WATCH: Thrilling rescue of little dog who fell from cliff at Irish tourist spot

An Irish rescue crew has saved the life of a little dog after a fall from a cliff in Co Cork. 

The Baltimore Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) crew rescued Dixie, a terrier mix dog, after she fell from a cliff at the Beacon this morning (March 19), with a volunteer crew arriving just before 10am after her owner raised the alarm. 

According to the RNLI, new helm David Ryan launched the Atlantic 85 class lifeboat assisted by the shore crew and with crew members Jerry Smith, Kieran Collins and Eoin O’Driscoll onboard.

Weather conditions at the time were good with a force 2-3 wind, a calm sea with up to a half metre swell and good visibility.

At the scene, the crew observed Dixie sheltering and waiting under a rock ledge after she managed to swim ashore. 

Crew members Kieran and Eoin entered the sea and retrieved the dog, bringing her safely back onto the lifeboat and back to shore to her relieved owner. 

Speaking following the call out, Baltimore RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer, Kate Callanan, said, "Dixie wasn’t far up the cliff when she fell into an area of the sea which is inaccessible from the shore so her owner did the right thing in raising the alarm. 

"While shaken and cold, Dixie is otherwise safe and well and everyone is delighted for her and her relived owner. We want to commend all our crew involved and congratulate David on his first call out as helm, I am sure it is one he won’t forget.

"We would remind anyone planning a walk near the coast with their dog to keep themselves safe when they walk with them. If your dog does go into the water or gets stuck in mud, don’t go in after them. 

"Instead, move to a place where you can get to safely and call the dog as they may be able to get out themselves. If not and you are worried, call 999 or 112 as this owner rightly did and ask for the Coast Guard."