Mohill puppy Rua represents Leitrim at national grand final

Rua, a Jack Russell Terrier from Mohill, represented Leitrim at the Petmania Puppy of the Year 2026 Grand Final, joining 25 other county finalists at an event that attracted 1,414 entries nationwide.

Owned by Zara Sheahan, Rua attended the Grand Final at Pet Expo at the National Show Centre in Dublin on Saturday, October 17. The event was hosted by Eurovision legend and animal welfare advocate Linda Martin and brought together the finalists, their families and the Petmania team to celebrate the puppies.

For Zara, bringing Rua into her life marked a new chapter following the loss of her dog Ziggy. Collecting Rua from Cork involved an eight-hour round trip and gave Zara an extra incentive to pass her driving test. She is now studying veterinary medicine to help dogs like Rua and Ziggy.

Speaking about their journey together and what inspired her to enter the competition, Zara said: “My mother was watching Ireland AM one day, that featured Petmania Puppy of the Year competition.

“She suggested that I should enter Rua, so I started researching the event and had a look at the lovely puppies who won in previous years. After losing my dog Ziggy, I felt I was ready to welcome a new companion into our home.

“Rua lived in Cork, while I lived in Leitrim. Collecting her would involve an eight-hour round trip. I decided to make a deal with my parents: if I passed my driving test, I would help with the driving on our journey to collect Rua. Thankfully, all the practice paid off, and I passed!

“Rua has brought so much happiness back into the house. I am now studying veterinary medicine to help little puppies and dogs like Ziggy.

“My advice to any family thinking about getting a puppy is to remember that a puppy is a lifelong commitment. A puppy or dog will bring so much happiness, fun and companionship into your home, but they also depend on you to keep them safe, healthy and loved.”

Rua competed in the Connacht category alongside Lola, a Bernese Mountain Dog from Oughterard, Co Galway, owned by Ryan Gibbons; Nellie, a Maltese from Co Roscommon, owned by Enya Reilly; Fly, a Collie from Riverstown, Co Sligo, owned by Louise Merrick; and Ivy, a Dalmatian from Ballina, Co Mayo, owned by Aoife Tompkins.

Ivy was crowned Connacht Provincial Winner before going on to win the overall Petmania Puppy of the Year 2026 title. She became the first dog from Co Mayo, and the first Dalmatian, to win the competition.

The other provincial winners were Teddy Boo, a Toy Poodle from Errill, Co Laois, owned by Megan Fusco, who won South Leinster; Summer, a Labradoodle-Bernese Mountain Dog cross from near Ballymahon, Co Longford, owned by David Keenan, who won North Leinster and Ulster; and Sullivan, a Golden Retriever-Cocker Spaniel cross from Newcastle West, Co Limerick, owned by Marie Carr O’Kelly and her husband Patrick, who won Munster.

Speaking about this year’s competition, Emily Miller, Marketing Manager at Petmania, said: “We were delighted to see communities across Ireland get behind all of our Provincial Winners, as well as the 26 county finalists who made it to the Grand Final.

“At Petmania, we’re passionate about celebrating the joy puppies bring to our lives and ensuring new owners have access to the expert advice, products and services they need to give their puppy the best possible start.”

Now in its 11th year, the competition welcomed entries from all 26 counties. Entries opened on September 1, and following two rounds of public voting, one finalist from each county progressed to the Grand Final. Judges then selected four provincial winners before choosing the overall winner.

Previous overall winners have come from Westmeath, Laois, Dublin, Sligo, Kerry, Limerick, Carlow and Galway. This year’s winner, Ivy, is the first dog from Co Mayo, and the first Dalmatian, to take the title.

Prizes worth €2,500 were available throughout the competition, including puppy food, grooming and Pet Expo tickets. The overall winner receives 12 monthly grooming visits at Petmania, a 12-month supply of food from WELLNESS CORE, a two-night Ireland’s Blue Book stay for the puppy and two of their favourite humans, a professional photoshoot and a 12-month role as a Petmania Brand Ambassador.