THE death took place in Mayo recently of Una Donnellan (neé Long), Lower James Street, Claremorris.

Una was widely known throughout the Claremorris region where the family have been associated with various aspects of the community life of the area for many years, including the Funeral Undertaking business.

Una (pictured) was born in July 1937 to her parents, Paddy and Nora Long. She was the cherished and only daughter in the family and deeply loved by her two brothers, Dick (RIP) and Billy.

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Una married Vincent Donnellan (RIP) of Ballyhaunis, with whom she shared a loving marriage that spanned 60 years. They settled in Claremorris where they raised a family of nine children and became well-known and respected in the local community.

Together they established Donnellan Undertaking and Joinery, a business they took great pride in, serving the area with dignity and care over many years.

Una was a proud mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, blessed with 22 grandchildren and 8 great- grandchildren. Her life was marked by deep devotion to her family, her faith, and the people around her.

Loss when Una's husband died

She suffered great personal loss with the passing of her beloved husband Vincent in 2017, her son Finbarr in 2021, and three of her grandchildren, Gary, Susan, and Jennifer.

These were huge crosses for her to shoulder and she somehow managed to show such amazing courage and fortitude through all of these heartbreaking occasions.

A member of a well known Ballyhaunis family, Vincent came to Claremorris in the late 1950s. He established Donnellan’s Joinery and Workshop business at Lower James Street in the 1960s after buying the premises from Michael Boyle, formerly of Carrowsteelaun, who moved to Galway shortly after that.

Finbarr was much to the fore in the family business and he also took a keen interest in sport and was especially associated with Claremorris Soccer Club.

He played for various club teams in former times and was a loyal supporter of the club. He served for several seasons as a referee in the Mayo Soccer League and also took a keen interest in the English soccer leagues. He was an excellent pool player and also enjoyed snooker and billiards.

The Donnellan home was always an open door, especially at the back door where neighbours regularly called in to check on Una, share stories, and enjoy a cup of tea.

When the porch was later added to the house, it became a favourite spot for Una to sit, watch the world go by, and wave at those passing up the street.

Her presence at the window became a familiar and comforting sight, a symbol of neighbourly warmth and connection.

A few lines written in her memory capture her spirit beautifully: The lady in the porch with a smile on her face, with a wave for us all, always full of grace.

If this porch could talk, what a tale it would tell, of a lady, a legacy, and a life lived so well.

Una Donnellan will be remembered not only for her quiet strength and deep love for her family, but for the kindness, grace, and warmth she shared so freely with all who knew her.

She retains that lovely, warm and gentle charm that endeared her to so many people right to the end and the family circle can be justifiably proud of the great regard and respect in which she was held by so many throughout the Claremorris and neighbouring communities.

Reposing was at the family Funeral Home in Claremorris and removal took place from her residence to St Colman’s Church for the Mass celebrated by Fr Peter Gannon, PP. This was followed by a committal service at Shannon Crematorium.

Una, who was predeceased by her husband Vincent, her son Finbarr, brother Dick and grandchildren Susan, Jennifer and Gary, will be sadly missed by her family, Patrick, John, Deirdre, Una, Siobhan, Jackie, Sandra and Claire, her twenty-two adored grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren, brother Billy, sister-in-law Eileen, sons-in-law, daughter-in-law, nieces, nephews, neighbours and a wide circle of friends.

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