The death has occurred of Patrick ‘Mitch’ Mitchell, Tonbwee, Castleisland, Co. Kerry and formerly of Edenderry, Co. Offaly.
Mitch (77) passed away unexpectedly at home on March 26th 2025. Predeceased by his parents John and Brigid and his sister Frances Reilly.
Sadly missed by his loving wife Donna, his family: Paul, Leah, Louise and Lucy, his son-in-law Shane, Paul’s partner Lucy, his adored granddaughter Honor, his sister Noirín Healy, brothers-in-law George and Declan, sisters-in-law Daria, Martina, Anne-Marie and Olivia, nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbours and many friends.
May His Gentle Soul Rest In Peace.
Mitch’s Community Involvement
There is very little in the area of development in Castleisland over the past 40 years that didn’t have the involvement of Pat ‘Mitch’ Mitchell attached to it.
While he spent the most of his working life as a teacher at the RTC in Tralee, it was in his adopted home town of Castleisland that his tireless community activism was applied to its greatest potential.
As chairman of Castleisland Development Association he was directly responsible for the movement which led to the greatly appreciated and used river walk project along the town stretch of the River Maine.
Delegation of Duties
Delegation of duties was one of his greatest strengths and his force of nature approach to obstacles was seen through with the airs and style of the gentleman he so clearly was – and without fanfare or fuss.
On the river walk project he set up a sub-committee involving Eileen Brennan, Gerard Walsh, Mike Kenny and myself.
He followed it up with regular meetings and progress reports and the facility today is a testament to his commitment to the community.
His involvement and support in the crucial early years of the Patrick O’Keeffe Traditional Music Festival provided a huge vote of confidence to founder members Mary Jones and the late Mike Kenny and friends.
Organisational Skills
A regular and formidable participant in the pub quiz culture which dominated rural community fund-raising drives throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, Mitch and Donna and the teams they were involved with were never far from the winners’ circle when the points were counted.
In more recent years his organisational skills have been applied with the same levels of enthusiasm on the affairs of his beloved and neighbouring Castleisland Pitch and Putt Club and as a member of the board of the North, East and West Kerry Development.
Putting Points to Taoiseach Cowen
It was in his role as chairman of the NEKD – as is was then – that Pat Mitchell respectfully discussed proposed government cuts to a programme that kept unemployed people in touch with employment and work opportunities with fellow Co. Offaly native Taoiseach Brian Cowen.
During a meeting in Listowel, Mitch told Mr. Cowen that the ability of his organisation to cater for all the vital services it provides would be hit very hard with the proposed cutbacks and he called on the government to reinstate the funds.
Keeping People off the Dole
“The NEKD is focused on keeping people ‘close to the labour market’ under a number of schemes which keep people skilled and ready for employment and it makes no sense to be cutting such a service when it can keep people off the dole and ease the pressure on state finances elsewhere,” he told Taoiseach Cowen.
Mitch’s legacy to his community is immense and his sudden loss to his family and friends is incalculable. May God be good to him and to those who mourn his loss.
Pat ‘Mitch’ Mitchell’s Funeral Arrangements
Reposing at Tangney’s Funeral Home, Church Street, Castleisland on Friday evening from 5pm to 7pm.
Removal from his residence on Saturday morning at 10:30am arriving to Castleisland Parish Church for Requiem Mass at 11am .
Burial afterwards in St. John’s Cemetery, Castleisland. The Mass will be livestreamed on: www.churchservices.tv/castleisland
Date Published: Wednesday, March 26th. 2025. Date of Death: Wednesday, March 26th. 2025.
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