ARCO regrets to inform its members of the death of Captain Michael O’Driscoll, Castleowen, Blarney, County Cork and formerly of Annamoe Road, Dublin. On February 25th, 2025, peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family. Beloved husband of the late Monica, loving father of Frances and Eleanor, and brother of Nola, Geraldine, Sheila and the late Maureen. Sadly missed by his loving daughters, sons-in-law Angus and Denis, grandchildren Erin, Andrew, Ali, Maria, Leslie, Michael, Sage and Callum, brothers-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives, wonderful neighbours, Defence Forces comrades and friends.
Michael O’Driscoll, a proud grandnephew of General Michael Collins, enlisted in the Defence Forces in 1951 as a member of 26 Cadet Class. He was commissioned into the Artillery Corps on 23rd November 1953 and posted to Coast Defence Artillery on Spike Island, County Cork. He married Monica, a nurse he met while in Athlone, and they lived happily in Officers Married Quarters on the island and raised their two daughters there. Apart from a posting to Templemore, County Tipperary, to serve with 3 Field Artillery Regiment FCA, Spike Island was where Michael spent most of his home service. Overseas, Michael served as a Lieutenant with Headquarters, 37 Infantry Battalion ONUC in the Congo from May to November 1962.
In November 1987 he played the part of his famous granduncle in the Colm Connolly RTE documentary production The Shadow of Bealnablath.
Michael was a wonderful character and great company. The many stories about him will no doubt be retold at his funeral. May he Rest In Peace.
Lying in repose at Crowley’s Funeral Home, Ballincollig on Friday 28th February from 6pm to 7pm for visitation. Requiem Mass on Saturday, 1st March, at 10.30am at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Blarney which can be viewed at: https://www.churchservices.tv/blarney Funeral afterwards to Saint Senan’s Cemetery, Tower. Family flowers only please.
Members may wish to leave personal messages in the ‘Condolences’ section of Michael’s death notice on rip.ie at: https://rip.ie/death-notice/michael-odriscoll-dublin-586511
