about us The Origin of Donegal Cattery (pronounced: donnie-gol')

O'Connell Street in Dublin. Photograph: Bryan O'Brien/The Irish Times

It was a challenge I couldn’t refuse. I was told that producing a show quality chocolate or lilac point Himalayan was as likely as snow in Ireland. So, Donegal Cattery began breeding in North Carolina in 1996 with the clear objective of producing CFA show quality Himalayans in chocolate and lilac. I would also breed sweet and beautiful pets and show cats in a vast array of colors. The latter was inevitable because of the look and disposition of the cats I chose to become members of the cattery. The former is still poetry in progress. I am continually reminded that this is my long-term artistic science project.

The name Donegal came from the county where my husband’s ancestors lived, in Ireland, the land of every shade of green and nestled historic castles. Enjoy some of the panorama as seen by us on our Ireland honeymoon in 1996 below.

Some of the registered names of my babies are of Gaelic derivation. My first sire, and beginning of my cattery, was a lilac point named Finnian Barry, which is translated as “fair pointed”. Peadar Ronan means “foundation seal” which is precisely what Ronan, a seal point, is. Eilise ‘n’ Ranait stands for “God is satisfaction and grace”, of which I am a firm believer.

Even the pet quality kittens are given names, which generally have a meaning specific to them, to give them an identity. One of my now retired adults liked to have her babies on holidays. So we had one litter on Thanksgiving named Turk, Graves, and Punky. She had the next one on St. Patrick’s Day (imagine that, a cat from Donegal). Their names were St. Patrick (seen on the Home page), Shamrock, and Tullamore Dew. I have been amazed at how many people have kept their given names.

Our breeders and show cats will eventually retire and be ready to become part of a new and loving family.  If you are interested in a kitten or an adult from Donegal Cattery, you will find photos for those currently available, as well as information on the health of our cats, on the "Available" page.  You may reach us via the "Contact Us" page on this website.

Thank you for visiting Donegal Cattery. Cead Mile Failte'. (100,000 Welcomes).