Over 1650 pets entered the 2024 Nose of Tralee – and it wasn’t just cats and dogs who entered. We had entries from pigs, lizards, birds, snakes.
Over 75,000 votes decided who the top 3 pets were in each county.
And our judges had the difficult task of selecting the final 32.
The 32 Finalists (29 dogs and 3 cats) then battled it out on social media, in person, on TV and in their local community to get votes for their Noses.
And now based on 47,500 public votes we get to crown the Nose of Tralee 2024 Winner and Runner Up.
2024 Nose Of Tralee Winner Announced
Meet Your 2024 Nose of Tralee Winner – Niko, Westmeath Nose
Hey everyone, it’s Niko again – the new Nose of Westmeath and I am so grateful to everyone for getting him here!
There are not enough words and I don’t have the know how to write them to tell you all of the reasons why Niko would be the perfect Nose of Tralee or why he is the most amazing dog I have ever met. But I will try. Niko came into my life last August when I was 25 years old after I had spent the better part of a year battling cancer. I was so sick, afraid for my future and all of the joy had left my life, then a chubby pup with the personality of a natural born superstar climbed into my arms and peed all over me and somehow the world changed for me. I had lost a lot of things in the time leading up to Niko entering my life and somehow none of it mattered anymore.
Niko lives life like he stole it, and now, I do too. In his short life he has achieved so many things and been braver than he ever should have had to be. I am proud of Niko and the truth is that if everyone really knew him and his story then they would be too. There is days he moves mountains out of my way and others where we just play fetch and I love him endlessly on both. I don’t know what my life would be like if I hadn’t been blessed with Niko but I’m glad I’ll never have to.
Niko loves to steal socks and toilet rolls on a daily basis and despite having every toy you can imagine, these are his undying favourites. His joy and zest for life are contagious and everybody who meets him falls in love with his soulful eyes. He is a full-time good boy and a total comedian, his personality shines through in everything he does and he always has the most beautiful smile on his face.
There is so much stigma around certain breeds these days and sadly, my boy is no exception to the prejudice but Niko is living proof that that’s all it is, he is everything you would want in a best friend, he is kind, loving, loyal, understanding and he can make you smile even on the darkest of days.
Niko is the embodiment of everything the Nose of Tralee should represent, strength, resilience, courage, love, kindness, heart and a wagging tail to go with them.
It would mean the world for me for Niko to win because he has taught me that the best way to not feel hopeless is to get up and do something. If you go out and make good things happen, you fill the world with hope. He has made so many good things happen for me and filled my world with hope, I am now hoping to return the favour !
Please vote for Niko and help take the Nose of Tralee Title home to the lake County for the first time
Meet Your 2024 Nose of Tralee Runner Up – Dougie, Galway Nose
Dougie had a difficult start in life. He was born as a little wild boy in a field in connemara. When he was only about 6 months old, he had an accident with a tractor, and this resulted in the loss of his tail and one of his legs. Thankfully the heroes at the vets and at Renvyle Cat and Dog Rescue decided to save his life and nurse him back to health. After six months of recuperation at the rescue, finally his Mummy and Daddy found him, and adopted him. He has brought more joy to our lives than we ever thought possible! His Mummy, Crystal, had a stroke two months ago, at the young age of 38, which was very difficult to go through. But Dougie has been a very dedicated nurse and instrumental in her recovery. He video-called her (with the help of his Daddy, Adam) every day while she was in hospital and missing him, and he is always by her side now – supervising her at all times! He makes sure his Mummy gets plenty of rest, and cuddles! He is her number one reason to make sure she gets better. He loves to be brought out for a walk in the forest or beside the sea in his special cat pram, and really enjoys taking in all the interesting smells. Dougie is a little hero, he really does deserve to be the 2024 Nose of Tralee! After all that he has been through, he is the most sweet natured, caring, loving little scamp that you can imagine. He is the light of his Mummy’s and Daddy’s life, and quite possibly the most loved little three-leggy none-tail boy in the whole world.
The winner will receive prizes from Sponsors Pet Sitters Ireland, Tesco Ireland and David McAuley Photography
Winners Prize
- Title Of Nose of Tralee 2024
- 200 euro Pet Sitting and Dog Walking Voucher
- Photo Shoot with David McAuley Photography including canvas image
- 500 Euro Tesco Voucher
- An A4 (297mm x 210mm) chalk pastel pet portrait of their pet from Illustrations by Carole
Runners Up Prize
- 100 euro Pet Sitting and Dog Walking Voucher
- 150 Euro Tesco Voucher
For More Information About The Nose Of Tralee Visit www.Petsittersireland.Com/Nose-Of-Tralee/
Kate McQuillan is the co-founder of Pet Sitters Ireland, an award-winning pet sitting and dog walking company established in 2010 with her husband, Michael. Together, they support thousands of pet owners across Ireland with trusted, in-home pet care. With over 14 years of experience, Kate shares practical advice to help pet owners feel confident and prepared when it comes to their pet’s care.
