Paddy Hurley RIP.
The death has occurred on the 15th May 2015 at his daughter's residence of Paddy Hurley Glandore and Drinagh, one of nature’s gentlemen and a highly respected and lifelong member of Skibbereen RFC.  Paddy as he was known to young and old was also the joint Patron of the club, an honour he shared with Sir Anthony J.O’Reilly over many years. Paddy is survived by his three daughters Mary, Helen, and Sinead and sons-in law Martin and Dave, grandchildren Richard and Aisling, his brother John as well as nieces and nephews, neighbours and many friends.

When word came through of Paddy’s passing there was genuine sorry within the West Cork community and indeed beyond - a true reflection of the esteem Paddy was held by so many people. But indeed not so surprising given his personal involvement with so many organisation over the years. From farming to sporting and commercial to social – he always gave willingly of his time and energy and never refused a request to help. In more recent times and as the years advanced he concentrated his involvement to the local Lions Club, of which he was a founder member and Skibbereen Rugby Club of which he was also a founding father, and it’s true to say that the membership and successes of both organisations owes much  to his patronage.

At his funeral mass in Glandore, Kilfachtnabeg Church was filled to overflowing as friends and neighbours came to pay their last respects to a very special person - one who touched the lives of so many during his lifetime. At the end of mass his close friend and fellow rugby enthusiast Charlie McCarthy gave a moving and at times humorous eulogy of Paddy the person and the sportsman and was  warmly received by all present. Later his coffin was shouldered from the Church by relays of family and friends through a guard of honour of Lions Club and Rugby Club members to the awaiting hearse for Paddy’s final journey to the Island Crematorium in Ringaskiddy.

A specially convened meeting of Skibbereen Rugby Club was called by the Chairman Bertie Hourihane and held in the West Cork Hotel later the same afternoon. The Chairman having outlined the purpose of the meeting then called on the president John Field to propose a motion of sympathy to the family of the late Paddy Hurley. In his address John spoke of Paddy’s long association with the club, never shrinking in his commitment to the betterment of the Club and leading by example at all times, exemplified by his willingness to assume every officership in the Club over the years and culminating in his final role as joint Patron of the Club with Sir A.J.F. O’Reilly. John went on to refer to that special quality that Paddy had that endeared him to everyone young and old in the Club and again highlighted his contribution as administrator, player and as a friend as being immense. John complimented the Club members for turning up in such large numbers at the removal and again at the Funeral Mass - a true testament of the genuine warmth and respect for the great Clubman that he was. We are all the better for having known him. Alan Dodd seconded the motion of sympathy and the meeting ended.

Charlie McCarthy's tribute to Paddy Hurley at his final Mass in Kilfachtnabeg Church Glandore

I have known Paddy Hurley almost all my life.

I attended the first rugby game of the reformed Skibbereen RFC played in the marsh in the town in the 1950’s. Paddy was over 6ft and had a towering presence, as he had all his life in sport & business.

Paddy came from a well known farming and business family at Stags View in Castlehaven. He went to boarding school in Blackrock and he is the last surviving member of the team that won the Leinster Senior Cup during his years in the college, as prestigious a competition then as it is today.

He was one of the first foreign exchange students through the IFA scheme and spent a number of months visiting farms in the United States and returned with many new farming methods.

He met and married Sheila and moved to Drinagh where he made many new friends. They had 3 daughters, Mary, Helen & Sinead and he was justifiably proud of them and of his grandchildren.

I first got to know Paddy through the Rugby Club. He held every office in the club, as Captain, Chairman, President and he is joint life patron with Tony O’Reilly.

Paddy was a fine 2^nd row and also a gentle person. His great friend and 2^nd row partner the late Denis Calnan always maintained that Paddy had to receive what today would be called ‘an incentive’ to rouse him into greater activity. This incentive was then known as a punch or a boot.

If the opponents on the day did not do this, Denis’s task was to administer the incentive without paddy’s knowledge. This in most all games ensured a successful result.

He had a huge influence in the rugby club and took a great interest in all sections especially at under age level.

Through good and bad times he was a tower of strength and support and in my opinion  the successful survival of Skibbereen Rugby Club owes much to the work of Paddy Hurley and a few more like him.

He took a great interest in supporting Munster and travelled to all the matches with his great friends the Maloney’s the Coughlan’s and Lar Casey.

Looking down from above yesterday I am sure he was very pleased with all the tries scored and possibly a bit critical of the slack defence at times.

It was very appropriate and poignant to see the Munster flag flying at half mast outsides Casey’s bar.

He was a founder member and President of The Lions Club and took a great pride in their many successful projects especially fundraising for many deserving charities.Through the efforts of Paddy and others, it is now a very successful community base organisation.

He had a wide circle of friends and displayed a great zest for life and he was great company and a very wise counsellor which I experienced many times when I sought his advice.

When he retired from a very successful farming and business career he moved to Glandore permanently.

I would say that Glandore became the place closest to his heart and he made many new friends here and had a great love of all water sports especially sailing.

Every one that met Paddy came away feeling the better for it and in good form. Talking to some of his friends over the past few days, we all agreed we never heard him speak badly of anyone, That in short was Paddy Hurley a true gentleman and a good friend.

Ar dheis dei

Some photographic memories of Paddy from his early involvement with the Club in the 1950's to the present day.