Main pic: The late Seán Donnelly during one of his many TV appearances.
The legendary pollster, Seán Donnelly, will be laid to rest in his native Letterkenny tomorrow.
Late of Milltown, Dublin, and formerly from Cathedral Place, Letterkenny, he passed away peacefully yesterday at St. Vincent’s Hospital.
A proud Donegal man, Mr Donnelly was a regular on the national airwaves and in the print media during national and local elections with his unique, analytical style.
He wrote his first election results book after the local elections in 1991 and has been a relied upon expert on political polling and analysis since then.
Mr Donnelly was succinctly summed up in the post below in one of the many condolences published online this morning.
“Whether he was on RTE giving an articulate and precise analysis of the elections or sitting opposite you explaining why Donegal had just lost that match, he did so in a Letterkenny accent that was so pure and unvarnished it should be preserved in the county museum,” they said.
“He was the quintessential Letterkenny gentleman, well travelled and knowledgeable about so many things with a sense of humour that used the fewest words possible to get to the punchline”.
He was also a great lover of rugby, and was one of the founders of Letterkenny Rugby Club. During his time in Dublin, he played with Clondalkin Rugby Football Club.
A former student of St Eunan’s College in Letterkenny, Mr Donnelly was employed as an engineer by Dublin City Council. However, it will be for his political knowledge, and charm, that he will be fondly remembered.
Read the full obituary notice below:
The peaceful death has taken place on Wednesday 26th November 2025 at St. Vincent’s Hospital, Dublin of Seán Donnelly, Milltown, Dublin 6 and formerly from Cathedral Place, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal. Deeply missed by his loving sisters Marie Kelly (Dublin), Frances Hughes (Dave) (Dublin), brother Leo (Sharon) (Letterkenny), nieces, nephew and a wide circle of family, friends and neighbours in Dublin and Letterkenny.
Seán is predeceased by his wife Eilish, parents Frank and Eilís, sisters’ baby Elaine, Sue Lynch and Greta.
May Seán Rest in Peace
Seán’s remains will be reposing at his brother Leo’s residence at Cathedral Place, Letterkenny F92 RWK7 on Thursday 27th November from 1pm until 10pm with Rosary at 9pm.
Funeral on Friday 28th November 2025 in St. Eunan’s Cathedral, Letterkenny at 11am and can be viewed live on www.churchservices.tv/letterkenny. Interment afterwards in New Leck Cemetery, Letterkenny. Family flowers only please.
Legendary pollster, Seán Donnelly, to be laid to rest in Donegal tomorrow was last modified: November 27th, 2025 by Staff Writer
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