Latest news with #IrishGuideDogsfortheBlind
Irish Independent
29-07-2025
- Irish Independent
Gardaí to cycle 500km in Spain to raise funds for Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind
This year, the funds raised will be again donated to the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind charity. Next month, the cyclists will embark on a 500km cycle from Cadi-Moixero National Park in the Pyrenees bordering Andorra and Spain, finishing in Barcelona, with the assistance of their counterparts in the Spanish Police. The fundraiser was launched on Tuesday afternoon by Spanish ambassador to Ireland Ion de la Riva Guzmán de Frutos at his residence in Dublin 4 and was also attended by Assistant Garda Commissioner Angela Willis. The Garda Tour De Force consists of gardaí and friends who have been cycling annually since 1991 to raise funds for Irish charities. Last year, they raised almost €44,000 for Irish Guide Dogs For The Blind and almost €4,000 for a host of other charities. On that occasion, 20 cyclists and support staff embarked on a 500km Spanish trip from Malaga to Seville in September raising a total of €47,770 – almost €8,000 more than their target. Among the beneficiaries have been Crumlin Children's Hospital, Debra Ireland, Aware, the Irish Heart Foundation, the Alzheimer's Society of Ireland and Cystic Fibrosis Ireland. The Marie Keating Foundation, Laura Lynn, Age Action, St John of Gods (Re Nua) and Trust, a charity caring for the homeless in Dublin, have also benefited. On their first fundraising ride 33 years ago, members of the team cycled to Ashford, Co Wicklow, to raise money for The HolyAngels Infant Intensive Care Unit at the Coombe Hospital, Dublin. Since 2005, they have embarked on more challenging routes in Ireland and continental Europe. In 2023, they embarked on a 500km cycle from Basel, Switzerland, to Bad Toelz in Germany through the foothills of the German and Austrian Alps in which €32,000 was raised. And in 2010 they even went cycling in North America. Each participant in the charity ride must raise at least €1,000 for the charity and pay their own costs. A Tour De Force spokeswoman told the Irish Independent: 'Our main sponsors this year are: Fleet Plan, Copper Face Jacks, FBD Insurance, Blooms Hotel, Oliver St. John Gogarty's, Fitzwilliam Hotel, ' Euro Cycles, Quanta Capital, Irish Independent Newspapers and The Irish Sun. 'We would like to thank them for their kind support and generous donations to this worthy cause.'
Irish Examiner
28-05-2025
- Irish Examiner
Almost 50 XL bully dogs surrendered since ban
Almost 50 XL bully dogs have been surrendered since the introduction of the ban on the breed. In October 2024, it became illegal to import, breed, rehome or resell an XL bully dog. On February 1 of this year, it became illegal to own an XL bully dog unless owners had a certificate of exemption. A certificate of exemption cannot be granted for an XL Bully that has not yet been neutered or deemed medically unfit for neutering Limerick and Cork City councils are among those who have seen dogs surrendered to them since the ban was introduced. Rural and community development minister Dara Calleary told Fine Gael TD Maeve O'Connell that in total, 48 XL Bully dogs had been surrendered. The highest numbers were seen in: Dublin City (11) Limerick (10) Cork City (4) Fifteen councils have yet to have seen a dog surrendered. Mr Calleary said: "Members of the public must comply with the regulations. Any owner found to be in breach of the regulations will have committed an offence under the Control of Dogs Act 1986. "Responsibility for the enforcement of the regulations rests with the individual local authorities, who are empowered to seize XL bully -type dogs where necessary under the relevant statutory provisions." The new regulations were introduced to protect public safety following a number of attacks by XL bully type dogs, a restricted breed, including the mauling to death of Nicole Morey, 23, in Limerick last June. Days later, members of the Garda Armed Support Unit had to shoot a pit bull terrier dog, a smaller version of the breed, after a woman was injured at a house in the Ballyphehane area of Cork City. In total, more than 1,800 applications for certificates of exemption were received, and to date almost 1,000 have been granted. Any owner found to be in breach of the laws could see their dog seized and euthanised in a humane manner. The owner could face a fine of up to €2,500, a jail term of up to three months, or both. Read More Cork college staff and students encouraged to home pups for Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind
Irish Independent
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Clare heritage site to host first-ever dog show packed with family fun and competitions
Set to offer a 'packed programme of light-hearted competition', Ireland's newest dog show will see canines of all shapes, sizes, and temperaments take centre stage – with one category in particular leaving room for a paw-rent or two. There are 16 categories for pup to compete and win prizes in, including: Smallest Dog, Best Biscuit Catcher, Most Handsome Dog, Waggiest Tail, Veteran Dog, and Best Fancy Dress. Humans can get their moment in the spotlight in the 'Best 6 Legs (Dog and Owner)' category. Young dog lovers won't be left out either, with the 'Young Handlers' category giving children a chance to showcase the connection they share with their four-legged companions. Speaking about the inaugural event, Marie Brennan, Events Manager at Co Clare's Bunratty Castle and Folk Park said: 'We are thrilled to introduce Bark in the Park, which will provide a fantastic day out for families and dog lovers. Dogs have always been part of the Bunratty story - our Irish Wolfhounds are a living link to the castle's medieval past. Bark in the Park carries that tradition forward in a fun, modern way.' The popular County Clare attraction, most well-known for its medieval castle, will also use the event to shine a light on the vital role service dogs play in Irish society. Visitors will have ample opportunity to meet representatives from the Clare branch of Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind, who aim to share stories of how their dogs support people with visual impairments and families of children with autism throughout the day. Irish Dogs for the Disabled will also be at the event, showcasing their work in providing trained assistance dogs to people with physical disabilities. Bunratty Castle and Folk Park added that their own Irish Wolfhounds, Rían and Míde, will be on site throughout 'Bark in the Park', continuing the long-standing tradition of wolfhounds roaming Bunratty Castle. Advance registration for 'Bark in the Park' is required via by Friday, June 6.
Irish Independent
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Clare heritage site hosts first dog show boasting a ‘packed programme of light-hearted competition'
Set to offer a 'packed programme of light-hearted competition', Ireland's newest dog show will see canines of all shapes, sizes, and temperaments take centre stage – with one category in particular leaving room for a paw-rent or two. There are 16 categories for pup to compete and win prizes in, including: Smallest Dog, Best Biscuit Catcher, Most Handsome Dog, Waggiest Tail, Veteran Dog, and Best Fancy Dress. Humans can get their moment in the spotlight in the 'Best 6 Legs (Dog and Owner)' category. Young dog lovers won't be left out either, with the 'Young Handlers' category giving children a chance to showcase the connection they share with their four-legged companions. Speaking about the inaugural event, Marie Brennan, Events Manager at Co Clare's Bunratty Castle and Folk Park said: 'We are thrilled to introduce Bark in the Park, which will provide a fantastic day out for families and dog lovers. Dogs have always been part of the Bunratty story - our Irish Wolfhounds are a living link to the castle's medieval past. Bark in the Park carries that tradition forward in a fun, modern way.' The popular County Clare attraction, most well-known for its medieval castle, will also use the event to shine a light on the vital role service dogs play in Irish society. Visitors will have ample opportunity to meet representatives from the Clare branch of Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind, who aim to share stories of how their dogs support people with visual impairments and families of children with autism throughout the day. Irish Dogs for the Disabled will also be at the event, showcasing their work in providing trained assistance dogs to people with physical disabilities. Bunratty Castle and Folk Park added that their own Irish Wolfhounds, Rían and Míde, will be on site throughout 'Bark in the Park', continuing the long-standing tradition of wolfhounds roaming Bunratty Castle. Advance registration for 'Bark in the Park' is required via by Friday, June 6.
Irish Independent
21-05-2025
- General
- Irish Independent
Cork town to host a 5km walk to raise awareness for Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind
The 5km walk will begin outside Macroom GAA at 11am on Sunday, and is expected to be a 'lovely event' according to Fundraising Team Lead Chris Bennett. 'It will be a lovely event, especially if the weather is fine. 'Families and dogs will be very welcome to come along and join us on the day. 'It will give people the chance to take part in a nice old walk, meet our volunteers and find out a little bit more about what the charity does,' he said. The charity will celebrate its 50th year in operation next year and has, in its lifespan to date, provided independence and mobility for people with visual impairment and support for families of children with Autism. Mr Bennett added that the charity is very proud of its Cork roots. 'We are known as a national charity, but we are proud to be known as a Cork-based charity. 'We are one of the few charities that would have all their main offices and everything in the county. 'We are also looking for volunteers in Macroom and parts of West Cork to help us with our fundraising campaigns,' he added. Volunteers will be raising funds for the charity outside Dunnes Store on Saturday from 9am until 2pm. They will also raise money in Macroom town centre on Friday from 9am to 2pm. Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind recently announced a partnership with Munster Technological University to provide training programmes for their dogs across their six Cork and Kerry campuses, and Mr Bennett described the partnership as 'fantastic.' 'The partnership with MTU is fantastic because it gives us access to their campuses across Cork and Kerry as well. 'For dog trainers, that's gold because it allows them to work with dogs in a variety of different environments and distractions. 'You can imagine on a campus there will be cars, grass cutting, potentially other animals walking around and these distractions can only help the dogs to learn and deal with them,' he concluded. If you want to become a 'puppy raiser' please contact: pups@ or phone 0818 506 300.
