The Late Pat Byrne The community of Newtown is mourning the death of Pat Byrne, who passed way on the morning of Tuesday August 30. Pat was widely known for his enduring love of gaelic games, and in his younger days, he and his cousin Jimmy Synott rode their bikes to every match Newtown played. When he married his wife May they both followed Newtown, so devoted was Pat to the team and area. May held a camera and took photographs of all the players before every match while Pat shouted from the sidelines. Every Sunday at the tea table the match was replayed with the help of the salt and pepper shakers. He came from a long line of GAA players. His father Jem and two uncles Mick and Joe all played on the same team in the late 1920s. His father also played the drum in the Newtown Band and after a stormy match in Kilcoole once had to run home! In later years Pat drove his van to every match and picked up anybody who had no transport and they sat in the back of the van in all weathers with no shelter. His little van took part as the GAA float every year in Newtown's St Patrick's Day Parade. He was as proud as punch that day driving the van through the crowded Newtown streets. Pat will be sadly missed by his daughter Betty Murray and her husband Michael, son PJ and his partner Esther and his grandchildren Jody, Michaela, Graham, Jordan, Elizabeth and Patrick. May he rest in peace. Courtesy of the Wicklow People 8th September 2005 Tweet

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