A dog had a lucky escape after it fell from a cliff in Co Cork this morning.

The terrier mix named Dixie was near the Beacon when she fell a short distance from the cliff, but into an area which was inaccessible from the shore.

The little dog managed to swim ashore and shelter under a rock ledge.

Dixie's owner raised the alarm and the Coast Guard requested Baltimore RNLI to launch their inshore lifeboat just before 10am.

David Ryan, on his first call-out since his passing out as a new helm for the station, launched the Atlantic 85 class lifeboat along with crew members Jerry Smith, Kieran Collins and Eoin O'Driscoll on board.

After Dixie was located on the rock ledge, Mr Collins and Mr O'Driscoll entered the sea to retrieve her.

She was later reunited with her relieved owner.

The RNLI said that although Dixie was shaken and cold after her ordeal, she is otherwise safe and well.

A spokesperson also commended her owner who "did the right thing in raising the alarm".

They said anyone who finds themselves in a similar situation should not attempt to go into the water after them, but should "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."