Writing an appreciation to a dear departed friend, sporting colleague and above all devoted family man, usually embellishes a combination of genuine admiration to their memory, allied to a profound sense of loss at their sad passing.
Such is my feelings as I empathise with the family and numerous friends of the late Donal O'Brien and attempt to find the words to adequately encompass the life and times of this great sportsman and gentleman. Using the words 'Tribute' in this resume of Donal's life would not appeal in the least to his self deprecating nature, so i'll 'Simply do my best and 'Call it as it was'.
Donal O'Brien was born in Kilkenny in 1926. He enjoyed a happy childhood in a largely farming background in the Stoneyford - Ennisnag area of Co. Kilkenny, where his father, Tim was Chief Medical Officer in that particular district. His primary schooling was spent as a pupil of Stoneyford NS and Kilkenny CBS. He then advanced to secondary education as a boarder in Cistercian College, Roscrea, from where he progressed to UCD where he studied medicine for a time. Though Donal possessed all the necessary qualities in academics, the only course he was interested in pursuing was a farming one, so when the opportunity presented itself, he was delighted to return to his home in Ennisnag, and take up the running of their busy family farm. He also possessed a deep love of horses and equestrian activities and the spacious surroundings of the farm enabled him to combine both of his lifetime ambitions from home.
Donal's lot in life was complete when he met the real love of his life, Betty, at Callan Golf Club. They married at University Church, Dublin in 1959 and through the natural progression of Life, raised their five children, daughters Pamela and Vivienne and Sons, Tim, Bryan and Donal in the self-same farming environment he himself did in Ennisnag. Those years constituted the happiest period in Donal and Betty's lives. Then with the onset of time, and their family grown up and pursuing their own individual careers. Donal found himself unable to meet the physical demands associated with farming and regretfully dispensed with the life he loved. He spent his final working days in the hotel business in New Ross, where he purchased the 'Old Rectory Hotel'. On retirement, he returned to Kilkenny where he lived with Betty in Broguemakers Hill, Michael Street, and finally in Ayrfield where after a lengthy and very brave battle with serious illness he sadly passed away surrounded by his beloved Betty and family, in his own home, in compliance with his own personal wishes.
No account of Donal's life would be complete without reference to his outstanding all-round sporting talents. At Roscrea College, he was captain of their Senior Rugby Team. Cricket was another sport at which he was very proficient, where he played at Mount Juliet regularly. Being a Kilkenny man, hurling was almost second nature to him, playing for some years with Danesfort Hurling Club, but it was as a golfer that Donal really excelled. In a short time, he achieved single figure status and eventually reached a 5 Handicap, winning numerous trophies and titles along the way. To me, his greatest achievement in golf was winning the Singles Matchplay Titles in Kilkenny Golf Club for the second time at 77 years of age, off a nine handicap. Back in 2004, along with his great golfing partner and friend, the late Tom McDonald he won the annual Club Foursomes title and it was most ironic that both of them should pass away within a few short months of each other, earlier this year. Tom was generally considered a very witty individual, who entertained all the sundry at Kilkenny Golf Club for many years. Donal was supposedly the quiet one, but was also capable of producing the odd witticism, indeed after one of their last casual Mid-Week games, Tom who usually obliged Donal with a life home, remarked that his vision was troubling him and it was difficult to see the ball going-away after a drive. Donal replied that, while being sympathetic to Tom's predicament he would respectfully decline any further lifts. Besides Kilkenny he was also a member of Callan and Rosslare golf clubs. He spent his final golfing years as a member of the Kilkenny Senior Golf Society where he was most popular to play with, and socialise afterwards. His presence is sadly missed among his fellow seniors.
There is an old adage, which reads 'It's easy be born a Lady or Gentleman, but not easy die one'. That being the case Donal O'Brien belonged to this category as he was looked on by all who was fortunate enough to know him as one of natures great gentlemen, and with this gift he leaves a wonderful legacy to his aforementioned Children and Grandchildren Sarah, Kieran, Rachel, Kenneth, Fiona, Darene, Sally, Conor, Timmy, Bobby, Alex, Ryan, Lauren, Sean and Caitlin and this will serve them in good stead all their lives.
Goodbye my friend, you were something special, I know I speak for all who knew you when I say that yours will be a very long and very lasting memory.
And when the final whistle blows
he will not ask your name
Or if you won, or if you lost
but how you played the game
In every aspect of a lovely life,
Donal O'Brien always played the game

Kilkenny People, 18th October 2013 Tweet

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