Long proclaimed as humankind’s best friends, dogs might be forgiven for believing their friendship has not been reciprocated. Irish hospitality has, in past times, not been particularly canine-friendly, with customer service often amounting to little more than an outside seat and a bowl. And in a time when most walks passed through farmland, there were understandably few opportunities for dog-friendly outings. Things are changing, however. One in four Irish households now has a canine member. The result is that increasing numbers of hotels and guest houses are promoting themselves as pet-friendly, while pooch-welcoming trails have blossomed across the Irish countryside. However, dogs should always be on a leash and never allowed interfere with the enjoyment of other trail users, and it is essential that you clean up after them.
The Rusty Mackerel, Teelin, Co Donegal
On the Wild Atlantic Way, the renowned Rusty Mackerel ticks all boxes for a traditional local pub. Renowned for its Irish music, award-winning food, and open fire, the hostelry also offers value accommodation with dog-friendly dining options available indoors or outside. For a ramble with your furry friend, head a few hundred metres to the Slieve Liag Cliff Experience Centre. A shuttle bus, where dogs are allowed on a short lead, will then convey you to the spectacular car park at Bunglass. Here, a steep but spectacular track traverses above vertiginous cliffs tumbling to the ocean, so be sure to keep your four-legged companion on a tight leash. This is a there-and-back walk, you go as far as you want by visiting viewing points such as Scregeigther (308m), The Eagles Nest (323m) or Cockrawer (435m), where, on a clear day, the vistas are awe-inspiring. Retrace your steps to Bunglas and catch the return bus to Teelin.
King Sitric Guesthouse and Restaurant, Howth, Dublin 
King Sitric Guesthouse and Restaurant, Howth, Dublin. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill
Of ring four-star accommodation in the fishing village of Howth, the King Sitric makes a great haven for dog lovers. Well-behaved, four-legged companions are welcome in the guest rooms at no extra cost and can be taken into the East Café for dining indoors. For a bracing ramble with your dog, follow the blue arrows for the Tramline Loop along the renowned Cliff Path while enjoying spectacular coastal views of Lambay Island and Ireland’s Eye. After 3km, ascend to the Summit Carpark and join the Bailey Green Road. Next, the route enters a disused tramline. Follow this with a couple of short excursions through housing estates to exit opposite the Dart Station, after an invigorating 7km outing.
Beech Hill House, Co Derry
In a glorious woodland setting, Beech Hill House was built in the 18th century in the style of a stately mansion. Having reinvented itself as a country house hotel offering a dog-friendly country escape, it is just three miles from the many attractions of Derry city. Pets receive a welcome pack on arrival and are allowed to dine indoors with their owners in the hotel’s Sixteen22 Gastro Pub. To exercise your pet, you can roam on marked trails through the woodlands and parklands of the 32-acre Beech Hill Estate. If you want a longer outing, the wooded Glen of the Burntollet River lies a short distance to the southeast. Here, Ness Country Park offers 7km of pet-friendly riverside walks with a stunning waterfall as the focal point. Additional charges apply for pets.
Castletroy Park Hotel, Limerick
Castletroy hotel, Westport
Long renowned as a dog-welcoming establishment, the four-star Castletroy Park Hotel is about 4km east of Limerick city centre, adjacent to the University of Limerick. Canine-friendly rooms must be booked in advance, while owners are allowed to dine indoors with their pet in an area of the hotel lobby. Exercise facilities are provided in a large courtyard at the rear of the hotel and within the sylvan grounds of the university. For a longer outing, you can ramble the banks of the river Shannon and Limerick Canal to reach the city centre after an off-road ramble of about an hour. Here, you may wish to head for Thomas Street and pop in for a beverage at the dog-friendly Crew Brewing Co before retracing your steps to Castletroy Park. Small to medium size pets only, with a supplement applying.
Sneem Hotel, Co Kerry
In a time when there were few dog-friendly hotels in Ireland, the welcome for guests at Sneem Hotel was provided by an Irish setter named Red. The tradition continues with a descendant of Red still occupying the lobby to welcome other dogs, regardless of size, weight, or breed, at no extra cost for the stay. Ground-floor apartments and hotel rooms must be prebooked for allocation to dog-owners. To dine with their dog, guests can eat on the terrace or avail of room service. Self-catering is an option in the apartments. There are plenty of opportunities for exercising your pet on the woodland paths around the hotel but for a wonderful day head down the Ring of Kerry for about 20km to Derrynane House. Once the home of the Irish Liberator Daniel O’Connell, it gazes out upon one of the prettiest beaches in Ireland. Dogs are welcome, but restrictions apply to Blue Flag areas in summer. For a longer outing you can ramble the exquisite Derrynane Mass Path Loop, a lovely 7km outing with an intriguing mix of sandy shorelines, mass paths and forest trails.
Castlemartyr Resort, Co Cork
Castlemartyr in Co Cork: one of Ireland’s most spectacular hotel resorts
Gold medal winners as the best pet-friendly Irish hotel, Castlemartyr has long been a mecca for dog owners. Your furry friend is welcomed with a gift, and the hotel also has a pet concierge service. Rooms and self-catering houses have doggie beds and bowls and offer direct access to a garden. Dogs are allowed in all areas of the hotel except dining rooms. The hotel grounds extend to more than 220 acres, perfect for exercising your pet. You can also ramble the pet-friendly Midleton to Youghal Greenway from Mogeeley, which is just 2km from Castlemartyr. Slightly farther afield, the picturesque fishing village of Ballycotton offers a spectacular, pooch-friendly cliff walk with a there-and-back outing of about 7.5km. Dogs must be no larger than a Labrador. Additional fees apply.
Cashel Palace Hotel, Co Tipperary
Cashel Palace Hotel
After many iterations, the former residence of Cashel’s archbishops is now the magnificent five-star Cashel Palace Hotel. Small to medium-sized dogs are allowed in ground-floor rooms of the Garden Wing and can exercise in the garden areas. They are not, however, admitted to public areas and restaurants but may accompany their owners when seated outdoors. Guests not comfortable with leaving the dog alone while eating may avail of room service. For an outdoor experience, the High Kings Loop is an easy 8km walk (denoted by red arrows). The trailhead is beside the Rock of Cashel, which can be accessed through a gateway at the rear of the hotel. Passing by the ruins of 13th-century Hore Abbey, it follows a route known as the Bóithrín Bocht before entering a serene forest. Return to Cashel by an off-road path while enjoying magnificent views of the Rock towering over the town. Pet fees apply.
Muckross Park Hotel, Co Kerry
Killarney is not long on dog-friendly establishments, but Muckross Park Hotel & Spa is a lovely exception, allowing guests and two medium-sized canine companions to stay in self-catering apartments. Pets are not allowed in the hotel; however, a dog walking and sitting service is available, which must be booked in advance. Otherwise, guests may remain with their pet and cook a meal in the apartment. To the rear of the hotel, Cloghereen Blue Pool Walk makes for an attractive pet-friendly outing of about a kilometre. If your pet is reasonably fit, Muckross Lake Loop makes a great circuit. A three-hour, 11km walk, it is just across the road at Muchross House, with the walk including such celebrated beauty spots as Brickeen Bridge, Colleen Bawn Rock and the pet-friendly Dinis Cottage café. Eventually, you cross and recross the Kenmare Roacafefore returning to Muckross. Fee per dog per night applies.
Wyatt Hotel, Westport, Co Mayo
Why not? The Wyatt Hotel in Co Mayo
Westport, arguably Ireland’s prettiest town, it is also one of the most pet-friendly. The Wyatt Hotel, which is ideally located at the beating heart of the town, offers dog-friendly bedrooms in a secluded area of the property with exterior access and exercise opportunities in a lovely green area. Dogs are not allowed in the main public areas and incur a supplemental charge. Guests can enjoy breakfast with their pets in a specially designated area of the hotel and dine in Cobblers Bar for dinner. For exercise, you can ramble the Westport House Estate while being mindful of signs denoting farming areas where dogs are forbidden. Lying just 7km south of the town, Brackloon Wood is a remnant of Ireland’s ancient oak woodlands, and a favourite for dog walkers. The 3km loop begins beside Brackloon Primary School. Finally, the Great Western Greenway offers as much dog walking as you want on a 42km off-road journey to Achill.