Patsy Dan Rodgers (Patsaí Dan Mag Ruaidhrí) was a painter, musician, and the King of Tory from the 1990s until his death in 2018.
| Patsy Dan Rodgers | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| King of Tory | |||||
 Rodgers in 2004 | |||||
| Predecessor | Padraig Óg Rodgers | ||||
| Successor | Vacant | ||||
| Born | Patsaí Dan Mag Ruaidhrí 1944 Westland Row, Dublin, Ireland | ||||
| Died | 19 October 2018 (aged 73–74) Mater Hospital, Dublin, Ireland | ||||
| Wife | Caitlin | ||||
| Issue |
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| Occupation | Musician-painter-ambassador | ||||
Biography
editRodgers was born in 1944 on Westland Row, Dublin.[1][2] His family adopted him and took him to Tory when he was about four years of age.[1][2][3] His paintings have been exhibited worldwide.[1][2] As a youth Derek Hill had personally inspired him to paint during Hill's visits to Tory, and he was also devoted to music and his native language.[1][2][3] The musical instrument with which he was most associated was the button accordion.[2] He often sported a black seafarer's cap.[4]
During the 1970s and 1980s, he steadfastly opposed the relocation of Tory's inhabitants to the Irish mainland.[1] The Kingship of Tory was granted him during the 1990s when the children of his predecessor, Padraig Óg Rodgers, endorsed him for the position,[1] and for more than two decades Rodgers often personally welcomed visitors arriving in Tory[1][3] in his native tongue.[2] He also performed ambassadorial duties when abroad.[5] While visiting nearby in May 2016, Charles III expressed the wish to one day visit Tory and meet Rodgers,[6] but he never did.[7]
In 1997, Rodgers received an honorary master's degree from the University of Ulster.[1][2]
Rodgers resided at West Town.[4] He died on 19 October 2018[8] in the Mater Hospital in Dublin at the age of 74.[1][2] His remains were flown back to Tory, where he was buried following a funeral ceremony attended by various dignitaries from neighbouring lands.[4][9]
Rodgers was survived by his three daughters, one son, and two grandchildren.[1][4]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Magnier, Eileen (19 October 2018). "King of Toraigh, Patsy Dan Rodgers, dies at 74". RTÉ News. Archived from the original on 16 January 2019.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Maguire, Stephen (20 October 2018). "King of Tory Island Patsy Dan Rodgers dies aged 74". Irish Examiner. Archived from the original on 20 October 2018.
- ^ a b c "The King is dead – Patsy Dan Rodgers of Tory Island passes away". Donegal Now. 19 October 2018. Archived from the original on 5 November 2018.
- ^ a b c d Maguire, Stephen (25 October 2018). "End of a era as King of Tory Patsy Dan Rodgers is laid to rest". Donegal Daily.
- ^ "King of Tory Island dies aged 74". BBC News. 20 October 2018.
- ^ "Prince Charles: Now I want to visit Tory (and meet the King)". Donegal Daily. 26 May 2016. Archived from the original on 29 May 2016.
- ^ Wales embarked on two further summer visits to nearby territories before the King of Tory's death: these, however, were further afield than the one in 2016, involving visits to County Kildare and the nearby cities of Dublin and Kilkenny, and visits to Derrynane, Tralee, Killarney and the city of Cork. See, for example: O'Connor, Niall; Schiller, Robin (30 April 2017). "Ireland prepares for Royal visit as Prince Charles and Camilla to meet with Taoiseach". Irish Independent. on the former, and, on the latter: "Prince Charles and Camilla end Ireland visit in Kerry". BBC News. 15 June 2018.
- ^ "Patsy Dan Rodgers obituary: painter, king and Irish speaker". The Irish Times. 3 November 2018.
- ^ "The death has occurred of Patsy Dan Rodgers". RIP.ie. 23 October 2018. Archived from the original on 16 February 2019.