IRENE DOWLING
(née GAFFNEY)

My deepest sympathy on the passing of your dear wife, Irene. Thinking of you at this very difficult time. May she rest in peace. Jerry Huysmans.

I’m so sorry to hear the sad news of Irene’s passing. We all have such fond memories of Irene on the hazel ward. She certainly brought the fun and laughter to many a long shift! We are all thinking of Aidan and the Gaffney family at this difficult time x

This is something I never expected to have to write and I do so now with a heavy heart. Anne, Una, Paul, Colm and of course, Aidan, I was so saddened to learn about Irene’s passing - I knew she had not been well, but it was a great shock when I heard.

She was such an integral part of the Loreto Musical Society and others also. There are so many occasions I can recall when she was out front and centre of the fun. She never shied from being involved and doing her bit, whatever that may have been whether on stage or off. I shall be grateful always for those memories and to have known her.

In sending my condolences and deepest sympathy, I hope that time will help us all come to terms with such a great loss and that the good memories will replace the sad ones permanently.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h-anam dilis

Le gach dea-ghui,

So sorry to hear the sad news of Irene’s passing. Irene was such a wonderful mix of humour, fun, talent and warmth. She had such a kind heart and made time for everyone. It was lovely to reconnect with her at our recent class reunions. She will be hugely missed. Sincere condolences to all of Irene’s family. May she rest in peace.

So very sorry to hear about the passing of Irene. I was lucky enough to Know her in Loreto MS and have some wonderful memories. May she rest in Peace. Thoughts and prayers are with the family at this sad time.

We met Irene when she started singing with her group for Cuala while she was at school. We had remained friends since, albeit via social media since moving to Australia. She had an infectious personality and she will be missed. Take care of yourselves.

My deepest sympathy to Aidan and to all the Gaffney family at this sad time. Suaimhneas Síoraí dá hanam!

Paul, we are thinking of you at this tough time. God speed Irene

So sorry to hear of Irene’s passing. So many fond memories of our afternoons together filled with singing, chats, and Morton’s sausage rolls. Thinking of you, Aidan, and all the family.

It's so hard to believe that Irene, a woman so full of life, energy, talent, and fun, is no longer with us. But she will always be a vibrant and joyous memory to me. My heartfelt sympathy to Aidan and to Irene's siblings, and to the extended Gaffney and Dowling families.

It is with the greatest sadness I heard of Irene's passing today. Such wonderful memories of Irene's talent and humour remain with me.
Gareth joins me in sending sincere condolences to Aidan and all of the Gaffney family .
May she rest is peace.

To Aidan and all of the Gaffneys, we were so sorry to hear the sad news of Irene's death. May she rest in peace.

Aidan, so very sorry to hear the sad sad news about Irene's passing,
always remembered, rest in peace Irene.

So sad to hear of Irene’s passing and sincere condolences to Aidan and to both Dowling and Gaffney families. Having worked together for many years in WH, my memories of Irene as a dynamic, colourful and fun filled person are never forgotten. RIP Irene.

to aiden and all the family on the passing of your beloved wife,my sincere condolences to you all !safe home irene rip.

Sincere sympathy to Aidan all the Dowling and Gaffney family, on the sad passing of Irene .Rest in Peace , a kind lady, and wonderful friend.

Our sincere condolences to Aidan and the extended Gaffney and Dowling families on your huge loss. Irene was beautiful, funny, witty and hugely talented. She was also a great friend and we so enjoyed our long phone calls and evenings out with her. It is hard to believe that such a force of nature is no longer with us. Sleep well.

Thinking of you Aidan and family. She was such a bright light. May she rest in peace now. Sleep easy Irene and thank you xx

Sincere sympathy to Anne, Paul and Colm on the sads news of the untimely death of Irene, may her gentle soul rest in peace.

Shalom, Irene.

Mary I. Conlon

Dear Aidan and all the family i was so sorry to hear of Irene's passing .

May she RIp 🙏.

I was a classmate of Irene’s. The Class of ‘77 in Loreto Foxrock. There is not a classmate who didn’t adore Irene. Her fun, mischievousness, her laughter, her empathy, her willingness to share her inherent God given talents! She was simply a treasure we got to enjoy. The world will be duller without her. May her magnificent soul fly high and get to embrace her beautiful Mum and Dad once more. I send my love to her husband and her siblings and her very very many friends.

Dearest Una, so very sorry to hear of your sister’s passing. Our thoughts are with you at this very difficult time. R.I.P Irene.

Aidan - so very sorry for your loss. Thinking of you at this difficult and painful time.

My deepest sympathy to Aidan,Una and the Gaffney family on the sad passing of Irene.
A pleasure to have know her and always enjoyed her company.
We once sat in the grounds of the hotel in Newcastle Co Down and watched the sun rise and discussed Sondheim a treasured moment in time.
"We are such stuff as dreams are made of and our little life is rounded with a sleep"
Farewell Irene and sleep well.

Very sad to learn that Irene has passed away - her loss will be mourned by Anne and her brothers as well as the Dowling family. May she rest in peace.

Deepest Sympathy to all the Gaffney Family - we are so sorry to hear this sad news. Rest in Peace Irene.

Aidan- my sincere condolences on the passing of your wife. Thinking of you and your families at this sad time.

Very sorry to learn of the passing of Irene, Aidan.
May she rest in peace.

Aiden thinking of you now and have nothing but the fondest and happiest memories of Irene and you during our years of friendship together.
Will never forget her happy face and beautiful voice ❤️

Aidan, I'm so sorry to hear this sad news about Irene. May she rest in God's peace.

Deepest sympathies on the passing of an extraordinary woman who I had the pleasure to share a stage with. Her passion, her knowledge, her never ending energy, generous of spirit with just a touch of divilment. Loved greatly and will be sorely missed. Rest in peace to the girl from Ipanema x

So sad to hear of the death of Irene. Gone too early. Our thoughts are with the Gaffney extended families & friends.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam

Dear Anne, I’m so sorry to hear that your lovely sister Irene has passed away. My sincere condolences to you and all your family at this very sad time. Irene Rest In Peace

Deepest sympathy Aidan and the Gaffney family . RIP Irene

Aiden - Our sincere condolences on the passing of Irene. Great memories of her from WH. Thinking of you at this very difficult time.

Thinking of you both. Rest in peace my friend, oh how bright you shine and will always, till we meet again x

Very sad to hear that Irene has died. Such a lovely person with such a wonderful talent. Our thoughts are with the family at this time. A big loss to you all for sure.

So sorry to hear of your wife Irene's passing. Thinking of you at this very difficult time, Deborah

I will miss you my friend
Much love to Aidan and the Gaffney and Dowling families
Also to those of us (and there are many) who love Irene

My deepest sympathy to the extended families on the passing of Irene, may she rest in peace

To Aidan and family, sending all our our love and thoughts to you at this time. Irene was a fabulous lady with a great sense of humour, and a very kind heart, may she rest in peace.

Aidan, I'm so terribly sorry for the untimely loss of the inimitable Irene. What a bright light she was. May she rest in peace.

To Aidan & all of Irene’s family, so so sad to hear the news. Thinking of you all at this sad time. Irene was a talented, wonderful human and friend. So sorry for you loss, RIP Irene 💔 xx Julie xx

With our sincere sympathy to Aidan and family on the passing of your Dear Irene RIP. You are in our thoughts and prayers at this sad time

Deepest sympathy to you Una and to all the family. Happy memories of doing shows with Irene over the years. Always a joy. RIP

My deepest condolences to Irenes Family and Friends. Irene was a good friend in our teens back in the 80's and when we practised together in a small jazz rock group. She had a wonderful voice and out going happy personality. Sadly I moved away to the midlands and we were out of touch. My thoughts are with you.

Our deepest condolences to Aiden and family during this very difficult time. Irene ‘the star’, will shine bright in our hearts forever.

I had the pleasure of working with Irene or renee as we called her in McConnells, she was always the best craic, mad as a brush with a big heart. She will be missed so much by everyone who loved her, aidan your name was always mentioned, she adored you. May renee rest in peace.

Aidan I am sorry to hear about the loss of your dear wife, Irene. Sincere condolences to you and your family. May she rest in peace.

Am saddened and shocked, one of the nicest, sincere , and honestly lovely inside and out , loved her to bits x . May she rest in peace , travel well Irene , you will be missed , xx ,

To Anne & Colm

So sorry to hear about Irene's passing. Thinking of you both and all Irene's family at this sad time. May she RIP x

Really sorry and shocked to hear of Irene's passing. Irene was one very special lady. A kind hearted fun loving woman who I had the pleasure of meeting through the amatuer musical society scene back in the 80's. I remember fondly her picking up a best actor award at the AIMS awards in Newcastle Co.Down in 1983 and from then on our paths crossed over the years on many occasions. To Aidan, her brother Paul, Anne and the Gaffney family please accept my deepest condolences. May she rest in peace.

Aidan, so sorry to hear the sad news about Irene. My sympathies to you and to her family. May she rest in peace.

Aidan, I was so sorry to hear this very sad news. Take care.

Sincere condolences to you Aidan on the great loss of Irene, and to both your families also. We will miss our fun get togethers, but have great memories of those times when we all did. Rest in Peace dear Irene.

To Aidan and all Irene's family my heartfelt sympathy. It was always a joy to be in Irene's company...so talented and full of fun and such a generous person in every way. I so enjoyed meeting up with her. She will be missed not only by you but her many friends. May she Rest in Peace

So sorry for your loss Aidan

I am so sorry to hear of Irene's untimely death, thinking of all her family at this sad time.

Sincere condolences to Aidan and all of Irene’s family. She was a lovely person with a great sense of humour and great talent .