Odhran was quite simply a beautiful soul.

With a razor-sharp wit and gentle nature in equal measure, whenever you walked into a room you already knew that Odhran was there, because the room was alive with a vibrant mix of banter and laughter.

In the most endearing sense, he was a big eejit too, and provided countless stories over the years that expounded his unique outlook on life.

Odhran had a large group of friends, and that, combined with his desire to travel the world during his life, ultimately led to his trip to South-East Asia in December 2022. He had planned to stay for a couple of months and visit Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam. Although living in the spontaneity of youth, he had his next few years planned out. After returning from Asia in February, he would complete his studies in Pharmaceutical Sciences, and then move to Canada for a couple of years.

We will never forget the day we received the call.

Odhran was kayaking with friends in Khao Sok National Park in Thailand, and after some difficulty with the kayak, had decided to head back to his hut, swimming the 15 feet from the kayak to the jetty.

That was the last anyone saw of him.

In truth, whilst extremely concerned, we tried to maintain an optimistic outlook. Odhran was a free spirit, and could make friends easily. He could have wandered off, met someone new, and was sitting at a small, remote bar, having a drink and a laugh.

Unfortunately, it was not to be, and the following morning we received the news that we had all been dreading. Without the need to detail the shock, numbness, and disbelief that swept over both sides of the family, Odhran’s friends, and the community in general, the horror of the situation was met with an unbelievable show of strength, unity and support. Odhran became immortalised in our thoughts that day, forever 22, and forever in our minds and hearts as the lad that we all knew.

The journey for Odhran’s parents, Maurice and Claire, his sister Michaela, and the wider circle of family and friends has, understandably, been a difficult one over the past number of months. However, there are shoots of hope emerging, and the family are determined to explore avenues that will provide positive outcomes related to the legacy that Odhran has left behind.

On Saturday 11th November 2023, the O’Neill and O’Dowd families will host a fund-raising night in aid of the wonderful voluntary work carried out by Lough Neagh Rescue. Since their inception in 1989, they have saved countless lives on Lough Neagh, and depend on the generosity of donations to maintain the absolutely vital services they provide to our community. Odhran’s family feel that contributing in this way towards the prevention of another family going through what they have experienced is a justifiably worthwhile cause.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your kind donation. It will go a long way to helping this charity continue to do what they do best, saving lives!!

The O’Neill & O’Dowd families