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12 dog friendly hotels and B&Bs reopening this summer along Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way

With hotels and bed and breakfasts across Ireland getting ready to reopen at the start of June, here is our list of the best dog friendly places to stay along the Wild Atlantic Way… Remember, it’s been a tough year for Irish businesses, especially those in our hospitality sector. If you can, please book directly with the hotel!

1. Carbery Cottage Guest Lodge, Sheep’s Head Peninsula, West Cork

Carbery Cottage Guest Lodge, West Cork

Carbery Cottage Guest Lodge has built a reputation for itself as being one of the most relaxed and dog friendly places to stay in West Cork. You’ll be greeted by resident ponies, ducks and geese as you drive up to this secluded bed and breakfast on the Sheep’s Head Peninsula- before being greeted by award winning hosts, Mike and Julia.

The stone built guest lodge looks south over Dunmanus Bay and the Mizen Peninsula and is awash with colour in the summer months thanks to beautifully maintained hanging baskets.

Dogs (and their owners) are made to feel welcome, relaxed and at home in this beautiful coastal retreat. Both dogs and owners will also appreciate the huge number of walks, beaches and dog friendly bars in the local area.

More info about Carbery Cottage Guest Lodge:

  • The Sheep’s Head Peninsula offers one of the highest concentrations of looped walks, short walks and long walks anywhere in Ireland (and you’re never too far from a dog friendly, traditional Irish bar…)
  • Rooms with south facing sea views available
  • There is also a ground floor, accessible room available
  • Carbery Cottage Guest Lodge also offers a 1 bedroom self catering cottage with enclosed private garden
  • Evening meals and packed lunches can be arranged
  • Rooms start from about €100 per night (which includes breakfast) and there’s an extra charge of €5 per night per pet staying
  • For the best prices, book direct here
Carbery Cottage Guest Lodge, West Cork

2. Castle Murray House, St John’s Point, County Donegal

Castle Murray House, St John’s Point, County Donegal

Castle Murray House is perfectly located on the shores of McSwyne’s Bay on the rugged Donegal coastline. Thanks to it’s elevated position, the boutique hotel and restaurant offers dramatic views over St John’s Point and this unspoilt stretch of Irish coast.

Down by the shore in front of this award winning hotel stands McSwynes Castle which leads towards McSwyne’s Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. Dogs will be delighted with the amount of freedom they can enjoy here, running around to their hearts content.

More info about Castle Murray House:

Castle Murray House, St John’s Point, County Donegal

3. Dunmore House Hotel, Muckross, West Cork

Dunmore House Hotel, Muckross, West Cork

Enjoying an unbeatable location right on the coast, and with views over Clonakilty Bay, Dunmore House Hotel is a family owned and run establishment, originally founded in 1948. With spectacular views over the bay and the Atlantic Ocean, this charming coastal hotel offers cosy, modern rooms in a friendly and welcoming atmosphere.

Dunmore House Hotel doesn’t just offer sea views though… the hotel’s restaurant, Adrift Restaurant, is popular with locals and guests too. Their menu shows off the abundance of local West Cork ingredients as well as it’s coastal views.

More info about Dunmore House Hotel:

  • Dunmore House Hotel also offers self catering accommodation
  • All dog friendly rooms in the hotel are on the ground floor and offer spectacular sea views
  • Dog friendly rooms start from about €265 per night
  • For the best prices, book direct here
Dunmore House Hotel, Muckross, West Cork
Dunmore House Hotel, Muckross, West Cork

4. Rathmullan House Hotel, Rathmullan, County Donegal

Rathmullan House Hotel, Rathmullan, County Donegal

This 4 star luxury hotel is the perfect dog friendly, coastal retreat… with a long sandy beach at the bottom of the hotel grounds- perfect for daily walks and swims.

The Georgian country house, still family run, is set in about 7 acres of private woodland gardens that slopes down to the shores of Lough Swilly on Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way.

More info about Rathmullan House:

  • The hotel also offers 2 restaurants and a bar on site, The Cook & Gardener and The Taproom
  • The main indoor areas of the hotel are off limits to dogs, but you’re free to roam around the hotel grounds
  • They can provide you with a dog bed, food bowl and clean up bags
  • But, Rathmullan House only offers 1 dog friendly room, specially designed with it’s own entrance and dog sleeping area
  • Rooms start from about €80 per night
  • To check availability and prices, click here
Rathmullan House Hotel, Rathmullan, County Donegal

5. The Beara Coast Hotel, Castletownbere, West Cork

The Beara Coast Hotel, Castletownbere, West Cork

The Beara Coast Hotel, which was renovated in 2015, is the perfect location to explore Castletownbere and the Beara Peninsula on Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way. The peninsula is popular with walkers and offers loads of dog friendly bars and beaches nearby to explore.

As the name suggests, this contemporary hotel sits right on the Irish coast and you’ll be able to wake up to sea views from most of the rooms. Some even with balconies!

More info about The Beara Coast Hotel:

  • Dogs aren’t allowed in the hotel’s bar or dining area, although you are allowed to dine with your dog in the foyer area
  • There is an extra charge of €10 per night per dog staying
  • To check availability and prices, click here
The Beara Coast Hotel, Castletownbere, West Cork

6. The Twelve Hotel, Barna, County Galway

The Twelve Hotel, Barna, County Galway

If your dog deserves to be treated like a spoilt pooch, The Twelve Hotel just outside Galway city is the place to stay. This 4 star hotel takes being a dog friendly hotel seriously, offering all it’s four legged guests a dedicated “pet lobby” where they’ll find toys, water bowls, bones and more!

The hotel itself is located just west outside of Galway city along the Wild Atlantic Way coast road that leads to the spectacular Connemara. Silverstrand Beach is just a short walk from this boutique and dog friendly hotel and is a very popular spot with both locals and visitors passing through the area.

More info about The Twelve Hotel:

  • Unlike so many other dog friendly hotels in Ireland, The Twelve Hotel doesn’t charge any extra for four legged guests. It does however ask for a security deposit
  • Dogs will be welcomed with toys and treats to make their stay as enjoyable as possible
  • Rooms start from about €150 per night
  • For the best prices, book direct here
The Twelve Hotel, Barna, County Galway

7. Pax House, Dingle Peninsula, County Kerry

Pax House, Dingle Peninsula, County Kerry

This beautifully decorated bed and breakfast boasts breath-taking views over Dingle and the surrounding coastline. On arrival at Pax House you’re likely to be greeted by the resident dog, Jules (and human host John!).

Dogs are well catered for and welcomed with dog blankets and treats. Dog owners are well catered for and welcomed with torches (for late evening/ early mornings walks around the local Dingle countryside), maps of the best dog friendly walks in the area and outdoor cleaning facilities for when you get back!

More info about Pax House:

Pax House, Dingle Peninsula, County Kerry

8. The Wyatt Hotel, Westport, County Mayo

The Wyatt Hotel, Westport, County Mayo

Visiting the Wild Atlantic Way isn’t all about exploring wide open beaches, giant coastal cliffs and rugged shorelines. Ireland’s west coast is peppered with colourful and bustling towns too- and Westport in County Mayo is one of our favourites.

The Wyatt Hotel is perfectly positioned in the centre of Westport to explore the town and surrounding wild landscape of County Mayo. The Greenway, which starts from here and takes you all the way to Achill Island, is hugely popular with walkers and cyclists.

The dog friendly rooms at The Wyatt Hotel make it an easy place to base yourself for exploring the coast and country around County Mayo. Long dog walks in the day, followed by an evening of traditional Irish music in the town’s many bars.

More info about The Wyatt Hotel:

  • The hotel’s dog friendly rooms are located on the ground floor with direct access to the outside (dogs are not permitted to use the main entrance of the hotel)
  • They even provide comfy beds for their dog guests
  • There is a limit of one dog per room
  • You have to contact the hotel directly to book a dog friendly room (currently not available to book online, so call or email the reception)
  • Click here to enquire and book directly
The Wyatt Hotel, Westport, County Mayo

9. Parknasilla Resort & Spa, Sneem, County Kerry

Parknasilla Resort & Spa, Sneem, County Kerry

Parknasilla is one of Ireland’s most luxurious resorts and spas. The 18th century manor house, set in over 500 acres of private land, overlooks Kenmare Bay and enjoys all the benefits of being along County Kerry’s south facing coast (namely… the views!).

Although dogs are welcome at this 5 star hotel, they will have to stay in one of the 6 newly built kennels known as “The Willows”.

More info about Parknasilla Resort & Spa:

  • Dogs must be kept on a lead around the hotel grounds
  • Certain dog breeds won’t be welcome to stay- this includes any “dangerous dog breed” as specified in the Control of Dogs Act 1986
  • There is a €10 per night per dog charge for use of the onsite kennels
  • Parknasilla Resort also offers courtyard lodges and woodland villas
  • For prices and info on special weekend getaway offers, click here
Parknasilla Resort & Spa, Sneem, County Kerry
Parknasilla Resort & Spa, Sneem, County Kerry

10. Renvyle House Hotel, Connemara, County Galway

Renvyle House Hotel, Connemara, County Galway

This stretch of Connemara coastline is particularly beautiful in summer, although thanks to Renvyle House Hotel’s roaring open fires and friendly welcome this is a hotel you and your dog can enjoy all year round.

Renvyle House Hotel was one of Ireland’s first country hotels, opening its doors for the first time in 1883. The 4 star Connemara hotel offers a number of designated dog friendly rooms on the ground floor, some even come with little fenced off gardens.

You won’t struggle to find places to walk with your dog along this beautiful stretch of the Irish coast.

More info about Renvyle House Hotel:

  • There is a limit of just one dog per room
  • Dog friendly rooms are on the ground floor
  • Dogs are welcome to explore the hotel grounds but must be kept on a lead
  • There’s an extra charge of €15 per night per dog
  • For the best prices, book direct here
Renvyle House Hotel, Connemara, County Galway

11. Sneem Hotel, Sneem, County Kerry

Sneem Hotel, Sneem, County Kerry

No list of dog friendly places to stay in Ireland would be complete without a worthy mention of Sneem Hotel in County Kerry. This family run hotel on Ireland’s west coast has been rolling out the red carpet for our 4 legged friends for a long time. In fact, there’s a good chance you’ll be greeted by the hotel’s resident dog, Red, when you check in at the lobby.

The Sneem Hotel is just along the coast road out of Kenmare and boasts stunning south facing views across Kenmare Bay. This 4 star hotel is not only on the Wild Atlantic Way but also the Ring of Kerry- making this a very popular stretch of Irish coastline.

More info about Sneem Hotel:

  • Sneem Hotel don’t have any extra charges for bringing your dog, although they do have a limit of one dog per room
  • Rooms with a mountain view start from €90 per night
  • Rooms with a sea view start from about €110 per night
  • For the best prices, book direct here
Sneem Hotel, Sneem, County Kerry

12. Seaview House Hotel, Bantry, West Cork

Seaview House Hotel, Bantry, West Cork

Last, but absolutely not least, on our list of the best dog friendly places to stay along Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way is the indulgent Seaview House Hotel. The family run hotel (it’s been in the same family for 3 generations) is nestled along the coastline between Bantry and Glengarriff.

The 4 dedicated dog friendly rooms on the ground floor open directly onto the private grounds where dogs (and humans) are free to roam.

More info about Seaview House Hotel:

  • Seaview House Hotel also offers unique treatments in their Bath House & Spa (including seaweed baths!)
  • Dogs are allowed throughout the outdoor grounds of the hotel but are not allowed in the indoor public spaces
  • Rooms start from about €150 per night
  • There’s an extra charge of €30 per night per dog
  • For the best prices and exclusive special offers, book direct here
Seaview House Hotel, Bantry, West Cork

If you know of a dog friendly hotel or B&B along Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way we’ve missed here… please, let us know!

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