Mayo dog looking to bring national title back to the county

A Mayo dog is quickly becoming one of the best known canines in Ireland. Rua, much loved red fox labrador companion of Mary and Mike Corcoran in Glencorrib has developed a world-wide fan club over the past few weeks as he looks to win votes for the prestigious Nose of Tralee competition. 

“He’s such a friendly and happy dog,” Mary told The Mayo News. “He’s enjoying all the attention and it’s not knocking a stir out of him. He was on television this morning in Dublin and I was certainly more nervous than he was.”

The Nose of Tralee competition is run by Pet Sitters Ireland and looks to generate awareness of pet care all across Ireland.

Rua has come through two rounds of the competition already, and is now in the final representing Mayo against a pet from each of the other 31 counties.

“Rua is a great Mayo supporter and regularly sports the green and red on his collar for big games, but he’s in his own All Ireland final now and needs the support of Mayo people at home and abroad,” Mary added.

The winner of the competition between 29 dogs and three cats will be the canine or feline who accumulates the most votes in a daily online poll and Ballycroy native, Mary, is looking for a surge of Mayo votes over the weekend.

“We’ve had huge support over the past weeks from home and abroad. We’ve had people all across Mayo voting and then there are votes coming in for Rua from all over the world from New Zealand, America, Canada and Australia and many other places, so it’s great fun and we’re looking for one big push to win the crown for Rua and for Mayo,” she added.

To vote for Rua and for more information visit www.NoseOfTralee.com