With the Kerry team that won the Rás in 1956 when Paudie Fitzgerald, third from right, took two stages and the final yellow. Gene Mangan, second rider from the right, also took two stages that year. Paddy O'Callaghan is the rider on the far left, seen here with Mangan, Fitzgerald, John Switzer, Jackie O' Connor and Paddy Moriarty.
The death of Paddy O’Callaghan in his native Co Kerry has brought an end to a lifetime of dedication to cycling.
Paddy’s contribution was immense, spanning six decades. And his influence and legacy traversed the local, national and international scenes and indeed outside the world of cycling.
Paddy began racing on the local grass track circuit in the early 1950s and quickly became involved in the development of road racing at that time.
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He is best remembered as a cyclist for his role in a number of Kerry teams that won the Rás Tailteann in the 1950s. But he also had other achievements to his credit, including the National Cycling Association 100-mile Time Trial Championship of 1955.
Paddy was well known throughout Ireland for his role on the administrative side of cycling which began in 1954. He later went on to become president of the National Cycling Association (NCA).
A committed republican, his beliefs permeated all aspects of his life.
He was centrally involved in the political and ideological debates and differences in Irish cycling, but he ultimately became a central figure in the reconciliation movement.
He was a member of the Irish Cycling Tripartite Committee that managed the unification process in the 1970s and 80s. It was he who formally moved the motion to bring about the dissolution of the NCA; a development necessary to cement the unification process.
Paddy’s other various administrative roles were many and varied. He was international secretary of the NCA; travelling widely and building important contacts across world. He once made a record of all of the nations he had visited on cycling related business, arriving at a figure of 52.
In this iconic image, the Rás riders of 1956 proudly fly the tricolour they had recaptured after it had been taken from them by the RUC who insisted the flag could not fly from a lead vehicle. Stage 2 that year was abandoned when the race's presence in the North resulted in a riot at Cookstown. Paddy is seen in this image, third rider from the right.
At home in Ireland his numerous roles included director of the Rás Tailteann, and chairman of bodies such as the Kerry county board and Cycling Munster.
He took over the running of Rás Mumhan at a time when the event was in danger of floundering. He also managed countless teams, sat on innumerable committees, and drafted an untold number of documents.
His workload was endless and his energy and enthusiasm boundless.
Various members of his family also became involved in cycling and contributed strongly in the administrative and competitive spheres.
All of this was just part of Paddy’s wider community involvement. All through his life he happily gave freely of his time and energy as a volunteer, and much of this work was pioneering.
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He was involved in the development of local radio from its early days. He was a founder member of Kerry Mountain Rescue and Killorglin Credit Union.
He was elected a member of Kerry County Council, sat on the Árd Comhairle of Sinn Féin and served as chairman of South Kerry Development Partnership.
Paddy was Chairman of the Community Council which built the Killorglin Sport and Leisure Complex – a familiar venue for many cyclists. He played similar leading roles in several other local initiatives.
When he raced, Paddy's name was synonymous with the Kerry jersey. And he also did a huge amount of work on the sporting, political and business fronts in his native county all his life.
Paddy’s loss will be most keenly felt in his native Kerry to which he was immensely loyal and where the impact on his life’s works were most in evidence.
He nurtured and supported many cyclists at every level. He ran a bicycle shop in Killarney for many years where emerging cyclists found work.
Many developing riders, needing equipment or other supports at key stages of their careers found themselves quietly ‘sorted’ by Paddy without him ever claiming credit for the business.
Paddy’s passion for cycling, along with his longevity in the administration of the sport, saw him involved in many wrangles and battles over the years; though he never personalised those differences.
He had an engaging personality and was pleasant company, and the intensity of debate and negotiation was always mingled with a sense of fun.
Paddy was a unique character. He can be regarded as one of those ‘founding fathers’ of Irish cycling as it is today. His contribution and legacy is appreciated by all who know him in cycling.
From Cromane, Killorglin, Paddy he passed away last Friday aged 80 years.
He is sadly missed by his wife Rita, sons Sean, Miceal and Cieran, sisters Maureen and Dora, daughters-in-law Anna, Anne and Mary, grandchildren Grainne, Gearoid, Aoife, Eamon, Paddy, Maebdh and Jack, greatgrandchild Peadar, nieces and nephews, relatives and friends.
- This piece was first published by Cycling Ireland and is reproduced here with the federation's permission.
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