RIP: Kildare's current President of the Irish Sheep Shearers Association passes away

Kildare is mourning the loss of a gentleman who has sadly passed away this week.

Patrick (Pat) Corrigan, Ballysax, Curragh, Co. Kildare, formerly Hollywood, Co. Wicklow has passed away peacefully in his 93rd year, at the home of his son Andrew.

He was surrounded by his loving family at the time of his death, predeceased by his beloved wife Betty, his brothers Frank, Sean, Andy and Jim, and his sister Eileen.

Pat is deeply regretted and sadly missed by his sons Andrew, Patrick Jr and David, daughters Mary, Liz and Carmel, daughters in law Mary and Fionnuala, sons in law Pat and Alan, his adored grandchildren and great grandchildren, brother Peter, sister Sheila, extended family, neighbours and wide circle of friends.

Pat was the current President of the Irish Sheep Shearers Association and the Wicklow Cheviot Sheep Breeders, organisations to which he gave many years of dedicated service.

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The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to Pat's carers for their kindness, compassion and dedicated care.

They would also like to acknowledge and thank his grandchildren, whose love, support and care brought him great comfort and happiness, particularly in his later years

Tributes have poured in on RIP.ie from people in Kildare and beyond, with one mourner writing, “My sincere condolences to Lis, Gave, Cora. Caitlin and all the Corrigan and extended family.

“I had the pleasure of meeting Pat. He was a true gentleman a lovely man. May Pats eternal soul rest in peace”.

Another person said: “ I remember Pat well, tending to his sheep on the Curragh as I grew up in Blackrath.

“A gentleman, a family man and a very hard worker....Rest easy Pat, you lived a long life and your work is now done”.

The Irish Sheep Shearers Association also released a statement from chairman Tom Dunne. In it, Mr Dunne said: “A defining chapter has closed as we now prepare our final farewell to our President and one of the greatest shearer of all time Mr Pat Corrigan.

“Pat hailed from Hollywood, County Wicklow, and later moved to the Curragh of Kildare.

“The first sheep shearing competition ever held in Ireland was in Hollywood 1952 which Pat competed in. The First All Ireland Sheep Shearing Competition was held in the Curragh in 1953, Pat never missed an All Ireland for 70 years.

“For generations, the Corrigan family has been prominent name within the sheep shearing community. Pat had the privilege of winning 11 All Ireland’s for both blades and machine, he was the only man in Ireland to take top honours in both categories. Pat competed for Ireland on many occasions, his skill and craftsmanship is known World wide.

“Furthermore he was the first man to receive a Masterblade Award throughout the Six Nations.

“Following on in his footsteps his three sons Andrew, Paddy and David also won All Irelands. His grandson Patrick continues this legacy today, making his grandfather very proud when he won his first All Ireland in Clonmany in 2023 and represented Ireland this year at the World Sheep Shearing Championships in New Zealand.

“In addition to his passion for sheep shearing he also excelled in breading top quality Cheviot rams and enjoyed attending sheep dog trials all over the world.

“We were privileged to have Pat as our President, a true gentleman.”