Paddy O’Leary has had a long and hazardous mountaineering career. Once while on an exposed Alpine ridge, he had a near-death experience when he was knocked unconscious by a lightning strike. Originally from Co. Kerry and now based in Galway, he began hillwalking when he moved to Dublin in the 1950s. He set a record for the Lug Walk, led the first Irish expeditions to the Himalayas and Peru and participated in many first ascents. An electrician by trade, he was Director of Tiglin National Adventure Centre for 20 years, co-founder of the Association for Adventure Sports and the man who introduced orienteering to Ireland.
What are you up to right now?
Just brought my dog back from the vet.
Who are your heroes?
The director of BBC who sacked Jeremy Clarkson; Nelson Mandela and Kermit.
What’s been the best decade of your life so far and why?
I’ve reached an age when I cannot remember other decades so this one is pretty good. I’m active in the mountains, I’ve got great grandchildren and I’ve written a book.
What song sends a shiver down your spine?
Ireland’s Call, I hate it.
What is your favourite place in Ireland?
Connemara and the Long Bar in Dublin’s Georges Street.
What makes you angry?
Meanness of spirit.
Paddy and friends at Lough Barra in 1960What book influenced you most?
Upon that Mountain by Eric Shipton. It inspired me to take up exploration of little-known mountains all over the globe.
What was the worst moment of your life?
When the dentist said, “It will have to come out.”
Which local star in any field should the world outside Ireland know about?
Tommy Irving the mountaineer. During his brief climbing career he did some of the hardest climbs in the Alps and set new standards in Ireland. Tommy is modest to a fault and is hardly aware of the respect he is held in by other mountaineers.
If you could change one thing in your life, what would it be?
The time I misheard an introduction to a man called Roddy. I thought it was Noddy. I asked him how Bigears was and then, too late, saw that he had enormous ears.
Can you recommend an interesting website?
Is there such a thing?
What is the best lesson life has taught you?
To be tolerant.
What is your favourite film and why?
To Kill a Mockingbird. Gregory Peck so suited the part of a quietly courageous lawyer that he comes to mind when moral courage is called for.
What do you believe in?
The existence of infinite possibilities.
What trait do others criticise you for?
That I talk too much, but as my friends are elderly I can keep on telling them stories that they have forgotten.
What are the best and worst things about where you live?
The worst thing is the Galway traffic; the best is its location between the Burren and Connemara, two of my favourite places.
Who is the love of your life?
Miss Crowley, my teacher in infants class. She smelled lovely.
What do you consider the greatest work of art?
The windows of Chartes cathedral. Those who have seen these will hardly need an explanation of my choice.
What is your ultimate guilty pleasure?
Pecan pie and cream.
On what occasion is it OK to lie?
When you are asked who was the love of your life.
Paddy O’Leary is the author of The Way That We Climbed- A History of Irish Hillwalking, Climbing and Mountaineering, published by The Collins Press, price €19.99/£17.99.
