When we got married in 2019, we didn’t yet have a dog. Had we gotten married post-Ingrid’s arrival, I can’t imagine us having celebrated the day without her. Now, I’m not suggesting that she would have been the ring bearer, or would have walked me down the aisle, (!) but it would have been nice to have had her in the venue that morning, or knocking around during dinner time. And can you imagine photos we could have had with her in them?! She is a very good girl after all. Luckily for us, the Lodge at Ashford is a dog-friendly venue and she has been back with us several times since then. She’s always warmly welcomed.
When it comes to allowing pets in public buildings, we’re not quite as advanced as the UK. -Our trip to the Cotswolds last summer produced dogs in almost all pubs and hotels we visited. It was paradise, for me. Thankfully, I will admit that we are getting much better, particularly when it comes to accommodation options. Pooches are extensions of the family, and more and more people want to travel with them and experience the pleasure of a staycation with them.
And, imagine waking up on your wedding day and bringing your favourite doggie with you too?
Below is a list of two venues per province. Many of the venues are perfect for smaller and more intimate weddings too. And all allow you to bring your hairy baby.
As mentioned, the glorious Lodge at Ashford is super dog-friendly, and it’s a rare sight not to see a pooch walking through the lobby or in the bar. – With their human parents, obviously. The Lodge is situated on the stunning grounds of Ashford overlooking Lough Corrib, and is surrounded by woodland grounds and heavenly scenery. The Lodge accommodates 120 wedding guests and can be exclusively yours, on your wedding day.
What makes The Twelve special, is that it doesn’t charge extra for dogs. (they do charge a security deposit). Dogs will be pampered to a degree that will be the envy of their owners. The hotel also has a divine bakery on-site, and I challenge anyone to walk by without buying themselves a little treat. This is a truly beautiful hotel and caters to 100 wedding guests.
Tankerstown’s House is discretely located in Slane Co. Meath. The moment you enter the driveway, take a breath, and enjoy the pampering that you will receive.
The house is exclusively yours for your wedding, so assuming you know all the guests well, your pooch will be able to roam around, comfortably. The beautiful accompanying gardens, - weather permitting – is the perfect venue in which to get married. The splendid Orangery restaurant sits 230 guests.
This is easily one of my favourite venues in the whole world. And it’s not just because of the grounds, the food, the facilities, and the people, it’s because they clearly love animals; there have always been two golden retrievers, nonchalantly pottering around the main house for as long as I can remember. The current residents are Oscar and George. And they are joined by a heap of hens who roam the gardens. The location and atmosphere of Brooklodge is idyllic.
Couples can get married in Macreddin Chapel, (non-consecrated) located on the grounds, which seats up to 140 people. BrookHall, the dedicated wedding venue, seats up to 200 guests, which also has a Mezzanine Bar and a dedicated reception area.
Ballyvolane House is paradise. It’s located 36km north of Cork City, and a world away from the stresses of the real world. ‘Eclectic’ and ‘ancestral chic’ are just some of the words used to describe this unique venue. There are options to Glamp or stay in the main house, and guests get exclusive access to the house and grounds during the wedding. You, your 140 guests, and doggie will have an unforgettable stay here.
Located in the Burren, Gregans Castle Hotel is a hidden gem. This is an 18th-century manor house, located on the Wild Atlantic Way, with stunning views across the Burren and Galway Bay.
This is another venue that clearly loves animals. They have two resident cats, Lady and Basil, who are usually found beside a cosy fire or wandering the gardens. They offer exclusive use of the house for parties of up to 75 guests and have 21 bedrooms on site.
Harvey’s Point sits serenely on the beautiful shores of Lough Eske, with views of the stunning Bluestack mountains. Another idyllic location to get married in, where pooches are welcome. The venue takes 150 guests for weekend dos and 120 for weddings during the week.
If you’ve dreamt of a fairy-tale wedding, Lusty Beg is the place to go. Getting there is an adventure in itself; a drive across Boa island – connected to the mainland via a bridge, followed by a two-minute crossing on a two-car ferry. Magical, right? And what makes Lusty Beg that little bit extra special is that you are allowed to bring two dogs with you! Lusty Beg can cater for up to 200 guests who will be as enchanted as you are by this exceptional location.
This is just a handful of options. There are heaps more out there. Just make sure that you check with the venue the rules around bringing your dog with you. Most insist that you keep them on a leash at all times, some aren’t allowed into the bar or main lobby, and most won’t service your room if your dog is there alone. But they will be welcomed and will be cared for.
Comments