Donal was professor of dogmatic theology at Maynooth and in midlife he left the priesthood and resigned his academic post. After a year with the Irish Press he joined RTE and eventually became assistant controller.
I believe that the experience of remaking his life softened him. He managed to be empathetic with colleagues who were half his age - and I was struck by the extent to which unbelieving colleagues wanted to engage him about religion. We've now lost touch, although we had kept contact for years. He and his wife Eileen (who was Tim Pat Coogan's PA at the Irish Press) live in Tinahely, County Wicklow.
He was 'Doctor' Flanagan in reality. Seamus Heaney, one of FCA's 'country members', so to speak, delighted in conferring the soubriquet 'doctor' on all and sundry, hence 'Doctor' Sweeney, 'Doctor' O Conluain, 'Doctor Sheedy' etc.
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I got Brian Reynolds to bring me back a Uher reel to reel stereo recorder from Germany.
He then persuaded me to part with one of the two mikes to give to Donal.
So I remain mono to this day.
Donal was a gent on a visit to Tinahely in ‘06 with Dashi and it was my first trip to Ireland. Both he and Eileen were perfect hosts. He knew more about American history than most Americans and he had endless enthusiasm for the subject. Sending my deepest condolences to Eileen and family in this difficult time.
Donal was my husband's cousin and officiated at our wedding in Great Warley Essex UK in 1968. I have only just learned of his death - and can only say I remember him with much love and gratitude
Cheryl St Clair (Donnelly)
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