‘We will all miss John O’Driscoll in our lives’ - Phil Coulter

While he had been in poor health for years his death still came as a shock to myself and to his large circle of friends.

‘Dodo’ was part of the entertainment and music scene in Derry for such a long time.

Many will remember him from his years at the Embassy, looking after the big name acts that played there during the golden age of cabaret in the city. Others will picture him behind the mic doling out questions at one of the packed quiz nights in pubs from the Waterside to Creggan.

Soccer fans will tell how he suffered a heart attack while jogging in front of the Derry City team bus, clearing the way as it drove from the Everglades to the Guildhall and the celebrations on winning the treble in 1988.

During some of the darkest hours in Derry, in the 70s, ‘Dodo’ was one of a small but hugely efficient unit whose function was to bring some light into that darkness.

The entire ‘Marketing Department’ of the Council consisted of just four people, Kevin McCaul,Nuala Magee, Johnny Murray……and John O’Driscoll.

Between them they devised all sorts of entertainment to distract from the gloom, including the Foyle Festival.

They even approached me to get involved and dreamed up The Phil Coulter Talent Tournament. ‘Dodo’ was in his element, liaising with the entertainers and escorting everyone from The West Indies Steel Band to Billy Connolly. He seemed to be everywhere.

‘Dodo’ was, above all else, a proud Derryman. He loved everything about the city, from its people to its unquenchable spirit, from its football team to its musical history.

To his friends he was a part of the city’s landscape. To me he was a trusted pal and my most loyal supporter. No trip home was ever complete without a night in the hilarious company of himself and Willie Barrett.

To Geraldine and his family he was a devoted husband and a loving father.

We will all miss him in our lives.

Ar dheis De go rabh a anam.