Sea Glass Dog Friendly Holiday Cottage

Sea Glass Dog Friendly Cottage, Donaghadee, Co Down Our story We have always had dogs, they’re an essential in our lives. So when we go on holidays or just on a weekend away or meal out, sometimes the challenges can outweigh the pleasure. Seeing the words ‘dog friendly’ on a brochure or a website triggers expectations that may not match the reality. As people with dogs and sometimes visiting friends with dogs, there have been times when we have struggled to find places that are safe, practical, fenced and comfortable, and where we all feel truly welcome. And we know we are not alone in this. So in our own small way we want to make a difference to people who consider their pets as true family members. We want Sea Glass to be your home-from-home, where your dogs and families can relax and holiday together while feeling welcome, safe and cared for. Thankfully our village of Donaghadee is one of the most dog friendly spaces in Northern Ireland with pubs, restaurants and even shops that actively welcome dogs inside and the area boasts lots of good walking, swimming and sniffs within easy reach. Why Sea Glass? The name of our cottage was important to get right. While the property itself is modest, we believe we’ve created something beautiful, a little gem that feels good, looks attractive and is a comforting place to kick back and relax. If you’re not aware of sea glass, it’s just a simple glass bottle that has been lost to the seas, then changed by Nature’s attention and transformed from the ordinary into the beautiful. During the transformation of Sea Glass Cottage, we have used local labour, traders, services and plenty of advice. And just to keep us going during the work we stayed true to the idea of local sourcing and consumed some rather fine small batch beers and Donaghadee’s very own Copeland Gin, straight from the distillery just a moment’s walk away. Where is Sea Glass? Seaglass is a short stroll to the village shops, pubs, cafes and seafront parade. We actively promote our local shops and businesses to renters and to help ensure families with dogs are understood, valued and accommodated in Northern Ireland and further afield. Sea Glass is also on the very doorstep of The Commons where dogs are welcomed off-lead with responsible owners across these 16-acres area of wild and mowed grasses, great for walks with well maintained walking paths on the flat and sloping hills. There is a fully fenced soft play area for children and large stretches of lawns where dogs are allowed to exercise and play off-lead. These local businesses allow dogs INSIDE: The Lighthouse Bar & Grill : www.lighthousebarandgrill.co.uk Pier 36 : www.pier36.co.uk Harbour & Company : www.harbourandcompany.com Wild Thing: www.facebook.com/wearewildthing/ Grace Neill’s : graceneills.com Inside Sea Glass Sea Glass has been created as a safe and comfortable environment for you and your family. On-demand gas central heating means guests can flop in comfort and warmth after a day of exploring the coast and peninsula. Wooden and tiled floors plus leather furniture means the house is easily cleaned of sticky hands, dog hair and spilled wine. Dogs are very welcome inside Sea Glass and we have placed no limit on numbers, providing there is enough room for them, that guests are sensible and respectful of the accommodation and that it is left in the same clean, tidy manner in which it is presented. Here’s what we offer: A two bedroom house over two floors with an upstairs bathroom A fully enclosed garden with 6ft - 7ft fencing Fully equipped kitchen Cloakroom for storage downstairs Multiple dogs allowed No legal breed discrimination Peaceful seaside walks on our doorstep Quiet dog-friendly beaches Lots of dog-friendly information Dog sitting service - pre-booking required Sea Glass is small but beautifully formed. Downstairs we have a comfortable sitting room with leather settees and a well-appointed dining room with a table for those all-important nosh and natter sessions. At the rear of the house is a well equipped kitchen with dishwasher, washing machine and tumble drier for rainy day emergencies. Upstairs we have one double bedroom and one bunk room with storage in both so we can accommodate up to four people. We have also collected a browsers’ dream with penty of novels, magazines, cookery books and puzzles, plus DVDs and CD available for use during your stay. The gas-fired central heating gives instant hot water. Outside we have an enclosed patio garden with seating and a table plus space to BBQ. We also have outdoor running water for muddy dog rinsing and boot cleaning. Dog towels are provided too. Once you step out of the back garden, you are literally onto The Commons. Turn rights for walkies and adventure, turn left for Donaghadee, food and fun. The Commons Sea Glass Cottage literally backs on to The Commons. With a solid and stable pathway leading from the town to the harbour to Lemon’s Wharf and then on to the carpark at the tennis courts, The Commons is accessible for all. Other pathways lead up undulating hills and across the acreage, and the grassed lawns sweep down from the former railway line right to the coastline. Dogs are permitted off lead on The Commons and waste bins are available along the route for the all-essential poo bags. The Commons also offers the Donaghadee Bowling Club, public tennis, putting and an Aire de Service for caravans and motor homes. Our very own gin distillery Copeland’s Traditional Irish Gin features 12 carefully selected organic and fair wild botanicals including pine needles, cubeb berries, orange peel, lemon peel and some locally sourced flora from local islands including Sea Pink Maritima. www.copelanddistillery.com Some frequently asked questions. Q: How many dogs can I bring? A: We’re not counting but we ask you to be sensitive to our neighbours in terms of noise. Q: Is there any additional charge for dogs? A: No. Q: What if my dog/family member damages something? A: We do ask for a damage waiver of £200 which is refundable by bank transfer if everything is in order on your departure. Otherwise if there is anything broken or damaged we reserve the right to use the deposit to replace or repair and return whatever remains of the deposit to you. If you book directly through Airbnb to our cottage you don’t pay the damage waiver up front. In that case, if damage occurs the Airbnb resolution centre deals with it after your stay. Q: How enclosed is your garden? A: It is fully fences with 7 ft fencing and a lockable 7ft+ gate. You will be expected to be responsible for your dog at all times including when they are in the garden. Q: Can dogs be kennelled outside any time? A: No Q: Can dogs be left alone in the cottage at any time? A: No Q:Are dog crate available for nighttime security in the cottage? A: We can offer medium and large crates for use overnight if preferred. Q: Are the dogs allowed throughout the house? A: Dogs are allowed throughout the house. We ask that you look after all furnishings especially settees and use blankets to prevent nail scratches if possible. We do not expect to find dog hairs on the bedding or beds. Q: Is dog sitting available if we are attending a function but still want to travel with our pets? A: This is feasible but needs to be booked well in advance. Q: Is there parking at the cottage? A: There is plenty of parking is to the rear of the cottage with easy access through a private gate with key code to the back door or alternatively down the side of the terrace to the front door. Q: What do we need to bring to the cottage? A: Groceries and toiletries. Q: What is included in the fee? A: Fresh bed linens, towels, tea towels, dog towels, heating and electricity are included in the price for short term stays. Q: Do I have to have a dog to stay at Sea Glass? A: No. Everyone is welcome with or without dogs. It is set up to accommodate dogs as family members, but we welcome families without dogs too. Shopping in Donaghadee The essentials: Jim Davenport Butcher, 11 New Street. Order ahead. Call Jim, Noel or Bill on 028 9188 3347 Ruth’s Vintage Bakery, 9 New St, Ruth bakes for humans and dogs Orders ahead: Call Ruth on 07788 422660. Harvest Fayre, 4A New St. Order ahead. Call Thomas on 028 9188 3559 Flavour First. 224 Killoughey Rd. Order ahead. 07801 479980 (Delivery available. Car needed for pick up) The Co-Op, 20 New Street. Patton’s Bakery, 2 New St. Gordon’s Chemist, 17 High Street & 23 New Street. Centra, 104 Moat Street. Russell’s Food and Drink, Bridge St. Spar Moat Filling Station, 26 New Rd. Donaghadee Dairies. 7 Ashbrooke. J Wright & Son Butchers, 13 High St. The Corner Shop newsagent, 1-3 New St Coast of Donaghadee, 17 New St. Buy Well Clothing, 45 High St. Dunn’s Footwear, 28 High St. Bluedot Antiques, 4 Parade. County Hardware, 8 New St. Dee TV & Radio, 5A New St. Wells Tyres, 2 Bridge St. Sweeney Hearing Care Donaghadee, 2 High St. Maritime Jewellers & Watchmakers, 5 New St. The Treats The Cabin, 32 New St. Mauds, 18 High St. Morelli’s 49B High St Wild Thing, 4A High St. The Lighthouse, 26 New St. Blueroom recording Studio, 19 Millisle Rd. Eating Out The Captain’s Table, 22 Parade The Lighthouse Bar and Grill, 27 Parade Pier 36, 36 Parade Harbour & Co, 31 Parade Grace Neill’s, 33 High St Home Sweet Home, High St Ruth’s Vintage Bakery, 9 New St The Dinner Bell Bistro, 1a Killaughey Rd Bow Bells, 5 Bow St Robin’s Nest Giftshop, 14 New St Bridewell Coffee and Provisions, 19 High St Creative Gardens Donaghadee - driving distance from town centre at 34 Stockbridge Rd Beauty and Spa Body and Sole Appearances Beauty Salon Boat Hire and Coastal Tours Nelson Quinton 02891883403 Garden centres Donaghadee Garden Centre for plants, presents, coffees and lunches. Go to creativegardens.com/donaghadee For good qulaity plants at a fair price, go to the Cotton Nursery www.facebook.com/CottownNurseries/ Golf clubs Donaghadee 18 hole : www.donaghadeegolfclub.com Newtownards: www.scrabogolfclubni.com Cloughey : www.linksgolfkirkistown.com Portaferry : www.facebook.com/pages/category/Sports/Ardminnan-Golf-Club-330637977139251/ Motor Racing Circuit, Cloughey www.kirkistown.com Further Afield Sea Glass is a perfect spot to use as a base to explore more of the Ards Peninsula, including dog friendly National Trust properties such as Mount Stewart and Castle Ward. And the hugely popular Titanic Visitors Centre in Belfast is 40 minutes away by car or from the train station in Bangor. The Ards Peninsula offers fantastic road cycling in amazing surroundings. For more information go to: www.cycleni.com and or www.routeyou.com A little history Just over 20 miles of Irish Sea separate Donaghadee in Northern Ireland from Portpatrick in Scotland. And very often the beautiful Scottish coast is clearly visible to the naked eye from the town, with the best-weather days allowing us to see the groups of wind turbines on Wigtownshire, Dumfries and Galloway - and even at times red cars driving the coast roads. Portpatrick, once called Portmontgomery, was initially used by small sailing ships to and from Donaghadee, and there was a regular ferry service between the two ports from 1616. Trade with the mainland was based on the Packet Service until, in 1626 a harbour was created to service the boats that worked the Donaghadee to Portpatrick stretch. In 1770 the first purpose-built harbour was constructed in Portpatrick, and by 1830, the harbour was serving as the main route for mail, passengers and cattle to Ireland. So the proximity of Scotland was a critical factor in the development of Donaghadee and until the middle of the 19th century, the busy little town served as the major point of entry from the British mainland to the island of Ireland. With County Down’s coast notorious for its treacherous reefs and currents, a safe harbour was essential to seafarers and Donaghadee fitted the bill. By the time John Keats landed at the town in 1818, work was underway to extend the harbour. And by 1918, William Wordsworth left Donaghadee for Portpatrick following a grand tour of Ireland. But with Portpatrick exposed to severe westerly gales, an other route was eventually opened between Larne in Co Antrim and Stranraer to provide safe harbours for increasing trade between the two countries. Donaghadee’s Packet Ship days declined but the town was left with a beautiful harbour, hotels and boarding houses. As as Belfast prospered, the trains to Donaghadee were busy with families leaving the city on the River Lagan for holidays by the sea. And as the 19th century turned into the 20th, Donaghadee became a popular and busy holiday resort. The Motte The Motte near Donaghadee Yacht Club remains a unique feature of the town, referred to locally as The Moat. It was built in 1818 to house the explosives used in the construction of the harbour. The site of the Motte was home to a fortified rath and was used as a defensive position in the Bronze Age, and in years to come it is believed to have been used to provide protection against the Viking raids. And in the 12th and 13th centuries, it was reinforced by the Normans. Today it is enjoyed for more peaceful pass times and walkers gain views across the town and seawards to the Copeland Islands, the Scottish coast and the Isle of Man. Donaghadee’s seafaring heart and the Sir Samuel Kelly heroes At the very heart of Donaghadee life is the sea and our seafarers. An essential lifeboat station was established in the town in 1906 and still runs to this day with successive crews having saved hundreds of lives over the years. And in a boat yard not far from the life boat station sits the famous Sir Samuel Kelly lifeboat. This Watson class lifeboat was stationed at Donaghadee from 1951 to 1976 as part of the RNLI reserve fleet at Courtmacsherry, Co Cork, until retirement in 1979. An RNLI bravery medal and a British Empire Medal were awarded to the Kelly’s coxswain, Hugh Nelson, for his role in saving 33 people from the Princess Victoria disaster. The Larne-Stranraer ferry, the Princess Victoria, sank off the Copeland Islands during fierce storms in January 1953. Despite the best efforts of the Donaghadee lifeboat crew aboard the RNLI’s Sir Samuel Kelly lifeboat a total of 130 passenger were lost. But The Kelly crew saved 33 people in a truly heroic challenging rescue mission during 36 gruelling hours at sea in treacherous conditions. A further 19 bodies were recovered and brought to shore for burial. An inquest was told the Princess Victoria’s cargo doors had been left open when it put to sea. Ferry crewman Thomas McQuiston told inquiry: “Water swept into the car deck and swept the cargo onto the starboard side, causing the ship to list. No attempt was or could be made to pump the water out.” The Sir Samuel Kelly Lifeboat The lifeboat was purchased by the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum and leased to the steering group and the Sir Samuel Kelly Project. She now sits under a publicly-funded protective shelter near The Commons, with her bow orientated towards the Irish sea and the site of dramatic many rescues. The SSK Project public appeal has already raised the money to build a temporary shelter for The Sir Samuel Kelly lifeboat. This shelter, designed by architects Fraser Bell and Michael Collins, has allowed the vessel to dry out and the restoration job to be assessed. The SSK Project’s next goal is to secure funding to build a permanent museum in Donaghadee with the lifeboat as a centrepiece as a lasting memorial to the people lost in the Princess Victoria disaster and other Fastnet tragedies. It will also stand in tribute to the bravery of the RNLI crews who daily risk their lives to save others. This work has been supported by Donaghadee-native, survivalist and TV celebrity Bear Grills who was born in the town in 1974. His great grandfather, Sir Walter Smiles, was among 130 people who perished in the Princess Victoria tragedy. Bear said: “I am delighted to express my support and extend my best wishes to the Sir Samuel Kelly Project. I do so out of respect for the 130 passengers who were lost in the Princess Victoria tragedy of 1953. The dead include my great grandfather Sir Walter Smiles at whose home in Donaghadee I spent many happy summer days as a boy. “I do so also out of respect for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution and the volunteer crew of the Sir Samuel Kelly lifeboat who battled monstrous seas for 36 hours and risked their own lives to rescue 33 people from the ferry. “To the crew of today’s RNLI lifeboat based in Donaghadee, and the 234 RNLI lifeboat crews around the coasts of Britain and Ireland, I express my admiration at their courage and commitment. “The restoration and preservation of the Sir Samuel Kelly lifeboat, and the construction of a heritage centre in Donaghadee to provide it with a permanent home, will create a fitting memorial to all those who were touched by the Princess Victoria tragedy. It will be a lasting reminder that we are all at the mercy of nature and of the need for preparedness and professionalism when saving lives at sea.” If you would like to donate you can click here www.donaghadeeheritage.com/sskproject/ Happier Times Today seafarers remain a steadfast sight at Donaghadee Harbour. They include fishermen who can trace their seafaring heritage back several generations. And the area is popular with water enthusiasts, leisure fishermen and women, crabbers, sea anglers and boat trippers and nature enthusiasts. In summer, fishing trips and nature spotting trips regularly operate from the harbour. And the south pier is a great attraction for locals and visitors too, with the harbour busy all day and into the long evenings. The shore front continues to Lemon’s Wharf where there are some shelters, walks and a fully fenced, soft play children’s playground in the 16 acres of publicly accessible, semi-cultivated open space at The Commons, Millisle Road. We hope to see you and your dogs soon. #dogswelcome #dogfriendly #holiday #cottages #escapetotheseaside