01-08-2025
Derek the dog needs Wicklow public's vote in bid for Nose of Tralee
Derek is a loveable wolfhound cross rescue dog, owned by couple Alex Wheatley and Mairéad Grennan, who live in Wicklow town. They welcomed Derek, who turns two in February, into their home in August of last year, having contacted the Dogs Trust Ireland
Now Derek is their number one priority, and travels with Alex as he carries out work servicing central heating systems, which has resulted in Derek earning a well-earned reputation as a boilerman's apprentice.
'We have no children so Derek has taken centre-stage in our lives. He is just so full of personality,' said Alex.
'He is a big, loveable oaf and if he was at eye-level then people who meet him wouldn't have any eyes left because his tail is constantly wagging and swishing away.'
Alex is originally from Newtownmountkennedy, while Mairéad hails from Kilcoole, and the pair only moved to Wicklow town in July of last year. They were persuaded to get a dog of their own after looking after a friend's pet for a couple of weeks.
'After that we just couldn't wait to get our own dog. We got him from Dogs Trust Ireland, and initially we had no clue what we would name him. Then, fair play to Mairéad, she was petting him after he came home for the first time, and she just said he looks like a Derek, so that's what we named him.
'His nose and tail are two of our favourite things in this world. Derek is a big gentle fluffy giant. All our family and friends absolutely adore him. He is very much part of our crew now.
"My mum and Mairéad's mum both have two little dogs, who Derek loves to run around with and play with. We call them his uncles. He is great with other dogs and is so social. He is yet to show any malice towards other dogs, and if another dog doesn't like him, Derek just turns around while still wagging his tail.
'He is just so full of personality and he is also a van dog who goes to work with me when I am servicing central heating systems. He meets all of my clients, and I firmly believe that he makes some of the people he meets day that much better. I have even had clients who have told me they don't like dogs but they would love a 'Derek', and honestly, if you ask us, the world needs more Derek's in it.'
While Derek still won't be two until February, he is already a considerable size, and enjoys nothing more than giving a friendly lick to all.
Alex added: 'He could come up to the dinner table and rest his chin on your plate without having to stretch. Mairéad just said the other day that she thinks he has grown again. There was a time where I started to believe he was growing every time you fed him. He's the bestest boy and makes the world a better place.'
Initially the couple decided to enter Derek into the Nose of Tralee competition after Mairéad saw it being advertised online.
'We put a photo up and got family and friends to vote, then we were informed that Derek had made it through to the next stage, which would be judged by independent judges. Derek was chosen as the Wicklow Nose finalist as the competition returns to a public vote and we'd love to see him succeed,' said Alex.
The voting closes at 5pm on August 18 and you can vote once every 24 hours. To coast your votes, visit
