Any advice about this would be very welcome.
Do we need pet passport /rabies jab to take the dog to Eire - I assume not as it used to be ok before, i think.
Also which ferry is best for dogs.
Any other suggestions.
Thanks very much in advance.

No Pet Passport needed for anywhere in Ireland(north or south)

Only been to Northern Ireland on the ferries, but they were both OK

If you are travelling from the UK no not normally.

However you may need to check with Irish Authorities regarding the
out break of foot & mouth. They may have put restrictions in place
regarding the movements of animals regardless of type ;)
Understand that the last time they had a F&M outbreak UK dog show exhibitors
were not allowed to take part on the august show circuit.

Hi

No, dogs don't need pet passport or anything else to come into Ireland.

Ferry crossings...well, I guess that depends on where you live and where in Ireland you intend to visit :)  There are fast crossings between Stranrear or Cairnryan & Belfast  and also between Holyhead and Dun Laoghaire (nr. Dublin).  These crossings are under 2 hours so perfectly feasible to leave dogs in the car.  Some ferries do have on board kennels as well.

We always use Stena Line......... from Holyhead to Dun Laoghaire (fast boat, 99 mins) or Holyhead to Dublin Port (slow boat 3hrs 15 mins). Dogs cope well in the car but do have fans etc......

On board kennels are hopeless and just like vari-crates that don't fasten properly :(

Went last weekend to Monkstown Championship Show in Cloghran and queued to get off the ferry where the Irish authorities were spraying sides and underneath of the cars with disinfectant, so foot and mouth precautions in place at present...

Hope that helps,

Gabrielle x

Also depending on what breed you won some are required to be on lead and muzzled by law.  It includes GSD, Dobe and quite a number of others.  It is widely flouted, but best not to take chances.