Jim O'Donnell

Expressing my sympathies to Mary O'Donnell for your sad loss. You are in my prayers,

My sincere condolonces to Jim's family and friends. I have good memories of my time as a secondary student at Garbally College, Ballinasloe, when Jim was one of my lay teachers. He was a courteous gentleman and an excellent teacher. May he Rest in Peace.
Sean Kenny

Sincere sympathy to Mary and family on the death of Jim RIP His deeply creative contribution to the Institute over the years was much respected by his IPA colleagues.

Deepest sympathies to Mary and all the O'Donnell family on the sad passing of Jim. Speaking personally, Jim was very good to me both during my brief few years in Publications and after as a freelance editor. May he rest in peace.

Mary so sorry to hear of Jim’s passing he was such a warm kind smiling gentleman. Sincere sympathy to you, Jane, Rebecca, Sarah and the extended families. May he rest in peace.

Please accept my deepest sympathy on the death of Jim. It was always a pleasure meeting him on some of my frequent visits to the IPA and their varied events. He has left a great legacy, intellectually and familially. It was very moving watching online and listening to the loving tributes paid to him by his family and by the celebrant at Jim's funeral mass. May he rest in peace.

Sincere condolences to Mary and family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this sad time. May he Rest in Peace.

Vivian and Mary Pembrey offer our condolences on Jim’s passing. May he rest in peace.

My deepest sympathy to all the O’Donnell family on your loss, my thoughts are with you at this sad time.

The IPA and its efforts in publishing a wealth of books and articles promoting a revival of national self-confidence and progressive thinking helped the country devise a narrative appropriate for a small, newly-independent country. Stagnation induced by outmoded laissez-faire dogmatism was replaced the the progressive thinking of the first program for economic development. The presence of such greats of national progress as T.K. Whitaker, P. Lynch, T. Barrington, M.J. Killeen, B. Chubb,inter alia, on the board of the IPA provided the intellectual firepower for an institute brimming with ideas and enthusiasm. Jim's diverse publications helped diffuse this progressive thinking and generate a lexicon with which the Irish public service, business and agriculture could, in a confident and articulated way new to Irish life at a critical phase of the country's journey, engage with our new partners in the European Community - to which institution he bequeathed a number of his team. Jim will be especially remembered by those who worked with him in 'Publications' as an erudite if unpretentious public intellectual. He combined outstanding humanity with a wry sense of humour. He has bequeathed his family, friends, team workers and society in general an enduring legacy. May I extend heartfelt condolences to his beloved Mary and extensive and devoted family and friends. May Jim rest forever in peace, Brendan C .

Those who had the good fortune to work in the Publications Section of the Institute of Public Administration in the 1960s benefited from the inspired leadership of a remarkable public servant dedicated to promoting the highest standards in governance and public administration. A gentleman, a mensch, of luminous intellect and critically acclaimed writer himself he was the author of many landmark publications, How Ireland is Governed, Wordgloss, Administration Yearbook and Diary, inter alia. Under the leadership of the equally inspirational and visionary Director Tom Barrington he was dedicated to thinking, policy-making and execution at a critical stage of Ireland's development. The IPA cooperated with other institutions, academic, journalistic (Paper and Radio Éireann) and research to advance development of a formerly comatose society emerging from the historic trauma of post-famine, independence and civil war and post-WW II recovery. This was at a time characterised by the dystopia of the 'vanishing Irish' due to the grievous levels of national despondency and emigration.

Sincerest sympathies to the O ‘Donnell family

Sarah and Peter and family we were so sorry to hear of your dad's passing. It has been a tough road for you all our thoughts are with you.

Deepest sympathy to you all at this sad time. May he rest in peace.

Dear Mary, I am so sorry to hear the sad news of the death of your beloved Jim. May he rest in peace. I know the last few years have been very difficult but what a happy and interesting life he had. My memories go back to the IPA in 1964 so the end of an era for us survivors. My deep sympathy to you Mary and to all the family from Mary Prendergast.

My condolences to Jim's family.
I well remember the day he arrived in Garbally Park college with his great buddy Fr (later Archbishop) Joe Cassidy. Their arrival brought a great culture change to the school. Together they wrote In Wild Earth which the Ballinasloe players entered in the Athlone All Ireland Drama Festival. Thanks to Jim---I still speak French with a "Brews Hill" accent.
Rest in peace.

We are very sorry to read of Jim ODonnell's passing . Sincere sympathy to Mary & family. Requiescat in pace

A gentle-man and a scholar.
I carry fond memories of a kind teacher at garbally college all those years ago. My condolences to his family and friend at this time of loss and grief. Light of heaven lead him home. R.I.P.

Mary. I was so sorry to hear of Jim's death. He was such a lovely warm and jolly man. Ye made a great couple. Tuned into the Mass online. It was a beautiful service. Sincere sympathy to you, Jane, Rebecca and Sarah.

To Mary, Jane, Rebecca, Sarah: my sincerest sympathy. You have lost a dear husband and dad. I have lost a friend of six decades, always helpful, kind, good-humoured and intellectually challenging and entertaining. We’ll meet again.

Condolences to Jim's family. Thanks to Jim for his dedicated service to the study and practice of public administration. May he rest in peace.

Mary, Sarah and Family. Our sincere sympathy to you all. May he rest in peace. Barbara, Donaill and Family.

Remembering Jim for his huge input to the All-Party Oireachtas Committee on the Constitution .Sincere sympathy to Mary and all the family .

Our deepest sympathy to Mary,Jane,Rebecca and Sarah on the sad loss of Jim a true Gent.
May Jim rest in peace.
Prior family.

Dear Mary, please accept my condolences on Jim's death. It is sad that we cannot be with you at the funeral mass, but you and your family will be in my thoughts.

Sarah, Peter and family, we are so sorry for the loss of your lovely dad, may he rest in peace. All our love, Louise and Craig

To Mary, Rebecca, Jane, Sarah. I am so very sorry to hear of Jim's death. What a gentle, kind, interested, welcoming and always smiling character. I have the fondest memories of breakfasts at yours and dinners at ours over the years, with lots of stories and the odd song. Your dad was a wonderfully warm man, a very fondly remembered part of my growing up. Best wishes, Caitriona.

My love & sympathy to you, Mary, Jane, Rebecca & Sarah on the death of a loving husband & adoring dad.
RIP

Our Sincere Sympathy to Mary, Jane, Rebecca, Sarah and all your families and all the O’Donnell families on Jim’s passing. Thinking of you all at this difficult time. May Jim rest in peace.

Mary,
I was very sorry to hear the sad news of Jim's death.I have many happy memories of evenings spent with you both in the Club.You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Maeve McQuaid.

My deepest sympathy to you Mary and the O'Donnell family.
I had alot of fun working with him on the Yearbook, and
learned so much too...he was a fountain of knowledge.
May he Rest in Peace.

Mary Deeply saddened to hear that Jim has died . Rachael in Seattle sends her condolences to you Sarah and family. . We will remember Jim with affection. He made a superb contribution to Irish life and will be remembered for his love of family. Alan and Rosemarie

Deepest sympathy to the O' Donnell family
The late Jim was a prolific writer on Public Administration.
He will be missed.

Rest in peace

Dear Mary, Please accept my condolences to you and your family. I worked with Jim on the Board of the European Cultural Foundation . He was a wonderful colleague - professional, helpful and insightful. I greatly enjoyed his company and friendship. Timothy joins me in sending you our condolences. Mary C.

Sincere Sympathy to Mary, Jane, Rebecca, Sarah and the extended O’Donnell Families. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time. May Jim Rest In Peace.

Mary,
Condolences on your sad loss,
Your neighbours Marita and Pat Doherty

Mary, Rebecca, Sarah and Jane - I’m very sorry to hear the sad news of Jim’s death. Your house was always a warm and welcoming place and your Dad was truly blessed amongst women.

Sarah and Peter, please accept my sympathy on the loss of your father. My he Rest In Peace. Kind Regards

Sincerest condolences to Mary and the girls. Jim is fondly remembered by the Marnell family. Go raibh suaimhneas síoraí aige.

With prayer and deepest sympathy to Mary and all the family

Deepest Sympathy to Mary and the O'Donnell family

Having known Jim from schooldays in St. Finian's College and later as my publisher at IPA,
and appreciating his many great achievements, I was very sad to hear of his passing.
May he rest in peace.
Des Swan

Much love to Mary, Jane, Rebecca and Sarah and all your families.
I am so very, very sorry to hear about Jim's death.
A truly amazing man! You will all miss him so much. Please take very good care.
Au Revoir dear Jim and may you rest in peace xx

So sorry to hear that Jim has passed I worked with him in the Ipa a lovely man deepest sympathy to Mary and family may he rip

Deepest sympathies Mary, Jane, Rebecca and Sarah

Mary and family , deeply sorry to hear of Jim's passing. May he rest in peace. He was such an inspiration to me and my career in publishing

Deepest sympathy to you Mary and to your Daughters and extended family on the death of Jim, May be rest in peace.

Deeply sorry to hear of Jim’s death and sending you our most sincere condolences.

Deepest sympathy to the ODonnell family

Very sorry to hear of Jim’s death. I have many happy memories of working with Jim on the Events Committee of the Kildare Street & University Club. A lovely man, who will be greatly missed by all who knew him. May he rest in peace.

Sincere sympathy to Mary and family on your very sad loss.May Jim's gentle soul rest in peace.