Will the dashing Will Danaher sniff Nose of Tralee success?
A NAVAN family is hoping that their two-and-a-half-year-old Scottish Terrier can bring the 2024 Pet Sitters Ireland ‘Nose of Tralee’ title back to the Royal county!
Handsome ‘Will Danaher’ to use his full title is the “heart and soul” of the Collins household and possesses just as much star quality as the character from the iconic Quiet Man film that he is named after, according to owner, Michael Collins who said:
“He’s a great character and he’s my nine-year-old daughter, Michaela's pride an joy, her best friend.”
“He has a majestic black coat and has an amazing personality and beautiful temperament, he's a big softie!” he added.
Pet lover Michael explains how the family's precious pooch ended up with the unique moniker.
“We are big fans of the Quiet Man film and there is a part where Will Danaher who is the brother of Maureen O’ Hara's character fights John Wayne's character at the end of the film,” said Michael.
“When we went to see him as a pup he was the biggest and broadest out of the whole lot of them so I thought there's no other name for him it has to be Will Danaher,” he added.
“We even took him to visit the Quiet Man pub that was used in the film in Mayo!”
Michael says the heartbreaking loss of a dog they had for almost 17 years spurred him, his wife Winnie, son Martin (18) and daughter Michaela (9) on to find a new best friend.
“When our dog died my daughter was heartbroken so we decided to look for a new dog and we saw Danaher and there was no turning back,” said Michael.
Danaher who enjoys walks in the Battle of the Boyne site at Oldbridge, Trim Castle and the Hill of Tara is hoping to do his county and his country proud according to his owner.
“We put him in the Meath jersey because the Meath team isn't doing too great at the moment so maybe if Danaher brings the Nose of Tralee title back to Meath, it might give the county a boost!
Last year, 1,500 pets participated in the Nose of Tralee, a cheeky riff on the world-famous Rose of Tralee International Festival.
The winner of the 2024 Nose of Tralee not only wins the coveted title, they also win a €250 Pet Sitting Voucher From Pet Sitters Ireland, a €500 Store Voucher From Tesco Ireland, and a photo shoot with David McAuley Photography.