David O'Morchoe

Major-General David Nial Creagh, The O'Morchoe, CB, CBE (17 May 1928 – 22 November 2019), also known as David O'Morchoe, was a British Army officer. The O'Morchoe was a President of the Royal British Legion branch in the Republic of Ireland,[1] and also President of the Leinster Regiment historical association[2][3] and President of the Tipperary Remembrance Trust.[4] He was the hereditary Chief and Prince of the Ó Murchadha (Murphy/Morrow) Sept, a cadet line of the ancient Irish dynasty the Uí Cheinnselaig, who were Kings of Leinster.

David Nial Creagh, The O'Morchoe
Born(1928-05-11)11 May 1928
Dublin, Ireland
Died22 November 2019(2019-11-22) (aged 91)
Gorey, Ireland
AllegianceUnited Kingdom
Service/branchBritish Army
Years of service1946–1979
RankMajor-General
Commands heldRoyal Army of Oman
3rd Battalion, Royal Irish Rangers
1st Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers
Battles/warsMau Mau Uprising
United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus
AwardsCompanion of the Order of the Bath
Commander of the Order of the British Empire
Knight of the Order of Saint Lazarus

Early life

David Nial Creagh O'Morchoe was the son of Nial Creagh O'Morchoe (d. 1970), an Indian Army officer who had succeeded his brother Arthur (a County Wexford farmer, formerly of the Colonial Service) as The O'Morchoe.

Military career

O'Morchoe joined the British Army in 1946 and was commissioned from Royal Military Academy Sandhurst as an officer in Royal Irish Fusiliers. He was appointed a Companion of the Order of the Bath in the 1979 Birthday Honours, and retired with the rank of major general later the same year.

Ó Murchadha clan chief and later life
Ó Murchadh.

O'Morchoe was a prominent figure, who represented The Royal British Legion at the Irish National Day of Commemoration ceremonies held annually in the Royal Hospital in Kilmainham to honour Irish men and women who died in past wars or in service with the United Nations. From 6 to 11 June 2007, The O'Morchoe represented the Association during the commemoration ceremonies in Belgium.

O'Morchoe was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the Diplomatic Service and Overseas List of the 2007 New Year Honours "for services to British ex-servicemen and women in Ireland". In September 2010, he was invested Knight of the Order of Saint Lazarus. In September 2014 he was suspended from his position in the Royal British Legion.[5]

Personal life

O'Morchoe married Margaret Brewitt, of Cork; they had three children: Dermot (the tanist); Kevin; and Maureen.

Death

O'Morchoe died at his home in Gorey on 22 November 2019, at the age of 91. A reception service was held in Kiltennel parish church on 24 November, followed by a funeral in Christ Church, Gorey on the following day.[6]

See also

References
  1. "Royal British Legion Republic of Ireland". Archived from the original on 4 March 2011. Retrieved 9 May 2011.
  2. "Leinster Regiment Association". Archived from the original on 28 January 2010. Retrieved 27 February 2010.
  3. Hourihane, Anne Marie. "On tour with the Royal British Legion as they bus to see the queen". The Irish Times.
  4. Remember them
  5. "President of Royal British Legion in Republic suspended". The Irish Times. Retrieved 3 October 2016.
  6. "Sadness at death of David O'Morchoe in Gorey". Wexford Today. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
  • Curley, Walter J.P., Vanishing Kingdoms: The Irish Chiefs and their Families. Dublin: Lilliput Press. 2004.
  • Ellis, Peter Berresford, Erin's Blood Royal: The Gaelic Noble Dynasties of Ireland. Palgrave. Revised edition, 2002.
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