Searching for Paddy, Pat, Patrick

An award-winning film maker and photographer is challenging the Paddy Irishman stereotype in his latest project.

Ross O’Callaghan is searching for men named Paddy, Pat and Patrick in Cork from all walks of life to be photographed as part the Paddy Irishman Project, a collection of portraits that capture what it’s like to be Irish and male in contemporary Ireland.

The aim is to challenge the stereotype of a so called Paddy Irishman and showcase the diversity of Ireland and the Irish male at an Exhibition of Paddy Portraits in New York on St Patrick’s Day 2022. The national callout was launched on St Patrick’s Day.

He said: “I've travelled to 100 countries in my job as a TV cameraman and I've often been called Paddy. I think a lot of Irish fellas can relate to that. I wanted to take a closer look at that because every Paddy will have a story.

“I always enjoy meeting people and hearing their stories. In fact, very early in planning the series I met a very particular Paddy - Paddy Fitzsimons, a publican and undertaker I met at a funeral in Meath.

“That idea that one man would be there for the celebrations but also see people through their saddest moments, and was still a very ordinary man, what life he had seen. That inspired me to think of what stories the Paddys of Ireland hold within themselves.

“Unfortunately, we heard Paddy passed away in December. I'm very sorry to say I didn't get the chance to photograph him.”

Ross is looking for as many men as possible to take part.

“I want to photograph Ireland's youngest oldest Paddy,” he added.

Ross, or Rosco is best known as Hector Ó hEochagáin's right-hand man behind the lens and worked with U2 in his early career.

Anyone interested in getting involved should email ross@paddyirishmanproject.com or tag @PaddyIrishManProject on Instagram.

Include a few lines of introduction with a photo or video of yourself and Ross and his team will be in touch.