MEET THE TEAM
VETERINARY SURGEONS
Richard Lane
MVB MRCVS
Partner
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 a mixed practice before joining Abbeyville in 1984. His areas of interests, 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, fishing and he is also a keen Munster rugby supporter.
Fergus Smith
MVB CertDHH
Partner
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 post graduate 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
Partner
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. Michaels area of expertise would be orthapaedic 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 post graduate 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
Veterinary Surgeon
Eve graduated from UCD in 2021 and joined the Abbeyville Team very soon after in July of 2021. She is also currently further undertaking a small animal medicine certificate from UCD. Eve is passionate about small animal medicine, with a particular interest in dentistry and surgery. In her spare time, Eve loves the Great 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 in 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 Bachelors 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 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 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 an Italian native. 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 animal. In his spare time, Barry enjoys playing golf and spending time with his family.
Kieran O Mahony
Veterinary Surgeon
Kieran is one of our large animal vets. After qualifying from UCD in 2012, Kieran worked in France, New Zealand and East Cork before joining our team in 2022. His areas of interest are bovine herd health, fertility and ultrasonography. He completed a Post graduate certificate in herd health in UCD in 2016 and he also completed the Diploma in Bovine reproduction DBR in 2018.In his spare time, Kieran enjoys golfing, cycling and GAA., and most of his time is spent trying to keep up with his two sons.
Connor Sheedy
Veterinary Surgeon
VETERINARY NURSES
Sarah Cowhig
RVN
Head 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. Previously, she enjoyed working in both small and large animal care, but now as our Head Nurse she is responsible for the day to day running of the small animal hospital. She has a particular interest in small animal surgery. In her spare time, Sarah enjoys travelling, going to the gym, playing tag rugby and spending time with her dog Juno and her cat Finn.
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 pets weight. In her time off Ruth enjoys water activities like stand up paddle boarding with her dog Indie and spending time with her family.
Sinead Kelly
RVN
Veterinary Nurse
Sinéad joined the team in January 2020 after completing her studies in St. John’s Central College in 2019. Prior to studying Veterinary Nursing, she completed her Bachelor of Commerce in 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
Jemma Coogan
BA RVN
Veterinary Nurse
Jemma Graduated from UCC in 2020 and decided that her Arts degree wasn’t enough, so she went on to study Veterinary Nursing in St Johns Central College, graduating in 2021. Jemma first came to Abbeyville as student Nurse in 2021 and never left. As soon as she qualified, she joined our team full time! Jemma has a keen interest in surgical nursing, particularly orthopaedics and spends a lot of her time assisting vet Michael Ryan. She also is very interested in Nurse weight loss clinics. In her free time, Jemma enjoys playing hockey and bringing her beloved Bella and Harry for long runs off the lead.
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 students 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
Grainne Grainger
RVN
Veterinary Nurse
Grainne discovered that she was meant for Veterinary Nurse while studying Animal care, so she went on to Study Veterinary Nursing and graduated in 2020, from St Johns Central College. After Graduating, she worked in a busy mixed practise in West Cork for a few years before joining the Abbeyville team in October 2022. Grainne has a special interest in hand rearing and nursing young kittens. She also enjoys running Nurse clinics and assisting student nurses. Coming from a farming background, she also has an interest in large animal care. In her free time you might find Grainne hiking, or enjoying the great outdoors with her 5 dogs, including the newest addition Lexi the Golden retriever.
Dara O Keeffe
Veterinary Nurse
Dara studied Veterinary nursing in St Johns Central College and graduated in 2023. She also received a certificate in animal science in 2021. Prior to graduating, Dara spent two years completing her work experience with the Abbeyville team, so we were delighted to officially welcome her on board. Dara is passionate about both small and large animal nursing. She is Mom to a cat named Murphy and a bearded dragon named Little Dude. In her free time, Dara enjoys music and swimming in the sea.
ANIMAL CARE ASSISTANTS
Elise Sauer De Araujo
Animal Care Assistant
Elise graduated as a Veterinary physician from the Federal University of Santa Maria in Brazil (USFM) in April 2021.. She is currently a Postgraduate student in feline Medicine at FATEC-PR. Elise is from Brazil and moved to Cork, joining the Abbeyville team in December 2022. She has a keen interest in feline care and animal welfare. In her free time Elise enjoys spending time with her family, and Mabel the cat. She recently adopted Mabel from Munster Lost and Found pet helpline, after falling in love with her on her first day working in Abbeyville. She also has a family cat named Kira, at home in Brazil that keeps her mum company. Elise also really enjoys exploring new places and cycling.
Grady Sarah Noonan
Animal Care Assistant
Grady studied Animal Care in Mallow College of further Education and graduated in May 2020. She did her college work experience with us while studying, from 2019 to 2020 and officially joined the team in December 2022. Based mainly in our Large animal department in Togher, she is most often found assisting our Large animal vets with call outs or TB Testing, but can also often be found at reception. She loves meeting all of our clients, both out on the farms and in our clinics. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her 14 year old Yorkshire terrier Marley, as well as reading and baking. She also has a very keen interest in gardening and DIY.
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.
Barbara De Sario
Groomer
Cait Harrington
Groomer/Animal Care Assistant
Cait graduated from St Johns Central College in 2022. She completed level 5 in Companion and captive animal (Animal Care) and Level 6 in Animal Science and Management. After graduating, she worked in a Doggy day care facility in Midleton for a while, before joining the Abbeyville team in December of 2022. In her free time, Cait enjoys Rugby and taking her Black Labrador Belle to the beach.
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 Johns 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, where 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 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 in St Johns 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!