The tourist industry, politics and the arts were well represented yesterday at the removal of Dr T.J. (Tim) O'Driscoll (90), who died on Friday, to the Church of the Annunciation, Rathfarnham, Dublin. The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, was represented by Capt Michael Kiernan.
A large group from Bord Failte, where Dr O'Driscoll was director-general, was headed by Mr Mark Mortell, the present chairman. A former Taoiseach, Mr Liam Cosgrave, was present, accompanied by his daughter Mary, a public relations executive with Bord Failte.
Dr O'Driscoll's widow, Elizabeth, headed the group of family mourners. Also present were his daughters Sara, Mary and Liz and members of their families.
Among the representatives from the world of the arts were Dr James White, the former director of the National Gallery, Mr Ciaran MacGonigal, curator of the Hunt Museum in Limerick, and Mr Michael Colgan, director of the Gate Theatre.
Among the attendance from the tourist industry were former Bord Failte chairman Dr Brendan O'Regan and the former chief executive of the Irish Hotels' Federation, Mr James Flannery. Mr David Kennedy, former chief executive of Aer Lingus, was present as was Dr Frank O'Reilly, Chancellor of Dublin University.
The former Garda Commissioner, Mr Eamon Doherty, attended the removal. Also present was Mr Des Geraghty, a vice-president of SIPTU.
Dr O'Driscoll, who was born in Cork in 1908, served as director-general of Bord Failte and was the first chairman of Coras Trachtala. He was also Irish Ambassador to the Netherlands and served as president of An Taisce. He will be buried today after 11 a.m. Mass at Kilmashogue Cemetery, Edmonstown Road, Rathfarnham.