Cotter, Paddy
September 30, 2004Paddy was, in every sense of the word, a true legend of the lens and he was a familiar figure throughout the midlands region with his camera around his neck.
It is said that every photo tells a thousand stories and there was no better man than Paddy to recount tall tales and banter.
Paddy was very proud of his Clare roots and when Clare won the All-Ireland hurling finals of 1995 and '97 it was common place to hear Paddy greet people with the line - "Up The Banner." Paddy possessed an incredible passion for sport, particularly soccer and the GAA, and he attended GAA games all over the country in a working capacity.
He worked for the Meteorological Service and prior to coming to live in Birr he worked in County Mayo. And during his time in the West, Paddy togged out and played hurling with Mayo.
Paddy moved to Birr fifty years ago when the Met Station at Syngefield was established and he worked there, recording the daily weather up until the late 1980's.
It was during the 1950's that Paddy first started taking photographs and copies of his work have featured in the Offaly Express for over two decades.
Paddy covered many major events, but his work was not only confined to press photography as he was always in demand as a wedding photographer.
Paddy was the driving force behind Highfield United soccer club in Birr and he held several administrative positions, including secretary, treasurer and PRO. Paddy was exceptionally proud of the fact that during the 1984/'85 season Highfield achieved the distinction of becoming the first Offaly club to reach the Sheeran Cup Final.
Paddy was the longest serving club secretary in the Leinster Football League (LFL) and he was presented with the LFL Personality of the Year award 1999/2000 by Charlie O'Leary and entered into the LFL Hall of Fame.
He also followed the fortunes of Manchester United very closely and during Funeral Mass, Fr Tony Cahir PP recalled that one of Paddy's ambitions in life was to see his beloved Man U playing at home in Old Trafford but he never got the opportunity to do so.
The vast gathering of mourners were present for the removal of Paddy's remains from his home to SE Brendan's Church and interment took place in Clonoghill Cemetery following Mass that was concelebrated by Fr Cahir, Canon John Shalloo, Fr Simon Cadam (Banagher) and Fr Frank Meehan (Shinrone).
The members of Highfield United formed a Guard of Honour and the coffin was draped with a Highfield, Clare and Manchester United jersey.
Fr Cahir said Paddy covered the Pope's visit to Clonmacnois in 1979 and quipped with tongue-in-cheek, "When the Pope was near Paddy, people asked who was the person beside Paddy? That's how well Paddy was known."
Paddy was a very knowledgeable man and possessed a great sense of humour and while making telephone calls he frequently used greetings 'as gaeilge'.
He transported several young reporters to events far and wide, providing them with a solid grounding for the journalistic profession.
Paddy was kind hearted and devoted to his family, and while he hadn't enjoyed good health in recent years his death was unexpected.
Deepest sympathy is extended to Paddy's wife Maureen, sons David, Patrick, Michael. Damien and Brian, daughter Stella, sister Mary, brother-in-law, son-in-law, grandchildren, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends.
Courtesy of the Offaly Express
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