Hello! This is an important thread. I cringe at the challenges of bringing beloved pets into Dublin. What I am reading online is NOT encouraging. I have two 15-year-old cats, 100% indoors, good health, friendly, homebody cats. Melvin & Priscilla. I am thinking of flying them in cabin from CA > NY, then spend a couple of days in a pet-friendly Hotel. I believe that United, Delta, and some other airlines will accommodate that as long as the cats fit under the seat, etc., and don't cause any fuss. Next challenge is to get them across the Atlantic to Dublin. I have figured out a couple of options, and I would appreciate any comments or suggestions. 1) Call the airlines and see what their policies are. Aer Lingus, Delta seem to be options, but it seems that TSA recently (July 2021) eliminated emotional support status and is only assuring that seeing eye dogs and other pets trained for disabled owners will be allowed in the cabin. 2) Go to a travel agent and make all arrangements through the agent. 3) Maybe try NY > Amsterdam or other city that is close to Dublin for in-cabin, then short (hour) flight for cats in cargo. Give kitties calmatives so that they don't die of fright in the cargo. 4) Take the Queen Mary II . . . cats won't stay in rooms but they won't have the risks associated with air pressure, pitch dark/scary, etc. associated with cargo for five hours. Passengers may visit with their pets during certain hours of the day so that pets know that their humans haven't abandoned them to cargo. Queen Mary II will arrive in England, then maybe take cats on ferry to Dublin or else very short trip in cargo. Queen Mary II is not budget-friendly travel. Their cat sitter will fly with us. She will take one cat; I will take the other. I will have their vet complete paperwork about immunizations, etc., 10 days prior to arrival and take paperwork to USDA for certification. As soon as we arrive, I will take cats to IE vet for EU paperwork. Cats will have their EU Pet Passports ASAP. Am I missing anything????? THANK YOU for suggestions. Pat

... or small as others around. Some of the villages are very tiny and inclusive so as an outsider may be difficult to make close friends. However, it all comes down to becoming involved in the local community. If you are social and WAnt to get involved you should have no problem making friends. The house we are renting is a holiday home on a golf course, so there is a mix of permanent residents and Hotel guests. The upside is that there is a playground on the grounds as well as tennis courts, swimming pools, and other rec facilities which our kids already love ...