Don Donnelly

I worked with Don from 1980 to 1984 in PDU, later ITC, in Cherry Orchard. Don was, as many others have said, a true gentleman, He was committed and active but always balanced, a persuader rather than a revolutionary and perhaps he proved that persuaders can achieve greater, better and more lasting change in society. I hope that he learnt as much from me as I did from him.

I came to know of Don's passing from the beautiful obituary in the Irish Times and loved the reference to the third most famous person from Newbridge. It would be wonderful if, in time, Newbridge commemorates the third man,

Don was kind and considerate which he showed in many small but significant ways. Sadly, we lost touch over the years but I now regret that we didn't meet up in recent years. Our deepest sympathies to Gareth, Rose, Aidan, Gaye and all who loved him, .

I just recently heard this very sad news. My sincerest condolences to his husband, Gareth and all his family & friends.. I met Don on perhaps my first encounter on the Gay scene in Dublin in the early 1980's, I was so fortunate to meet such a loving and caring man who went on to achieve so much in his life and to be so respected by so many. A testament of his kindness, kindness he once showed to a naive young person like myself. May he Rest in Peace.

I met Don in Limerick in the early 90s and will never forget him. Rest easy lovely man!!

Thank you Don for how you supported many people through Tel-A-Friend. It changed so many lives for the better.

Thank you for Tel A Friend Don. Rest in peace.

I was deeply saddened to hear of Don's passing so suddenly. I was privileged to work with Don on Gay Switchboard for a few years. In a relatively short space of time he greatly expanded the services we provided. At that time Switchboard relied completely on volunteer fundraising. There were no state aids. Don had a very clear vision of where Switchboard could expand to meet the huge need for supporting the gay community. He achieved that goal with quiet determination and he brought everyone with him patiently and convincingly. And often with his great sense of humour. Everyone was valued equally. By his work in Switchboard and later in GLEN he helped change the lives of many many people immeasurably for the better. My sincere condolences to Garreth, the families and relations.

Our deepest sympathy to Rose, Aidan, Gaye, Garrett and all the family on Kevin’s passing. We are so very sorry for your loss.

My sincerest condolences to Garreth at this very sad time.
May Don rest in peace.

So sorry to hear of Don's passing. My thoughts are with you all at this very sad time

Sincere condolences Aidan, Adrienne, Mrs Donnelly and all the family on the sad news of the passing of Kevin, may he rest in peace

Deepest sympathy to Gaye , the Donnelly family and Gareth on the passing of Don (Kevin) may he rest in peace.

Our sincere condolence to Don’s close and extended family and friends. He was a true gentleman and will be missed.

Garreth, my deepest sympathy to you and your family on the very sad passing of Don, may be rest in peace.

Sincere sympathies on the sad passing of Don, may he rest in eternal peace

Our sincere condolences to Garreth and the Donnelly and O’ Mahony families at this sad time.

So sorry to hear of Kevin's passing.
Sincere sympathy to Garreth, Mrs. Donnelly, Gaye and Aiden.

My deepest sympathy to the Donnelly family on the sad passing of Don it was a pleasure working with him a true gentleman Rest In Peace Don

Deepest sympathy to all the family. Don (Kevin) was not only a former student of mine but a friend.

Don, played such an important role in the early days of the LGBTI+ movement including his public appearces including the Late Late Show. Gone by will not be forgotten by me and many others.

Sincere condolences Gareth and Dons Family May he Rest in Peace ,

So sorry to hear of Kevin's passing. My condolences to Garreth, Mrs Donnelly, Aidan and Gaye
An early childhood memory which I have never forgotten, was helping Kevin to dig for worms for his adopted pet crow Hector! Fond memories of our neighbours.

My sincere sympathy to Gareth, Rosaleen and all the Donnelly family on the sudden passing of Don. May he Rest In Peace.

Sincere sympathy to Garrett, Rose, and the Donnelly family on the sad passing of Don. A true gentleman may he rest in peace

Sincere condolences. Thinking of you all on this sad day. May Don rest in peace.

Deepest sympathy to Don's family

Deepest sympathy to Don's family.

My heart goes out to Garreth, Don's devoted and steadfast partner of many years; to Rose, his big-hearted mother; and to his siblings, Gaye and Aidan.
I met Don at the Hirschfeld Centre in 1981.He was my first love. Our relationship later evolved into a close friendship and we kept in touch over the years.
Don was a very effective director of Tel-a-Friend for six years during the 1980s. Later, when he moved to Limerick, Don was instrumental in setting up a similar helpline there.
At a time when most LGBT people in Ireland were afraid, often for good reason, to raise their heads above the parapet, Don agreed to be interviewed by Gay Byrne on the Late Late Show, his business-executive-next-door look and confident manner giving the lie to derogatory stereotypes about gay men, then all too prevalent.
Don helped Phil Moore set up Parents Inquiry, a support group for parents of LGBT teenagers, and was one of the founding members of the Gay and Lesbian Equality Network.
Don made a valuable contribution to Irish society, helping to transform this country into a much more tolerant and open-minded place to live, but it is the loss of his unique personality which will cause many of us to shed a tear today as we watch the live-stream of his funeral service.
Don was a tower of strength to all who knew him. His natural warmth, generosity of spirit, unfailing optimism and good humour transformed all who were drawn into his orbit.
We will miss you terribly, dear. 

So very sorry to hear this sad news ,Rest in peace.

Sincere sympathy to Garreth, Rose, Aidan and Gaye on the passing of Don. One of Nature's true gentlemen and a good friend. Light does not go out, but becomes part of the greater Web of Light.

Dear Garreth and Don's family Rosaleen Aidan Gaye and extended Family members.

Please except my deepest condolence on the lost of Don, it sometimes makes me wonder why this has happened especially as Don was a lovely caring person and Garreth and himself were so happy together.

I remember when their dog passed away and Don went out and came home with not just one Dog he came home with two puppies, Garreth always remember the good times because you were both inseparably and Don will be your Guardian Angel guiding you always .

Rest in Peace Don.

Our sincere condolences to Garreth and family at this very sad time.

I have such fond memories of working with Don throughout the 1980s, developing the National Gay Federation and its community centre, the Hirschfeld Centre, and seeing Don, as director of Tel-A-Friend, take the LGBT counselling and befriending switchboard service to new heights.

Don remains central to the story of Ireland's LGBT community finding its voice, for which he will be remembered with great respect and admiration.

My heartfelt condolences to husband Garreth, the Donnelly and O'Mahony families.

Deepest condolences to Garret and the Donnelly family on Don's passing. May he rest in peace

Sincere Sympathy to the family of Don,May he rest in peace

Sincere condolences to Garreth and the Donnelly family. I worked with Don in Dublin and Geneva and he was a truly generous and sincere person. Rest in Peace Don.

Sincere condolences to Garreth and family. May he Rest in Peace.

Our sincere condolences.

Our sincere condolences to the family on the sad passing of Don, may he rest in peace.

Sincere condolence on the passing of Don, a true gentleman. RIP

Sincere sympathy to Garrett Rose and the Donnelly family on the passing of Don May he rest in peace

The world has lost another gentleman. Rest easy Don.

Sincere sympathy to Rose , Garreth, Aidan, Gaye and Donnelly family on the passing of Don. May he Rest in Peace

Sincere sympathies to Garreth and family and this most difficult time.

I am shocked and saddened to hear of Don’s passing. I first met Don 30 years when we both worked together in Limerick. He became a friend, confidant, mentor, and source of inspiration to me down through the years. He was also my landlord at one particular point and a real source of strength and support. Regrettably we had lost touch for quite a number of years, but I remain deeply appreciative and very thankful for all the positive influences Don has had on my life. My deepest condolences to his husband Garreth, mother Rosaleen, and all the Donnelly family.

My deepest sympathy to Mrs Donnelly, Aiden, Gaye, Garreth and extended family on the sad passing of Don. May Don rest in peace.

Sincere sympathy to you all on the passing of Don.May he Rest In Peace.

Rip don you will be sadly missed it was great knowing you

Sincere sympathy to you Gareth, Rose, Aidan, Adrienne, Gaye and family on the sudden passing of Kevin. We will keep you all in our thoughts and prayers. 🌹🙏

Sincere sympathy to the Donnelly family ón the death of Don, may he rest in peace.

Saddened to hear this news of Don’s passing. Don was an exceptional man who had a kind word for everyone. My condolences to Garrett and The Donnelly Family. Rest in peace Don X

Don, I am going to really miss you. You positivity, wit, charm and perseverance through difficult times was an example to us all. I have very fond memories of the time we spent together at the Geneva gig for a year working at Union Carbide with the rest of the team there.Those memories will stay forever with me. A true gentleman and friend. With sincere condolences to your husband Garreth and all your family.

I met Don in 1981 but sadly lost touch sometime after. He was a key figure in my life at the time and I will never forget him. It is with great sadness that I learn of his passing. My condolences to lovely Rose and all the family.

R.I.P. Kevin, condolences to all the family. A gentle gentleman

My deepest sympathy to Garrett and the Donnelly family on Don's recent passing. I have happy memories of Don's time here in Dublin and all the good work he did over the years. A great loss to Garrett and his family.

Fond memories of Don and Garreth.
Rest in Peace Don, a beautiful soul.
Siobhain, formerly no.16.

to Rose Garret Aidan and Gaye our deepest sympathy on Dons passing
he is now with his dad John rest in peace don

Very sorry to hear of Don's death.I worked with him for many years on Gay Switchboard. He was a brave and dedicated man - a truly inspirational figure. Sincere condolences to Garreth, Rosealeen and all his family.

So sorry to hear about Don's passing. Condolences to Garreth and all of Don's family. A true Gentleman who was always there for anyone who needed help or guidance. RIP Don.

Sincere condolences to Garrett and the Donnelly family on the sudden and untimely death of Don. I had the pleasure of working with Don in Tesco and he was a gentleman, always a smile on his face. Sleep well Don.

Deepest sympathy to Mrs Donnelly,Aidan, Adrienne and the extended Donnelly family
on the sudden passing of Don. Always a gentleman. May Don Rest in Peace.