Tributes to the late Donal Whelan
The local community is morning the recent death of Donal Whelan, Nenagh and Dromineer.
Donal was born to Jackie and Sadie Whelan and lived on MacDonagh Street where he lived over an electrical repair shop. He attended Rockwell College, where he grew to have a great interest in rugby.
Having attended UCD he trained to be a secondary school teacher and taught at Kings Hospital College for a few years. He then moved back to his native Nenagh and taught at Nenagh CBS.
While teaching he worked in his father’s electrical repair shop in Summerhill, continuing to work there until he retired. Rugby was his number one sport, and he attended many games both at Thomond Park and international games at the Aviva Stadium on Lansdowne Road, Dublin.
He also had a great interest in fishing and was Chairman of the fishing section at Dromineer Yacht Club. He also organised very successful video race nights at various venues in Tipperary, Limerick and Galway.
Donal died on Monday, December 1, surrounded by his family after a short illness, bravely fought.
He is survived by his wife Marie (née McGrath), and his children Simon, Sarah and Naomi; daughter-in-law Sharon, son-in-law Colin Fernandez, his grandchildren, nephews, relatives and friends.
After reposal at JJ Ryan’s Funeral Home, Nenagh, on Wednesday week last, his funeral arrived at Saint Mary of the Rosary Church the following day, followed by interment at Dromineer graveyard. May he rest in peace.
CBS TRIBUTE
It is with deep sadness that we, the staff of St Joseph’s CBS, Nenagh, share the news of the passing of our former colleague and dear friend, Donal K Whelan.
Donal will be fondly remembered by generations of students and staff as a true gentleman and an inspiring teacher. He taught Latin, English, Business Studies, and Economics with a unique blend of knowledge, wit, and good humour. His classes were not only educational but engaging, often enriched with real-life examples long before this became common practice.
Donal taught in Nenagh CBS from 1972 until his retirement in 2006. Prior to this, Donal worked in King's Hospital School, Dublin for four years. Beyond the classroom, Donal successfully ran Whelan’s Music Centre in Summerhill and generously supported local clubs and charities through fundraising events and technical expertise. Many people will have fond memories of the race nights that Donal ran.
Donal was also deeply involved in local organisations, serving as a member of Nenagh Lions Club since 1981 and as a founding member and first Secretary of the Ormond Historical Society in 1977.
We extend our heartfelt sympathies to his wife, and our former colleague, Marie, his children Simon, Sarah, and Naomi, and to his extended family, relatives, former colleagues, neighbours and friends.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dilís.