Tributes as former Kilkenny City and County Manager Paddy Donnelly dies
Tributes have been paid to PJ Donnelly, a visionary who helped shape Kilkenny's development over many years, from across the county and further afield, praising his legacy and recalling him as 'a key person in the success of Kilkenny as a good place to live, work and visit'
The death has taken place of the former Kilkenny City and County Manager Patrick James (PJ /Paddy) Donnelly, a visionary who helped shape Kilkenny’s development over many years.
Tributes have been paid to him from across the county and further afield, praising his legacy, and recalling him as ‘a key person in the success of Kilkenny as a good place to live work and visit’.
PJ Donnelly joined the Civil Service in 1956 at the age of 17 - straight into the Department of Finance. He quickly worked his way up the ranks and had a reputation as a man who got things done. He became County Manager in Kilkenny at the age of just 37 - read more here.
Paddy, of Mellifont, College Road, Kilkenny, and formerly of Drogheda, County Louth, passed away on September 11, 2026, peacefully, surrounded by his loving family and in the wonderful care of the staff in the Barrow Ward at St Luke's Hospital.
He was predeceased by his beloved wife Maura, his daughter Mary (Power), his brother Fr Tom (Fabian) and his sister Trudy (Reid).
Paddy will be dearly missed by his sons Joe and Damien, daughter-in-law Mary, son-in-law Brian, Joe's fiancée Deb, his adored grandchildren Oisín, Aisling, Dearbhla, Gráinne, Clíodhna and Ciara, his sister Laura (Burke), sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours, his many good friends and former colleagues.
Reposing at his home (R95RH4N) on Monday, September 14, from 4pm concluding with Rosary at 7pm. House private at all other times please. Removal on Tuesday morning to St Patrick's Church, College Road, Kilkenny (R95VX96) arriving for Requiem Mass at noon. Funeral afterwards to Foulkstown Cemetery, Waterford Road, Kilkenny.
Family flowers only. Donations, if desired, to the Friends of St. Luke's. Donation box will be available at the Church.