Des Groome grew up on Ballinderry Stud, Carbury, Co. Kildare, attended primary school in Edenderry and boarded in Clongowes 1981-1987. Des began study in the UCD Veterinary College in 1987 and graduated as a Veterinary Surgeon in 1993. He rode as an amateur NH jockey throughout school and university , had Summer jobs with John Oxx, Jim Bolger, John Hammond and combined his love of racing and equine medicine throughout his early career as a Vet. He was resident Vet to Champion trainer Martin Pipe and afterwards to Emir Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz, Crown Prince and King of Saudi Arabia. Des settled in his native Kildare, founding Kildare Vet Surgery where his three boys Daniel, James and Tom have grown up. Des developed the first online vet service in Ireland, Videovet and then GymDog the first of its kind fitness and wellness centre for pets, alongside the vet practice. His latest venture, A Pets Life is an online community of pet owners and a pet food ecommerce platform. As Des had to drop Biz-Org to do Chemistry, he later had to study in the IMI under another OC, Mr Cormac Lucey and gained some knowledge of Finance and an MBS.in 2012.
A love of athletics was fostered by cross country running in Clongowes and has completed all the big city Marathons. These days Des follows Clongowes and Leinster Rugby, still rides out on the Curragh and leads a peloton of mamils in Kildare Cycling Club notwithstanding two new hip joints.
He hosts a weekly animal welfare radio slot on KFM Radio and podcasts A Pets Life on spotify. His son Daniel attended Clongowes until 2020 where his art talent was encouraged and he now studies in the NCAD. Tom is in poetry and working on his academy. Des has one remaining ambition which is to speak in the Past Vs Present Debate
