, and her dog looks like she agrees. "The Wicklow Heather welcomed Randy and provided her with a little dish of water and lots of attention."
