O'BRIEN

O'BRIEN (Dermot) (aged 74 years) (72, Clonmore, Ardee, Co. Louth and formerly of Dublin and New York, U.S.A.) - May 22, 2007 (peacefully), after a brave battle with cancer. Dermot was born in Ardee, Co. Louth on October 23, 1932, and spent several years living in Dublin and New York before returning to Ardee. Dermot had the distinction of captaining the last Louth team to win the All Ireland Senior Football Final in 1957. Dermot was also a distinguished musician, accordionist and singer with international recognition and had his own television show on R.T.E. in the 1960s and 1970s. His hits included the "The Merry Ploughboy" which went straight to no. 1 in 1966, "The Turfman from Ardee and Dublin" in 1962, amongst others. Dermot was a fluent Irish speaker and a great ambassador for Ireland abroad, particularly in the U.S.A. He appeared on American television with Bing Crosby and Ed Sullivan. Dermot has been described as a gentleman, a great man and an inspiration and is revered and respected by all those from far and near who had the pleasure to meet him. Dermot is predeceased by his beloved wife Rosemarie (née Walsh), and will be sadly and greatly missed by householder Catheryne, Ronan, Dermot, Grace and Roisin, also by his loving sisters Aileen, Marie, Toni and Trina, his brother-in-law Tony Walsh, his sons-in-law Bill Ryan and Bernard Ferry, his daughter-in-law Moonyeen and Noeleen, his grandchildren Jeremy, Kate, Lily, Jack, Liam, Ronan, Neansai, Samantha, Dermot, Joseph and Padraig Joseph, his nephews, nieces and all those who were fortunate to have met him. Removal on Friday evening from his home to the Church of the Nativity, Ardee arriving at 7.30 o'clock Funeral on Saturday morning after 11 o'clock Mass to Ballapousta Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations if desired to Crumlin Children's Hospital and Louth Palliative Care, c/o Byrnes Funeral Directors, Ardee.