RIR mascot set for Armed Forces Day in Antrim

The Royal Irish Regiment's new mascot, Brian Boru Conri pictured with children at Dundonald Primary School who were tasked with choosing his pet name. Photo: Kellie Shattock.

Five months old Brian Boru Conri is the Regiment’s first ‘blond’ Mascot and was born into a litter of pups in Dublin.

He’s already weighing in at 36kgs and growing rapidly.

Brian Boru Conri has a Regimental Number and will soon receive his military ID card; he can be disciplined, promoted and demoted like any other serving soldier!

His daily diet -in addition to ‘giant breed’ dog food, includes two eggs per day, one pint of milk per day, one chicken breast every other day. Once fully grown he will be over 100 Kgs in weight and will be able to run, sustained, at 45mph.

Mascot Handler, Ranger Moore of Country Antrim, a soldier with 1st Battalion the Royal Irish Regiment, is Brian Boru Conri’s handler.

Ranger Moore is the first Irish Wolfhound Handler to complete both the Patrol Dog Handlers’ Course and the Kennel Managers’ Course in the British Army.

He also recently took part in HM Queen’s 90th celebrations at Windsor Castle. He is entrusted with the complete care of Brian Boru Conri. This week, Brian Boru Conri completed his first public engagement – meeting children from Dundonald Primary School in Belfast.

The children at Dundonald were set the task of giving him his pet name – coming up with Conri which stands for Wolf King.

This weekend he will “be on duty” to meet Old Soldiers when the Royal Irish Regiment hosts veterans and associations for a short parade at Clonavor Barracks.

For the public, he’s expected to be on “best behaviour” for Armed Forces Day on June 18.