Focus on Donegal for Falcarragh photographer James O'Donnell in Florida

The future looks bright for dog-loving James O’Donnell who is soon to depart for Florida to promote his native Donegal at the Islamorada Fest. 

The talented photographer said Judy Hull, the executive director of the Chamber of Commerce, called him in January and invited him to participate in the event where he will showcase his fine art which features his two famous four-legged furry friends Iggy and Frida.

The Falcarragh native said he thought about the cost but soon realised that the event was one which could reap benefits for both him and the county. 

“Judy liked my work; the old Irish scenes, the pint of Guinness in the Shamrock, she was drawn to that.  It is not an Irish festival and I may be the only vendor there promoting Donegal and Ireland,” he said.   

James and his Collie dog Iggy have traveled across the county for years and in recent years energetic Frida has joined the team. 

Iggy came on the scene as a 9-week-old pup in June 2011 and has been a firm favourite across the globe since. At present, Iggy gets laser and physio on a weekly basis - sometimes she needs to get twice due to spondylosis on her spine: “She is in good form regardless,” James says. 

When James flies off to Toronto, Iggy and Friday will stay with Iggy’s senior nurse, Izabella, from the Old Church Veterinary Hospital where they can enjoy walks around a familiar area.    

The trip will mark James’ ninth visit to the States promoting Ireland and Donegal over the course of four years. 

When working in Milwaukee, James takes 41 pieces of work in memory of his mother Mary O’Donnell who sadly passed away at the age of 41 when James was 7 years of age. She passed away 45 years ago on January 16.

James has exhibited at the Milwaukee festival three times and will return later this year. This year he hopes to incorporate the Mystic Festival near Connecticut into the first leg of his travels on this journey where he can showcase Donegal to the thousands of people who attend it.

James will arrive in Toronto on March 20 before making his way to Florida early the following day. On Saturday and Sunday he will exhibit his photography and return to Ireland on Good Friday. The journey is a costly one especially at this time of year so gofundme was set up to help with expenses. 

“I am self funded via sponsors Silke Irish whiskey, the Four Star Sligo Southern Hotel and the Rusty Mackerel,” he said. 

Both the Southern Hotel in Sligo and the Rusty Mackerel are dog friendly. 

After sleepless nights, worrying about the cost involved, James decided that the opportunity in Florida was one that was too good to miss and decided to set up a gofundme campaign. 

“All funds gathered will go towards creating my photography collection, flights and travel to the Keys, accommodation, festival fees and Iggy's and Frida's needs.At this time of year, I'm normally planning for the Milwaukee Irish Festival (Aug), so there's a lot of work to do,” it reads. 

If you would like to donate towards the cost of the trip, please go click on this link to donate towards the trip. You can also donate by searching for Iggy's and Frida's Florida fund.

The trio have accumulated a huge following on social media with their  numbers on Facebook reaching almost 40,000 and almost 13,000 on Insta and numbers are increasing year on year. 

James is currently working on his 2025 calendar and will soon travel down the country to Fine Art Printing Ireland Services in Tramore, Waterford  to firm up details of a calendar that has traveled to every single continent in the world. 

James started the calendar in 2019 and 2025 will mark his sixth calendar, a huge feat for a micro business based in Falcarragh.