President pays tribute to Pat Ingoldsby

Tributes have poured in following the death of Pat Ingoldsby, the renowned Irish poet and television presenter. Ingoldsby, who gained popularity in the 1980s with his RTÉ shows Pat’s Hat, Pat’s Chat, and Pat’s Pals, passed away on 1 March 2025.

He died peacefully at Clontarf Private Nursing Home, surrounded by his family and under the care of the nursing staff.

President Michael D. Higgins paid tribute to the late poet and broadcaster in a statement that read:

"Ignoring the advice of his poem 'A Message for When I'm Gone', I think it is important to recognise Pat Ingoldsby on behalf of the generations of children and adults too who benefited from the incredibly wide ways that Pat introduced them to poetry, verse and humour.

"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.

"May I express my sympathies to Pat's family, friends and all those who so enjoyed his work."

David O'Doherty also spoke about Ingoldsby's passing, honouring his memory on X: "I loved Pat Ingoldsby. I loved when I saw him selling his poetry on the street. Every chat felt like a gift. Every poem is one. RIP Pat".

I loved Pat Ingoldsby. I loved when I saw him selling his poetry on the street. Every chat felt like a gift. Every poem is one. RIP Pat pic.twitter.com/HRXIbT6UMG

— David O'Doherty (@phlaimeaux) March 2, 2025

Historian and host of the podcast Three Castles Burning, Donal Fallon posted one of Ingoldsby's poems 'Dubh Linn' in tribute.

Pat Ingoldsby, 1999.

(Thanks to @Arrivalists_ for posting Pat on the timeline over many years.) pic.twitter.com/anb9DZR2Np

— Donal Fallon (@fallon_donal) March 1, 2025

Whipping Boy guitarist Paul Page called Ingoldsby an "incredible writer" and "the very best of us".

RIP Pat Ingoldsby.

An incredible writer. The very best of us. pic.twitter.com/9TgxAca9im

— Paul Page (@pagep195) March 1, 2025

RTÉ also posted a reel to X where locals remembered Ingoldsby as a "lovely man" and a "proud "Dubliner.

People have been paying tribute to poet and broadcaster Pat Ingoldsby who has died at the age of 82. He presented children’s TV shows, wrote plays for the stage and for radio and published books of short stories and poetry | Read more: https://t.co/P8Cx9f5Mwr pic.twitter.com/fqFx0wg74m

— RTÉ News (@rtenews) March 1, 2025

Paul Ingoldsby was 82 years old.