Dogs to Ireland

beamishken · 16 June 2021, 07:42

Thinking of heading over to northern Ireland in a week or two for a few days in our hard boat & we usually cruise with our dog. Have the rules changed regarding taking pets into Ireland now?
I know there are a few members here from Ireland just wondering if theres anything we need to be aware of post Brexit?
Also any special covid restrictions we should be aware of?

Fenlander · 16 June 2021, 08:27

We considered buying a puppy from Ireland/Northern Ireland recently so looked this up and I still have the links... a few extra bits of paperwork to sort out now.

https://www.gov.uk/taking-your-pet-a...rthern-ireland

https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/articles/travelling-pets

beamishken · 16 June 2021, 08:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fenlander

We considered buying a puppy from Ireland/Northern Ireland recently so looked this up and I still have the links... a few extra bits of paperwork to sort out now.

https://www.gov.uk/taking-your-pet-a...rthern-ireland

https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/articles/travelling-pets

Cheers for the quick reply fenlander I guess thats either the dog not going or we dont go to Ireland this year [emoji26]

willk · 16 June 2021, 10:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by beamishken

Cheers for the quick reply fenlander I guess thats either the dog not going or we dont go to Ireland this year [emoji26]

Currently Scots are flying into Belfast from Glasgow, hiring a car and driving around the entire Island without a care or precaution. Similarly, UK yachts are cruising our coasts. Our boats are cruising yours (clock Marinetraffic - and yes I know they may have moved a bit since). Your dog is no risk to anyone except the blood pressure of the norn politicos. IIWY I'd adopt the same approach that you take to red diesel and come on ahead - who's going to check you? Any hassle and you can slip lines before it goes postal.

Fenlander · 16 June 2021, 11:15

Re Willk's rather more pragmatic approach... for us it had to be by the book or nothing as we were due to use a third party specialist dog transport company who needed all boxes ticked.

TimB · 16 June 2021, 11:27

https://snowheads.com/ski-forum/viewtopic.php?t=154431

Very informative thread on snowheads re dogs to France/EU. We bought our dog in UK in October 2020. The breeder got him a UK pet passport so we could legally bring him back to Ireland. Post Brexit his passport became null and void, so our Irish vet issued us an Irish/EU pet passport. Which means we can travel back and forth between UK and EU without going through all the rubbish that UK citizens have to go through

TimB · 16 June 2021, 11:30

I have read of UK citizens getting a friendly EU vet to issue an EU pet passport for their dogs, however every three years when rabies booster is due, it now would have to be done by an EU based vet for pet passport. The UK Animal health certificate is only valid for four months, but the snowheads thread whilst a long read explains all

beamishken · 16 June 2021, 18:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by willk

Currently Scots are flying into Belfast from Glasgow, hiring a car and driving around the entire Island without a care or precaution. Similarly, UK yachts are cruising our coasts. Our boats are cruising yours (clock Marinetraffic - and yes I know they may have moved a bit since). Your dog is no risk to anyone except the blood pressure of the norn politicos. IIWY I'd adopt the same approach that you take to red diesel and come on ahead - who's going to check you? Any hassle and you can slip lines before it goes postal.

Ok cheers willk sounds more promising, I'm guessing then that port security hasnt been improved since brexit then? I had half imagined we might get the 3rd degree on arrival at our first marina, listening to the news regarding how difficult its become to transport goods across I thought maybe all areas had been tightened up. It sounds like a case of what the eye doesn't see doesn't matter. I'm definitely not going down the route of rabies jabs or vet health certificates for her she's either staying at home or coming with us and staying below the radar. We did actually take her into southern Ireland a few years ago & never gave it a thought until afterwards did Dun Laoghaire Dublin Howth & Carlingford & no one even mentioned the dog & I guess even then she should have had at least a rabies jab & passport?
Whats the current situation regarding fuel, is white diesel the norm now? & whats the cost like? If we do largs- Ballycastle then port hop down to Belfast/Bangor & back via portpatrick we could fill up at portpatrick for the journey back up the clyde

willk · 16 June 2021, 21:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by beamishken

Ok cheers willk sounds more promising, I'm guessing then that port security hasnt been improved since brexit then?

Just don't tout any British Sausages and you'll be fine.

I believe Rathlin is open again - worth a shout if you're going by Ballycastle. Red will be the usual domestic heating oil delivery to the quayside

beamishken · 17 June 2021, 07:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by willk

Just don't tout any British Sausages and you'll be fine.

I believe Rathlin is open again - worth a shout if you're going by Ballycastle. Red will be the usual domestic heating oil delivery to the quayside

Thats good news & gives us more options, we twice bypassed Ballycastle and Rathlin, after stopping at Glenarm we went straight up to Islay and another time back to Cambeltown so its definitely on our must visit list
Are you based in Ballycastle?

willk · 17 June 2021, 08:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by beamishken

Thats good news & gives us more options, we twice bypassed Ballycastle and Rathlin...
Are you based in Ballycastle?

No, I'm in the wild wild west

Ballycastle is a lovely wee town - well provisioned, good marina etc. They DO have a HM so you'll have to mind yer Ps and Qs. The fish & chips in Mortons on the quay is world class. Rathlin is "open" in the sense that you are allowed to go there but IMO be entirely self-sufficient for supplies - they're real laid back if you get my drift. Great place for a walk/paddle board/circumnav. Solid marina in both locations. Mind the tides - gets sporty around the headlands at full chat.

Poly · 17 June 2021, 16:38

Quote:

is white diesel the norm now?

in places, it's still not the norm on the roads!

Maximus · 17 June 2021, 16:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poly

in places, it's still not the norm on the roads!

.....And there's me thinking the thread was about Newcastle "Hen" party's to Dublin??!

beamishken · 18 June 2021, 12:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by willk

No, I'm in the wild wild west

Ballycastle is a lovely wee town - well provisioned, good marina etc. They DO have a HM so you'll have to mind yer Ps and Qs. The fish & chips in Mortons on the quay is world class. Rathlin is "open" in the sense that you are allowed to go there but IMO be entirely self-sufficient for supplies - they're real laid back if you get my drift. Great place for a walk/paddle board/circumnav. Solid marina in both locations. Mind the tides - gets sporty around the headlands at full chat.

Rather than running south is heading west worthwhile ie Derry, coleraine portrush port stewart anywhere along that direction you'd recommend as a must see?

willk · 18 June 2021, 13:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by beamishken

Rather than running south is heading west worthwhile ie Derry, coleraine portrush port stewart anywhere along that direction you'd recommend as a must see?

All the following very much IMHO:

I know the coast from Tory to Rathlin fairly well - and the towns. Derry is a long haul up a very narrow channel from the mouth of Lough Foyle. Derry is interesting but a bit rough after office hours. There is a pontoon/marina in the town center.

Portstewart is too small and tidal for you.

Coleraine is a bar entrance and a river navigation - the town is very worthy and as dull as brown bread after 6pm. As dull as a plain scone all day.

Portrush is where people from Coleraine go for a drink and to practise smiling. There are limited facilities for visiting boats - call. The harbour is very secure.

The coast gives it's best between Portrush and Red Bay (Cushendall). IIWY I'd arrive in Ballycastle, get squared and go to town for the night. You'll have passed Tor Head and Fair Head by then (Game of Thrones Country). Day 2 head west and do the Rope Bridge, Giant's Causeway, Dunluce Castle and hit Portrush for a late lunch. Head east again and overnight in Rathlin - but do tour the north of the Island, the cliffs are stunning - lots of wildlife. Next day either homewards or Islay?

Heading West of Derry takes you into my backyard - but there's no berth safe for you for 30Nm west of Malin Head. Plenty to explore on the NI North Coast, IMO.

John Kennett · 18 June 2021, 19:58

Willk have you ever considered going into the guide book business?

willk · 18 June 2021, 20:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Kennett

Willk have you ever considered going into the guide book business?

I've just checked your Rules and apparently, I am not permitted to make a fulsome and frank reply to your comment.

beamishken · 19 June 2021, 09:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by willk

All the following very much IMHO:

I know the coast from Tory to Rathlin fairly well - and the towns. Derry is a long haul up a very narrow channel from the mouth of Lough Foyle. Derry is interesting but a bit rough after office hours. There is a pontoon/marina in the town center.

Portstewart is too small and tidal for you.

Coleraine is a bar entrance and a river navigation - the town is very worthy and as dull as brown bread after 6pm. As dull as a plain scone all day.

Portrush is where people from Coleraine go for a drink and to practise smiling. There are limited facilities for visiting boats - call. The harbour is very secure.

The coast gives it's best between Portrush and Red Bay (Cushendall). IIWY I'd arrive in Ballycastle, get squared and go to town for the night. You'll have passed Tor Head and Fair Head by then (Game of Thrones Country). Day 2 head west and do the Rope Bridge, Giant's Causeway, Dunluce Castle and hit Portrush for a late lunch. Head east again and overnight in Rathlin - but do tour the north of the Island, the cliffs are stunning - lots of wildlife. Next day either homewards or Islay?

Heading West of Derry takes you into my backyard - but there's no berth safe for you for 30Nm west of Malin Head. Plenty to explore on the NI North Coast, IMO.

Ok cheers sounds like a good plan we have the two rug rats too who are 3 & 5 so thinking heading down the west coast might be a bit too wild for them. We can be reasonably self sufficient and dont mind a few days at anchor but dont want to torture them too much, maybe keep the wilder west side for when there a bit bigger. I've been conditioning them that big waves are just like a roller coaster in the rib but there is a limit I guess.
Thanks for the input.

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Kennett

Willk have you ever considered going into the guide book business?

Nothing wrong with being frank and straight to the point saves all that beating around the bush & PC nonsense. I'd love to read his "straight talking cruising Ireland Guide"[emoji1787][emoji1787][emoji1787][emoji1787]

willk · 19 June 2021, 12:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by beamishken

...maybe keep the wilder west side for when there a bit bigger.[emoji1787]

Hopefully not putting you off the west coast for ever - just think of it as a run down the west side of the Outer Hebrides and you're close. It's very exposed to weather and oceanic swell with relatively few safe havens. It's doable but you need to have the wx and remember that it's a two way trip - look at the distances! If you DID decide to nip around Donegal to Killybegs (a solid port) or the Swilly I'd talk you through it - but you're adding 200Nm to the cruise. Cheap diesel mind - even if it is GREEN!

Quote:

Originally Posted by beamishken

I'd love to read his "straight talking cruising Ireland Guide"[emoji1787]

I've done my time in Scotland too - I COULD write a book!

beamishken · 19 June 2021, 21:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by willk

Hopefully not putting you off the west coast for ever - just think of it as a run down the west side of the Outer Hebrides and you're close. It's very exposed to weather and oceanic swell with relatively few safe havens. It's doable but you need to have the wx and remember that it's a two way trip - look at the distances! If you DID decide to nip around Donegal to Killybegs (a solid port) or the Swilly I'd talk you through it - but you're adding 200Nm to the cruise. Cheap diesel mind - even if it is GREEN!

I've done my time in Scotland too - I COULD write a book!

No not putting me off but I need to keep the youngsters happy, currently my best weapons for getting out, they ask to go boating every few days so dont want to put them off[emoji6] the west can wait for another trip.
Oddly when you fill up with green on top of red it just looks like white in the filters
Look forward to your cruising guides being published[emoji106]