Sean O'DONOVAN

Alf,

He was a man of many names, he lived a short walk from my home growing up and he was my Godfather. Alf was very good to me in so many ways. He broadened my horizons introducing me to Ibsen and Friel to name but a few. We saw many plays and sporting events together. Even a famous trip to Enniscorthy to visit Michele.

Although he was very much a Corkonian he knew the city of Dublin better than most Dubs. I was the lucky beneficiary to learn from him and enjoy his company. Kehoe’s and O’Donoghue’s are still two of my favorites to this day. On my first date with my now wife, I took her to Davy Byrnes and Marco Pierre White’s; both of which Alf introduced me to.

I would refer to Alf sometimes as Seán Óg as he was young at heart like myself. He liked to laugh and sing and even got a tune out of me every now and again. I look back fondly on when he would text while I was studying in UCD and meet him in the city to spend many hours together. Probably unthinkable in the modern age.

He took on the role of the Grandfather I never met (my namesake). He always treated me as an equal.

Reflecting on his passing reminds me of a quote he would often recite from Hamlet: “Those friends thou hast, and their adoption tried, Grapple them to thy soul with hoops of steel…”

I can never repay my debt to Alf as it was too great. My life was so much happier for everything he did and I didn’t really deserve it.

I will never forget.

I will always miss him.

Le grá,

Sending our sincere condolences to David, Mary and family and the extended O'Donovan families on the sad passing of Seán. May he rest in heavenly peace 🙏

It was with great sadness that I learned of the death of a true colleague and friend. I 0offer sincerest sympathy and condolences to Sean’s extended family and friends on his recent death R. I. P.
Sean’s contribution to the development of science education in Ireland through his many relevant inservice programmes and initiatives have been enormous.
He was one of nature’s gentlemen, a real friend and trusted colleague. May his gentle soul Rest In Peace..

It is with great sadness we learned of Alf's passing. He was always welcoming to us when we called to him, It was a pleasure looking after Alf over the years. May his gentle soul rest in peace.
SLÁN A CHARA.

Sean was renowned in Educational circles as a person of great vision, an inspirational leader who set a very high standard and who possessed a deeply rooted sense of fair play. His enduring and steadfast support for the Irish Science Teachers’ Association was acknowledged and appreciated by all Science teachers. Solas na bhFlaitheas go raibh aige.

Memories will allways be with us phonsie,as each time you visited cork,your stories and songs of a time gone by brought happiness to all.rest in peace.A Gentleman.

Our deepest condolences to all Sean’s Nieces, Nephews & extended families on his sad passing. Sean always spoke fondly of his Cork roots and reminiscing about his childhood days. Spending time at my Mother, Julia’s home in Bunnaglanna, Glenville. We loved hearing all the stories of old. May Sean’s gentle soul rest in peace.

Our sincere Sympathy to all the O Donovan family on the death of our brother in law Alf. May he rest in eternal peace🙏🙏

Sincere sympathy to everyone, Such a beautiful Mass, Rest in peace Sean , from Cork.

Our sincere sympathy to all Sean's nieces, nephews and extended families. We have lovely memories of Sean and Angela visiting us all in Cork, especially the times spent with my mother in Bunnaglanna, Glenville. May Sean's gentle soul rest in peace.

Sincere condolences to the extended O Donovan family’s on the sad passing of Sean. Always enjoyed Sean and Angela visits to Watergrasshill. May Sean and Angela rest in peace.

Great memories of Alf and the recitation of poetry (after hours) in 171. May Alf Rest In Peace.

Sincere sympathy to Sean's family and friends. It was always a pleasure to meet Sean at Science Teachers AGM's and marking conferences down through the years. May his gentle soul rest in peace.

Sean was always a lovely person to meet & chat with. Our sympathies to Joe, Maura & family and all who loved him.

Sincere sympathy on the death of Alf , know that you all share in our prayers as well as our deceased Alf --brother-in-law, may good memories sustain you and may your grief be a healing source for all of you. Lovingly ,

Sr Anne, Patricia, Anne and Karen Biggane

It was with great sadness that I learned that Seán has passed to his eternal reward. Over a period of 38 years as a science inspector, Sean gave outstanding support to the Irish Science Teachers’ Association. He was involved in several projects aimed at improving science teaching in Ireland. He was particularly involved in curriculum development and chaired the syllabus committees that developed the first modern syllabi in Physics and Chemistry and were published in 2000. As well as modern content and a greatly increased emphasis on student practical work, as a result of Sean's vision these syllabi included for the first time explicit reference to the applications of these subjects in everyday life.
Seán believed strongly in the value of in-career professional development for teachers. He organised numerous weekend courses for science teachers at venues throughout the country.
Sean was responsible for the production of two very comprehensive handbooks for teachers of physics and chemistry, circulated to every second-level school in the country in both paper and electronic formats.
Seán was a giant in Science Education in Ireland and it was fitting that in 2006 he was conferred with an honorary Master in Science Education degree by University College Cork, his alma mater, in recognition of his enormous contribution to science education in Ireland. I express my deepest sympathy to his family and his many friends on their sad loss. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis

Sincere condolences to all Alp,,'s family May he rest in peace A wonderful conversationalist and great command of the eng language.

Comhbhrón ó chroí le gaolta agus le cairde Sheáin. Fear soilbhir suairc agus comhghleacaí caoin cneasta. Solas na bhFlaitheas go bhfeice sé.

The sad loss of my first cousin Phonsie, (Sean) is an end of an era for the O'Leary family. He always and ever spoke fondly of his Cork roots. Reminiscing of his homestead,was always wonderful to listen to and of course his rendition of Da Banks, Bold Thady Quill etc,etc. Always a great conversationalist. You can now Rest Easy in the Bed of Heaven Phonse with your beloved Angela. ❤️

Sincere sympathy to all Sean's nephew's & niece's and extended families on his passing. Have very fond memories of Sean & Angela's many visits to Watergrasshill. May he rest in peace.

Very sorry for your sad loss may Alf rest in peace

Toss and Jennifer

Condolences to all the extended family of Sean. Happy memories of his visits to Killeendaniel, Cork. Sean never forgot his Cork roots.

Deepest sympathy to all of Sean’s nephews, nieces and relatives on his recent passing RIP. Sean made a very significant contribution to science education particularly in Physics and Chemistry during his long career as a senior inspector in the Department of Educatipn since the early 60s .
He also initiated innovative intervention programmes to increase the uptake of the Physical Sciences by girls Sean played a key role in the development of the Science Teachers Association and ensured there was a strong social dimension to its annual meetings . His beautiful rendition of The Banks on such occasions epitomised his very strong Cork connections
Ar Dheis De go raibh a anam dilis.

Our sincere sympathy to all Sean's nephews, nieces & extended families. We have lovely memories of Sean & Angela when they came to Cork to meet us all. We always enjoyed Sean's lovely singing of the " Banks " & stories of his great times in Cork when he was young.
May your gentle Soul Rest In Peace Sean

I was very sad to hear of Seán's passing. He was such a kind person who always showed tremendous interest in us during our childhood. I have great memories of spending summer holidays in Dublin with Seán and the extended O'Donovan families. Rest in peace, Seán.

Our sincere sympathy to you all. Cherished memories of many happy visits by Sean,Angela & the extended O Donovan families to their beloved Cork. Many gatherings recalled. Those were always enhanced by songs sung & poems recited by Sean. He could hold a room captive. A strong presence in our midst has sadly passed. Sean rest in peace

We would like to convey our deepest sympathies to the nieces and nephews on the death of your beloved uncle Sean.
I have lovely memories of him and your families visiting us here in the old homestead.He was instrumental in me choosing my career. We lost contact for a few decades but it was renewed in recent years. Just wondering did he ever finish the song he was composing about his much loved area in Cork north of the Lee? May Sean rest in peace

Our sincerest condolences to Sean's family and friends. We met Sean many times over the years at Science Teachers meetings and Inservice courses. He was a true gentleman.

May he rest in peace

Sincerest condolences to all of Seán’s family and friends. He was a wonderful colleague in the inspectorate over many years. I have treasured memories of his friendship and of his beautiful rendition of “Cottage by the Lee” on so many happy occasions. Suaimhneas síoraí dá anam dílis.

We would like to extend our Sympathy to the Relatives and friends of Sean. A Lovely Gentleman. May he rest in Peace.

Sincerest sympathies to all Seán's relatives on his passing after a lifetime of achievement and fulfilment.
I remember him in Hawkin's House as a colleague of great flair with a passionate love of science and education.
May he now be at rest.
Gura móide teaghlach Dé a anam uasal.
Oilibhéar Ó hEidhin
Iar-chigire na Roinne Oideachais

Sincere condolences from all at Carrigaline Community School to the O'Donovan family on Sean's passing. May he rest in peace.

Condolences to the O'Donovan clan on the loss of a very supportive Inspector. May Sean rest in peace

Sincere condolences to relatives & friends of Alf ; Rest in Peace, Alf.

Lovely memories of Phons going back to 1970 when I became one of his Cork cousins. He was always jovial with a beautiful way of telling a story, especially about his beloved home by the Lee.
“Where we sported and Played”
Rest in peace Phons.

Our sincere condolences to the O'Donovan family on the loss of Sean. We have happy memories of meeting Sean at Science Teachers AGMs up and down the country over the years. We often chatted with him about his connections with the Murphy family in Rathpeacon who are neighbours of ours.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h'anam dílis.

Sincere sympathy to the relatives of Sean O Donovan. May he rest in peace.