Visiting Ireland with my dog...

coddlesangers

Hello....
I'm driving to Ireland in 2 weeks for a short holiday, and am bringing my dog along with me, he's a 3 year old Beauceron.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/UP5oSmpVb9cLqxZi6
I'm wondering how dog friendly Ireland is now?  I see lots of restrictions around walking off leash, which I understand in built up areas, and I also do understand issues around sheep worrying as well...we'll be staying in Dun Laoghaire and also down in rural Wexford for a while....it looks like except for early mornings or late evenings in certain parks he'll be on leash in Dublin and I'm hoping he can be off leash for most of his time around the beaches in Wexford.  Whats the thoughts?  He's a well trained dog, walks to heel either on or off leash, has an excellent recall, stops doing something when he's told to stop, but he is a big dog and can look quite intimidating (48kg  ish) . Are there any issues anyone can think of we are likely to experience?  We're coming from Switzerland where the dog laws are pretty strict but reading facebook and others it sounds like Ireland has become very restrictive or am I wrong?  Any dog friendly restaurants / hotels about between Dublin and Wexford anyone could recommend as well?

Bells21

Regarding the beaches in Wexford, dogs are allowed but are required to on a leash. However, in all the times I've been on these beaches I've never seen this enforced or even come across someone who could enforce it. There's a lovely restaurant in Enniscorthy that opens during the day and dogs are allowed provided they are well behaved and house trained. It's called The Wildes. Johnstown Castle and gardens is another lovely area to walk in but again dogs are required to be on leash and this is enforced. There's also lovely tea rooms here, wouldn't be enough room to swing a cat in them but it's adjacent to a lovely courtyard that has seating and there is also plenty of picnic tables/benches scattered throughout.

There's also some pubs/restaurants in and around the Kilmore area that have decent sized beer gardens/outdoor seating areas and I've seen plenty of dogs in these. I'm not sure if this has has changed much since the law that prevented dogs from entering premises where food is served has been lifted.

GarIT

I think you'll have trouble in Dublin. All public transport have a right to refuse pets, some will chose to allow pets, others wont I don't know how many, as well as many car rental companies not allowing them or charging extra. Also you'll be traveling across the city to go from one dog friendly place to another because they are spread out. You wouldn't be allowed into any typical tourist attractions and you also wouldn't be allowed leave your dog outside them.

coddlesangers

Thanks for those replies.  Does sound like Dublin won't be heaven, no coffee at 11......no stroll....round Stephens Green......

GarIT

coddlesangers wrote: »

Thanks for those replies.  Does sound like Dublin won't be heaven, no coffee at 11......no stroll....round Stephens Green......

You can go to Stephens green just keep the dog on the leash

VonVix

One thing I'd be concerned about is that you have a Beauceron, which might be mislabeled as a Doberman cross or Rottweiler cross, which are restricted breeds here. And dogs that appear to be of their crosses are restricted too, which means being muzzled and on a leash at all times in public areas.

I could be wrong, you might be fine if you can prove your dog's breed, but I thought I'd put it out there anyway rather than you finding this out the hard way.
http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/1998/si/442/made/en/print

em_cat

@VonVix is pretty spot on with advice but also you may have issues with ill informed members of the public.

My OH’s office overlooks Merrion Sq & sees DCC & OPW wardens out in force with all the good weather issuing fines for walking off lead and non compliance with muzzle rules. Stephens Green is OPW (I think) so have a look on their website. Last week we watched a hipsta’ lad insta filming himself and his 2 tea cup Yorkies get issued a fine for off lead, it was kind of funny tbh.

My in laws walk their retriever along the pier in Dun Laoghaire & same thing; wardens out in force.

Make sure you have a copy of your license and breed cert, just for ease.

Note, you woundn’t be able to bring him on the LUAS or Dublin Bus, not sure about the DART.

But as far as coffee, cafes and some beer gardens and shops won’t have issues, you’ll need to look at their websites.

There’s a great pub/ restaurant in Howth called the dog house which allows dogs of all breeds, I’m sure there are other places too I’m just not familiar with them.

tk123

Killiney hill is minutes away from Dun Laoghaire, allows dogs off lead, has amazing views and has the tea rooms ie coffee shop! You’re also near enough to Sandymount Strand and South Wall and then across the bay you have St Anne’s Park, Howth etc - 20-40 mins depending on the time of day. Dogs are officially not allowed off lead on bull island aka Dollymount.. it’ll be packed anyways so go across the road to st Anne’s and you can explore off the beaten track and then have a coffee in the red stables

sdp

you might just check about beaches in Wexford. in Co Waterford the control of dogs Bye-laws 2003. Dogs are not permitted within designated areas of the beaches between the hours of 11.00 a.m. and 7.00 p.m. during the months of June, July and August, I take my chap down to beach at 5.00am, nothing better then a early beach walk with no one around, enjoy your stay

coddlesangers

Thanks for the replies.  I hadn't considered at all that he may be seen by some as a weird Rottie/Dobie cross, the breed isn't very well known outside of France really.  I'll be sure to have his pet passport with us then at all times I guess, and his muzzle in case someone just gets jobsworthy on us.  Looking at the regs, I see its obligatory to have a collar with details as well, thats not needed here so I'll have to get something organized for that...Killiney hill sounds like it'll be the go to place in Dublin so, I'll check out the dart option as a spin to howth would be nice as well.  The beach we frequent in Wexford has an average daily footfall of just over 0 people, so I'm sure he'll be fine there.