Daughters of man killed in motorbike crash say farewell to ‘best dad in the world'
Michael O'Sullivan (55) was killed when he collided with a car while riding his motorbike last week.
The late Michael O'Sullivan of Cullencastle, Tramore.
The congregation at the Church of the Holy Cross, Tramore learned on Tuesday morning that Michael O'Sullivan could fix anything and that his life's purpose was first to be a dad, and then a grandad to eight, which was the title he treasured the most.
He died aged 55 on Friday, July 11 having collided with a car while riding his motorbike at Monvoy, Tramore on the evening of Wednesday, July 9.
Michael's family singled out the staff of University Hospital Waterford and the intensive care unit for the care they gave to him in his final hours last week.
Fr Tadeusz Durajczyk told mourners at the funeral mass this week that 'Michael was a person of many qualities – kindness, generosity, love for family'.
He added: 'For 55 years, he lived with joy, with love. Though his time on Earth has ended, the legacy of his life continues in the hearts of all who knew him.'
The late Michael O'Sullivan of Cullencastle, Tramore.
Today's News in 90 Seconds - July 18th
From Cullencastle, Tramore, he was born on March 3, 1970, in Waterford, to parents Mary and Michael. His first home was the Glen Road, Tramore. He grew up in Waterford living in Lisduggan, Lismore Park, and Lauradell.
'He had a wonderful childhood with his parents and siblings, Margaret, Clare and Declan,' said Fr Tadeusz.
'Michael met his wife Lillian in 1989 and fell deeply in love. They got married in 1991 and were married for 34 years. They raised four beautiful children, Nicholas, Fiona, Heather and Rebecca, surrounded by love. His family was the most important thing in his life, and he dedicated every waking minute to them.'
Michael had eight grandchildren, Mya, Maisie, Dolly, Frankie, Gustav, James, Katie and Finn.
'He was at his happiest surrounded by them and having fun. Michael was amazing at making and fixing things. There was nothing he couldn't turn his hands to.'
The funeral congregation heard how Michael had a collection of tractors which he restored. His latest endeavour was bringing a Land Rover Defender back to life, which he took for a spin at weekends with Lillian.
Michael worked as a fitter in many companies over the years, including GSK in Dungarvan.
The late Michael O'Sullivan of Cullencastle, Tramore.
He also loved to swim and could always be found helping swimmers in and out of the water, and he loved to watch hurling.
'He would watch every match, no matter who was playing, but was a true Waterford supporter.'
Michael also took November 1 off every year for the start of the shooting season. He and his friend Jimmy would be in the fields for the day, shooting pheasants.
After Fr Tadeusz's address, Michael's daughters, Fiona, Heather and Rebecca, recalled the love they received during their childhoods from their dad.
'From the moment he became a father, his whole life's purpose was being a dad,' said Fiona. 'From spending his days bringing Nicholas around with the lads, to welding car seats to the back of a van to travel around Ireland.
'He was very bad at remembering special days, but was over the moon when his youngest grandchild, Gustav, was born on the first day of the shooting season, an easy month to remember.'
Michael had a very different relationship but special bond with each of them. Some of Fiona's best memories were playing outside in Westbrook, checking the time on a Saturday afternoon. By the time six o'clock came it was time to run inside and cuddle up with him to watch the big movie.
'Dad was the one to call when something went wrong, or you needed something to be done,' said Fiona, who recalled a time when her first car nearly broke his heart because it broke down once a week. 'To which he would say, 'no bother, I'm on the way'.' When she told him of a new romance, he once joked: 'I just hope he's a mechanic.'
Michael was always playing practical jokes on them, hiding and then jumping out at them. Or hiding a Santa mask between the curtains, to which they woke up and were 'scared stiff to move'. Read more
'It was a privilege to call you our dad, and all the memories we have of you,' said Fiona.
Fiona's sister Heather said everyone knew a different version of their dad. 'He was a loving husband to our beautiful mother, an amazing father, a kind and caring son and brother, and a wonderful friend and work colleague.
'He had a huge impact on the lives of everyone he met. But the title that meant the most to him and the one he truly treasured was that of Grandad. He really was the best.
'I feel so incredibly blessed to have had the childhood I had with my dad. I was blessed all over again by being able to relive it, by being able to watch my own children get the same incredible memories he gave us.'
Heather said everyone could see Michael was simply made to be a grandad from the way he held his grandchildren in his arms. 'He is the reason I still believe true love exists, because the love for my mother could be seen and felt.'
Michael learned how to cook a roast for the family dinners. His advice was worth its weight in gold, and he was the smartest man we knew, said Heather, who added that her girlhood memories include being brought to bike shows and hunts.
Heather also said that everyone's stories about Michael, showed his 'big heart' and 'kind soul was felt by everybody that he met.'
Rebecca said he was the kind of dad who let her play Hannah Montana and Justin Bieber songs in the car. They would go to Kenmare, and from the moment the family left Tramore they would be playing their CDs – by end of the trip Michael would be singing along with them.
He had the patience of a saint, and he showed his children how to be independent and strong.
'We have all these amazing memories of Dad, from him bringing us off on adventures on the weekend, to him bringing me for lunch on a Friday after school and always supporting and caring for us. Dad did everything for us.'
Rebecca said Michael showed them how to be kind to everyone. 'He always said, 'it's nice to be nice'.'
'My dad was the best dad in the world and I couldn't imagine a life without my dad,' said Rebecca. 'We love you and I know I will see and feel your presence in the sunrise in the morning, at the sunset at night, that I will feel you in the waves at the beach and in the calmness of the water. As our dad would have always said, 'lovely stuff, see you later'.'
Michael's sister Margaret recited the well-known poem by WH Auden Funeral Blues, which is also often called Stop all the Clocks.
As per Michael's wishes, a private cremation will take place on Wednesday, July 16.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
7 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Fota Wildlife Park announce birth of ‘incredibly rare' drill monkey baby with cute photos in major conservation boost
FOTA Wildlife Park has announced the birth of an endangered male drill monkey. The young drill is the offspring of nine-year-old mother Lewa and 10-year-old father Ekona. 3 An adorable baby drill has been born to Fota Wildlife Park Credit: Michael O'Sullivan / OSM PHOTO 3 The drill species is a rare and endangered animal Credit: Michael O'Sullivan / OSM PHOTO Drills are a rare primate species closely related to mandrills. This baby is the first of its species to be born at the Co Cork conservation facility as part of a European Endangered Breeding Programme. Lead Ranger Teresa Power said: 'We're absolutely thrilled to announce the birth of this baby drill, it's a first not only for "The drill is an incredibly rare and endangered species, so it's a real privilege to be part of the conservation and care of the species. READ MORE IN IRISH NEWS "Lewa, the new mother, is doing an excellent job. She's very protective, and the young male is nursing well, this is her first baby. "For now, Lewa and the baby are being kept separate from the rest of the group, along with Banni, our younger female, who is both curious and attentive toward the new arrival. "We're hopeful that Banni may give birth herself later this year, and she's already learning valuable maternal behaviours from observing Lewa. "Visitors to Fota Wildlife Park may see the young monkey with his mother, at the purpose-built drill habitat and island. MOST READ IN THE IRISH SUN "Drill infants are born with a distinctive black cap of hair, which they usually lose around six months of age. "They're quite precocious too — we often see them trying to wander off as early as two weeks old! Everyone saying the same thing as 'precious' baby rhinoceros is born in Cork's Fota Wildlife Park "Lewa, however, is quick to pull him back and keep him close. We plan to reunite the group once the baby is a little bigger and more independent. "Drills are large animals, with the males weighing around 33 kgs, they are powerfully built with large canine teeth and feature a range of colours such as lilac, blue, pink and purple on their rumps". Over the past 30 years, drill populations have declined by at least 50 per cent. In the wild, they are found only in a limited range: Cross River State in Nigeria, southwestern Their total natural habitat covers less than 40,000 square kilometres, roughly half the size of Ireland. PUBLIC CHOOSE NAME There are an estimated 3,000-4,000 drills left in the wild which is decreasing due to habitat loss to give way for development and plantations. Fota Wildlife Park is asking the public to help name the young male monkey, and to enter their suggestion via the website at Fota Wildlife Park is home to over 100 The park actively participates in EEPs for species such as the The Wildlife Park is open daily from 9.30 am, tickets are available to book on-line at 3 The new baby comes as part of a major conservation effort Credit: Michael O'Sullivan / OSM PHOTO
Irish Independent
31-07-2025
- Irish Independent
Wicklow lifeboat that saved 61 lives finds new lease of life
With the recent arrival of Arklow's state-of-the-art, all–weather Shannon class lifeboat, The Roy Holloway, the RNLB Ger Tigchelaar lifeboat left the harbour for the last time, calling time on a long service that saw voluntary crew aid 606 people over 340 launches on the trusty Trent class vessel. Unlikely to end up in the hands of a private collector, because of the massive costs of operating the fuel-guzzling boat, Ger Tigchelaar seemed destined as a backup in the 'relief fleet' for RNLI stations with Trent class boats, but will now most likely finish her career as the Holyhead lifeboat. As Arklow RNLI Lifeboat DLA Michael Fitzgerald explained, the Holyhead Station's original boat was a Severn Class, which was withdrawn at short notice, before being replaced with a relief Trent, which is a totally different class, and was originally the Courtmacsherry lifeboat. 'When the Holyhead crew saw the condition of the Arklow boat in the repair yard, they were very impressed with her,' he said. 'Given the fact that they currently have an older relief Trent lifeboat, they put a request to headquarters in Poole asking if the Ger Tigchelaar could become their station boat until their future allocation is announced and on station. 'The request was granted, and Holyhead Lifeboat will now replace Arklow Lifeboat on her stern.' Asked if it was rare for a lifeboat that has served for so long, and is nearing the end of her operational lifespan, to be transferred to another station, rather than the relief fleet, Michael said it has happened in the past that if a lifeboat is damaged beyond economical repair, it would be replaced on station with a similar class from the relief fleet. 'I think in this case, our lifeboat was too good an opportunity for them to pass up, and they seized the chance to get her before she left the yard,' he added. 'On a positive note, she will now become a station boat again, and hopefully, she will finish out her time, however long or short, in the care of the Holyhead crew.'
Extra.ie
31-07-2025
- Extra.ie
Fota Wildlife Park's latest addition is a major first for Ireland
This is not a drill! Well, technically, it is. Cork's Fota Wildlife are celebrating a major first for Ireland. On July 18, the popular wildlife park welcomed a brand new endangered male drill monkey, who is the first of its species to be born at the Cork conservation facility as part of a European Endangered Breeding Programme. The young monkey is the offspring of 9-year-old mother, Lewa, and 10-year-old father, Ekona. Drills are a rare primate species closely related to mandrills. Cork's Fota Wildlife are celebrating a major first for Ireland. Pic: Michael O'Sullivan / OSM PHOTO Over the past three decades, the population of drills has declined by at least 50%. The rare animals are today only found in a limited range, such as Cross River State in Nigeria, southwestern Cameroon, and Bioko Island in Equatorial Guinea. Their total natural habitat covers less than 40,000 square kilometres, roughly half the size of Ireland. There are an estimated 3,000-4,000 drills left in the wild, and the numbers are decreasing due to habitat loss to give way for development and plantations. The young monkey is the offspring of 9-year-old mother, Lewa, and 10-year-old father, Ekona. Pic: Michael O'Sullivan / OSM PHOTO Fota's Lead Ranger, Teresa Power, said everybody at the park is 'absolutely thrilled' about the new addition. She said: 'It's a first not only for Fota Wildlife Park but for Ireland as well. The drill is an incredibly rare and endangered species, so it's a real privilege to be part of the conservation and care of the species. 'Lewa, the new mother, is doing an excellent job. She's very protective, and the young male is nursing well, this is her first baby. For now, Lewa and the baby are being kept separate from the rest of the group, along with Banni, our younger female, who is both curious and attentive toward the new arrival.' Drills are a rare primate species closely related to mandrills. Pic: Michael O'Sullivan / OSM PHOTO Power added: 'We're hopeful that Banni may give birth herself later this year, and she's already learning valuable maternal behaviours from observing Lewa. Visitors to Fota Wildlife Park may see the young monkey with his mother, at the purpose-built drill habitat and island. 'Drill infants are born with a distinctive black cap of hair, which they usually lose around six months of age. They're quite precocious too — we often see them trying to wander off as early as two weeks old! Lewa, however, is quick to pull him back and keep him close. We plan to reunite the group once the baby is a little bigger and more independent.' Fota Wildlife Park is now asking the public to help name the young male monkey and to enter their suggestion via the website for the chance to win a year-long Conservation Annual Pass to the Park. In other baby animal news, Dublin Zoo recently announced the birth of a rare and endangered female okapi calf, born on the morning of Good Friday, April 18, 2025. Both the calf and her mother Lumara, aged 10, are 'thriving' after months of 'beautiful care'. The young calf has been growing steadily, showing all the signs of good health and Dublin Zoo confirmed that her name will be revealed soon. She is just the third ever okapi calf born in Ireland which marks an important milestone in the conservation of the okapi species.
