Pooch Power Helps Drive Holidog Trend

‘Dogs need a holiday too’ says Stena Line!

According to a recent Post Office survey, 1.4 million Britons will holiday in the UK this year instead of going abroad because the most important member of the family says so…the dog!

The prospect of putting pooch into kennels for even a short period of time is such a stressful thought that more and more dog owners are deciding to enjoy holidog delights closer to home, electing to spend quality down time and sample the delights of travelling to new walks and trails across the UK and Ireland instead of going abroad without their four legged friend.

To help dog lovers get the most from their precious holiday time, leading ferry company Stena Line, who offers free pet travel, has identified a list of enriching dog walks in the UK and Ireland to help create lots of new adventures for dog owners and their beloved pooch…side by side!

Orla Noonan, Stena Line’s Head of Travel commented: “We carry thousands of pets and their owners across the Irish Sea every year and we know from first-hand experience just how strong the bond is between a loving dog and a doting owner. Leaving their pets for any period of time is a major emotional wrench, not to mention the significant expense of kennelling, so it’s not surprising that more and more dog owners are opting to take their pets on holiday with them, especially when it doesn’t cost them a penny extra. On some of our vessels you can even keep an eye on your four legged friend during the sailing with our handy pet cam.”

“As it’s a holiday for both owner and dog we have put together some options to provide a guide to some of the more interesting dog walks in Ireland coupled with a range of accommodation options in the area so that owner and pet don’t have to spend a moment apart on their holidogs!! “

“We have selected some of the more scenic walks in close proximity to each of our ports so you can get active as soon as possible. If you have a picture of your pet enjoying their holidog we’d love to see it and will post a selection of the best on our Facebook site to share with other dog lovers on www.facebook.com/stenalineukie” Orla concluded.

For those seeking an adventurous walk on arrival to Stena Line’s Dublin ferry terminal look no further than these 5 walks which are noted for their scenery:

• St. Anne’s Park

• Dollymount Strand

• Phoenix Park

• Irish National War Memorial Gardens

• Griffith Park

And after an enjoyable walk(s) you can relax in the surroundings of your choice of pet friendly accommodation including *Travelodge Stephen’s Green (Dublin) and for something a little further afield the four star *Brooklodge & Macreddin Village, Co Wicklow.

Near to Stena Line’s Rosslare Port, for sailings departing Fishguard, there are also some great outdoor options including:

• Courtown Woods

• Tintern Abbey

• Curracloe Nature Trail

• Dunanore Woods

• Carribyrne Hill

Pet friendly accommodation in the surrounding area includes *Old Orchard Lodge B&B, Rosslare Harbour and for something a little further afield the five star *Dunloe Hotel, Killarney

For those vessels without pet cams, Stena Line ensures that you can make accompanied visits to your car to keep a watchful eye on your pet during the sailing then you can sit back, relax, enjoy the free Wi-Fi, free movies and great eateries to make your holidog as enjoyable as possible knowing that you and your four-legged friend will be reunited shortly for the start of a whole new adventure.

With lead in prices from just **£99 for a car plus two passengers (single) with pets travelling free and a great range of pet-friendly accommodation, Stena Line is confident that it can help keep dog owners ahead of the pack and make sure that when it comes to holidays, the WHOLE family can it enjoy it together.

Terms and conditions: *It is advised to make the accommodation providers aware that you are planning to bring at dog at the time of booking. **This lead in offer from £99 car + 2 single is valid for new motorist bookings. Additional adults +£30. Valid on midweek Tuesday – Thursday night sailings on our Holyhead to Dublin and Fishguard to Rosslare routes and is subject to availability. Book by 9 August, 23.00.Travel up to 16 December. For full terms and conditions visit www.stenaline.co.uk/go

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NOTE TO EDITOR: For further information, please contact Michael McCrory of Duffy Rafferty Communications on Belfast +44 (0) 28 9073 0880.

If you want to stretch you and your pooch’s legs before sailing, try these dog friendly walks:

Ex Holyhead – Holyhead Breakwater Country Park, Rhosneigr Beach, Holyhead Mountain Circular Walk

Ex Fishguard - Gwaun Valley, Cwm Gwaun Fishguard, Dinas Island.