n ill . 1 - Comhaltas Archive

The passing of Paddy Fallon at his
home in Castleknock, County Dublin,
March 18 removes from among us a
truly colourful entertainer and
immensely popular Fear An Tf, a
legendary character who brought joy
and happiness to many an Irish heart
especially those in exile over his many
years on the concert stage.
Paddy was born in Corrigeenroe near
Boyle. County Roscommon more
than 80 years ago. He was the oldest
of five children, two boys and three
girls. His father had a small farm and a
blacksmith's forge. He attended the
local school and left after his primary
certificate. In a joking way, he often
referred to his youth as a time of
great uncertainty. He remembered
the lines from the late John Cowley's
verse, which go as follows:
"My school days were full of
confusion,
I wasn't bright, I'll tell you the truth.
My parents came to the conclusion,
That I wasn't fit for Maynooth.
Too tall for a dwarf in a circus,
Still I hadn't the height for the
guards,
An in-between ignorant gasun
ill-designed for financial reward.
It was here near the plains of Boyle
that Paddy grew up and became of
age. He joined the Irish Army around
1941 and served there till 1946.
During his service in the Army he
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