WATCH: Tributes paid to talented filmmaker, who grew up in Limerick

TRIBUTES have been paid in Limerick and around the country following the sad death of a popular filmmaker, who grew up in the city.

Paddy Cahill, a passionate advocate for cycling, and film director who combined his two passions through his lifetime, died aged just 43 at the weekend after a long illness.

His funeral took place in Dublin earlier this week, with his brother Conor cycling his coffin to Glasnevin Cemetery. Dozens of other cyclists followed behind as the cortege made its way through the city.

Came across this funeral in Dublin today. Paddy Cahill was his name. He was well loved and respected by the sound of things. Bicycle-drawn hearse brings cycling advocate on his last journey
via The Irish Timeshttps://t.co/SKAVON5hrh pic.twitter.com/DmlDxYhPhi

— Ronan McGreevy (@RMcGreevy1301) April 12, 2021

Although latterly based in the capital, Paddy spent his childhood years in Clonmoney at Bunratty, before moving to Castletroy and attending Villiers secondary school.

One of his friends, Mark O’Connor, who is based in the city centre, said: “We supported each other a good bit. He worked with lots of artists, he made a music video for me and other bands. He also worked with a lot of other architecture groups. There’s a great video he made with Open House Limerick.”

“If you wanted someone to point a lens at your city, Paddy would be the one. His take on a city would be incredible. The amount of time-lapses he was able to do. The dedication to do that work. To build up the skills first and know what you are doing. It takes a special person,” Mark said.

Asked to describe Paddy, Mark said: “The words that keep coming up are funny, gentleman and original. We had a lot of banter. We would challenge each other a lot. He had this vision to live life however he wanted to live it. He lived a good life. A life well lived.”

In a tribute written for RTE, Limerick-born architectural historian Emma Gilleece wrote: “The topics of his documentaries were diverse from buildings and cycling to contemporary artists and even pigeons, but what they had in common was that they celebrated the underrated extraordinary around us.”

Paddy Cahill RIP - @Gilleeece celebrates the life and work of a singular Irish filmmaking talent: https://t.co/y27SRZsQPS

— Culture on RTÉ (@RTE_Culture) April 12, 2021

“Paddy was a true champion of the underdog, challenging our perceptions with a beautiful gentleness that yet pulsed with his passion for the endurance of these buildings and their stories,” she said.

One significant local project Paddy took part in was a three-minute video produced for Open House Limerick.

Open House Limerick - Places + Spaces from Open House Limerick on Vimeo.

Skillfully put together using timelapse, it showed the “places and spaces” of Limerick City, alongside the traffic, and people and clouds above moving around.

Between 2012 and 2014 Paddy put together almost 20 films which showed off the social side of cycling, in the hope that through his work, as he said himself: “Bike use will increase and cities will become better places to live in.”

A huge number of tributes have been paid online to Paddy. Here are some locally.

Paddy Cahill passing through the streets of Dublin in fine style, one last time. My heart goes out to Paddy's wife, his family and many, many friends. The Cahill's are the finest and warmest people you could meet. https://t.co/E2NMhq5pWO

— tararoonies (@tararoonies) April 12, 2021

A wonderful film of Limerick City by the late, much loved Paddy Cahill, who passed away this weekend. https://t.co/Wb8Oz5Y1tH

— Brian Leddin (@BrianLeddin) April 11, 2021

So sad to learn of Paddy Cahill's passing, my heart goes out to his partner and family https://t.co/tlqNJA8GRn

— MikeFitzpatrick (@MikeFitzpatric4) April 11, 2021

So sorry to hear about Paddy Cahill. I had a lovely time filming one of the "Cycling with..." series with him a few years back. They were a brilliant idea.
https://t.co/8qxhVzCP6o

— Madeleine Lyes (@cityintersect) April 11, 2021

A great tribute to local man Paddy Cahill on his final journey through his adopted city of Dublin that he did so much to preserve such as Liberty Hall. Paddy also made two films on Limerick city. Our thoughts are with his wife Jonia, his parents, siblings, colleagues and friends. https://t.co/ay0o5MZgur

— LimerickHistory (@LimerickH7H) April 14, 2021

This is lovely, from the reporter who is always on call, no matter the day or the hour https://t.co/rd5QostDQx

— Tommy Conlon (@TConlonthecouch) April 12, 2021

The Irish Film Institute in Temple Bar tweeted: “The board and staff of the Irish Film Institute are deeply saddened to learn of the death of the filmmaker Paddy Cahill. Paddy directed many fine films about the art and architecture of Dublin. We send our heartfelt condolences to Paddy’s family at this sad time.”

Paddy died peacefully, surrounded by family in the Mater Hospital.

The beloved husband of Jonia and son of Tony and Catriona, brother of Pamela and Conor, and uncle to Patrick, Kate and Conor. Also remembered and cherished by his extended family and a wide circle of friends and the film and architecture community.

His family have requested that instead of flowers, donations be made to the Back into Daylight animal sanctuary, at https://backintodaylight.com/

Paddy’s work lives on, at his Vimeo channel, which be found at: https://vimeo.com/paddycahill and on his web site at https://www.paddycahill.com/.