'He exuded love and was an inspiration to all who participate in sport': Special Olympian Pat Dorgan passes away

One of Cork’s greatest Olympian heroes, who passed away on Thursday, has been described as a wonderful Corkman who exuded love and inspired all who participated in sports.

Pat Dorgan, who won gold, silver and bronze medals in the Special Olympics, as well as several provincial and national medals in table tennis, passed away peacefully at his family home on Redemption Road on Thursday, surrounded by members of his loving family.

Mr Dorgan was 59.

Mr Dorgan, who had Down Syndrome, became one of Ireland’s star performers in the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Shanghai, winning bronze in the mixed doubles and another bronze in the singles competition.

Mr Dorgan went on to become the public face of a 2009 fundraising campaign by Special Olympics Ireland, and he was part of an awareness campaign to increase participation in sport by people with an intellectual disability.

In the 2014 Special Olympics European games in Belgium, he won gold in the singles and silver in the doubles.

In a social media post, one of Mr Dorgan’s brothers, poet and author Theo Dorgan, wrote: “Special Olympian, a very special man, our dearly beloved brother Pat has died.

“He brought us to our best selves, he taught us to love with open, fearless, hearts. He was the best of men.

“Pleidhce den scoth, meidhreach, tuisceanach, díograiseach agus geanúil.”

Tánaiste Micheál Martin said the Olympian had brought joy and inspiration to all who knew him.

“I want to pay the warmest of tributes to a wonderful Corkman who did so much for sport and did so much for Special Olympics down through the decades,” Mr Martin told The Echo.

“I would have met Pat and his family on different occasions down through the years and I know the Dorgan family well.

“The sentiments articulated by his family reflect the enormous impact that Pat had on them, on his community, and upon the wider city of Cork.

“He exuded love and was an inspiration to all who participate in sport,” the Tánaiste said.

Theo and Pat Dorgan. Picture courtesy of Theo Dorgan

The Lord Mayor of Cork, councillor Dan Boyle, said it had been an honour to know Mr Dorgan.

“Pat Dorgan was a special person in a unique Cork family,” Mr Boyle said.

“He took part in many civic occasions, usually associated with Special Olympics, where he would light up the room with his good humour and positive attitude to life.

“His family will miss him most, but as a city we should be glad he lived among us.”

In April 2009, Mr Dorgan, one of a respected Cork family of 16, was named Cork person of the month.

“I’m very happy to get this award,” Mr Dorgan said.

“I’m proud of myself for winning my medals in Shanghai and proud of Special Olympics. Thank you very much.”

Mr Dorgan’s funeral Mass will be celebrated at the North Cathedral at 10am on Saturday, a day before what would have been his 60th birthday.

Click here to read article