Aoibheann GAUGHRAN

Dear Phil, I was so shocked to hear of Aoibheann passing.
Please accept my sincerest condolences. I am thinking of you at this most difficult time.

"And though this loss has wounded others too,
No one knows what has been taken from you,
When the silence of absence deepens."
(John O'Donoghue)

The valley is emptier without your beautiful smile, your enthusiasm and your passion for widlife Aoibheann. Be at peace knowing that you achieved so much and inspired so many. We feel terribly cheated to have lost you so suddenly and tragically - the planet needs more people like you not less. The bluebell woods in Dunganstown and Carrigmore will sing their song for you each spring and your light will continue to shine through the darkness of the night as the badgers snuffle and forage and the bats flutter overhead..

Dear Simon - So shocked and saddened to learn of Aoibheann's passing. My deepest sympathy.

My sincere condolences to Phil, Cliona, Simon and families. I was so sorry to hear this tragic news. I knew Aoibheann during our teenage years, she was taken far too soon. May she rest in peace.

Our sincerest sympathy to Phil Cliona ,Simon and all the family on your tragic heart-breaking loss of Aoibheann. We knew her from childhood and watched her grow into a wonderful woman .We have many happy memories of her over the years. May she rest in peace..

Absolutely shocked to hear of Aoibheann’s passing, what a wonderful person with a passion for nature and all animals especially dogs!!
Condolences to Simon and all the Gaughran family and especially thinking of all Aoibhs good friends at this awful time. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h-anam.

Our deepest sympathies to Simon, Phil, Cliona and families on this terrible loss. Aoibheann was a beautiful ecologist and friend who championed Irish wildlife, sharing her brilliant work on badgers at home and abroad. Always a delight to be around, we are grateful for her recent volunteering work with VWT bringing enthusiasm, skill and warmth as she always did. She will be greatly missed.

Deepest condolences to Simon, Phil, Cliona and all Aoibheann’s loved ones. Aoibheann was a bright star who had achieved so much and yet had so much more to give. It is heart-breaking that she is gone so suddenly. We will all miss her terribly as a passionate conservationist, engaging teacher and meticulous researcher but most importantly her kindness and enormous sense of fun. Codladh sámh Aoibheann.

Cliona, Simon, Phil, Shashi and Kealan, words can't express our sorrow at the passing of your wonderful sister, partner, daughter & auntie Aoibheann.
We were so lucky to have known Aoibheann and have many great memories of times spent having the best craic, none moreso than the Dingle Half Marathon in 2014 where Aoibheann joined us for the obligatory pints in Krugers in Dhun Chaoin, packed to the rafters at 11am with 'athletes'...!! We are so sorry for your loss and hope you find comfort in knowing she lived such a vibrant and happy life xxx

Our sincerest sympathy on the immense loss of your beloved Aoibheann. May she rest in eternal peace.

Deepest sympathy on the passing of Aoibheann. Our prayers and thoughts are with Simon and the Gaughran and Ross family. May she rest in peace.

Aoibheann you were such an amazing, gifted & talented person. A real Angel on earth only on loan to us. God has called you back to him. He needs you. You are sadly missed, always fondly remembered & will never be forgotten. You made your mark on this world & all our lives, thank you.

Sincere sympathy to Phil and extended families on the sad and untimely passing of Aoibheann. May she rest in peace.

I am so sad to hear of Aoibheann's untimely passing. My deepest sympathies to Simon and the Gaughran family. I have such lovely memories of working with Aoibheann at Cawley Nea.
May she rest in peace.

I was in Manor House with Aoibheann and like her, lost my dad during secondary school and my brother thereafter. We met each other as sisters in the same dark night. She was a human lighthouse that showed the way in a bleak, isolated time – an archetypal anchor who gave me hope and guided me to a safe harbour.

Aoibheann was very open and caring and that made her a confidant to whom I turned when confronting personal crises. Mo chomhbhrón ó chroí leat. Caillfidh mé a cineáltas álainn. Síocháin shíoraí dá hanam uasal. My deepest condolences to you. I will miss her beautiful kindness. Eternal peace to her noble soul.

I have found it is the small everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keeps the darkness at bay. Simple acts of kindness and love. *Gandalf The Grey, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey*

Our sincere sympathy to Phil, Cliona, Simon and both families on the loss of Aoibheann.

I’m still finding it difficult to wrap my head around the last 10 days, and the sudden loss of your beautiful Aoibheann. Your strength in the face of your loss has been inspiring.

Every room that doesn’t have her in it, will feel her lack. Her self-assured ness, her fun and presence. I’m so grateful to have known her, and will genuinely always remember her energy, fun and above all her no nonsense kindness. Rest in freedom and well done on a life so well lived. I’m so glad you were surrounded by so much love.

Shock and disbelief was my reaction to hearing of Aoibheann’s tragic passing, and then anger as it began to sink in – how could the world be so cruel as to take someone so full of life? From when I first met her, over 13 years ago when she came to Trinity for interview as a mature student, to when I last spent time with her in the field earlier this year, I was impressed by Aoibheann’s enthusiasm, passion and ability as a consummate, all-round naturalist, one of the greatest with whom I have had the privilege to work, as both a student and a colleague. Her loss to nature and conservation is immense, and, for me, the pleasure of watching badgers will never be the same again, because of the memories it will invoke. I was once told that every person dies twice – once when their body dies, but not truly until the last memory of them fades from those who knew them. If that is so, then Aoibheann will be with us for a very long time to come. My deepest condolences to Simon and all her family and friends at his very sad time.

For Simon, Phil, Cliona, Shashi and the Gaughran and Ross families, my deepest sympathy on Aoibheann's sudden but incomplete departure from us. I say incomplete because Aoibheann's beauty, intelligence, sense of fun, and profoundly caring nature will never leave us. It is beyond compare and has affected us all in some way, in the same way we will affect others with her values.

To Aoibheann, there was no-one like you and no-one will ever replace you. Codladh samh mo chara. You are sorely missed by all of us in this stage of life.

So sorry to hear the sad news of the sudden passing of Aoibheann.My deepest condolences to Phil Cliona and the extended family. May she rest in peace.

Aoibheann was my first friend in trinity and treated me with so much kindness.

I loved every moment I spent with her from badger trapping in ‘Wickla’ to running through Lyon zoo.

She lived for her life with Simon and their cats in the countryside. A force of nature. An inspirational scientist. A true friend.

Sending my deepest sympathies.

Dear Phil,
I am so sad to hear the news of the passing of your daughter Aoibheann. My deepest sympathy to you and your family.
Take care and kindest wishes, Pat Cunnane

Sincere sympathy to you Phil, Cliona, Simon, Charlie and all your families and connections.
Shocked and saddened for you all on hearing such sad and heartbreaking news.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
May Aoibheann rest in eternal peace.

Phil and Cliona,
Deepest sympathy on your tragic and heartbreaking loss.
I remember Aoibheann well as a teenager. She was so lovely.
May the Lord comfort you and her partner Simon..
and may Aoibheann rest in peace.

Cliona, so terribly saddened to hear of your enormous loss, thinking of you and your family at this most difficult of times and wishing comfort and peace in the days ahead. Rest in peace Aoibheann.

Dear Simon,
My sincere condolences to you and the Gaughran family on the loss of Aoibheann. May she Rest in Peace

I had the privilege of meeting Aoibh 8 and half years ago at a running club in Dublin. I was only passing through town, but we became instant and fast friends, meeting every year after that in Dingle to run the half marathon. She shared her love or Kerry, running, and nature. I am so grateful for her friendship, her effervescent approach to life, her open spirit, and kindness. She was the most special person and both myself and my husband Kieran will miss her so, so, much. To Simon and her family, our thoughts and love are yours. Much warmth and strength in this tragic time. xoxo Marni and Kieran

My deepest sympathies to Simon and to all of Aoibheann’s family, Thinking of you all at this terribly sad time.
Helen & Declan Spellman

Sincere condolences to Phil, Cliona, Simon and both families. Such tragic news. I had the pleasure of working with Aoibheann in advertising. Aoibheann was a beacon of positivity, strength and fun, we were like moths around Aoibheann's flame. A beautiful service. May she Rest in Peace.

I am so terribly sorry for the Gaughran Family - Aoibheann will be terribly missed. She was such a life force for good and for nature and has enriched all our lives for good.Never saw her in any humour except a good one. May she rest in peace.

Phil, Cliona, Simon and family. I am so sorry to hear of your heartbreaking loss. I have great memories of the times we spent together as children and the fun we had on the camping trips and at family gatherings. She will be greatly missed. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam.

My sincere condolences to Simon, and all of Aoibheann’s family. May she rest in peace.

So sorry Cliona and Shashi to hear this awful news. Thinking about you x

Simon, Phil, Cliona and family, I am terribly sorry to hear of Aoibheann's passing. Aoibheann was a great friend to me during my studies as a mature student in science at TCD and later during her PhD in Zoology and my own in Geology. It was a true privilege to be friends with somebody who was funny, kind and so successful as a student and academic. I am still in awe of how she combined being so sociable with working part-time and being the leading light in most of her undergraduate classes. She really made being brilliant seem easy - perhaps because she was very true to herself in pursuit of her joy and passion for nature and had such strong support from Simon and all her family. I am so sorry for your loss.

Cliona so sorry to hear of your sister Aoibheann’s passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this sad time. May Aoibheann rest in peace x

My sincere condolences to Simon and the Gaughran family on her untimely passing. I knew Aoibheann from our time in UCD. She was a lovely, fun, and giving person. May Aoibheann rest in peace.

My condolences to Phil and Cliona, two of the cluster of St Cronan’s teachers and children who waited each afternoon in the school foyer for Aoibeann’s bubbly arrival from the junior school to join us for chat and fun before heading home. What treasured memories she leaves.

So very sorry, shocked and saddened by the news of Aoibheann's untimely passing. Our hearts go out to Simon and family at what must be a truly awful time. We have many fond memories of Aoibheann from our meetings in the Philippines, Argentina and, of course, Dublin and London.

Aiobheann was funny, adventurous and super-intelligent and will be greatly missed.

Thinking of you at this time. All our love,

I HAD THE HONOUR AND PRIVILEGE OF MEETING AOIBHEANN AT SOME OF THE EAST OF IRELAND MARATHON RUNS IN DUBLIN OVER THE YEARS SHE ALL WAY WAS SMILING MAY SHE REST IN PEACE SANDRA O SHAUGHNESSY RATHDRUM CO WICKLOW

My sincerest condolences to Simon, Phil & Cliona on the untimely passing of Aoibheann. Thinking of you all at this very sad and difficult time!

So very, very sad to hear about the untimely passing of Aoibheann. I have so many fond, fun memories of our years together at UCD. My deepest sympathies to Simon, Phil, Cliona and all of Aoibheann’s family and many great friends who loved her dearly. Rest In Peace

We are so very sorry to hear of the passing of Aoibheann, she is remembered very fondly here in TUDublin (formerly DIT) as a former MA student. On behalf of the college, we wish to send our deep, heartfelt condolences to her partner Simon, and to her Mother Phil, her sister Cliona, her wider family, and of course to Brian Ross (Aoibheann’s father in law), our former colleague here in the College of Business. We are incredibly sorry for your loss and please know we are carrying you all in our hearts and in our prayers at this time.

Sincere sympathy to Phil, Simon, Clíona and all Aoibheann’s family and friends on her untimely death. Go raibh leaba I measc na Naomi aici

I am so saddened that Aoibheann was taken away so suddenly and far too soon. She was such a kind and friendly person. Her passion for nature conservation and knowledge was incredible. She always loved to show everyone how important our biodiversity is. And when she did a talk for the BirdWatch Ireland Carlow branch on her Badger research, everyone was captivated and she made sure to stay behind late to answer every question. She was a very special person and I feel very lucky to have known her and she made the world a wonderful place. But she has inspired so many people and the best way to honour her memory is to continue to help promote nature conservation, the outdoors and participation in sport. As thats what Aoibheann believed in, enjoying life and helping people and enhancing her community. My sincere condolences to all Aoibheann's family and friends. You will never be forgotten but you will be sadly missed! I will remember you in my prayers Aoibheann

Our sincere sympathy to Simon and all of Aoibheann’s family and close friends, thinking of you at this sad time, taken far too soon. May her beautiful soul rest in peace.

Aoibheann......'of radiant beauty'........her name described her so so well. It was our privilege to know Aoibheann since her school days with our daughter Sorcha. Dear Phil, Cliona and Simon, we do not have the words to tell you how sorry we are about Aoibheann's tragic death. We hope that you can find some comfort in her wonderful life's achievements.

To Simon and her lovely family, our sincere sympathies on Aoibheann's passing. She was such a lovely and kind person and she has left an indelible mark on all of us and her great friends.

Aoibheann and I first met as undergrads back in 2009, but it was only in 2013, when I started working in the Department of Zoology, that I really started to get to know her. Aoibheann was by far the life and soul of the department for the three and half years I spent there and will always be someone I associate with the School of Natural Sciences in TCD. A good friend and a brilliant, talented scientist, Aoibheann was funny and selfless and was always so willing to help or offer encouragement. I have so many wonderful and indelible memories of Aoibheann from my time working alongside her in the department, but above all, I will remember her for how kind she was and her beautiful, infectious laugh and smile.
My sincerest condolences to Simon, her mum and sister, and all Aoibheann’s close friends and family. I will really miss you Aoibheann, rest in peace.

Aoibheann, I didn't meet you that often but when I did I was always the better for it. Bright and curious, definitely a kind soul. I have fond memories of meeting you around Cliona and Shash's wedding and was honoured to have you and Simon visit our home on Christmas day a few years ago. You will be missed but your presence never forgotten.

Cliona, nothing I can say will ease your pain but just wanted to let you know I am thinking of you and your family.

Simon we are so sad to her of Aoibheann's passing, she was such a lovely kind funny person. I can still hear all the girls gasping when she spoke at Lilys school and produced the stuffed badger, we had such a laugh that day and she was just amazing with all the children, she will always be the lovely Badger Lady to Lily. Sending all our love at this devastating time to you and her family x

Absolutely heartbroken for you Simon, my deepest sympathies to yourself and all of Aoibheann’s family. RIP Aoibheann

Deepest sympathy to Simon aoibheanns mam and sister and all her family and extended family on her sad passing aoibheann was a pure lady always smiling a great athlete she will be sorely missed thinking of ye all at this sad time will keep ye in our prayers rest in peace aoibheann

Condolences to Phil Charlie and family. RIP

Sending my deepest sympathies to Aoibheann’s family, Simon & close friends. She was such a brilliant girl & taken far too young. Thinking of you all
Carmel & family x

My sincere sympathies to Simon and to all of Aoibheann’s family and friends. May she rest in peace and may your shared cherished memories only make you smile.

Deepest sympathy to you all at this very sad time. We are keeping you all in our prayers. God bless.

Cliona I was so sorry to hear the very sad news about your sister Aoibheann.
Heartfelt condolences to your mum, Aoibheanns partner, family and friends.
Thinking of you and Sashi.
Heidi

Dear Cliona and family, thinking of you all during this terribly painful time. Sending love and condolences and keeping Aoibheann in our prayers may she rest in peace. xx Ciara and Justin.

Aoibheann was the best boss I have ever had, 100% engaged with the research she was leading, fully interactive with her team, funny and serious about all things in nature. A wonderful person and a terrible loss to all around her. May our memories of her endure. Paul Dowding