TRIBUTES continue to be paid to Clonakilty ‘stalwart’ Tommy O’Donovan following his sudden death last week which has left the town in mourning.

By Sylvia Pownall and Kieran O'Mahony

Social media has been flooded with organisations paying their respects to his wife Gobnait, his four children and extended family.

DeBarra’s Folk Club wrote: ‘Just too heavy a blow for our town. Tommy was a load-bearing pillar of our community. A fearsome fighter for what’s right. A doer and a maker. A generous neighbour, and a loving husband, father and brother.’

Bushmount Nursing Home bade farewell by remembering ‘the kindness he showed to our residents when he operated the Rickshaw Bike Scheme.

‘He brought joy and a smile to the faces of so many of our residents with their excursions to the town centre. We at Bushmount will never forget Tommy’s thoughtfulness and ingenuity to organise and operate the scheme.’

The Emmet Hotel wrote: ‘Tommy was a true pillar of our community. A gentleman in every sense, he was always a supportive and valued neighbour in business, never hesitant to lend a hand, offer guidance, or help in any way he could. His kindness, generosity and quiet leadership left a lasting mark on the town we all share.’

Clonakilty Mayoral Council wrote: ‘It is very difficult to put into words what Tommy meant to everyone in Clonakilty. Tommy had great loves in his life, his beloved family, his home, the hotel – which he fought tooth and nail for, and his beloved allotment, along with the many groups he touched, especially the Men’s Shed.

Tommy with Anthony McDermott, his grandson Noah and Paddy McCarthy.

‘We will miss his sense of humour, fun, kindness, his attitude that nothing was ever too much trouble, especially on Carnival Day/Old Time Fair and any other special day in Clonakilty. But most of all we will miss his beautiful smile and giggle. Tommy you leave a huge hole in our hearts.’

Clonakilty Post Office, where Tommy’s wife Gobnait works, wrote: ‘We remember Tom, a kind person who always showed up, whether a local event, a neighbour in need, or simply a friendly chat. Tom’s contribution to the community wasn’t measured in grand gestures alone, but consistency, countless acts of care and encouragement.’

Clonakilty & Dunmanway Credit Union described him as a ‘much-loved figure in our community. His warmth, kindness and deep pride in his town were clear to all who knew him and to everyone who passed through the doors of O’Donovan’s Hotel.’

Clonakilty Men’s Shed announced with deep sadness the sudden passing of ‘our friend and chairman Tom O’Donovan’. Shed events were cancelled as a mark of respect.

Clonakilty Street Carnival described him as a ‘constant presence behind the scenes, always on hand to help, ensuring everything ran smoothly’. They added: ‘His absence will be deeply felt by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.’

Tom at the Carnival

At this week's meeting of Cork County Council, Cllr Isobel Towse (SD) proposed a vote of sympathy in the chamber and expressed her sympathy with Tommy's family on his sudden death.

'He was the owner of O'Donovan's Hotel in Clonakilty and everyone in West Cork would have known him and he was chair of Clonakilty Men's Shed and he was involved in everything that went on in the town.'

Cllr Daniel Sexton (Ind Ire) said his thoughts and prayers are with Tommy's family and friends 

'He was involved in alot of things in Clonakilty down through the years including the bike scheme and Clonakilty Men's Shed. It was very sad  to hear that he died the day after leading the St Patrick's Day parade in Clonakilty with his two sisters.'

A Poem for Tom

The T in ClonakilTy represents Tom
Just another letter but vital to the wholeness
ClonakilTy wouldn't be ClonakilTy without the T
The magic of the T, disguised in a cloak of normality
An encounter with the T, always brought joy to your day/life
Only memories now, but forever part of ClonakilTy.

We felt we were coming home when we moved to Clonakilty because of the welcome Tom O'Donovan extended to us.

Of course we are blow ins, but that's not how we feel. We are part of the Clonakilty Community.

Thank you Tom.
John, Pam and Sarah McNulty