O'Donoghue, Dr Seamus
March 22, 2012Seamus was born on August 21st, 1934 in Killarney, the son of Dr Paddy and Kitty O'Donoghue. He was the fifth child of nine, having two brothers and six sisters. He is survived by Dr Peg, Maura, Eileen, Fr Paddy, Frances and Finola having been predeceased by Dr Kathleen and Michael.
Seamus spent his early years at 24 High Street, later moving to the Park Place Hotel. He commenced his schooling in the Mercy Convent and then the Presentation Monastery Primary School in Killarney. He later moved to Knockbeg College in Co Carlow. He then studied medicine in UCC where he also played hurling and football, captaining the Sigerson Cup team. It was while playing hurling in UCC that he sustained a cartilage injury that ended his hurling and football career. He graduated in June 1959 and moved to Coventry to commence his medical career. He remained in the midlands until 1965, advancing his career as a paediatrician. He returned home in September 1962 to marry Margaret Kerins, who he had first spotted cycling up High Street in 1953. In July 1965 Seamus with Margaret and their baby daughter moved to Birmingham, where he took up a position with the Children's Hospital.
In January 1967 the family returned to Ireland where Seamus took up an appointment as consultant paediatrician at the Mercy Hospital Cork. He was asked to join the Bon Secours Hospital, Cork in 1969.
The leukaemia ward opened in the Mercy Hospital in 1981. Here, ably assisted by Sr Fidelma and all the dedicated staff, Seamus changed the lives of many children and their families. In 1983, Seamus was honoured to be elected a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians in London. He worked tirelessly in both hospitals until he was forced to retire early in 1998 due to illness.
Seamus touched the lives of all he met, in particular the patients and the parents of those he treated. He regularly gave up the comfort of his home or came in off the golf course to take a critical phone call. Very often he would arrive at the hospital door like a hurricane in the night in order to provide care for a child and leave at the dawn well satisfied with his nights achievement and ready to give his talents to a new day. His devotion to his vocation was admired by all who worked with him including doctors, nuns and nurses. Following his appointment in 1970 as Clinical Assistant Lecturer in Peadiatrics at UCC, he mentored and inspired countless students and junior doctors.
Once he had settled in Cork he became a member of Cork Golf Club, quickly getting his handicap down as low as 1 for a brief period and winning a Senior Cup medal in 1972. He was a member of Killarney, Lahinch and Portmarnock Golf Clubs and captain, president and an honorary member of Cork Golf Club.
His other interests included sailing and horse racing but his main passion outside of work and family was Gaelic football, above all Kerry football as his many long-suffering Cork friends will testify. As a Kerryman living in Cork, Kerry's many victories brought him great joy, particularly in the last number years when the All-Ireland football final became a focal point in his year.
In 1998 Seamus received a diagnosis that altered and directed the remainder of his life. His illness, which he accepted in the same happy and uncomplaining manner that he had lived his life previous to this, curtailed his work and other pursuits. This was eased by his wonderful family and friends with whose support Seamus continued to enjoy his regular Tuesday card game, his Friday evening social and his many trips to matches.
Seamus was a beloved husband, a devoted father and a true friend. He adored his two grandchildren and spoke proudly, and some may say continuously of their every achievement big and small.
Seamus will be missed greatly by everyone who was fortunate to have met him but especially his devoted wife Margaret, daughter Ollie (Kathleen), sons-in-law Seamus, grandsons Shea and Daragh, brother, sisters, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews and a large circle of wonderful friends.
Ar dheis De go raibh a anam
- Courtesy of Kerry's Eye, 22nd March 2012 Tweet
