Dr. James Clinch

Sincere condolences on the death of Dr Clinch.

My belated condolences. I became Dr Clinch's "clinical clerk" on arrival from earlier work in Glasgow, in 1983. He and Donal O'Brien educated me with good humour, particularly when Dublin ways seemed wildly at odds with my Scottish experience. The long trips out to the Tallaght clinic gave him an opportunity for the retelling of some pithy anecdote and the airing of his long standing grudges against the Irish Tax Department. I have never forgotten his terse answer to the question of how he ran the Coombe during his spell as master. "With a screwdriver in my pocket", came the reply. It is my regret that I never had the opportunity to meet him subsequently. A life well lived indeed.

RIP Dr Clinch a lovely Doctor

My deepest condolences to the Clinch family. My father was a colleague of Dr Clinch's in the Coombe and St James. He held him in the highest regard as an obstetrician and gynaecologist and also as a colleague and friend. I got to know James during my own training and also in Portmarnock golf club. James was endlessly enthusiastic and inquisitive about so many topics. He was great company and a wise educator. We were lucky to have him. May he rest in peace

To Jane, Paul, Mark, Peter and to your mother, and all the grandchildren, I was very sorry to hear of the death of your father, my sympathies to all of you.

Deepest sympathies to Mark and all your family .

My deepest condolences to Dr Clinch’s Wife, family and friends,I’ve had the privilege of meeting James in 1990, A gentleman a most kind and caring human being, I would like to thank him for giving me a second chance of life , I have never forgotten him over the last 35yrs for his kindness and support during my healing ,a wonderful Doctor and Surgeon, I would like to thank him for saving my life, I am so so sorry for your loss, and the loss of a great man,may he rest in eternal heavenly peace 🙏🙏🕯️🕯️

It was with deep sadness that I learned of the death of Jim,R.I.P. Deepest sympathy to Wendy and all the Clinch family.
I had the privilege of knowing Dr. Clinch,both as a Consultant and as a member of the Coombe Hospital Board.
For me,it is Dr.Clinch’s empathy with patients and his unwavering desire to provide them with the best possible hospital experience,which will remain my abiding memory of him
I have great memories of our many conversations involving sport,especially rugby and particularly Leinster Rugby.
Jim was an inspirational figure to all who worked with him,in the hospital.
Ar dheis De go rainy a anam dilis.

Deepest sympathy to Wendy, Paul and the Clinch family.
Jamie, as he was known in Galway back in 1970, made a big impression both professionally and socially. So many fond memories of a very special person.

Deepest sympathy to Paul and all the Clinch family on the death of James.

Sincere sympathy Wendy and especially to Paul on the passing of Jim. May he rest in peace

I was very sad to learn about Jim’s death — my deepest condolences to all the family.

Jim was a superb clinician and totally committed to the highest standards of patient care, medical education and training — and a role model for generations of colleagues and trainees.

Jim was also the consultant-on-call on my first day working in the Coombe; I had never met him before but I was well aware of his reputation for being a stickler for detail.

I will never forget going to introduce myself to him in the Outpatients Department only to find him with his shirt sleeves rolled up fixing a leaking pipe under the handbasin. I knew enough not to ask him “why?”.

Years later when I was master, and Jim was on the Board of the hospital, he would frequently stop me in the corridor with a list of questions: clinical, financial … and maintenance-related. Nothing escaped his notice — as a clinician, master, board member, rugby ref.

One of a kind. Endlessly curious. Accepted nothing at face value. Embodied the true spirit of the Coombe. Will always be remembered.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

Paul, We never had the pleasure of meeting your father but from the many times you spoke of your father at the bridge table with affection and respect, we know you have lost a much loved parent. Reading the tributes to your father gives a flavour of the incredible human being he must have been. Our sincere sympathy to you, your family, your mother, your siblings and their families at this time of loss. May your father (James) rest in peace.

We are sending our love to Wendy, Paul, Jane, Mark and Peter, and the whole family. Jim was the most wonderful uncle and an inspiration to us all.

I was very sorry to hear of Jim 's death. I had the pleasure of working with him on the Medical Council's Ethical Guide. My condolences to the Clinch family.

My sincere condolences to Wendy and to all the Clinch family. During my time working in the Medical Social Work department in the Coombe I always found Dr Clnch to be a wise and supportive colleague. He could always be depended upon for good advice. He was particularly kind to patients in difficulty and was always willing to help work out a plan to enable their care be optimised.
May he Rest in Peace.

Sincere condolences to you and family Paul.

I had the privilege of working with Jim on the Coombe board for a number of years . He was a superb board member ….committed , thoughtful, incisive and challenging . We listened when he spoke as he blended serious comment with wry humour. He was hugely respected in the hospital and was dedicated to its mission and the women and infants it served . My deepest sympathy to all the family on his passing.

I think the general condolences say it all. Dr Clinch was not only a gentleman but embodied everything a doctor should be. He cared for his patients; he cut through red tape; he enthused staff but he had no time for the waffle. My few interactions with him, when he was on the Coombe Board,are memories of a man whose long life was very well lived. My sympathy to his wife Wendy and his family. His legacy will endure.

…(continued from TCDMed85) … your dad was a man generous of kindness and professional dignity, a ‘beacon’ for us all; a true gentleman … I will always remember his kindness, support, help and encouragement when I was in the Coombe; v fond memories of his teaching sessions at the Coombe, very few were able to teach with his level of wit and engagement; he had such a great humour and kindness and I remember fondly my student attachment with him in the Combe; … although a long life doesn’t soften the blow, …his was a life to celebrate at this time of sadness.…

Our thoughts are with you Paul & your family.
With sincerest condolences from the TCDMed85 Class

Dear Paul & family, I know you have received many condolences via other routes but I personally found the RIP site condolences a great comfort to read back on after recent loss. So I am taking the liberty here of collating onto this site the messages from our own class, in the hope of similar comfort to you all.
‘… a lovely man and a great friend of O& G; he always gave the Trinity students and graduates priority in the UCD Coombe; he’ll be really missed;; a Gentleman to the core; very collegiate and great company; a great clinician and a wonderful teacher, ahead of his time in both areas; always supportive to us students; I often spoke of him to colleagues as an example of what a consultant should be; sorry to see this for your Dad Paul so soon after their move - Jamie was a great help to us all as students and medics in the Coombe, he even used to help us regularly on the rugby pitches; he lived his life to the end by the sounds of it & will be missed by many; I remember sitting beside Dave (Carr) in one of the lectures your dad gave us in 4th med in that prefab in SJH - we both formed the same impression of him- a refreshing presence …his humanity & character shone through brightly; …(continued)
With sincerest condolences from the TCDMed85 Class

My sincerest condolences to all Dr. Clinch,s family on their great loss. A wonderful gentleman who saved my life many years ago without his exceptional knowledge I would not be here today . Thank you Dr. Clinch rest peacefully 🙏

Deepest sympathies to the entire Clinch family on the death of a legend of obstetrics & gynaecology. His stories and reflections, usually told with a smile or a side eye are legendary. He will be sorely missed, particularly at the annual Junior O&G meeting where the ‘Clinch medal’ is awarded and at other Institute meetings when he could always be counted on to ask a ‘probing’ question!

Shauna, we are so sorry to hear of your Grandpa's passing. He truely embodied what it meant to be a gentleman, and I will never forget the smile on his face on your wedding day. We'll think of him often, but especially when Leinster are playing. Aoife & Conal McGeough

My condolences to Wendy and to the extended Clinch family and friends at this sad time.

Sincere Condolences
Ar dheis De go raibh a anam.

Very sorry to read of Jim’s death. My sincere condolences to his wife, Wendy, and family.
We worked together in the Medical Council where he was a very active member, contributing extensively to its work in addressing the statutory duties and responsibilities.
A courteous, positive and a very friendly man whom I met from time to time after my retirement.
May he Rest In Peace.

My deepest sympathy to Wendy and family. He was a man of integrity, dedicated to the care of his patients and a valued friend in the years we shared at the Coombe.

My deepest condolences to Wendy and James's entire family on his passing. He was a lovely man but on the golf course he would fight tooth and nail for the pound which more often than not he took home with him.
He will be missed by his family and friends especially in Portmarnock golf club and all who had the privilege of knowing him. May he rest in peace.

Paul offering our deepest condolences to you and your family on the death of your dad James. May he rest in peace.

So so sorry to hear of James Clinch’s death.

A total gentleman and a wonderful physician and surgeon.

Also a great colleague in St James’s Hospital.

Always calm and reflective.

Great counsellor and advisor. Always there to lend one his wisdom and advice.

Mo chomhbhrón ó chroí to Wendy, Paul, Mark, Peter, Jane and to all the family.

Tá crann darach ollmhór titithe agus guth binn imithe uainn.

Leaba i measc na naomh go raibh aige.

To Paul, his mother Wendy and siblings,
Sincerest condolences on the passing of your father.
He was a much admired colleague and contributed enormously to Rugby Football, particularly at University level.
May he rest in peace.

Sincere sympathy to Wendy and the Clinch family.
Had the pleasure of doing a research project with Jim during his time at University Hospital Galway.
He was a highly regarded,caring obstetrician with a great personality.
Suaimhneas ar a anam uasal.

Sorry to hear of your Dad’s passing, Paul. Thoughts are with you and your family at this sad time. Look after yourself, mate.

Paul and all the Clinch Family , please accept my condolences on the loss of you Dad. He has lived a great life and packed an awful lot in .My thoughts and prayers are with you all at this sad time .May He rest in peace

Sincere condolences Paul to you and all your family on the passing of your Dad. May he rest in peace.

Wendy, condolances on the death of your beloved husband. I only met him a handful of times, but a true gentleman in every sense. I am sure you and your family will miss him terribly, but you have and will have fantastic memories. Thinking of you
Jackie Martin( Finnstown).

Sympathies to Wendy, Paul and family. Jim was a much respected colleague who made a significant contribution to the care of women during the course of his career. He was also an entertaining rugby referee, I have fond memories of his pithy remarks as he attempted to control an overly verbose pack of student players. RIP

Paul, our deepest sympathies to you and the extended family on the passing of your Dad. May he Rest in Peace. Ciaran and Catherine

I am so sorry to hear of Dr Clinch’s passing. A legend for sure in so many ways. A mentor to many - including myself. His mind never stopped thinking if it could be done better - right down to the point of retirement. A brilliant sense of humor - all with a twinkle in his eye. Above all kind, humble and a gentleman. My deepest condolences to Wendy and the extended family. May he RIP and the memories of him live on.

My sincere condolences to Wendy and all the family on the passing of Dr. James may he rest in perfect peace.
What a Dynamic doctor...he left a legacy of teachings behind.

Sincerest condolences to all the Clinch family on the passing of your beloved Jim
A principled and kind man who touched the lives of many
He was always a staunch Trinity man to his finger tips
Rest in deserved peace Dr Clinch

Sincere condolences to Paul and all the Clinch family on the passing of your father. My thoughts are with you at this very difficult time.

May l offer my deepest sympathy to his wife and family on the death of Dr Clinch .My sister and l were truly privileged to be patients of his for many years . May he rest in peace.

Sincere condolences to all the family on Jamie's passing. Rest in peace Jamie.

Sincere condolences to Paul and all the Clinch family on the passing of your father. My thoughts are with you.

To dear Wendy and family with all my deepest sympathy.You were blessed to have had such a long and happy life together.Every good wish to you for the future and hope you will be comforted by those wonderful memories.Toni Murray

I am so sorry to hear of Dr Clinch's passing. Sincere sympathies to his wife and family. I first met Dr. Clinch when he came to view the new midwifery-led unit in Cavan- he was very complementary of it. Later I met him when he was a Board member of the Coombe. He had a wonderful reputation as Master and as an obstetrician and gynaecologist. He was both kind and fair in his deliberations and made space for all to be heard. He was committed to improvements in womens health in Ireland. May he Rest in Peace

My sincere sympathy to Paul and the Clinch family on the passing of James. May he rest in peace.

So sorry Paul to learn of the passing of your Dad, James RIP. Rugby and the Clinch name are so closely linked and I just love the idea of him listening to the commentary of the Leinster game on Saturday. Sincere condolences to you, your Mum and your family.

I'm very sorry to hear of Dr. Clinch's passing. I remember both from meeting him with his family, and from working in the Coombe. He was an exceptional man and will be missed.

To Jane, Paul and all the Clinch family, sending my sincere sympathies to you all on the passing of your beloved Dad, Dr. James Clinch. May he Rest in Peace.

A unique character in Dublin medicine. My condolences to his wife and family and personally to Paul. May James Rest in Peace as time is added on.

Wendy and family so sorry to hear of James passing. Remembering all the get togethers in Clinchs house. We will always have memories of the Clinch family.

Paul and family - so sorry to hear of your Dads passing. He sounded like a wonderful gentleman and we loved hearing your stories about him .

Sending my sympathies to Jane and the Clinch family at this difficult time

My dear condolences to the bereaved family. I only heard great stories of James. He was clearly a cherished individual who touched many lives including me.
His legacy and memory will undoubtedly live in our hearts.
may you have find comfort and peace during this difficult times

Anna and I are very sad to hear of Jammy’s passing. So many hours spent playing table tennis and football with our wonderfull friends in “Clinch’s” is a huge part of my childhood. Ar dheis De go raibh a anam.

Jane, sincere condolences on the passing of your beloved Dad.
Remember the special times you shared. Thinking of you at this sad time.

It is with great sadness that I heard about the death of James Clinch, a great consultant colleague and mentor as one of my predecessors as Master of The Coombe Hospital.

Not only did he have a stellar career in obstetrics and gynaecology but I admired his personal qualities. He was independently minded, curious, scrupulously honest, and focused on improving women’s healthcare at all levels. He was a man of integrity.

Above all, he was committed to family life and recognised that his many achievements were thanks to Wendy.

He could be devilish and provoke, not least when he wore his Trinity socks as he refereed rugby matches during my playing days in UCD. My daughter Ciara enjoyed their many chats about sport.

My condolences to Wendy and the extended family.
Michael Turner