ARCO regrets to inform its members of the death of Sister Emily McDonagh, Army Nursing Service, of Tomany, Kylebrack, Loughrea, County Galway and formerly of The Curragh Camp, County Kildare. Emily passed away peacefully, on Friday, 29th May 2026 surrounded by her loving family and in the care of the Staff of Portumna Retirement Village. Predeceased by her parents Sonny and Babs McDonagh and her nephew David Pierce. Emily will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her sisters, Birdie (Donoghue) and Teresa (Pierce), her nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, cousins, relatives, neighbours, Defence Forces comrades and friends.
Rest in Peace
Emily McDonagh grew up on the family farm in Tomany, near Loughrea, County Galway and trained as a nurse in the Royal City of Dublin Hospital in Baggot Street, Dublin. After appointment to the Army Nursing Service, Emily was posted to the General Military Hospital in the Curragh. Generations of members of the Defence Forces will remember her as a truly dedicated nurse. Her kindness, sincerity and the care she gave to her patients down through the years is still remembered. In 2001 Emily was one of three ANS members who formed part of the second Irish Honduran Support Group that operated near Palacios and provided a clinic as well as emergency surgical and dental procedures. Both support group missions were conducted under the aegis of the Agency for Personal Service Overseas. Emily was appointed Matron in St Bricins Military Hospital, Dublin in 2004, an appointment she held until her retirement in 2009.
She was a keen horsewoman and played a major part in the formation of Oak Leaf Riding Club in Ballybrittas, County Laois. She was a keen supporter of Dunnamase Riding Club and enjoyed many hours at both Clubs. Emily was an executive member of the Board of the Association of Irish Riding Clubs and led the showing section of its annual Riding Club Festival.
Reposing at her family home in Tomany, Kylebrack (H62 DE93) on Sunday May 31st from 5pm to 7pm. Requiem Mass on Monday, June 1st at 12 noon in the Church of the Assumption, Abbey, (H62 CR62) with burial afterwards in the adjoining cemetery.
Family flowers only, donations to The Alzheimer’s Society of Ireland.
Members may wish to leave personal messages in the ‘Condolences’ section of Emily’s death notice on rip.ie at: https://rip.ie/death-notice/emily-mcdonagh-kildare-curragh-632134
