Sadness and shock at the passing of a popular businessman

A HEAVY pall of sadness and shock hangs over Killarney following the sudden and premature death of hugely popular local businessman Seamus O’Connor.

There was a real air of disbelief on Tuesday when word of his passing filtered through and locals struggled to come to terms with the devastating news that has robbed the town of a truly great character, at the age of 59.

With his partner Eileen, Seamus owned and operated the very successful Kitty O’Shea’s Restaurant on College Street which has been a great success story since it opened last year and it quickly became a real favourite with locals as well as visitors. They also ran a busy bar and restaurant of the same name in the bustling Cork town of Kinsale.

Seamus was a familiar face at the College Street business, greeting customers, sharing a joke or a story and always extending a warm hand of welcome.

He was a great man for a song and he loved nothing more than joining in – or starting – a session but his talents in that regard were no surprise as he comes from a very gifted musical family.

Originally from Kilcummin and later based in Boolteens, Castlemaine and Kinsale, Seamus was a very astute businessman and he operated the Kitty O’Shea restaurants with the belief that if the customer enjoyed good food and a good experience at a good price, then they would return. And almost all of them did. He was a firm believer in the old saying that if it was worth doing then it was worth doing well. Prior to his career in the hospitality industry, Seamus worked s a milkman and a bus driver and, for him, it was all about community.

Seamus is survived by his partner Eileen, his children Louise, Stephen, Cora and Owen, their mother Elizabeth and his beloved grandchildren Rhea, Alysha, Lucia and Esme.

Predeceased by his father Jimmy and brother Joe, he is further survived by his mother Brenda, brothers Paddy, Thady, Michael, Peter, Neily and Thomas, sisters Siobhán, Helen and Brenda, sons-in-law Brendan and Paul, and partners Siobhán and Rachel, nieces, nephews, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, many other relatives and great friends.

In accordance with government and HSE guidelines, and in the interest of public health, a private funeral will take place for Seamus followed by cremation.

A memorial Mass has been held this Wednesday afternoon to celebrate Seamus’s life.

Those that wish to offer condolences online can do so on RIP.ie.