Dramatic rescue near Birr Castle after dog plummets 10 metres

By Rebekah O'Reilly

'Blu', a Bernese Mountain Dog, has been rescued from an abandoned well near Oxmantown Mall in Birr.

Three-year-old dog was walking near the gate of Birr Castle with his owner when he slipped into a 10-metre deep hole covered with grass.

Denis Canty, Assistant Chief of Offaly Fire and Rescue Service, said: “The hole wasn't open. The dog got off the leash when his owner was chatting to a friend, and next thing he disappeared. It just opened up underneath him.”

The rescue involved over 20 people, including members of Laois Fire & Rescue who carried out a technical rescue.

“The hole was too deep for anyone to attempt a rescue so we were called right away. We don't actually have the equipment for a technical rescue, so that's when the Laois Fire & Rescue technical team got involved.”

Mr Canty confirmed that efforts are being made by Offaly County Council to fill the hole today, Monday, March 23.