Limerick harbour master remembered as he begins his final voyage

TRIBUTES have poured in for Captain E Kevin Donnelly, a former harbour master of the Limerick/Shannon Estuary.

Captain Donnelly, of Limerick city and formerly of Bray, Co Wicklow, was a master mariner, a former president of the Irish Institute of Master Mariners, a fellow of the Nautical Institute and a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport.

Captain Trevor Crowley, the current president of the Irish Institute for Master Mariners, described Captain Donnelly as “a fondly remembered and well respected colleague, friend, leader and former President of the Irish Institute of Master Mariners”.

Tributes flooded in for the marine master online, with one commenter writing: “Our community has lost a truly remarkable person in Captain Kevin Donnelly, someone who always had time for others and had an unwavering commitment to Limerick city and Ballinacurra Road. The legacy of his service to and compassion for our neighborhood will be greatly missed and long remembered.”

Captain Donnelly was also described as “a delight to meet and full of great stories” and “a great person that left many a great legacy on the various settings he set upon”.

One condolence on RIP.ie said that the captain “will live on forever in his stories,” describing him as “one of life's true gentlemen, always so pleasant to meet” and adding: “Kevin's family were his life and his eyes shone every time he spoke about them”.

His work was also applauded, with one person writing: “His input and work was always appreciated to the RNLI Limerick fundraising group”. Another added: “He was a highly respected and very progressive harbour master for Limerick and the Shannon Estuary at an important time in the development of the Estuary. He was also an eminent President of the Irish Institute of Master Mariners”.

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Captain Donnelly was described as being “an invaluable source of wisdom and knowledge on all matters shipping and port operations which he was happy to share with all who needed his advice”.

One particularly poetic comment wished the captain “a deserved final restful voyage in peace, with a safe passage, before the ultimate Harbour Master offers him a sheltered and eternal anchorage”.

He died peacefully at the age of 95, surrounded by his loving family, in the “patient and gentle” care of the staff of Ennis hospital on Wednesday, July 23.

He was the devoted husband of the late Mary (neé McDonnell).

Captain Donnelly is lovingly remembered by his children Eamon, Brian, Níall, Barry, Ailbhe, Orla, and Shane and their spouses Christina, Protima, Laurence, Laura, and Frederikke.

He is missed by his grandchildren Aisling, Sorcha, Barry, Kealan, Fionn, Lulu, Frida, and Patrick, and great-grandchildren Mary and Paddy.

Fondly remembered by his nephews, sister-in-law Rhoda and brother-in-law Johnny, extended family, friends, neighbours, and carers.

His Requiem Mass took place at St Joseph’s Church, O’ Connell Avenue on Monday, July 28 with burial afterwards in Castlemungret Cemetery.