Poet and TV presenter Pat Ingoldsby dies aged 82

Poet and TV presenter Pat Ingoldsby has died aged 82.

Ingoldsby was a household name in the 1980s for his work on children's TV shows on RTÉ including Pat’s Hat, Pat’s Pals, and Pat’s Chat.

He was also widely known for his collections of poetry, which he sold on the streets of Dublin, and he wrote some episodes of the popular children's TV show Wanderly Wagon.

Ingoldsby also wrote plays for the stage and for radio, published books of short stories and wrote a newspaper column for the Evening Press in the 1990s.

He withdrew from public attention in the early 1990s to devote all of his time to writing poems and selling his books on the streets of Dublin.

He was the feature of the acclaimed 2022 documentary The Peculiar Sensation of Being Pat Ingoldsby. It included his first interview on camera since 1993.

Ingoldsby died in a nursing home in Clontarf, Co Dublin. He is survived by his siblings, Michael, Dayo, Ann and Brigid.

Paying tribute to Ingoldsby, President Michael D Higgins said: "Pat Ingoldsby's contribution was unique and particular, but incredibly inclusive. So many people will have memories of discussing his work with him on Westmoreland Street in Dublin.

"Pat is and will remain in the memory of those across all ages who enjoyed his poetry, drama and performance."

Taoiseach Micheál Martin said Ingoldsby was “beloved across generations” and would be “sorely missed.”

“Pat’s unique humour, observations on his native Dublin, and work on children’s TV enchanted young and old.

“My deepest sympathies to his family and friends.“