*LATEST*
AUTUMN 2024 NEWSLETTER
NOW AVAILABLE
Urgent Appeal
from UCD Veterinary Hospital
Due to an unprecedented increase in numbers of sick cats, the UCD Veterinary Hospital are seeking healthy cats to donate blood to be transfused to sick patients in their ICU.
Contact: vetblooddonorclinic@ucd.ie
or 01 7166137
PLEASE HELP
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The Siamese Cat Club, which was founded in Dublin in 1953, was the first cat club in Ireland. At that time, an Irish lady, by name Kathleen Williams, was a famous breeder and judge of Siamese in Great Britain. Her very well known Prefix "Doneraile" will be found in the early Siamese pedigrees. This lady gave great encouragement to those founding the Irish club and to this day there is a Doneraile Trophy awarded each year. Mrs. Billie Macdougald and Mrs. Jill Coyne were also very enthusiastic founder members.
The first show was held in the Mansion House, and Mrs. Kathleen Williams came to judge the exhibits. Subsequent shows were held in the Engineers Hall and the Molesworth Hall. The club maintained a register for Siamese cats and in those early days only Siamese were registered. In 1968 the Governing Council for the Cat Fancy of Ireland came into being and performed the same function for cats as the Kennel Club does for dogs. The new body took over registrations and gradually breeds other than Siamese began to make an appearance and had to be registered.
To enable shows to cater for the emerging breeds the club name was changed to Siamese & All Breeds Cat Club of Ireland. Clubs were affiliated to the GCCFI and that body granted licences for shows under strict guide lines. For the first time it was possible for cats to compete for challenge certificates at championship shows and, having won three under three different judges, to be titled "Champion" or, in the case of neutered cats, "Premier".
In the late 60's the annual show moved from the Molesworth Hall to the Supper Room in the Mansion House and the entries increased year by year. Judges from Great Britain were invited to the shows which added to the interest for exhibitors. During the mid 70's and into the 80's the shows were held in the Royal Dublin Society and these were good years, with entries reaching almost 200 in number. In the early 90's the show returned to the Mansion House and occupied both the Round Room for the pedigree exhibits and the Supper Room for a large non-pedigree section. The Mansion House continued to be the venue until it closed for renovation. In the following years the show moved to various local venues around Dublin including Knocklyon, Templeogue, Ballinteer and Dun Laoire.
Unfortunately, in recent years interest in showing cats has decreased and entries are now to an all time low. This is despite the hard work of dedicated members who strive to keep interest alive. As well as the annual show, the Club produces a Newsletter for members two or three times a year and endeavours to hold some social and educational functions.
2024-2026 COMMITTEE PRESIDENT: Tony Forshaw Vice-PRESIDENT: Betty Dobbs
If you would like to join our Club we would be delighted to hear from you. Please click here for an application form.
NOTE: Existing members can renew their membership by using the quick renewal form - please click here.
*Available to members only
For a copy of our rules, please click here. In addition to these rules, we are bound by the rules and constitution of the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy of Ireland (GCCFI). You may contact the GCCFI at secretary@gccfi.com for further information.
Below is a summary list of the standard forms found on this site: Breeders Page Application Form
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