Pub loving pup is Derry's representative in this year's Nose of Tralee

Derry’s representative for the nationwide ‘Nose of Tralee’ competition has been announced. 

Rocky, a sprocker spaniel from Eglinton, will be up against 31 dogs and cats from around the country to win the title.

The two-year-old was selected as Derry’s representative after a voting process where Rocky finished second overall, but the sad passing of the winner, 17-year-old Jack, meant Samantha’s Lydon’s pet earned the nomination. 

Miss Lydon said: “I had never heard of it until this year, and we decided to enter him in. Initially, it was just a picture of him, and people started voting.

“We entered not expecting anything, but it has taken on a life of its own now. 

“We are getting people involved from work, and that is good craic.”

Rocky was given a loving home by Miss Lydon and her partner after two families were unable to look after him. 

She said: “A friend of ours knew his former owners, and they couldn’t keep him with their cats and the family before that; their girl was allergic to him, so they had to give him up.

“And so we took him in; otherwise, he would have been given to a centre for dogs to look after him.

“I’ve been at my fella for years to get a dog, so I wore him down with Rocky’s wee face, and he couldn’t say no.”

Rocky will frequent the pub, particularly his local ‘The Happy Landing', with his family. 

And knowing the world's attention is on the US presidential election at the moment, Rocky can relax into his own race to secure the title of Nose of Tralee. 

Miss Lydon joked: “We are targeting the young vote.”

The Nose of Tralee is run by Pet Sitters Ireland as it seeks to find the cutest, funniest, most adorable pet in Ireland.

Voting opens on August 1–19, and people can vote once every 24 hours. For more information and to vote, visit: https://m.shortstack.page/1JjM5F?sre=6ly1KKsVo89nm