Dr. Patrick Joseph (Joe) Mulholland

I learned with great sadness of the death of Joe Mulholland. During my tenure as ambassador of France to Ireland (2017-2020), I much enjoyed his company, his enthusiasm and his interest in France, and the McGill Summer School to which he regularly invited me. Please accept my heartfelt condolences.

So sorry to hear the sad news of Joe’s death. Sincere condolences to all his family.
Joe was indeed an exceptional person and it was an honor to have known him.
His contribution to Irish broadcasting and public life will never be forgotten.

Please accept my sincere condolences on the loss of Joe. I worked with Joe in RTE, many years ago, he was a pleasure to work with.
Sincere condolences.

Joe will be sadly missed in Donegal where he was a towering figure . Condolences to Liz and to all his family.

Deepest condolences to the Mulholland family on the death of your dad Joe. So soon after the death of your mum Annie. They were such kind and wonderful neighbours to Denis and our dear sister Sheila. May your dad now rest in peace reunited with his lovely wife Annie.

I extend my deepest sympathy to the Mulholland family at this sad and difficult time. Joe was a wonderful colleague during my time in RTÉ. We worked together on several film documentaries over the years. He was great company. Comparisons between his Donegal background and my upbringing in Kerry were often discussed. His insightfulness on so many topics was inspiring.
Rest in Peace Joe.
Maurice Healy.

Condolences to the Mulholland family on the loss of Joe, and especially so soon after the loss of his wife Annie. I worked with Joe many moons ago in the Television Division of RTE, and he was a formidable boss! I also want to extend the condolences of the Collum family from Stranorlar, who knew Joe in his schoolgoing days and in more recent years through the historical society. May he rest in peace.

Joe and Annie will both be terribly missed on The Point. We all grew up with them. May they rest peacefully and long may the Mulholland name live in St. John's Point. A place Joe and Annie loved.

My sincere condolences to Fiona, Sylvain and Julien on Joe’s passing. Coming so soon after Annie’s, it’s a very tough blow to each of you.

I feel privileged to have worked for Joe for several years in Today Tonight and the RTÉ Newsroom. He demanded much of himself and others and stood by his team when they challenged vested interests.

As editor of current affairs, he forayed into the field. My abiding memory of Joe is of a Halloween weekend when he, PA Paula Burke and I rushed in a late-night taxi to Donegal to cover a fatal shipwreck. Within hours of our arrival he was marching along a rainswept strand, barefoot, carrying a tripod and camera batteries, stopping occasionally to direct a shot and update our shooting schedule. Yet another Donegal trawler's crew had drowned and their loss had to be mourned and, if possible, explained.

I also travelled with him to the Philippines where we reported on the Trócaire director’s, Bishop Éamon Casey’s, visit of solidarity to the jailed missionary, Fr Niall O’Brien and the rest of the Negros Nine. Joe tacked on another feature on the wider turmoil characterizing the Marcos dictatorship.

Recently, he proudly showed me a slip of inscribed marble one of his brothers had sent him from Britain. The inscription was a quote from Nelson Mandela:

“For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.” It could be Joe’s epitaph.

My sympathies are with Joe's family.
His interest in Irish issues at home and abroad was immense.
May he rest in peace.
Bobby Gilmore SSC

Deepest sympathies to the Mulholland family on the passing of your beloved Joe. May his gentle soul Rest in eternal Peace

My sincere condolences to Fiona and the Mulholland family on the sad passing of your Dad, Joe.
He was alway so welcoming at the MacGill Summer School - I'm really going to miss our chats.
May Joe rest in peace. 🙏

Fiona - so sorry for your loss. May your wonderful Dad rest in peace.

We were so sorry indeed to hear about Joe. He was a great guy and a very nice man who did so much for so many people especially in his beloved Donegal. Our deepest condolences to all the family. Take care.

Sincere condolences, I am very sorry to hear about the passing of your dad. Fiona, Sylvian & Julian.
Wishing you strength and love in this time of mourning.

I worked with Joe for several seasons as a producer on RTE's 'Today Tonight' series. He was a superb Current Affairs Editor: utterly dedicated to the job - and expecting and inspiring similar dedication on the part of all who worked on the programme. He could spot and encourage new talent and was extremely astute in his political judgements. But he was also a person of wide interests and passionate enthusiasms outside the political arena. He had a robust sense of humour - and, although he took the responsibilities of his role with the utmost seriousness, my memories of that period include much laughter in his office or in the Green Room after each night's broadcast had finished. Joe was capable of many acts of courtesy and unexpected kindness. He was blessed in Annie, his wife, who could cast an objective eye over his various pursuits - and, of course, in the children whom he adored. RTE was extremely fortunate to have had such a gifted public servant in its ranks for so many years.

Dear Fiona, and partner Geoff, Sylvain, Julien and families-
I offer you my sincere condolences upon the death of Joe following so close on from the death of your mother last August, which I only found out about recently. That is a lot of grief to process in such a short time.
It was nice to hear Fiona's and Pat Cox's tributes to Joe and Annie.
Joe did so much for public enlightenment in Ireland both as a TV producer and of course the discourse that took place each year at MacGill Summer School. We need more like him in public life.

Dear Fiona, Sylvain and Julien,

I am so very sorry to hear of the passing of your beloved Dad, Joe and especially so soon after losing your mum. My mum Úna had some wonderful times with Joe and Annie at the MacGill Summer School in Donegal. Thinking of you all at such a sad time.

Joe Mulholland was the Alex Ferguson of the Irish Summer Schools. RIP

My sincere condolences to Fiona and Joe’s family and friends on your very sad loss, so soon after Annie. I got to know Joe through MacGill Summer School including our shared Donegal heritage. He also spent many happy days in St John’s Point and the seas off Donegal. May Joe rest in peace.

Our sincere sympathies to Joe’s family on the passing of your Dad.
Joe was quite unique in creating in MacGill summer school 45 years ago a forum for people to meet, exchange ideas and learn from each other. Such a forum that continues to this day is increasingly rare in today’s fragmented polarised world.
The best memorial for Joe would be for MacGill to continue and to prosper under its new leadership which Joe has put in place.

Sincere sympathy to Dr Joe Mulholland's family and friends on his sad passing, so soon, after the passing of his beloved wife Annie. They were both so loved and respected here in Glenties. The MacGill Summer School was founded by Dr Joe over forty five years ago from humble beginnings to one of the most important for topics of national and international events. Dr Joe and Annie, your hearts were like our Mountains in the homes of Donegal. Rest peacefully and thank you from all in Glenties.

Joe enriched so many lives and in so many ways. He and Annie were a wonderful pair. We shall miss them always. He was a true patriot, devoted to public service and to making Ireland - North and South - a better place to live.
"Now cracks a noble heart
Goodnight, sweet Prince
And flights of Angels
Sing thee to thy rest."

My deepest condolences to Fiona and Joe’s family. I had the pleasure of serving with Joe on the Board of NCAD. It was a steep learning curve with many insightful moments. May he Rest in Peace

Condolences to Joe’s family on your painful loss. Remembering Joe too as mentor and a great support in my early journalism journey. Joe’s warm and colourful personality made the experience all the more enjoyable! One of the greats for sure.

Mo chomhbhrón ó chroí le Fiona agus le clann Mulholland.
Suaimhneas síoraí d'anam uasal Joe.

Sincere condolences Fiona and family on the passing of your father.

Walter Reidy and family, NH, USA

Condolences to Joe's family, friends and those who worked with him in the MacGill Summer School. I was honoured that Joe asked me to make a presentation at the 2015 Summer School.

I was really sorry to hear of Joe's death and shocked to hear that Annie had also passed a few months before. I first met Joe when he was Chairman of NCAD where he brought his years of wisdom and experience at a time of transition in the College. He was a man of great humour and insight and I enjoyed many occasions with him and Annie over the years. My condolences to Fiona and her brothers on their great loss.

We offer our condolences to Fiona and her partner Geoff, Sylvain, Julien and all the Mulholland family on the passing of Joe.

Our involvement with Joe came through our annual attendance over many years at the MacGill Summer School, which we have enjoyed thoroughly. We became friends there with Joe and Annie, facilitated to a large extent by the art of Fiona through her magnificent jewellery.

It is testament to Joe's wisdom that he chose people of talent and dedication to assist him in pursuing the ideals of the School - Michael Gallagher, James O'Malley and many others. Vincent Mc Carthy is an inspired choice to continue managing and building on the great work.

Joe did his country some service.

Dear Fiona and siblings, I recall seeing your painting art at MacGill about 40 years ago, when I began attending the Summer School in year two. For varioius reasons I haven't been for several years. On the last, I set out for a walk with your motber Annie, whom I did not know had died last year. Your father, with Annie's help, made a great contribution to Irish political and cultural life in Glenties for forty years or more; along with a dedicated team of local people. My commiserations to you and them. Ní beidh a leithéid arís againn.

Fiona, Sylvain & Julien,

We were very sorry to hear of your dad’s death, so soon after your mum.

Wishing you every courage.

Dear Fiona I am sad to hear of the death of your dad so soon after your mam too. May you and your family go gently in your grief and find solace in the richness of Joe's life. With love Sharon

Sincere condolences to all the family on the sad passing of Joe, may he rest in peace.

Our condolence and deepest sympathy to Fiona, Julien and Silvain on Joe's death so close to Annie's, We will be thinking of you and wish you to keep your parents courage and gift for life. Avec toutes mes amities,

My deepest sympathy to Joe's family on his sad passing. He was a man who made an enduring mark; and he will be, forever, remembered for his restoration of Patrick Magill's literary reputation. May he rest in peace and may the bereaved find comfort and inspiration in his achievements and in the memories he has left them. Go raibh leaba aige i measc na Naomh.

Sincere condolences to all the Mulholland Family. It was a privilege to work with Joe on the TODAY TONIGHT programme in the 1980s.
May he rest in peace.

We are so sorry for your loss Fiona and family. Sending love and prayers.

Sympathy to all who mourn Joe
His wisdom, insight and leadership made MacGill one of Ireland’s most significant gatherings
It was always a pleasure to meet him either in Glenties or on the local government or EU talk-trails
In Oireachtas na naomh go bhfuil se anois

Sincere condolences to Joe’s family. I knew him first in the early days of RTE when he was a trainee Producer/Director and he was always a joy to meet. Then later my husband John performed many times at the MacGill Summer School where we had such fun. On one occasion we stayed up all night in the company of Seamus Heaney, Brian Friel and Bernadette Greevy among others. The local Sergeant was with us so no chance of being raided! He will be sadly missed.

Sincere condolences to the Mulholland family. Joe was the proverbial man for all seasons. He demanded high standards of himself and others. Words like courage, tenacity and humanity sit lightly on his shoulders. Life was never dull with Joe. I will miss him. Nuala.

On behalf of everyone at NCAD sincerest condolences to all the Mullholland family, and in memory of the great contribution that Joe made to NCAD during his time as Chair of An Bord.

Fiona , thinking of you and your brothers at this sad time.

We are very sorry to here on the lost of Joe. He was a great neighbour growing up. May he rest in peace.

We send our sincere sympathy to the Mulholland family on the sad death of your beloved father Joe. We were friends at Stranorlar school and renewed our friendship when he studied in Manchester. May he now be reunited with your mum Annie. May their souls rest in peace 🙏.

Deepest sympathy to the Mulholland Family on the passing of Joe who has left behind a clear pathway for successors to the MacGill Summer School, & Brian Friel Foundation. It was such a pleasure to have known Joe, and so many happy memories of the annual week in Glenties where he so ably oversaw proceedings.

Our deepest Sympathy to you Fiona and your brothers Sylvain and Julien on the loss of your Dad, thinking of you at this difficult time.

A life lived. Contributed so much. I never got to work with Joe so I could only respect him from a distance. Met him on Dun Laoghaire’s West Pier a few years ago - full of interest encouragement and warmth. An example. RIP Joe.

Deepest sympathy, dear Fiona, and also to your siblings and extended family at this very sad time, so hard to lose your cherished Dad so soon after your dear Mum. Thinking of you xo

Sincerest sympathy to you Fiona, Sylvain, Julien, Celine, Elizabeth, Geoff, your extended family and friends on Joe's death.
Saddened too to read of Annie's recent death. They were a lovely couple.
I had the pleasure of meeting them on a number of occasions, both at the MacGill Summer School and the French Embassy.
Joe's legacy in public affairs; in RTE and especially the MacGill Summer School is legendary.
The latter, his idea, was inspirational as it brought government and many other decision-makers to Glenties, which he loved, and in close contact with locals and other regular participants for serious discourse and enjoyment, for many decades.
The pandemic didn't deter him and his colleagues as it became available virtually to a wider audience and subsequently hybrid.
Fond memories of a remarkable person and couple.
May Joe and Annie rest in peace.

Suaimhneas go raibh agat Joe

Fiona, Sylvain and Julien,
I am so sorry to hear about the death of your phenomenal dad, and so soon after you lost your mum, Annie, my mum's best friend. Both your parents were such good friends to her.

Joe gave me my first ever work experience placement. It was in the RTE newsroom- and what an experience and privilege that was! I will be forever grateful to him for that time.

I haven't seen much of you guys since we were all kids but Joe and Annie were a constant in our mum's life, so we would hear many stories, particularly about the McGill Summer School and the charity walks they did together. I am hoping that maybe the three of them are up there now, walking some version of the Camino together in their absolute full health- but I am heartbroken for the three of you. Such tremendous loss!

Deepest sympathy to Joe's daughter Fiona sons Sylvain and Julien on the very sad death of your dear father. Condolences also to his sister's Celine and Elizabeth. Fond memories of the Mulholland family living in Ard Mc Carron Ballybofey. Thinking of you all at this very sad time. May Joe's gentle soul Rest in eternal Peace with his beloved wife Annie his devoted parents and his brothers Raymond and Danny. 🙏

Sincere condolence to the Mulholland family on the sad passing of Joe, so soon after his beloved wife Annie. A very proud Twin Town’s and Donegal man.May He Rest In Peace.

Sincere condolences to our colleague Julien and his family on the passing of their father Joe.
From Karl, Tom, and everyone in Citywide

Sincere condolences to Fiona & the Mulholland family on the sad news of the passing of your father Joe. May he rest in peace.

Deepest sympathies to Joe's family. He was a remarkable man who gave so much to Irish life, through his broadcasting career and his stewardship of The Magill Summer School. He will be much missed by all who knew him. May he rest in peace and may his memory be a blessing.

Sincere condolences on the sad passing of our beloved Joe. He will be remembered for his many marvellous achievements, including the Mac Gill summer. May his gentle soul rest in peace.

C'est avec une grande tristesse que j'ai appris le décès de Joe.

Bhí Joe ina Stiúrthóir Nuachta in RTÉ nuair a ceapadh mar iriseoir mé sa bhliain 1996.

Beannacht Dé leis.

Joe was a constant in my early work life giving me both advice and opportunity. His early years gave him a grounding which permeated his dealings with those he encountered.
Most importantly he understood innately the connection between art and politics as his work on The Magill and the Friel legacy illustrates.
Joe understood that societies perish when they listen only to their politicians and not their poets.

Fiona, Sylvain and Julien with heartfelt sympathy always. Remembering too beautiful extraordinary Annie.