Meet Our Veterinary Team
Meet the team at Abbeyville Veterinary Hospital! We’re pleased to provide exceptional vet care for your pets!
Get to Know Our Veterinary Team
We are dedicated to your pet’s care! We look forward to getting to know you and hope you’ll take the time to scroll down and get to know us.
Veterinary Surgeons
Richard Lane
MVB MRCVS
Partners
Richard is one of the partners. He qualified from University College Dublin in 1981 and worked in Lismore Co. Waterford for 2 years doing mainly dairy and beef practice. He subsequently worked in Wexford Town for a year again in mixed practice before joining Abbeyville in 1984. His areas of interest are doing dairy practice, especially herd health and vaccination programs. He has carried out a pilot project on Johnes disease control eradication in conjunction with the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Food. Outside of work, Richards’ interests include hill walking and fishing, and he is also a keen Munster rugby supporter.
Fergus Smith
MVB CertDHH
Partners
Fergus is one of the partners. He qualified from University College Dublin (UCD) in 1992 and worked in a mixed practice in Co. Mayo and West Cork before joining Abbeyville in 1995. His areas of interest are bovine and equine practice, particularly herd health, fertility and ultrasonography. He completed a postgraduate certificate in Dairy Herd Health at UCD in 2014. He also has a keen interest in small animal medicine. Outside of work, Fergus’ interests include cycling, skiing, supporting Munster and Douglas/Carrigaline Rugby and keeping his kids entertained evenings and weekends.
Michael Ryan
MVB
Partners
Michael is one of the partners. He qualified from University College Dublin in 1997 and went to England where he worked in small animal practices in Essex and Kent. He then returned to Ireland and worked in a mixed practice in Co. Kilkenny before joining Abbeyville in 2001. Michael’s area of expertise would be orthopaedic and soft tissue surgery. He is married to Rose and they have 4 children. When he is not working, Michael can be found playing taxi driver to the kids or cheering from the sidelines anywhere in the country. They have two dogs, Molly and Trevor, and of course Dave the cat!
Donal O'Sullivan
MVB CertSAM
Veterinary Surgeon
Donal qualified from UCD in 2010. He spent 2 years working in mixed practice in Northern Ireland, before returning home to Cork to join Abbeyville in 2012. Donal has a special interest in challenging medical cases, dermatology and dentistry. Donal also runs the acupuncture and pain management clinics. In 2018, He completed the UCD postgraduate certificate in Small Animal Medicine.
Máiréad Foley
MVB MRCVS
Veterinary Surgeon
Máiréad graduated from UCD and joined the Abbeyville team in 2017. Since joining the practice, she has developed a keen interest in both small and large animal practice. Máiréad is currently undertaking a certificate in small animal medicine and diagnostic imaging with the RVC in London. Her interest in veterinary stemmed from growing up on a dairy farm in Kerry.
Eve Jennings
MVB CertSAM
Veterinary Surgeon
Eve graduated from UCD in June 2021 and joined the Abbeyville Team very soon after in July 2021. She has since furthered her studies and completed a small animal medicine certificate from UCD in 2024. Eve is passionate about all areas of small animal veterinary. In her spare time, Eve loves being outdoors and sea swimming with her Border Collie Noa.
Ciara Whelan
MVB
Veterinary Surgeon
Ciara graduated from UCD in June 2021 and joined the Abbeyville team soon after in October 2021. Bringing together her love for animals and travel, she spent some time volunteering at a spay and neuter clinic in Thailand. She has a very keen interest in small animal medicine, and in particular, in surgeries. Ciara hails from County Kilkenny and has a golden retriever at home named Molly. In her spare time, Ciara loves spending time at home and in the outdoors with Molly.
Shona Coombes
MVB
Veterinary Surgeon
Shona grew up on a farm in West Cork. She graduated from UCD in 2013 and moved to Scotland where she worked for 4 years in a mixed practice. In 2018, she returned to Cork where she worked in a small animal practice for another few years, before joining the Abbeyville team in 2022. She has a particular interest in canine and feline medicine. In her free time, Shona enjoys travelling, adventures outdoors, and spending time with her 2 dogs, Henry and Delphi.
Tim Everett
BVSC
Veterinary Surgeon
Tim grew up on a dairy farm in sunny South Africa. He completed his Bachelor of Veterinary Science (BVSc) at the University of Pretoria in 2018. He has recently made the move to Ireland to gain some work and life experience. He has a special interest in small animal surgery. In his free time, Tim likes to spend lots of time outdoors. He enjoys running, swimming, hiking, fishing and surfing and of course Rugby. He has also recently fallen in love with Hurling and Gaelic Football.
Sinead Murray
MVB Cert DHH
Veterinary Surgeon
Sinead graduated from UCD in 2014 and has gained many years of experience in large animal, equine, and small animal practice before joining the Abbeyville team in 2023. Sinead adores all creatures great and small. Her particular areas of interest lie in small animal internal medicine and emergency and critical care. Sinead is currently undertaking study for an advanced qualification in small animal medicine with the University of Liverpool. In her spare time, Sinead is happiest taking part in all kinds of outdoor adventures with her beautiful Labrador cross called Boo.
Leaghanorah Carroll
DVM
Veterinary Surgeon
Leaghanorah graduated from Warsaw University of Life Sciences in 2023. Hailing from Kilmurray, near Macroom, Leaghanora has a passionate interest in small animal medicine, and in particular feline medicine. She volunteered in a spay/neuter clinic in Goa, India, and shortly after, graduating, returned to Ireland and joined the Abbeyville team. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking and spending time with her dog Marmalade and her cat Oliver.
Michele Merlino
MVB
Veterinary Surgeon
Michele is a native of Italy. He graduated from the University of Bologna in 2010. He spent 12 years working in mixed practice in Ireland before joining the Abbeyville Veterinary team in July 2023. Michele is interested in all aspects of veterinary medicine, in both large and small animals. In his free time, Michele enjoys spending time with his family, running with his red setter Tara, and riding his motorbike. He also has a keen interest in Rugby, having played the sport for many years himself.
Barry O'Callaghan
Veterinary Surgeon
Barry qualified from St Istvan University Budapest in 2014. After qualifying, and before joining the Abbeyville team, Barry worked in mixed practice in both County Kerry and West Cork. Barry enjoys all aspects of veterinary medicine, both large and small animals. In his spare time, Barry enjoys playing golf and spending time with his family.
Connor Sheedy
BVSc
Veterinary Surgeon
Connor is from Greater London where he qualified as a vet over 11 years ago. Connor’s main interest is with farm animals, particularly with cattle which is the area he specialised in with Abbeyville. His passion for this side of veterinary grew as he was often on farms when he was younger as his mom’s side of the family had beef cattle and sheep. In his spare time, Connor loves martial arts and watching films.
Bartosz Kotlarek
Veterinary Surgeon
Bartosz moved from Poland to Ireland several years ago as he has always loved Ireland. Bartosz is an important member of the team and he holds a special interest in soft tissue surgery. Bartosz enjoys taking road trips in his spare time with his beautiful family.
Veterinary Nurses
Victoria Jonsson
Co-Head Veterinary Nurse
Victoria has been a veterinary nurse since 2017 when she became a head nurse of Abbeyville in 2024 following her role as learning co-ordinator. She is originally from Sweden where she studied and worked in an extremely busy Swedish veterinary hospital. Victoria has also lectured student nurses in Sweden especially focusing on wound care and hygiene.
Victoria has always loved animals and working with them, especially horses and dogs. Victoria has no pets presently due to her move to Ireland which means she has extra time to cuddle those pets found at Abbeyville! Her hobbies include horse riding, movies, music, and books!
Rachel Walsh
Co-Head Veterinary Nurse
Rachel graduated from St John’s Central College in 2021 and since then she has made such an impact to reach senior roles within Abbeyville. She is from Limerick but moved to Cork as she loved it so much when she studied here. Rachel has a strong passion for surgery and is currently completing a certificate in Emergency & Critical Care.
She loves meeting all the different patients and lovely clients in Abbeyville. In her spare time she enjoys travelling, sea swims and live music.
Marta Zalewska
RVN
Senior Staff Nurse
Marta studied veterinary nursing at St Johns Central College and graduated in 2015. While working in small animal care since then, she quickly learned the ropes. She joined the Abbeyville Team in 2022 and from here she ventured a little further afield to learn more about large animal medicine and care, though she is still primarily a small animal nurse. She has a very keen interest in surgical nursing, organisation and animal care, as well as assisting student nurses. In January of 2023, Marta stepped into a new role with Abbeyville, as one of our senior staff nurses. In her free time, Marta loves horse riding and enjoys hiking with her fiancé James and her fur babies Buddy and Lou Lou. She can also be found cuddling her cat, Walter.
Ruth Armstrong
RVN
Veterinary Nurse
Ruth graduated from St Johns Central College in 2013 and became part of the Abbeyville team in 2015. She is the nurse who runs our Carrigaline branch, and as she was born and raised in Carrigaline herself, she is very familiar with the area and is always happy to chat about and recommend Kennels and catteries that best fit your pet. Ruth has a keen interest in animal weight loss and diets, so feel free to have a chat with her if you have any concerns about your pet’s weight. In her time off Ruth enjoys water activities like stand-up paddle boarding with her dog Indie and spending time with her family.
Sinéad Kelly
RVN
Veterinary Nurse
Sinéad joined the team in January 2020 after completing her studies at St. John’s Central College in 2019. Prior to studying Veterinary Nursing, she completed her Bachelor of Commerce at UCC. Sinéad has a great interest in orthopaedic and medical nursing. In her spare time, she enjoys going to the gym, listening to music and spending time with her furbabies, Charlie and Minnie.
Sarah Cowhig
MVB MRCVS
Veterinary Nurse
Sarah graduated from St Johns Central College in 2015. She has been working in the pet care industry since 2011 and joined the Abbeyville team in 2017. Sarah has worked in various roles in the hospital throughout the years varying from large animal nursing to small animal nursing and management. Sarah has a certificate in canine hydrotherapy and is very passionate about using physiotherapy and rehabilitation techniques to help her patients have a speedy recovery. She loves surgery, particularly assisting in orthopaedic procedures.
In her spare time, she enjoys travelling, playing tag rugby and going for sea swims! She loves spending her free time with her dog Juno and her cat Finn.
Chloe O'Neill
Veterinary Nurse
Chloe is a new veterinary nurse graduate who has been an exceptional addition to Abbeyville already! Chloe has always wanted to work with animals as she has always loved animals but covid brought this dream to a reality for her. Chloe worked as an animal care assistant in the cattery in the Limerick Animal Welfare sanctuary and applied to the Vet nursing course in Cork during that time to now be pursuing her dream as a qualified veterinary nurse.
Chloe is from County Limerick and moved to Cork 2 years ago for the vet nursing course in St Johns. Chloe then fell in love with Cork and decided to stay. Chloe has 2 cats: Molly and Spock. Chloe’s hobbies include meeting up with friends and going for drives around the country to see new places.
Caroline Kelly
Veterinary Nurse
Caroline is originally from County Down. She has lived in Scotland and Norway for many years where she then decided to move to Cork to pursue a career in Veterinary Nursing, which she qualified in this year. Caroline worked at Abbeyville throughout her student placement and is a valuable member of the team. During her course, she travelled to Slovenia and Tahiti on an Erasmus exchange program to work in veterinary clinics.
She grew up with dogs, cats, chickens, a few reptiles and riding horses. As such, a career caring for animals was a natural path to follow. Outside of work, she spends her time sea swimming at her favourite sauna and beach spots along the coast of Cork and travelling further afield.
Taylor Wallace
Veterinary Nurse
Taylor is a new veterinary nurse graduate who is a vital part of the Abbeyville team already! Taylor has always held a keen interest in science and loved animals so it was a no brainer for her to pursue veterinary nursing.
Taylor is a local Corkonian from Cobh. She has two dogs and a rabbit which keep her very busy when not at work! In her spare time, she enjoys going to the gym and reading.
Clara Campion
Veterinary Nurse
Clara is one of the longest-standing employees at Abbeyville. She has been a qualified veterinary nurse for over 10 years. She is an important part of the Abbeyville team and has cared for so many patients throughout her length of service at Abbeyville. Clara has always loved animals and loves to treat every animal as her own which comes through our doors.
Clara runs in her spare time where she recently completed the Cork City full marathon. She also enjoys travelling abroad to run half and full marathons. Apart from running, Clara is kept busy with her two dogs and two cats!
Megan O'Riordan
Veterinary Nurse
Megan has been an important part of the Abbeyville team for many years. Megan has a keen interest with inpatient care whereby she is one of the main nurses involved in ensuring your furbaby is looked after throughout their five-start stay!
Megan works very closely with Munster Lost & Found in which this charity does such amazing work for the pets of Cork and of Munster. Megan has many rescues at home which keeps her busy in her spare time.
Hayleigh Stringer
Student Nurse
Hayleigh is our student nurse, currently going into her final year of Veterinary Nursing. At home in Waterford Hayleigh has 4 dogs, Charlie, Cooper, Scamp & Phoebe. She has 3 cats, Roo, Bella & Rolo, a horse named Lexi and a garden full of hens and ducks!
Hayleigh loves the outdoors and in her spare time, she loves hiking with her Border Collie Phoebe and going on hacks with her horse Lexi. While in practice Hayleigh loves working with all of our inpatients and keeping them comfortable during their time with us.
Animal Care Assistant
Claire Cullinane
Animal Care Assistant
Claire qualified from St John’s Central College on completion of a 2-year full-time course on Companion and captive animal studies Level 5 and Animal Science and Management Level 6. She joined the team in Abbeyville in January 2024. Claire is mainly based in Blarney or in the Large Animal department in Togher so can often be found assisting our Large Animal vets with TB testing or call-outs or she can be found in Blarney Reception. Claire has many years of experience with Dogs as she had her own grooming business for 5 years and also worked in a Doggie Day Care and Training Centre. In her free time, Claire will be found hanging out with her dogs Dolly, Bella, Abbey and Lola or grabbing a coffee.
Sasha Dunne
Animal Care Assistant
Sasha is originally from Wexford but moved to Cork to study at St Johns where she is now a qualified animal care assistant. She has always been passionate about animals from a very young age. She is kept busy with four dogs, a rabbit and a horse.
Sasha has a passion for the outdoors where she obtained a degree in Agricultural Science where she also holds a strong interest in large animals, especially with cows. Sasha is a wonderful member of the Abbeyville team where her friendliness shines to both staff and clients!
Rafael Campos
Animal Care Assistant
Rafael Graduated in Veterinary Medicine from FMU Centro Universitário, Brazil in 2017. He dedicates his life to caring for animals. One of his favourite hobbies is horse riding. He also loves playing sports, especially soccer. In his free time, he enjoys watching movies and tv series.
Groomers
Emer Kelly
Head Groomer
Emer qualified from St John’s Central College on completion of a 2-year full-time course on canine husbandry/animal grooming. She joined the team in Abbeyville in 2015. With her many years of experience, Emer is passionate about all of your pets. Emer is dog Mummy to Coco the Maltese, and they adore each other. Emer hails from the Northside of Cork, and in her free time can be found walking Coco or spending time with her fiancé Ryan, grabbing a bite to eat.
Administrative & Support Staff
Danielle Williamson
Practice Manager
Danielle joined the Abbeyville team in 2022. With more than 8 years of managerial experience across many different sectors, she has learned that her passions lie in customer service, both with people and with your fur babies of course! She is best described by her friends as ‘The crazy cat lady’ where she has a cat at home, once belonging to her nana, called Brigid. In her free time, Danielle can be found horse riding, hiking, working out in the gym, and rock climbing!
Marie O'Callaghan
Assistant Practice Manager
Marie graduated in Veterinary nursing from St John’s Central College in 2000 and joined the Abbeyville team in 2001. In 2005 she took on the title of Practice Manager, and she remained in that role until 2018, when due to being a very busy Mum of 4 little girls, she switched to Assistant Practice Manager. In her free time, Marie enjoys running and is very often found taxiing the kids to their activities.
Danielle Hayes
Reception Manager
After studying animal grooming at St John’s Central College, Danielle joined the Abbeyville team in 2017. She began her journey as a groomer at our Carrigaline branch; pampering our clients’ furry friends for over 2 years. Having previous administrative experience, she joined the reception team at our Togher branch in 2020 and in January of 2023 stepped into the title of Reception manager. In her free time, Danielle enjoys spending time with her family and fiancé Liam as well as her 2 pets, Bailey and Mr Binx.
Aisling Twohig
BA RVN
Large Animal Office Manager
Aisling qualified as a veterinary nurse from Letterkenny Institute of Technology in 2021 and joined the Abbeyville team soon after, mainly working in the large animal department. In January of 2022, she stepped into a new role with us as Large Animal Office manager. Before studying Veterinary Nursing, Aisling completed a BA majoring in Politics and Psychology from UCC. In her spare time, Aisling enjoys playing tennis, going to the gym and spending quality time with her rough-haired collie Lady.
Sarah Murphy
Receptionist
Sarah is a receptionist based mostly in between our Little Island and Togher branches. She joined the Abbeyville Team in August of 2018 with over 20 years of experience in customer service in many different avenues, so she loves meeting both you and your fur babies! Sarah has a special interest in our growing social media platforms and our online presence. Originally from Mayfield, now living in East Cork with her husband James. In her free time, Sarah can usually be found spending time with her loved ones, or in the Garden. She also really enjoys singing, road trips, travel, and being on the beach.
Marguerite McCullagh
Receptionist
Marguerite Graduated in animal welfare at St John’s Central College in 2007 and subsequently graduated in grooming in 2008. She became a part of the Abbeyville team in 2014, where she helped set up the Groom room in our Togher branch. Having spent more than 15 years in the grooming industry, in 2022 Marguerite changed path and joined the reception team, in our Togher branch. She loves meeting our returning and new clients and is always happy to offer advice. At home, Marguerite is a busy Mum to two Kids!