ARCO regrets to inform its members of the death of Commandant David (Dave) O’Regan, Westport, County Mayo and Ardara, County Donegal. David passed away peacefully after a short illness bravely borne on Monday 6th April 2026, surrounded by his family at Galway University Hospital. Pre-deceased by his parents Kay (née Dobbyn) and Commandant David O’Regan, nephew Evan Tracey, sister-in-law Tina O’Regan. David will be missed by his heartbroken family; wife Stephanie (née Kennedy), children Niamh, David, Steven and Nadine, granddaughter Lily-Mae, step-daughters Stacey and Zoë, siblings Trina, Eamonn, Kevin, Joey, Jimmy, Denise and Marita, uncle Kevin O’Regan, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, extended family, Defence Forces comrades and a wide circle of friends.
Dave O’Regan was born on 13th January 1958 and enlisted in Óglaigh na hÉireann as a member of 53 Cadet Class on 15th November 1976. He was commissioned into the Supply and Transport Corps on 29th September 1978 and served in a wide variety of appointments in that Corps, particularly with 4 Field Supply and Transport Company in Athlone and with 2 Field Supply and Transport Company in Dublin. He also served in the Quartermaster Generals Branch in Defence Forces Headquarters. Dave completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Science in the National University of Ireland Galway.
Overseas Dave served in Lebanon with the UNIFIL Irish Component in Naqoura from October 1989 to April 1990 and with 79 Infantry Battalion from May to October 1996.
Following his retirement from the Defence Forces, Dave returned to his original hometown, Westport, where he built a 9-bedroom guest house aptly named Augusta Lodge in keeping with his own love of golf. He successfully ran this guest house until he retired fully four years ago, deciding then to divide his time between Spain and Donegal.
In keeping with David’s wishes, there will be no public funeral wake. Friends and family are invited to join the funeral procession leaving Navin’s Funeral Home on Thursday, 9th of April at 12.15pm travelling through Westport town. This will be followed by a celebration of David’s life at Shannon Crematorium at 3pm.
Family flowers only. Donations, if desired, to Irish Cancer Society in Memory of Commandant David O’Regan at: https://eventmaster.ie/fundraising/pages/CD81141043/donate.html
Members may wish to leave personal messages in the ‘Condolences’ section of Dave’s death notice on rip.ie at: https://rip.ie/death-notice/comdt-david-o-regan-mayo-westport-626863
