The late Michael O'Farrell Michael O'Farrell, 75, (born named just Michael Farrell) died of a sudden heart attack at 5am on the morning of Thursday, April 20, 2006 in his own Farmhouse bed where he slept for the last 35 years in Skeheen, Mitchelstown, County Cork. It was peaceful and painless, lasting just a few seconds. He is survived by his three children Brian, Sean, Kieran, his close friend John O'Connor brothers Christy, Jim and John, sisters Catherine, brother-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews. Michael was General Manager of Drombanna Co-operative Society near Limerick City in the 1960s and 1970s - and Insurance Manager of Mitchelstown (later Dairygold) Co-operative Society from 1983 until 1991. He was born close to the small village of Donaskeigh near Tipperary Town in August 1930 - one of eight children to an enterprising, land-expanding Farmer. He had a secondary school education in the Christian Brothers School in Tipperary Town an also in Mount Mellary Abbey in County Waterford. Having spent one year in Agricultural College in County Cavan (1949 - 1950) he went on to become one of only four students who graduated with a Dairy Science Degree from University College Cork in the Class of 1954. Both Cork and Cavan educations were achieved as the result of Scholarships. In Cavan he helped form a Junior Inter-County Hurling Team on which he played for a brief time. He was the UCC Hurling Team Trainer in 1954. He also served some time as their Secretary. He kept attending UCC matches for 16 years after graduating. In the 1960s Michael enjoyed a very active Social Life as a prominent member of the Foot Beagles, Limerick Lawn Tennis Club and the Castletroy Golf Club. He worked as a loyal protegee to his family relative Ned Farrell at Drombanna - first raising to the rank of Joint General Manager alongside - eventually taking over as sole General Manager in April 1979. On one occasion in 1976, while defending the Society in Court the Judge complimented him by stating "the Manager should have been a Barrister". By that time all small Creameries in Ireland were disappearing and Michael guided Drombanna's amalgamation with Mitchelstown's Insurance Manager, a post he held until retirement in 1991 - shortly after the Co-op merged to form Dairygold. By coincidence, in 1971 he married a Mitchelstown farmer's daughter, Sheila Hennessy, and took control of her ailing father's Dairy Farm. Here he spear-headed progressive Farm Building Projects and Land Drainage to modernise it. In 1982 he drilled a bore-hole and set up a water scheme supplying the farm and hour other households nearby. It still runs today. Michael was extremely fortunate to be able to rely on the wonderful services of John O'Connor of Ballylanders to manage the day-to-day running over the farm while he continued at his other career. Sheila died of liver disease in 1997 - which broke his heart and which may have affected his health - and they are currently survived their three sons Brian, 33, Sean, 31 and Kieran, 30. His health declined in 21st century and he handed the farm over to Brian. He had a great work ethic and remained a very civilised, thoughtful individual. He was active, interested and happy until his final day. May he rest in peace. Courtesy of Limerick Leader 27 May 2006 Tweet

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