Alicia (Eilish) McDonnell
(née Manweiler)

I was very sad to hear of the sudden death of Eilish, someone I worked with in Temple St Children's Hospital for several years. It was there that I grew to respect, her primarily as a wonderful person, but also as a very skilled social worker. Eilish had a bearing about her that radiated a calm serenity, even in the midst of great distress and human tragedy. She was very good at connecting with those around her in a way that made that particular skill look easy, which it most definitely is not. Social workers in a children's hospitals must deal with very distressing events and if one doesn't have the personal qualities that Eilish had, one is better to look for work elsewhere. I will always remember her personal warmth and sense of humour; along with her deep compassion for others.

Sincere and heartfelt condolences to Willie and extended family on the recent passing of Eilish. She was a much loved member of our Bridge Club in Clareville and all the members are saddened by her passing. She will be missed by us all. May she rest in Peace.

I was saddened to hear of the tragic death of your beloved wife Eilish. Thinking of you and your family at this very difficult time.
Eileen Boughton/Duffy

It is with a heavy heart I write this. Eilish, you were truly one in a million and I feel very blessed to have so many wonderful memories of our friendship since I first met you in the Rotunda in 2005.
My sincere sympathies to Willie, Amy, Aliesha, Ian and beautiful Xavier.
Eilish we will never forget you and the bright light you shone into so many lives,
Nicola, Tony, Ruairí, Maisie & Páidí x

Mo chomh bhrón to Eilish’s family at this sad time. I met Eilish through the Marie Keating Foundation Positive Living group and she certainly did embody positive living. Although I didn’t know her well, whenever we spoke I appreciated her wisdom and her resilience and her welcoming smile. RIP Eilish xxx

I was shocked to hear of Eilish’s passing, my condolences to Willie and family at the loss of the legend that she was! I knew her since my late teens and she was an inspiration to us all. She had an ability to remember where we left off last time we met and showed a wonderful compassion. I watched the service today from London and you all did her proud! RIP Alicia x

I met Eilish in Mount Congreve in Waterford last year at a Marie Keating event, and her positivity and kindness was very evident, we kept in contact sporadically and I enjoyed her upbeat enthusiasm, may you rest in peace, Eilish.

Sending sympathy to the McDonnell and Manweiler families on the passing of Eilish. It was lovely to be part of the celebration of her life today. It was great to catch up with her at the Kings Inns St school reunions, we will miss her bright spirit this year but will have good memories of her.

Sending sincere condolences from colleagues and friends at the Rotunda Hospital.
Eilish was a pleasure to work with during her time here. She was completely patient focused and advocated for those most in need.
Eilish used her unique wisdom and insight to bring lasting change to the world of social work in maternity services.
Her legacy and spirit will live on here at the Rotunda, she will never be forgotten.

Fiona Hanrahan Director of Midwifery and Nursing Rotunda Hospital Dublin

Sincere condolences to McDonnell and Manweiler family on the sudden passing of Eilish. May Eilish Rest in Peace.

So saddened to hear of Eilish's sudden passing. Sincere condolences to Willy Nuala Paul Pauline Frank and Carol and the Manweiler family. May Eilish's Gentle Soul Rest in Eternal Peace.

Shocked & saddened to hear of Eilish’s sudden death. I was in school in KI with Eilish & was looking forward to meeting up with her again at our reunion. Sincere condolences to Eilish’s family. May she Rest in Peace.

My condolences to the McDonnell family at this very sad time. I knew and worked with Eilis when on the board of Aoibhneas. She was a remarkable lady who had such compassion for helping others. May she rest in peace.

I was very sad to hear of the sudden death of Eilish. I have many happy memories of our time together in the Rotunda and our many social interactions. She was a wonderful friend. My condolences to Willie and all her family.

I was greatly saddened to hear about the passing of Eilish whom I got to know while we were both working on the Board of Aoibhneas. She was such a sensible committed person with a light touch and a pleasure to work with. I know she made a strong contribution to Irish society in a number of areas and I am sure she will be much missed. My sincere condolences to family and friends

Deepest condolences to the McDonnell and Manweiler families on the sudden passing of Eilish.May she rest in peace.

It was with deep shock and sadness that your bridge playing friends in Botanic bridge club recieved the news of Eilish's passing. Id like to express condolences to Willie and family and also to Mary and Roseanna. Eilish was such a lovely person to play with and a rock of sense. She will be sadly missed. May she rest in peace

Dear Willie, Ian, Alicia, Amy & extended family,
We cannot express the shock we felt at Eils' sudden passing. She really was the life and soul of whatever room she was in. We loved her, and loved her company. We are so lucky to have been able to spend time with her over Christmas and New Year. We will treasure those memories.
We cannot fathom what you are going through, but please know we are thinking of you all at this very difficult time.
May she rest in peace.

Sad to hear of Eilish's sudden death. May happy memories of her warmth, humour and committment to others console you all over time.

I enjoyed working with her and valued her contribution to National Head Medical Social Work Group.
Ar dheis De a anam dilis.

Dear Alicia, I’m so very sorry to hear about the death of your mother. I never got a chance to meet her but anytime Tania spoke about her, I always thought she sounded like a really wonderful woman. I’m thinking of you and your family at this very sad time x

So sad to hear of Eilish's sudden passing. I worked with her in CHI Temple Street. She was an amazing colleague, so supportive & full of fun & enthusiasm for work, life & family. My sincere sympathies to Willie, family & friends. Eilish was truly a special person & had a lasting impact on those that knew her.

My heartfelt condolences to your family at this time. I worked with Eilish in the Rotunda and was lucky to have her as a mentor who supported and challenged me to reflect and learn and always to do my best for the families we worked with. She was a whole lot of fun too and taught me much about leaving work at work. Very glad to have met Eilish and I'm so very sorry for your loss.

My sincere condolences to Eilish's dear family. I was so sorry to hear of her sudden passing. I had the pleasure of sharing an office with Eilish many years ago in CHI Temple st. Her words of practice wisdom, encouraging self-care and the importance of family, good friends and having fun to a newly qualified SWr then, have stayed with me to this day. Thank you Eilish xx

My sincere condolences to you WIllie, Alicia, amy and Ian. I worked with EIlish in the social work department in the Rotunda. She spoke so warmly about you all. Eilish was a charachter. she was funny and kind and always flying around the place! She was passionate about helping bereaved families and we worked together on the first bereavement group in the hospital. I know it meant so much to her personally to help other bereaved parents. She was a great mentor to me starting out in social work. Really supportive and encouraged me to do further study. I remember her as a hard worker who could manage to fit in a blow dry if needed! She was thoughtful and generous. I remember she used to buy us all gifts at Christmas. She was a special lady. Having lost my own mom very suddenly 2 years ago I know some of what you may be feeling. Take comfort and strenght from each other and the love and memories you will have forever. May she rest in peace.

To Willie, Ian, Alicia, Amy and the Mamweiler Family, deepest sympathies on the very sad loss of Eilish.
I know I and many others have lost a very dear friend who was so full of life, thoughtful and kind.

May your beautiful and gentle soul rest in peace.

Deepest condolences to Willie and children and all the Manweiler family on the sad and sudden passing of Eilish. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.

I was shocked and saddened to learn of Eilish’s sudden passing. My sincere condolences to Willie, Ian, Alicia and Amy and the Manweiler and McDonnell families. She will be greatly missed. May she rest in peace.

Sending my condolences to Willie and family at such a sad time. Such very fond memories of Eilish.

My heartfelt condolences to Willie, Ian, Alicia, Amy and to all Eilish’s siblings especially Nuala as well as to the wider family. Eilish was a wonderful Manager and mentor to me in the Rotunda many years ago. She was a solid supportive sounding board and was very protective and supportive of her staff. Eilish would go the extra mile for the families she worked with and was particularly skilled in working with those that had experienced loss. I will remember her for being kind and thoughtful, and always up for organising a social event or a night out. She will be deeply missed.Thinking of you all at this difficult time. May she rest in peace .

We wish to express our deepest sympathy to Willie and family on the very sad death of Eilish. She was a wonderful personality and will be greatly missed.

My sincere sympathises to Willie and all the family on your loss. I got to know Eilish through her work and friends in Temple St. and had the good fortune to spend time with Eilish on a wonderful holiday in Africa. She was a lovely friendly and kind person and as a social worker was an example of dedication and professionism . May she rest in peace.

My condolences to Willie and family on Eilish's death. I worked with Eilish in the Rotunda and later as part of the head Medical Social Workers Group. I always enjoyed her humour and common sense and I learnt a lot from her, especially about work-life balance.

Dear Willie, Ian, Alicia and Amy, it was with such sadness that we heard of the sudden passing of your beloved Eilish. Sending you all and your extended family our deepest sympathies. We will never forget Eilish’s kindness, wisdom & her great sense of humour. Rest in Peace dear Eilish.

So sorry to see you go Eilish - you leave so many fantastic memories…!! Your zest for life was so infectious You will be sadly missed.. our deepest sympathies to Willie Ian Alicia and Amy …!!

Sincere condolences to Willie,Ian,Alicia,Amy and extended families on Eilishs sudden passing,you are all in our thoughts may she rest in peace.

How utterly saddened we were to hear this news. Our sincere condolences to Willie and all the extended families. What a gem of a person. May she rest in peace.

My very deepest condolences to Willie and family on Eilish's
sudden passing.

Sincerely, Eóin (Patterson), UCD Classmate

I am so sad to hear of the death of Ailish. My deepest sympathies to Willie and all the family. Ailish was an absolute inspiration to ALL who worked in Rotunda and such a breath of fresh air along the hospital corridors. It was my privilege to have known this amazing woman and an honour to have worked with her on some practice changing projects.
Her loss is truly immense

Our deepest sympathy to Willie, Ian, Alicia, Amy and all the family for this sudden and heartbreaking loss. Eilish was a neighbour that few people are fortunate enough to have had and she will be greatly missed by both of us.
Etta and Miriam Daly

What a sudden and sad loss of such a precious friend. Eilish offered good fun and good sense in equal measure. A fabulous mentor in life and living it to the full. Heartbroken for Willie, Ian, Alicia, Amy and her adored Xavier. Sympathy to all her family and friends.

Our sincere and deepest condolences to the McDonnell family on the sad passing of Eilish. She was a kind, compassionate and attentive person who always focused on the care, support and rights of others. She was a leader in her profession and Social Work is all the more richer for her guidance, counsel and expertise. She leaves an exceptional legacy to us all.

May her kind and gentle soul rest in peace. Suaimhneas síoraí dá hanam cineálta agus uasal.

Eilish was a treasured friend and fantastic work colleague over a long number of years. I will greatly miss her sense of fun and adventure. I know you are all devastated and my thoughts are with you. Love and condolences

Eilish was my HMSW in the Rotunda Hospital, I was newly graduated and she took me under her wing, was a wonderful Manager. 25 years later I am still working as an MSW thanks to Eilish RIP

I only met Eilish a few times, but it was an absolute delight to be in her company. My condolences to Willie and family.