ARCO regrets to inform its members of the death of Commandant Brendan Smyth, Creig an Chéirín, Inis Mór, Aran Islands, County Galway. Peacefully, surrounded by family in the care of SignaCare Nursing Home, Bunclody, County Wexford. Predeceased by his adoring wife Imelda, his parents Denis (Wolfhill) and Pauline (Mullingar), his stepfather James (Mullingar) and his sister Mary. Deeply mourned by his loving sons Enda and Ronan, brother Fergal, grandchildren Conor, Rosemary, Daniel, Jenna and Sam, daughters-in-law Mary and Liza, nieces, nephews and cousins. Brendan will be fondly remembered by relatives, neighbours, Defence Forces comrades and friends and sadly missed by his cherished god-daughter Mary-Frances.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam
Brendan Paschal Smyth (known universally throughout the Defence Forces as Smythy) was born in Mullingar, County Westmeath on 16th May 1932. He enlisted in Óglaigh na hÉireann as a member of 25 Cadet Class on 25th November 1950 and was commissioned into the Cavalry Corps on 24th November 1952.
Brendan was posted initially to the General Training Depot in the Curragh. He later served in 1 Armoured Car Squadron, 4 Motor Squadron and 2 Motor Squadron. Outside of the Cavalry Corps he held appointments in Headquarters 4 Brigade, Depot Army Ordnance Corps and in Curragh Command FCA Headquarters.
Overseas Brendan completed two tours of duty with the United Nations Operation in the Congo (Opération des Nations Unies au Congo) first as a Lieutenant with the Armoured Car Group, 34 Infantry Battalion from January to June 1961 and then as a Captain with the Armoured Car Group, 38 Infantry Battalion from November 1962 to May 1963. He also completed two tours of duty with the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus first as Second-in-Command, Armoured Car Group of 9 Infantry Group from September 1967 to March 1968 and then with 19 Infantry Group from October 1970 to April 1971. Brendan retired in May 1992 from his last posting in Clancy Barracks and went to live at Creig An Chéirín, on Inis Mór of the Aran Islands with Imelda. There, they became part of the fabric and life of that unique place.
Reposing at Lennon’s Funeral Home, Bunclody, on Wednesday 7th October from 3pm to 7pm. Arriving to Ros a’Mhíl pier for the 6pm boat to Inis Mór on Thursday 8th October. Reposing at the family home from 8pm on Thursday, concluding with Rosary at 10pm. Requiem Mass at 12 noon on Friday 9th October in the Church of Saint Brigid and Saint Oliver Plunkett, Kilronan. Burial afterwards in Kilmurvey Cemetery.
Family flowers only please. Donations to Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) in Memory of Brendan Smyth at: https://eventmaster.ie/fundraising/pages/BS37192241/donate.html
Members may wish to leave personal messages in the ‘Condolences’ section of Brendan’s death notice on rip.ie at: https://rip.ie/death-notice/brendan-smyth-galway-aran-islands-644112
