Shock and sadness in Ballyshannon and beyond at the sudden passing of Grainne Buggy

The Ballyshannon community and wider circle across Ireland and the UK are united in grief at the sudden and untimely passing of Grainne Buggy whose unexpected death has left all who knew her in deep shock and sorrow.

Grainne took ill suddenly while visiting her father in Ballyshannon on Friday, June 6, and after a brief illness, passed away in Sligo University Hospital on June 12, surrounded by her loving family.

Grainne’s death comes just over eight months after the sudden passing of her mum, Anne, on September 22 last year.

Born on January 10, 1973, Grainne grew up in Ballyshannon and was the eldest of six children. From an early age, she embodied warmth, curiosity and a deep sense of care for others—traits that would shape her life’s work and the relationships she cherished so dearly.

As a child, she was active in the Ballyshannon community, participating in swimming, athletics and camogie. Grainne studied nursing at Altnagelvin Hospital in Derry, affiliated with the University of Ulster, and moved to England soon after. There, she built an extraordinary career in healthcare. A nurse consultant, a fellow and lecturer with Warwick University and Kings London for the NHS, she was based at Good Hope Hospital but worked across several major hospitals within the Midlands, Solihull, Heartlands, as part of the Queen Elizabeth Hospitals.

Grainne was a dedicated professional, fiercely passionate about improving care, especially for the elderly. Her true vocation was evident to all: she was not just a caregiver, but a mentor, an advocate, and an inspiration to those lucky enough to work alongside her.

Grainne’s colleagues often spoke of her as someone they aspired to emulate, a woman of rare compassion, fierce intelligence, and grounded warmth. Many sought her advice and comfort, whether as patients, peers or friends. Her influence reached far and wide and her expertise in elderly medicine was highly sought after. With her dry wit, big smile and generous heart, she left a lasting impression wherever she went.

A lifelong learner, Grainne never stopped growing, earning not one, not two, but three Masters. She had an enduring love for swimming and the outdoors. She found peace in open water and joy in camping trips with her beloved husband Ian, her soulmate, whom she met while working in Heartlands Hospital in 2011 as colleagues, eventually blossoming into a special relationship. They married in October 2022, a long-awaited and love-filled union and together they built a warm and beautiful life, full of laughter, love and shared adventures.

Family was everything to Grainne. She was always minding and caring for others and her love for her husband, daughter, stepchildren and especially her grandchildren knew no bounds. She cherished sharing stories, laughter and home-cooked meals; food was one of her many love languages and she was a phenomenal cook. Grainne was also a devoted dog lover. Her late dog Flossie held a special place in her heart and she adored her faithful companions Poppy and Gunner, who were rarely far from her side and often joined her and Ian on their beloved camping trips.

Grainne will be deeply missed by her loving husband Ian Donnelly, her daughter Aoife (Andrea), her stepchildren John (Catherine) and Hailey (Dan), and her grandchildren Theo, Amalia, Olivia, George, Zoe and Alfie.

She will be forever missed by her father PJ and her siblings Donal (Mairead), Sinead (Adrian), Aisling (Paul), Pauric (Aine) and Ciara (Brian), her nieces and nephews Christopher, Anna, Matthew, Max, Lucy, Jack, Zoe, Noah, Olivia, Alex, a wide circle of family, friends, neighbours, colleagues and patients. She was predeceased by her mother Anne and brother in-law Kyle.

The grief felt by her family, friends, colleagues and community has been deepened by the many heartfelt tributes shared in recent days. Messages from across the UK and Ireland have poured in, speaking of her kindness, strength, humour and deep sense of purpose. The void Grainne’s passing has left is best expressed in words from a close friend: “You made the world a brighter, kinder place. Your smile, your warmth, your endless generosity touched everyone who knew you. Though you are no longer with us, your spirit lives on in every act of kindness, in every moment of grace and in everyone’s hearts who had the privilege to meet you.”

We remember Grainne not only as a loving wife, mother, daughter, sister and grandmother, but as a woman of rare spirit, generous, sharp-witted, courageous and full of grace. She was a bright light, a true friend and a beautiful soul.

May she rest in peace, surrounded by the love she gave so freely in life.