Rev. Fr. Des Smith 

fr-Smith

SMA, Society of African Missions, Blackrock Road, Cork (late of 6 Ashburton Hill, St Luke’s, Cork) – on 9th May 2025, unexpectedly but peacefully at the SMA House, Claregalway, Co. Galway.

Predeceased by his parents John and Mary (O’Flynn) and his brothers John, Barry, Brian, Pat and Sean.

Deeply regretted by his brother Kevin, his nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, cousins, friends and neighbours, the clergy and people of the Diocese of Ondo, Nigeria, and of the Archdiocese of Dublin and the Diocese of Killala, Ireland and his confreres in the Society of African Missions.

Requiescat in Pace.

Reposing at the SMA House, Claregalway, Co. Galway on Monday 12 May from 5pm – 7pm.

Mass of Thanksgiving for Fr Des’ life on Tuesday 13 May at 10am followed by transfer of remains to the African Missions, Blackrock Road, Cork.

Reposing at the African Missions, Blackrock Road, Cork, St Joseph’s SMA Parish Church, Blackrock Road, Cork on Tuesday 13th May from 5pm to 7pm.

Removal from the SMA House, Blackrock Road, Cork on Wednesday 14 May at 11.15am to St Joseph’s SMA Church, Wilton, Cork for Funeral Mass at 12 noon, followed by burial in the adjoining cemetery.

The Funeral Mass can be viewed on https://www.smawilton.ie/live/

Published On: May 11th, 2025

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Condolences

Tommy, Mary, Katie and Shane Holmes, Ballina
1 month ago

Deepest sympathy to all who mourn the passing of Father Des. He was a true gentleman, a very kind and caring priest. He was loved and highly respected by young and old in Rathduff. May his kind and gentle soul rest in peace

Coleman s pearse fiona and family tullysleva ballina co mayo
1 month ago

So sorry to hear of des’ passing he was a lively kind caring man may he rest in peace

Eileen McHale
1 month ago

Remembering Fr Des with great fondness from the time he served as curate in Rathduff Church Knockmore Ballina. His sermons were always inspiring .
Our deepest sympathy to his brother Kevin , extended family and members of the SMA Congregation

Ann-Marie and Eoin McLoughlin Mayo
1 month ago

Sincere condolences to Smith family and all his SMA confreres on the passing of Fr Des. May his kind and gentle soul rest in peace.

Brendan & Mary McAndrew
1 month ago

Offering our deepest sympathy to you Kevin the entire Smith families & the SMA Community on Fr Des’s sudden passing.
To say we were very privileged to have had Fr Des for over 12 years in Rathduff is understatement.
Such kind caring, sincere, humble simple & compassionate man.
Sadly missed & fondly remembered.
Fly high with the angels now Fr Des with your loved departed.

Ray Mcloughlin Rathduff
1 month ago

Sincere condolences to Fr. Des’s family and SMA colleagues on His sad passing. A gentleman, kind , caring and a good neighbour. May His gentle soul rest in peace.

Kevin Murphy Ballina
1 month ago

Deepest sympathy to Kevin his brother,to Fr Billy Sheridan and SMA colleagues on the death of Fr Des Smyth, a lovely priest to meet at Mass in the Old School on Friday evenings.May he now rest in peace.

Mary Sweeney Doohoma Head .
1 month ago

Deepest sympathy to Fr Des family and his Sma colleagues on his sad passing a lovely priest may his gentle soul rest in peace 🙏

Bridie Flynn
1 month ago

My Deepest Sympathy to Fr.Des’s family and his SMA colleagues on his sad passing. A kind and caring priest. May his gentle soul Rest in Peace.

Brenda Murphy Knockmore
1 month ago

Deepest condolences to the family of Fr Des a true gentleman kind and caring. He was with us through good times and tough times which we will never forget him for. May his gentle soul rest in peace.

Noel and Liz Boland
1 month ago

Deepest sympathy to Kevin and all the Smith family on Fr Des’s death. He was such a lovely, caring priest. Will always remember him. May you rest in eternal peace Des.

James McNicholas
1 month ago

Sincere sympathy to Kevin and family on the death of Fr Des. May his kind and gentle soul rest in peace. In Iothlann Dé go gcastar sinn.

Noel Coleman ballina
1 month ago

Deepest sympathy on the death of FrDes a Lovely priest

Bernard, Ann , Phyllis & the Breslin Family , Rehins, Co Mayo.
1 month ago

Condolences to his brother Kevin and extended families on the sad passing of Fr. Des. He was genuine & a gentleman & a proud Cork Man.
May He Rest in Peace.

Paul Nallon, Knockmore
1 month ago

Sincere sympathy to the family of Fr Des and all his fellow SMA priests. Fr Des was a great addition to the parish and was highly regarded by everyone in Rathduff and the surrounding area. May his gentle soul rest in peace.

Johnny&Patsy Flynn
1 month ago

Sincere sympaties to fr. Des family on this sad occasion. Great memories of him in k ockmore and rathduff. Rest in peace fr des

Noreen Judge(McNeely) Knockmore
1 month ago

My deepest sympathy to the Smith family on the passing of Fr. Des and also to his SMA. Colleagues. May he rest in peace.

Gerry and Joanne McHale Knockmore
1 month ago

Sincere sympathy to all the family. A lovely man to listen to .RIP.

FR JAMES CRIBBIN GEESALA
1 month ago

My prayers and condolences to the family friends and SMA members on the death of Father Des
THE people here in GEESALA and Doohooma have fond memories of fr Des May his kind and gentle soul rest in peace

Ciaran and Anne Glacken and family Ballina & Rathduff
1 month ago

Sincere sympathies to Kevin and extended families and friends on the passing of Fr. Des. A true gentleman and a wonderful Priest.
May your gentle soul Rest in Peace

John kelly Foxford.
1 month ago

Sincere sympathy to family of Father Des.
He was a very kind person and an exemplar of his faith.
May he rest in peace

Marion, John and Grainne Glacken, Ballina
1 month ago

Deepest sympathy to the Smith family, friends and colleagues on the death of Fr. Des. May his gentle soul rest in peace.

Margaret Sheridan, Ballina.
1 month ago

Deepest sympathy to Fr Des family and all at SMA Claregalway. He was a lovely priest.
Rest in peace Fr Des.

Staff of Lisaniska National School
1 month ago

Our deepest condolences on the passing of Fr Des Smith from the staff and wider community of Lisaniska National School. We always enjoyed Fr Des visiting us here in the school and remember him for his kindness to the children and his supportive and caring nature. He was a true gentleman and his loss will be felt by many in the Parish of Backs. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

Susan and Ray Mac Hale
1 month ago

Sincere condolences his brother Kevin and the extended family and friends on the sad passing of Fr Des. Humble and kind he was a great example to all of us in the parish. May his kind and gentle soul rest in heavenly peace.

Eamonn & Annie Munnelly & Family, Geesala
1 month ago

Sincere condolences to Smith family and all his SMA confreres on the passing of Fr Des. May his kind and gentle soul rest in peace.

Michael Rochford. Knockmore.
1 month ago

Deepest Sympathies to kevin and the Smith family on the sad passing of Fr.Des. A Priest who was widely regarded and much lived during his ministry in Rathduff and knockmore parish. May The Kind Gentle Soul of Fr Des Rest In Peace.

Angelo mc Loughlin ballina
1 month ago

Deepest sympathy to FR des family and friends may he rest in peace

Nathy and Kathleen Neary
1 month ago

Our deepest sympathy to the family of Father Des. We were so blessed to have him in Rathduff/ Knockmore parish. May his gentle soul rest in peace.Amen

Sr Cecelia Newell MS@
1 month ago

Rest in peace Fr Des and condolences to your community and family

Angela Mahady Feeney and John Feney
1 month ago

Deepest sympathy on the passing of Fr Des. He was a lovely Priest. May he rest in peace

Hennigan family, Friarstown
1 month ago

RIP to Fr. Des, he was a great priest in Rathduff for many years and is missed greatly

Mairead and Tom Flanagan and family i
1 month ago

Deepest sympathy to all the family may he rest in peace rest in peace fr

Mary Crean, Friarstown
1 month ago

Sincere condolences to the Smith family on the passing of Fr. Des. He was a great priest in Rathduff and his wit is sadly missed

John and Alice Walsh Barnfield Knockmore to
1 month ago

Sincere condolences to Father Des’s Brother Kevin his niece’s nephew’s relatives and friends also the SMA order May his gentle soul rest in peace

Tony and Anne Gallagher
1 month ago

Sincere sympathy to all the Smith family May his kind and gentle soul rest in peace.

john mc kenna
1 month ago

Sincere condolences of the sad death of Fr Des may he rest in peace from the parish of Rathduff Ballina Co Mayo

Gibbons family Knockfree, Knockmore
1 month ago

Our deepest condolences to all Fr. Des’s family on your sad loss. Fond memories of him in our parish and his kindness to all.
May he rest in peace.

Melvin Family
1 month ago

A wonderful caring and thoughtful man So generous with his time and great for the youth in Rathduff Certainly kept our lads on straight and narrow in their youth May he RIP

Eileen and Oliver Armstrong and family, Lisduvogue, Knockmore
1 month ago

We are very sorry to hear of the death of Fr. Des Smith, may God grant him eternal rest.
Deepest sympathies to his brother Kevin and all the Smith family .
We count ourselves very fortunate to have had such a kind, sincere, gentleman as our priest in Rathduff.
Beannacht Dé lena anam uasal.

Val , Kathleen Conway Inver Barnatra
1 month ago

Condolences to Kevin and extended family on the death of Fr Des
May his soul rest in peace
A lovely quite gentle priest

Thornton Family Station Road Foxford
1 month ago

Our heartfelt sympathy to all the family of Fr. Des. May he rest in the Light and peace of Heaven and may God comfort you all who mourn his loss.

Thelma Clarke Ballina
1 month ago

Sincere condolences to the family and friends of Fr Des. A kind caring and friendly gentleman. May his gentle soul rest in peace.

Olive O’Donnell, BALLINA.
1 month ago

Sincere sympathy to Fr Des’s brother and his extended family. Condolences also to his SMA family and many friends. A very special Priest and was loved and respected by his community in Rathduff . May he Rest in Peace.

Dowd family, Tullysleva
1 month ago

Our sincere condolences to all Fr Des’s family and friends…..he was such a wonderful man and had time for young and old in our parish of Rathduff…..both our sons were alter server and loved every mass with him…..May his kind and gentle soul rest in eternal peace….🙏

Mick Keane gortawarla Newport
1 month ago

Sincere condolences to his family and to fr.billy sheridan at this their time of great loss

Oliver & Carol Timlin, Rathduff, Knockmore, Co. Mayo.
1 month ago

Sincere sympathy to the family and friends of Fr. Des. May he Rest in Peace.

Michael and Bridie McHale ,Lisdovogue Knockmore
1 month ago

Sincere sympathy to Kevin on the sad passing of Fr Des.
May his soul rest in peace.

Sr Nancy Clarke, Ballina
1 month ago

Sincere sympathy to Fr Des’ brother Kevin, his nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, Fr Billy Sheridan and all his SMA confreres in Claregalway, Cork, Dublin and Ondo, Nigeria. He is fondly remembered and was loved in Rathduff/ Knockmore, Killala Diocese where he generously served, always with a smile. Go raibh leaba aige i measc na Naomh.
Ar Dheis Dé go raibh sé.

Mary gaughan tallaghan bawn doohoma
1 month ago

I would like to offer my sincere condolences to all family members to his many friends work colleagues all the priests that worked with fr Des Smith he was a lovely priest who will be sadly missed god rest u fr Des u are happy in heaven with all your family friends rest in peace fr des

Mary Donohoe Dooyork geesala DdD
1 month ago

Deepest sympathy to all Fr. Des family and all at SMA Claregalway may his gentle soul rest in peace Amen 🙏

Eddie & AssumptA Hoban ( Mayo)
1 month ago

Rest in peace Fr Des. A true gentleman!

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