The first time Tadhg Mac Pháidín flitted into my life, like a butterfly on a sunbeam, in a dusty school corridor in 1972 left me with my first taste of union politics. Before he disappeared back into the ether he had managed to persuade me to become the union Rep, charged with collecting the quarterly sub from the other members of staff and being their representative. 

Thereafter, I occasionally met Tadhg at branch meetings, or listened to him reporting on the activities of the Benefits Fund Committee or saw him on my occasional foray into the Teachers’ Club in Parnell Square.

Tadhg was born in Annagry parish in North-West Donegal and entered St Patrick’s College, Drumcondra at the age of 17. From there Tadhg made his way to Edmondstown in Rathfarnham and from there he progressed to Ballyroan BNS and then to Scoil Mhuire up the road. So Tadhg spent his teaching life in the middle of the South County Dublin Branch of INTO. 

Tadhg was instrumental in establishing the Benefit Funds Committee, so he immersed himself in helping members who had personal or financial needs to be overcome. In that regard he put many members in touch with Comhar Linn who came on board and organised tailored loans and repayment schemes to help members overcome financial difficulties.

When Tadhg began to frequent the Club, with which he is now synonymous, he worked with several other volunteers to improve the club’s premises and facilities. From 1986 Tadhg became the effective manager and CEO of the Club. He drove major renovations and agreed a funding package with the INTO through Michael Moroney, INTO Treasurer, to set the club on a firm financial footing.

The Teachers’ Club is now a finely renovated Georgian building that we can all be proud of. Tadhg Has put 40 years of work into the Club. The wealth of talent and personalities is clearly evident in the performances at our miscellanies, and at the many other plays and musicals that are performed in the Club.

I am indebted to Noel Ward, who published an article on Tadhg in the current issue of Intouch for much of the material in this article. I think it is only fitting that in this the Centenary Year of the Club, that we pay tribute to Tadhg Mc Pháidín, who is the public face of the Club. No matter what badge you happen to be wearing, whether INTO, Comhar Linn, RTAI, TGS or Bridge, Tadhg is there to help organise a meeting, proffer advice or arrange eats and beverages. We all owe Tadhg a huge debt of gratitude. Thank you Tadhg for just being you and we wish you many more years of health and happiness.