Pat Critchley
Pat Critchley is a teacher and coach and has a rich pedigree across a range of sports in a playing and coaching facility. He was Laois's first GAA All Star having been selected on the 1985 hurling team. Author of the acclaimed Hungry Hill, he writes on a diverse selection of topics for LaoisToday. Pat's book Hungry Hill has recently been re-released and is available to buy for €10 at a selection of outlets in Portlaoise
From the Archives – Pat Critchley: Remembering the Portlaoise Fire Brigade from back in...
This piece by Pat Critchley was originally published in his book Hungry Hill and later on LaoisToday in July 2017
The members of the Fire...
From the Archives – Pat Critchley: Priceless memories from working on the bog
This Pat Critchley piece originally appeared on LaoisToday in 2017
Long before the Spanish sun holidays became the norm, we had the bog. It was...
Pat Critchley: It’s a generation thing but not all the characters are gone
This Pat Critchley column originally appeared on LaoisToday in January 2018
In my first year English classes I would show this quote: "The children now...
Pat Critchley: Remembering the Portlaoise Fire Brigade from back in the day
This Pat Critchley piece first appeared in his book 'Hungry Hill' in 2008
The members of the Fire Brigade are unsung heroes of our community.
Dad...
Pat Critchley: Paddy and the Giant and being hit by a bullock
This is an extract from Pat Critchley’s latest book Bruno – a collection of stories, yarns and poems – that is being published this week.
The Giant drank Guinness,...
Pat Critchley: The importance of humour, enthusiasm and appreciating what you have
This is an extract from Pat Critchley's latest book Bruno - a collection of stories, yarns and poems - that is being published later this...
Pat Critchley: It’s a generation thing – but not all the characters are gone
In my first year English classes I would show this quote: "The children now love luxury. They have bad manners, contempt for authority; they...
Pat Critchley: We Irish have a great tradition for funeral rituals
I recently visited Ann O’Reilly to sympathize on the death of her beloved husband Brian. I had taught their three daughters, Niamh, Siobhan and...
Pat Critchley: Remembering Paddy Sinnott – the Michael O Hehir of Laois
The debates regarding GAA games being broadcast on Sky Sports got me thinking about my childhood and the voice of Micheal O’Hehir.
Our parents told...
Pat Critchley: The three Paddies and all their stories
Paddy the Irishman, Paddy the Englishman and Paddy the Scotsman went into a pub. The barman looked up and enquired, ‘Well lads, is this...
Pat Critchley: Remembering the Portlaoise Fire Brigade from back in the day
The members of the Fire Brigade are unsung heroes of our community.
Dad and Uncle Jack, the Barbender, were in Portlaoise Fire Brigade back in...
Pat Critchley: Priceless memories from working on the bog
Long before the Spanish sun holidays became the norm, we had the bog. It was a great place to get a tan, first the...
Pat Critchley: Remembering Kettle Flynn, Madness Maher and some great Portlaoise fund-raisers
Clubs and organisations are constantly fund-raising to keep themselves above water. The best fund-raisers are those which entertain as well as raise money.
Long before...
Pat Critchley: A tribute to Georgie Leahy, a great friend of Laois
It was with great sadness that I learned about the recent death of Georgie Leahy. Georgie ignited an explosion of interest and energy in...
Pat Critchley: Sometimes the Laois hurlers cause an upset – and that’s a really...
Laois senior hurlers play Wexford this weekend in the Leinster Championship.
One of our few championship wins over the Slaneysiders was in the Leinster semi-final...
Pat Critchley: Coaching and spectating is grand but it’s never the same as playing
Not many will know that Ireland recently won a World Basketball Championship in New Zealand. Des Fitzgerald played on the successful Irish Masters team...