Donegal photographer James O’Donnell has announced the passing of Iggy, a beautiful border collie who was one of Donegal’s best-loved ambassadors.
After a year of health difficulties, Iggy’s adventures came to a peaceful close this morning, wrapped in love and compassion in Rennes, France.
In her 14 years she became a poster pup for Donegal, posing in the most beautiful settings for her proud owner.
Iggy’s peaceful posture and joie de vivre, captured so artfully by James, brightened the feeds of thousands of social media fans all over the world.
James O’Donnell Photos
From lazing by the fire in the Shamrock Pub in Falcarragh to scaling snow-capped hills, Iggy embodied a gentle way of life, inspiring people to pause and appreciate the little things.
Iggy (short for Ignatius after James’ uncle), born in Meath, came into James’s life when she was 9 weeks old. Since then, she was his loyal sidekick.
James O’Donnell Photography
Iggy and James enjoy a pint in the Shamrock. James O’Donnell Photos
When the world was turned upside down during the pandemic, James’ photos of Iggy were a breath of fresh air.
His photography inspired an annual calendar and led to James’ first solo exhibition in New York City last year.
The duo’s story even inspired a book ‘What The Tide Leaves Behind: A Novel of Donegal’ by Malcolm McDowell Woods.
In 2021, Iggy and James welcomed a new pup to their pack – Frida.
Frida happily learned the ropes from her big sister and earned her place on the famous calendars and prints.
Iggy’s health took a turn for the worst at the start of this year when she suffered a stroke – and while she was on the recovery path, she was then diagnosed with vestibular disease.
This summer, James, Iggy and Frida – the three best friends – embarked on a once in a lifetime final journey to France to stay with Donegal woman Donna Harkin.
They visited Donegal expats and toured across Paris, Normandy and Brittany in James’ trusty Volkswagen van.
Last week, while James was back in France house-sitting in Normandy, he made the heartbreaking decision to let Iggy go.
As she lay resting by the fire, Iggy reached out and placed her paw softly over Frida’s.
“That night, Saturday the 15th of November 2025, was the night I knew in my heart, mind and soul, that it was Iggy’s time,” James said.
“Since January 16th of this year (my mother’s anniversary coincidentally), when Iggy became ill, I’ve cared for her 24/7. So I want to reassure everyone that this decision is the correct one, the humane one, and my gift in return for everything that she has done for me, is to gift her the freedom from pain.”
This morning, as Iggy went to sleep for the final time, James gave thanks to her kind-hearted vet: “Dr Ludivine provided the best care that we could have asked for. It all felt so right.”
James placed a small gold heart he had found on the street beside Iggy, in tribute to a beloved pet who touched so many lives with her heart of pure gold.
The next steps for James and Frida will be to have a chai latte in celebration of Iggy, and on the way home they will stop in Fougères to arrange her cremation.
James gave thanks to all his followers for their support in the lead-up to this difficult morning.
“Thanks so much to everyone for your support and stories, all of it carried us through to this moment,” he said.
RIP, Iggy
RIP Iggy: Beloved Donegal icon crosses the rainbow bridge was last modified: November 24th, 2025 by Staff Writer