The Late Paddy Prendergast Paddy Prendergast, who died in October at the Abbeybreaffy Nursing Home, was a familiar figure in Castlebar for the past 71 years. The youngest of seven children born to Thomas and Mary (nee O'Donnell) of Mace Upper, Claremorris, Paddy attended Balyfarna National School where his teacher was John Denis O'Leary; a man that Paddy greatly admired. In 1936, he was appointed to the staff of St Mary's Hospital, Castlebar and remained there until his retirement in 1981. Paddy was a familiar figure for many years accompanying patients working on the farm owned by St Mary's on the Breaffy Road. His dedication to his profession gave him a profound understanding of human nature. He spent the latter part of his career in the then newly established St Theresa's unit. Paddy married Madge Dunne from Castlebar and they established their home in Ballynew. In the 1960s, they moved into town to live at New Antrim Street, Sadly, Madge died in 1983, and Paddy, with his family reared, was forced to adapt to a new life of living alone. This he accomplished in a disciplined fashion with his daily routine of morning Mass and cooking his meals each day. Everyone who knew Paddy knew his politics. Notwithstanding a great personal friendship with Enda Kenny, Paddy was an active member of the Fianna Fail throughout his long life and he had a host of stories about canvassing and about long forgotten selection conventions. Paddy never owned a car but believed very strongly in physical fitness and as a walker and a cyclist he covered great distances. In his younger days he regularly cycled to Claremorris and also to Crossmolina with his great friend Josie Munnelly (RIP). All of this was thirsty work and demanded many "pit stops" en route. Paddy was an expert on Guinness and pubs and there were very few pubs in the county which he hadn't sampled at some time. Handball was his favourite sport as a participant and this was greatly facilitated by the fine alley in St. Mary's. He followed Mayo and Castlebar Mitchels and took part in the plant trip to the 1997 All Ireland at the age of 81. In later life he also followed Manchester United. An avid reader and follower of current affairs, he kept abreast of major and minor events until shortly before his death. With his imposing figure he was a very well known personality around the town. Despite the Guinness, he had a strict attitude towards healthy living. When a very good friend of his died suddenly, Paddy remarked "he was too fond of sweet cake". Throughout most of his life he saved turf in a variety of rented bogs and grew his own vegetables. However, the roses outside his front door in New Antrim Street were the last examples of his horticultural talents. Failing health in the past few years necessitated a move to Abbeybreaffy Nursing Home where he again adapted to the life there. His daily routine of meals, Mass, reading and conversations with his good friend Martin Rowland, together with regular visits from family, old neighbours and work colleagues, sustained him and he accepted the onset of old age and infirmity with the acceptance of one who understood that this was his destiny. Paddy was part of a generation which grew up with the newly independent Ireland. Like all of that generation, he valued loyalty to the State, active citizenship, hard work and straight dealing. Unfortunately, in those times he saw lots of friends and neighbours die early deaths, from TB particularly. He is greatly missed by his daughter Maura Phelan, his sons Tom and Pat, son-in-law Sean, daughters-in-law Sarah and Betty, grandchildren and great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Despite an absence of over 70 years, he never lost his affection for his roots in Mace where he is remembered with affection by many cousins and friends. May he rest in peace. Courtesy of the Mayo News 8/1/ 2008 Tweet

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