Where to stay near Dublin

[wordlehurdle]

We are driving to the west of Ireland at Easter usually good old ryanair take us there but for a variety of reasons we are going to get the ferry!!
Aghhh
So to make it more of a holiday/ break where could we stay on the way to the ferry?
I've been to newgrange and loved it also Wicklow and Dalky.
We will have a dog with us would ideally like a nice pub rather than a hotel any ideas?
What is Howth like?

The area around Slieve Bloom Offaly and the Lakes in Monaghan are great for walks with dogs and not too dark from Dublin.

www.npws.ie/nature-reserves/slieve-bloom-mountains

You could try the Radisson Blu in Athlone. It's on the way to the west.

Thankyou
I think I need to be nearer to the ferry place to be honest as it's a pretty early crossing
My Dad was from Monaghan so I have been there quite a bit but might be nice to revisit

Howth is lovely, with a fab hill walk with great coastal views. Ireland is behind the UK in terms of allowing dogs but I think I read about a dog friendly hotel there? It also has one of the few restaurants that allows dogs inside, the dog house blues tea room I think it’s called, although I prefer the seafood restaurants along the quays, where dogs can sit outside (depends on the weather obviously!)

As you say you'll be bringing your dog with you, that will restrict where you can stay.

Have a look at this site and this is one place that I thought looked nice: www.pawsfriendly.com/businesses/uppercross-hotel

Just checked - king sitric takes dogs, it has a great location on the sea front near start of hill walk. It’s posh restaurant won’t take dogs but the places I mentioned above are nearby.

Here are some others that are specifically set up to cater for owners and their dogs when they come to stay:
www.theirishroadtrip.com/dog-friendly-hotels-in-ireland/

Howth is picturesque. Cliff walk (watch out, steep cliffs near path, a dog was rescued there before). Seafood. Seals in the harbour. Near ferry. Dart train to city centre. All good

Wow Thankyou all so much
Great recommendations I'll look into them all - feels like more of a holiday less like a slog with these ideas !!