The town of Killarney is in mourning following the untimely death of Caoimhin O’Donoghue, who passed away on Wednesday at the age of 49. A well-known and beloved figure in the community, Caoimhin was especially prominent in local sporting circles.

Born and raised in Killarney, Caoimhin spent his life deeply rooted in the community. Party goers and those working in the local nightlife economy will fondly remember Caoimhin for the late night laughs at the door of Mustang Sally’s. Many a local were removed from the nightclub by 'Shaq' for their drunken antics but such was his forgiving nature, an apology and a handshake and he would welcome them back the following week. Having moved on from the security work a number of years back he found home as a porter at the Killarney Park Hotel. Friends close to him say he loved it there, and that his friendly personality and positive attitude made him a perfect fit for role. 

Speaking after the news broke on Thursday morning managing director of the hotel Marcus Treacy said:

“Caoimhin epitomised the perfect colleague that anyone could ever want, he had time for everyone. He came to work every day, always upbeat and always had genuine care and time for not only the guests of the hotel but also every single colleague that he worked with. There isn’t many people in Kerry that would not have known Caoimhin, and whether greeting American guests with the most up to date facts from the NBA or NFL or the local guests, he would give everyone the same welcome, care and respect. I think everyone knows that Caoimhin, in stature, was a big man, but the heart he had was far bigger. From all of his colleagues at The Killarney Park he will be dearly missed but never forgotten. We wish our sincerest condolences to all of the O’Donoghue family and I would like to say that we were proud to have been able to call Caoimhin a friend and colleague.”

His true passion was sport. Growing up playing under-age basketball with St. Pauls, he was much taller than the rest, and it was this size and power that earned him the nickname ‘Shaq’ (named affectionately after the 7-foot-1-inch tall NBA superstar). Later in life he carried his knowledge and passion for sport into countless volunteering and coaching roles with both St. Pauls Basketball Club and his beloved Dr. Crokes. 

Paul Sheehan, Chairman of St Pauls Basketball Club said in a statement yesterday, “We are both shocked and devastated to hear of the untimely passing of Caoimhin O Donoghue. He played underage with us, National League with us and coached in the club when he was finished playing. He was such a great character, known countrywide as Shaq. On a personal level, I have known him since he was 13, and I couldn't say a bad word about him. He will be greatly missed by us all. We extend our sincere sympathies to his mother Margaret, brothers Shane, Cormac, Timmy and sister Sheena.

Dr. Crokes Chairman Eoin Brosnan went on to express his clubs sadness, “All in Dr. Crokes GAA Club and the wider Killarney sports community are greatly saddened to hear of the passing of our great friend and club member Caoimhín O’Donoghue (Shaq). Caoimhín was an integral part of all that is positive in Dr. Crokes. From his younger days as a juvenile player, he continued playing into his adult days as part of Dr. Crokes junior teams. However when he finished playing it was really then that Caoimhín found his niche as a progressive coach and manager and in particular on the ladies side of the club. Caoimhín managed the Dr. Crokes ladies senior team for a number of years during which they had many successes and his work was really the foundation stone for where the ladies side of the club find themselves today, playing as a senior county championship side. All in the club would like to express our sincere condolences to all the O’Donoghue family in this difficult time. 

Good friend and local Counsellor Niall ‘Botty’ O Callaghan was deeply saddened  speaking to the Advertiser this week and said:

“He was a great friend, always so positive and just great craic to be around. We are all devastated and our thoughts are with his family, I don’t know what else to say, we are utterly heartbroken”

Caoimhin is survived by his mother, Margaret, his brothers Shane, Cormac, Timmy, and his sister Sheena, and nephews and nieces. 

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a n-anam.