After almost two decades caring for animals across Galway, veterinary surgeons and long-time friends Ruth Murphy and Ríona Mac Eoin are embarking on an exciting new chapter with the opening of a second clinic in Oranmore.
The pair established Briarhill Vets in Galway city in 2009. Now renamed Croí na Mara, meaning ‘heart of the sea’, the independent Irish practice is bringing its familiar blend of professional expertise and compassionate care to a new community setting.
The new Oranmore clinic will be officially launched with a family open day from 2pm to 4pm on Saturday, September 12. There will be plenty to entertain younger visitors, including face painting, stone painting, storytelling and a competition, while some very special guests will be on hand to welcome visitors — Irish wolfhounds Morrigan, Grace and Morgan and Ríona’s tiny chihuahua, Sugar.
A lifelong love of animals
Ruth and Ríona have known each other since their university days, and their shared passion for animals eventually developed into a successful professional partnership.
Ruth grew up in Dublin but spent her holidays in Portumna with her grandmother, where she developed a strong love of animals. Reading James Herriot’s All Creatures Great and Small helped inspire her towards a career in veterinary medicine.
Ríona grew up in rural Kinvara, where animals were an important part of everyday life. She was a typical pony mad kid and spent many happy hours on a neighbouring farm.
Their paths eventually came together professionally, leading to the opening of Briarhill Vets in 2009. Nearly 20 years later, the practice has grown considerably, while the values that shaped it in the beginning remain firmly in place.
The importance of a good team
Croí na Mara is now supported by a dedicated team of vets and nurses, many of whom have been part of the practice for years.
Creating a positive and supportive working environment has always been important to Ruth and Ríona. Veterinary medicine can be demanding, fast-paced and, at times, emotionally difficult, making a strong team essential.
Among the longest-serving members is vet Fiona Kelly, who has been with the practice for almost nine years. Fiona has a particular interest in ultrasonography and surgery, while her love of animals also inspires her artwork. She has created numerous portraits of clients’ pets and members of the team through her work at @painted.by.fiona on Instagram.
Nurses Orla Ryan, Rebecca Brett and Amy Stagg are also key members of the team, bringing extensive experience and medical knowledge to the day-to-day care of patients.
Sarah Murphy O’Connor and Cavina Collins are more recent additions, joining vets Aisling Chambers, Megan Gennery and Herman Hyle to form a team Ruth and Ríona are extremely proud of.
Both clinics are fully equipped for a wide range of medical and surgical procedures, including digital X-ray, ultrasound, dental surgery and comprehensive anaesthetic monitoring.
Separate dog and cat wards help reduce stress for hospitalised patients, while the new Oranmore clinic also features a dedicated comfort room, providing a quiet and private space for clients facing the difficult loss of a beloved pet.
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A fresh start in Oranmore
The new clinic offers a fresh environment for the established team and brings Croí na Mara closer to many of its existing clients in and around Oranmore.
Staff, including Ruth and Ríona, will alternate between the two locations, allowing clients to continue seeing familiar faces while giving the team the opportunity to enjoy the variety of working across both practices.
For everyone at Croí na Mara, the appeal of veterinary medicine lies not only in the variety of the work but also in the relationships that develop with clients over time.
Having cared for some families since Briarhill first opened, the team has shared many important moments with their clients — from welcoming new puppies and kittens to providing support when much-loved pets reach the end of their lives.
That continuity of care and strong connection with the local community remain central to the practice.
As Croí na Mara opens its doors in Oranmore, Ruth and Ríona are not simply adding another clinic. They are building on almost two decades of experience, friendship and a shared love of animals, while beginning an exciting new chapter for the practice.
