One of Ireland's most distinguished diplomats, Mr Tadhg O'Sullivan (72), died on Saturday. Born in Clifden, Co Galway, Mr O'Sullivan was educated at Scoil Fhursa and Colaiste Iognaid, Galway. He was a graduate of University College Galway and had been prominent in theatre in the city as a student. He was president of the Inter-University Association of Gaelic Societies and editor of the annual publication, Fir.
He was appointed third secretary in the Department of External Affairs in 1949.
As third secretary he served in Brussels and Berne as well as Dublin. In 1961 he was appointed to the post of counsellor to the permanent Irish mission in the UN.
He became ambassador to Nigeria in 1970 and to Austria in 1974. During his period in Austria he was also ambassador to Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia and Hungary and permanent representative to the international organisations located in Vienna.
He was appointed ambassador to the United States in 1981. At the time he was deputy secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs.
In 1985, he was appointed ambassador to the Soviet Union. He was appointed ambassador to France in 1987, where he remained until he retired in 1991. During recent years he was involved with the French branch of the International Fund for Ireland.
He is survived by his wife, Brid, by his daughters, Caitriona and Aideen and by his sons, Brian and Eoin.