The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Daughters recall Paddy O’Sullivan
ON Thursday, October 18, the death occurred in St Vincent’s Private Hospital Dublin of Patrick (Paddy) O’Sullivan of Terenure and formerly of Knightstown, Valentia Island
Though domiciled in Dublin for many years, he was very much a Valentia Islander and a true son of ‘The Foot’.
Sincere condolences to his wife, Elizabeth (Betty); daughters, Helen and Sarah; son, Donal; sons-in-law, Jim and Thomas; daughter-in-law, Rosemary; grandchildren; sister, Eileen; brother-in-law, Ted; nieces; nephews; relatives and friends.
He was pre-deceased by his daughter, Jacinta. Solás sioraí dó.
His daughters, Helen and Sarah, contribute the following memories:
Our Dad, Patrick O’Sullivan, was born in 4, Peter Street, Knightstown, on the 5th of the 3rd, 1937, to Sarah and Daniel O’Sullivan.
Valentia was home to him and also his two sisters, Mary and Eileen. They had an idyllic childhood.
He was a volunteer on the Valentia Lifeboat and went fishing after school even though he could not swim. The sea was always in his blood, even at the tender age of 19.
His mother made him apply to the then Post and Telegraphs. Dad got the train from Renard and set off for a new life in Dublin. Being the youngest, his mother insisted he go into digs as he was not used to cooking. Here, he met his future wife of 56 years, Betty. They married and moved to Terenure and went on to have four children.
Dad started driving and bought his first car, a Ford Model T. From then on, there was no stopping him, and in any free time, we would travel to Valentia.
In those days we would have to arrive at the Point in order to get the ferry to the island. John Dore would be waiting for dad to bring us to the island. We were blessed to have a dual existence between Dublin and Valentia, as did his grandchildren.
He was an amazing dad. He gave 40 years working for the Post and Teeleraphs and also managed to extend our home.
Our Valentia home did not escape his DIY either. 45 years ago, he installed central heating in our home from a drawing he made at a stand in the RDS, using Betty’s back as a paper support base as he drew.
When the PT went on strike for 10 weeks, it stands out in our memory, as mince was the daily menu. We looked forward to our Nana sending up a big box covered in brown paper, tied up with string. Inside was O’Sullivan’s bread, a Killorglin Brack and other Kerry goods. The Kerryman would be sent every week so dad could keep up with the news from home.
Dad also loved boats, and he had a camper in which he and Mam loved to travel around Ireland with their faithful pawed friend, Sióg. He worked in England for three years with BT and loved every minute there. He spent some time in London and Bournemouth with that company.
When he retired from Eircom, he worked with Rilmont, teaching the jointing of cable.
He officially retired at 64 but was never idle up until the last two years.
He managed to visit Valentia (home) just five weeks before he passed away and even got to visit the Coastguard Radio Station, where his dad, Daniel, worked (he had charge of the engine Rrom when the station generated it’s own power). They made him so welcome. He also went to see his old school friend, Adrian Mackey, in the Valentia Hospital. Dad passed away so peacefully and, in his own words, with ‘no regrets’; like everything in life, he left everything in order