Absolutely gorgeous rescue dog crowned 'Offaly Nose' in 'Nose of Tralee'

Offaly woman Karla Finnegan is feeling emotional and chuffed this week after her beloved dog picked up an award at the 2023 Nose of Tralee.

Her dog, Dougal, was crowned the Offaly Nose in the 2023 Nose of Tralee.

“Dougal,” said Karla, “is a rescue dog living in Birr and is an absolute bundle of joy having overcome a lot of trauma in the last couple of years. He’s been having a great time in the last few weeks, from being on holidays in Donegal, to meeting his namesake Fr. Dougal McGuire (Ardal O’Hanlon), to being crowned the Offaly Nose.”

Dougal also had a little photoshoot in his Nose of Tralee sash at Bellefield House gardens in Shinrone recently and is heading into the final round of voting now at www.petsittersireland.com/nose-2023

Each pet in the Nose of Tralee is judged on the following criteria:

Number of Public Votes (33% of score)

Cuteness and uniqueness of photo (33% of score)

Written entry (33% of score).

The Nose of Tralee is Ireland’s largest pet competition that is open to all types of pets. 2023 is the 10th year of the competition and each year more and more people from all over Ireland take part in a bid to win the title of Nose of Tralee.

The competition is open to pet owners in all 32 counties of Ireland and all pets are welcome – dogs, cats, rabbits, hamsters, horses etc.