Heartbreak in Donegal at death of beloved teacher and former county footballer

There is huge sadness in communities across south Donegal and in the LGFA / GAA community following the death of  Donna Boyle (née Dunnion).

A native of Barnesmore, Donegal Town, Ms Boyle had been living in Kentucky, Ardara. She passed away in the Donegal Hospice following a long illness bravely borne.

She will be greatly missed by all who knew her, especially her husband Brendan, children Eoghan and Aoibhinn, parents Danny and Marian, brothers Barry and Donal, her extended family and wide circle of friends. 

Ms Boyle was a popular teacher, having spent much of her career in Frosses NS.

She is well known throughout Donegal and in the wider GAA and LGFA communities as a county footballer. A stalwart of the full back line, she was part on the first Donegal Ladies team to achieve All Ireland glory in 2003.

Funeral Arrangements

Her remains will leave the Eternal Light Chapel of Rest Mountain Top Letterkenny on Tuesday at 2.30pm, travelling via Ballybofey and Donegal Town, to arrive at her late residence at approximately 4.30pm. The house is strictly private on Tuesday evening. IT will be opened to the public from 12 noon on Wednesday.

The Funeral will leave her home on Friday morning at 10.30am to The Church of The Holy Family, Ardara, for 11am Requiem Mass with burial afterwards in the adjoining cemetery. Family time from 11pm to 12 noon.

Tributes

Ardara GAA paid tribute to Ms Boyle who was a much loved teacher and former county footballer: "Another light went out in the Parish during the night with the heartbreaking news that Donna Boyle of Kentucky passed away in Donegal
hospice.

"Donna will be remembered by us all as a girl with a lovely kind nature, a doting mother to Eoghan and Aoibheann and a devoted wife to her soulmate Brendan who fought her dignified illness with her every step of the way.

"We will do our best to support them now as they cope with their devastating loss.

"We will miss Donna's smiling face at the field as she cheered the kids on and no doubt she will still carry on doing that as she looks down on them and Brendan from above.

"We offer our deepest sympathy to them and to Danny, Marion, Donal, Barry and the extended Boyle and Dunnion families."

Four Masters GAA Club posted the following tribute on social media: "Sad news today - one of our true heroes Donna Dunnion passed away last night. Donna was a true lady and one of the club’s most talented players, a genuinely beautiful person.

"Her remains will journey past Tir Chonaill Park today [Tuesday] at 3.15pm where we will form a Guard of honour along the road at the pitch. We ask anyone who can to attend and wear club colours if possible. Ar dheis De bhí Donna dilis."