Is it a lion in County Clare!? Viral mystery in west of Ireland explained.Gardai Info / X
Over the weekend, a lorry driver captured a video of what looked like a lion in the woods at Mountshannon in County Clare.
There were several reported sightings, placing the so-called lion anywhere from Trim in County Meath to the other side of the country in County Clare.
Some people claimed the video was AI-generated, and despite several reported sightings and claims that the video was faked, local forest manager John O’Reilly, who was sent the video by the startled truck driver, insisted that whatever it was, it was undoubtedly real.
Gardaí have said that they've received no reports of a lion on the loose in Co. Meath, after footage circulated on social media claiming to show just that.
The footage is believed to have been recorded somewhere in the Kells area, in Co. Meath. pic.twitter.com/KEmvFv6PTP
— Boyne News (@BoyneNews) October 30, 2025
Gardai [Ireland's police] in Co Clare confirmed they were taking the recent sightings in Mount Shannon woods seriously.
It has since been revealed that the "lion" was actually a very friendly and sociable Newfoundland dog named Mouse, sporting a wild "Lion King" makeover.
Mystery solved! Turns out the “lion” spotted roaming Clare was just a Newfoundland dog with a fresh haircut!
Gardaí from Killaloe have concluded that the recent video of a “lion like” animal roaming around the woods in East Clare is in fact the very friendly dog named ‘Mouse’. pic.twitter.com/xjlms0nNaY
— Garda Info (@gardainfo) November 4, 2025
The Newfoundland is a large working dog breed known for its strength, endurance, and gentle nature. Their coats can be black, grey, brown, or a combination of black and white.
Historically, in the dominion of Newfoundland, they were initially bred to assist fishermen. These dogs were valued for their ability to haul nets, carry lines, and perform water rescues.
Thanks to their robust build, dense double coat, webbed feet, and exceptional swimming ability, Newfoundlands are exceptionally skilled at water rescue and lifesaving work.
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In a social media post, Gardaí from Killaloe concluded that the lion-like creature spotted in East Clare is, in fact, the friendly Mouse, who’s thrilled about his newfound fame!
Mouse looks like he has recently had a bit of a designer haircut, making him look, from certain angles, like Mufasa from The Lion King.
However, this big, friendly giant is said to be typical of his breed —a big, slobbery, friendly dog who loves people and enjoys rambling about the woods in his local vicinity.
He gave people quite a scare last week as he was seen trotting away from the road into the trees without a care in the world, oblivious to the panic he was causing by his nonchalant rambles in the forests of County Clare.
* This article was originally published on Extra.ie.