Paddy Fitzsimons R.I.P.

The annual George Brown Memorial event will be all the poorer for the passing of Paddy Fitzsimons. Paddy, at his many visits to Inistioge, never failed to make an impression whether it was due to his distinctive sartorial sense, his unswerving commitment to his left-wing political principles, the ease with which he developed a rapport with locals, and his amazing and varied repertoire of songs engagingly delivered.

 

Paddy was born in Dominick Street in Dublin’s north inner-city at a time when this area was closely associated with poverty, unemployment and tenement life. As a young man, Paddy eventually gained employment in the Telegraph section of the Department of Posts and Telegraphs. Here he spent his working life as the semi-State body in time became Telecom Éireann, and, following privitisation and asset stripping, - something which Paddy vehemently opposed – saw its name changed to Eircom.

 

Paddy’s social conscience was not confined to calling out abuses of the working class in his own country. He was also a passionate supporter of the Cuban people in their struggle against the ongoing U.S. attempts to cripple country economically. In more recent times, he was an outspoken advocate of Palestinian statehood.

 

The Inistioge George Brown Memorial Committee offer its deepest sympathy to Clare and family, his political comrades and his wide circle of friends, for all of whom his loss is keenly felt. Ní bheidh a leithéid ann arís.