It deeply saddens us to report the sudden passing of our beautiful friend and clubmate, Patrick O'Brien, yesterday afternoon.
Pat was not just a talent on the bike, but an ever-giving and constantly positive presence off it. Winner of the 2014 Orwell League, a man of the Rás and a manager of the Rás, he was always ready to help out and assist, to give his time, knowledge and encouragement to others, and he will be very much missed by all of us.
Our condolences to his friends and family at this difficult time, particularly his fiancé Eileen. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.
The death has occurred of Patrick O'BRIEN
12 Slaney View Park, Enniscorthy, Wexford / Crumlin, Dublin
(Suddenly) Beloved son of Paddy and Liz, fiancee of Eileen and brother of Barry, Carol, Lisa and Miriam.
Sadly missed by his heartbroken family, extended family, relatives and friends. May he rest in peace.
Reposing at 12 Slaney View Park with Removal on Wednesday at 6.30 to St. Senan's Parish Church, Enniscorthy.
Funeral Mass on Thursday at 12 noon. Burial afterwards in St. Mary's Cemetery.
https://rip.ie/showdn.php?dn=267911/PatrickO_BRIEN/Crumlin/Dublin
I rode all morning
towards the sun
up Cruagh to the Featherbeds
past Kippure, over the Gap
towards Laragh
so little traffic,
the heather turning purple
in the autumn light,
the hill before me
like a rough beast
somewhere in the distance
is Lough Dan
below me Lough Tey,
it’s wild to have the wind
rush through me like this
as if I am a parchment
too full of illegible script
and each pedal stroke
each breath erases
all the garbled speech
and word-horde
from my body
washes it out clean
and clean out
down then fast towards Djouce,
Luggala to the East
a waterfall smoking heavenward
fantastical route, divine transport
this then is where I am
away from the city
weaving my way
through the ancient woods
where the mystic waters flow
keep on the wind cries
go deep the stones call out
even as the light changes
and the sky darkens
even as the clouds converge
and the rain threatens
the soul remains
unrepentant
keep on, it cries
and the blood from my heart
pulses through my body
ever strongly
even as time passes
ever so and when the road dips
and you find yourself on a pathway
leading somewhere
you have never been
do not be afraid
go there friend
for the road will lead you
where you need to go
and your guide will be
all the forgotten words
of childhood
all the poems and promises
of adolescence
all the letters torn together
in parting
watch them scattering in the wind
like confetti
like dust
watch them float away
like the breath which leaves me now
and which carries your name
don’t doubt it
branch and root
down to the last syllable
of your being
Paul Perry
In the Dublin Fire Brigade CC colours.
Man of the An Post Rás 2012
Winning the Slaney CC Mount Leinster Challenge KOM in 2014
Racing against Dan Martin (Garmin-Sharp) at the National Champs in Multyfarnham, 2014
Manager of the Orwell Rás Team, 2015
Before setting out on the Raid Pyrénéen in September 2015
After completing the Raid Pyrénéen with a gang of Orwell
On the morning of his passing, at the Keith Harte fundraiser in Laragh
