Dog-Friendly Activities in Ireland

The monastery of Clonmacnoise, meaning "Meadow of the Sons of Nós", is pet-friendly. It's situated in County Offaly, Ireland on the River Shannon south of Athlone. Clonmacnoise was founded in 544 by St. Ciarán. Leashed dogs are welcome to explore the grounds, as long as they are cleaned up after.

Phoenix Park is the largest enclosed park in any capital city in Europe. This pet-friendly park boasts a variety of walking paths and trails for you to enjoy with your pooch. Dogs must be on-leash at all times in the park. Make sure your pooch is close by and under control as the park is also home to a herd of fallow deer, who shouldn't be approached. Certain areas in the park are off limits to dogs and their owners. Keep an eye out for signage when you're exploring the park. Phoenix is open every day of the week, all day.

A Tiny Hidden Beach, also known as Howth Secret Beach, is pet-friendly. Bring your dog for a wander on this pebbly windswept beach with great views and seclusion.

Secret Street Tours is a nonprofit and unique pet-friendly tour company based in Dublin, IE. Leashed and well-behaved dogs are welcome to join their owners on an excursion of cultural and historic landmarks led by guides who have been affected by homelessness, who will tell you their story as they fill you in on Dublin's.

Marina Market in Cork, IE is pet friendly. The largest indoor market in the area hosts 35+ full-time food vendors. Pups can enjoy a refreshing bowl of water at one of the market’s hydration stations and join you throughout.

dog park

All good dogs go to Killiney Hill. At least they ought to. It’s dog heaven. A beautiful park to walk your dog off the lead. It has spectacular views of Killiney Bay.

Suitable for: Most. Either walks has a good bit of an incline, but the main paths are laid out in tarmac and stone steps where they get steep.

Potential dangers: You won’t want to leave.

Cliffs of Moher in Doolin, IE, pet friendly. One of Ireland's most loved natural attractions, the cliffs are home to a number of different trails for you and your pooch to explore together. The breathtaking Cliffs of Moher, situated in County Clare along the Wild Atlantic Way, have faced the Atlantic for over 350 million years. Please note that Fido cannot join you inside the visitor center.

Gougane Barra National Forest Park is pet-friendly. An area of wild and beautiful scenery, this magnificent park covers more than 339 acres of land. Located at the edge of the Sheehy mountains, hiking is afoot for you and your pooch at this place of natural beauty. Dog owners are reminded to keep pups leashed and to clean up any mess left behind.

Merrion Square is pet-friendly. Bring your leashed pup on the paved trails of this historic Dublin park. On your wanders, you'll discover an sculpture of famed writer, Oscar Wilde; lovely trees and events throughout the year. Take a break on a bench and soak in the historic culture. Dog owners are reminded to clean up any mess that is left behind.

Bunratty Castle & Folk Park is pet-friendly. You can take your dog to walk around the folk park with you and enjoy a lovely day out. The only place Fido isn't welcome is inside the castle itself. They are open every day of the week from 9:00am to 8:30pm.

Mizen Head Signal Station is pet-friendly. Bring your pooch along to see the coastal views on the pet-friendly trails that lead to this signal station. The paved trail is fun and easy for most levels of walker to enjoy. Dogs are welcome, although they must be picked up after along the way.

Glasnevin Cemetery in Dublin, IE is pet friendly. Ireland's National Cemetery is the final resting place of more than 1.5-million people, including Michael Collins, the revolutionary leader, Luke Kelly, the folk musician, and many more important Irish figures. Leashed dogs are invited to accompany their owners on a walk on the paved pathways that lead to different elaborate headstones around the 124-acre cemetery on the Northside of the city.

Explore historic Cong Abbey with your pooch. Leashed dogs are welcome on the wooded walks around the abbey grounds and the grassy hills around the historic building. Dog owners are reminded to clean up after pups and to keep them under control.

Dog's Bay Beach in Roundstone, IE is pet friendly. This gorgeous horseshoe-shaped beach surrounded by incredible coastal views welcomes dogs to trot on the white sand and through the calm waters that are ideal for swimming and doggy paddling.

The pet-friendly Wild Atlantic Way begins at the Inishowen Peninsula in County Donegal near Carndonagh, IE. Pups and their owners are welcome to travel this spectacular road, the world's longest signed coastal drive at 1,600 miles. Be sure to stop at the Signature Discovery Point, Cliffs of Moher - Visitor Centre to see one of Ireland's most popular attractions.

Alternative Experiences is a dog-friendly tour company based in Dublin, IE. The Street Art Tour welcomes dogs to join in the fun, as long as you don't mind skipping the one small stop inside a gallery. Learn about Dublin's underground culture on a two-hour romp to hidden locations with a certified guide.

Dogs are welcome to join their owners at the dog run located at Marlay Park in Rathfarnham, Ireland. This well maintained dog park is a popular spot for local dog owners to come and get their pooch some exercise. The high fence around the outside provides a safe and secure area inside for dogs to play in and meet other like-minded pooches who also love tennis balls.

Shanganagh Park is a pet-friendly park in Dublin. The trails around the park allow leashed dogs to wander alongside their owners, but the main attraction for dog owners is the huge dog park located within it. This really large, enclosed, safe space for dogs is easily accessible. Owners are reminded to bring their own water, although bowls are provided. The park's location right on the Irish Sea make it a great destination spot to spend a few hours on your next visit to Ireland's capital city.

The dog run at St. Catherine's Park is pet-friendly. You can bring your pooch with you to get some exercise and to meet some other dogs without their leash to hold them back. Dog owners are reminded to clean up any mess that their pets leave behind. You may also want to take Fido on a leashed walk of the rest of the park on the many pathways that wind around it. The dog run can be accessed all day, every day.