Glasslyn Vets honoured its longest serving employee Pat O’ Donnell, who recently celebrated his 50th anniversary with the company. Glasslyn Vets held a celebration in the Innishannon House Hotel for Pat O’ Donnell, his family and work colleagues.

Glasslyn Vets Managing Director, Kevin O’ Sullivan, directors David McLaughlin, John Nyhan and John Healy, along with work colleagues commended Mr O’ Donnell’s dedication to veterinary life and thanked him for his five decades of service and loyalty.

“We’re excited to celebrate Pat reaching the 50th anniversary milestone,” said Kevin O’ Sullivan.  “Pat embodies the traits that help make Glasslyn Vets a leader in our industry: hard work, commitment, and putting animals at the heart of everything we do. We know from personal experience that Pat is a great role model for future generations of Glasslyn Vets’ veterinary teams.  He has supported some of our directors with their own career, helping them to progress from assistants to partners and we have benefited hugely from his knowledge and experience. I would like to personally thank Pat for his daily contributions to our company.”

Mr. O’ Donnell  came to Bandon in 1972 and became a partner in 1973.  Over the following fifty years, Pat supported a lot of positive change for the business; from building on a purpose designed veterinary clinic on Glasslyn Road, Bandon in the early eighties, to purchasing a new premise in Church Square, Kinsale.  In the mid to late eighties the practice acquired six other practices throughout Cork county. All of this has led to Glasslyn Vets becoming a leader in the veterinary industry, with a strong culture of investing in its employees and offering state-of-the-art facilities to protect and improve large and small animals’ health.

“Pat has played a very important role within our organisation and continues to set the example of hard work and dedication to our company,” said Glasslyn Vets director David McLaughlin. “His experience and talents are invaluable to us. He has a keen interest in people which really stands to his client relationships and is much respected by our clients.  He is simply the best!”

Speaking on this tremendous milestone, Pat O’ Donnell stated “It is hard to imagine that the roots of Glasslyn Vets began before the 1916 Rising, when in 1914 Con O’ Driscoll of Abbey Mahon, Timoleague qualified as a veterinary surgeon.  There has been a lot of transformation from back then to now with veterinary practices changing dramatically.  I would like to acknowledge the support and friendship of my former and present Glasslyn Vets’ colleagues. Also, my family have played an important role over the past fifty year.  I wish Glasslyn Vets all the best going forward”.

Some photos from the celebrations.

       

       

       

 

Every garden, no matter its size, can be a haven for hungry pollinators. In Ireland, there are 98 different types of bee: the honeybee, 20 different bumblebees and 77 different solitary bees. They along with other insects such as moths, butterflies & hoverflies carry out the very important job of pollination. Here are some tips to help encourage them into your space and help their numbers thrive.

1. Plant trees, shrubs & flowers ( listed below) to attract bees, butterflies & moths throughout the year.

Spring: Willow, Dandelion, Gorse, Sycamore Blossom, Horse Chestnut, Bluebell, Snowdrops, Daisy, Elder, wild garlic

Summer: Hawthorn/Whitethorn, Fuchsia, Blackberry Blossom, White Clover, Foxglove, Lavender, Milk thistle, Poppy, Lobelia, Sunflowers

Autumn: Bell Heather, Ling Heather, Dahlia, Aster, Borage

Autumn/Winter: Ivy Blossom, Honeysuckle, Holly

2. Build or buy an insect hotel. These are readily available to buy now but are a easy and fun to make yourself
3. Create an insect friendly area by allowing a small part of your garden to go wild
4. Provide a shallow water source for insects to drink out of. This could also encourage dragonflies & damselflies to your garden.
5. Use non toxic pest control methods