14-year-old pup to represent Limerick in search for Ireland's best pet
Organised by Pet Sitters Ireland, the competition has become one of the country's biggest online celebrations of pets and the people who love them.
Public voting is now officially open for the thirteenth annual Nose of Tralee competition.
Attracting an incredible 1,806 from pet owners across Ireland, the top three pets from each county progressed to the next stage of the competition, where a panel of judges selected the county winners before deciding on the overall Nose of Tralee 2026.
This year’s Limerick representative is a 14-year-old Jack Russell named Coco. Her owners say she has “her own little personality” despite having undergone surgeries in previous years.
Coco’s favourite hobbies include watching movies on the couch, cuddling under the duvet and performing tricks such as kiss, paw, high-five and fist bump.
Organised by Pet Sitters Ireland, the competition has become one of the country's biggest online celebrations of pets and the people who love them.
This year's competition has once again captured the hearts of animal lovers nationwide, with pets from all 32 counties now competing for the chance to represent their county before one overall winner is crowned the 2026 Nose of Tralee.
The event has seen an incredible variety of animals entered, including dogs, cats, horses, cows, goats, rabbits, birds, hamsters and many more, each accompanied by stories celebrating the unique personalities and special bond they share with their owners.
Kate McQuillan, founder of Pet Sitters Ireland and organiser of the Nose of Tralee, said "Every year I'm amazed by the response, but to receive 1,806 entries this year has been incredible. We've spent weeks reading the wonderful stories people have shared about their pets, and it's clear just how much they mean to their families.
“We've had everything from dogs and cats to horses, cows, goats, rabbits, birds and hamsters enter this year's competition. Every pet has its own personality and story, and that's what makes the Nose of Tralee so special. It's not just a competition - it's a celebration of the animals that bring so much joy to our lives.
“Now the public gets to decide which pets will represent their counties, and we're looking forward to seeing communities get behind their local favourites,” Ms McQuillan concluded.
To view this year's contestants and cast a vote, visit www.noseoftralee.com.