Posthumous Award for the late Michael Fitzpatrick at Kildare Awards. Former TD was "adopted son and servant of Co Kildare"

The late Michael Fitzpatrick celebrating his election to Dáil Éireann in 2007 with left, former Cllr Eugene Doyle and Michael's son, Cllr Daragh Fitzpatrick.

Michael Fitzpatrick’s life was defined through his unwavering commitment to his immediate community and the wider constituency. Michael represented and advocated for the people of Kildare North throughout his adult life and while always loyal to the Fianna Fáil party, rivalries held no interest for him - he was in politics to serve his community first and last. Next Friday, the late Michael will be honoured with a posthumous award at the REHAB Kildare People of the Year Awards, to be hosted at the Keadeen Hotel, Newbridge.

"The fondness Michael is held within communities across North Kildare is incredible, especially in the parishes of Allen, Allenwood, Donadea, Prosperous and beyond" said Matt Browne, MC and Awards Co-ordinator. Supreme athlete and paralympian Pa Monahan will also recieve an award - the Inspirational Award 2016. Only yesterday, the Caragh man won yet another event when he was first home in the wheelchair marathon in Dublin. Nine other groups and invidiuals will compete for the overall title last won by Dave Maher of the Bellyard, Monasterevin in 2014.

The late Michael Fitzpatrick was first elected to Dáil Éireann in 2007, having served on Kildare County Council from 1999 and as Mayor of Kildare in 2003 and 2004. A former Garda and Auctioneer, Michael was for many years the Constituency Manager in Kildare for former Minister for Finance and EU Commissioner, Charlie McCreevy.

Robertstown Regeneration

A native of Maudabawn, Coothill, Co Cavan, Michael was first stationed as a Garda in Robertstown where he kick-started his community work, setting up Robertstown Muintir na Tíre with Fr Tommy O’Reilly and the late Fr PJ Murphy. This was to see the rural regeneration of Robertstown bringing a new life to the village with Canal Festivals, new waterway traffic, CIE Tours or Georgian Candlelight Banquets in the restored Canal Hotel with a formidable voluntary workforce probably unrivalled in the county.

The late Michael and Maureen on their wedding day in 1966.

Match made in Heaven

Here too Michael met his wife Maureen, who worked at the ESB Power Station, and was Secretary of Muintir na Tíre. It was in a political environment that they met – the polling booth at the Old School House in Kilmeague - Michael the new Guard on duty and Maureen working as Poll Clerk. Their wedding in 1966 captured the spirit of the Robertstown tourism project, with horse drawn carriage, barge trip up the canal, banquet in the Old Canal Hotel - an elegant occasion generating huge publicity.

Tullow followed in 1968, as marrying a local brought compulsory transfer for a Garda, in early 1972, Michael resigned from a Garda Siochana returning with Maureen and his young son Daragh to Robertstown, his adopted county to continue his involvement in the tourism project.

The late Michael's election campaign was launched in Naas by Micheál Martin, TD now the party leader of Fianna Fáil. Also in the photograph is Anthoney Creevey and the late Willie Callaghan, former County Councillor and Grand Marshall of Naas Easter Parade.

Political entry

Combined with his Auctioneering business, his involvement in local politics commenced, under the direction of Charlie Weld, Paddy Power and Charlie McCreevy. Beginning at Cumann level, Clane and Kildare Comhairle Ceantairs, Director of Elections (Local, National, County and European Elections in Leinster), and finally, the National Executive in 1991. Politics became his career in 1992 when Charlie McCreevy, as Minister, Social Welfare, Tourism & Trade, and Finance through three successive Governments, appointed Michael Constituency Advisor.

A measure of the man was in the aftermath of the fall of Fianna Fáil government in 1994, and as Charlie was no longer a minister, his staff were no longer in employment. Michael continued to work every day for over 2 years in a voluntarily capacity dealing with the concerns of the people of Kildare.

Presentation from Donadea for all Michael's work from the late Paddy Power, former councillor, TD and Minister.

Elected to KCC

In June 1999, Michael won a seat convincingly on Kildare County Council (KCC) and served as Mayor of Kildare in 2003/2004 and was proud to declare himself a true Kildare man. He set himself a simple mission statement ‘to make Kildare the first choice as a place to live, work visit and do business in.’

In October 2004, following Charlie McCreevy appointment as EU Commissioner, Michael failed to secure the nomination at convention for the by-election. In 2007, he was one of the selected candidates for Kildare North, the only constituency in the country without a Fianna Fáil TD. Michael’s call for support for Fianna Fáil in Kildare North was answered when both Áine Brady and Michael were elected.

The Fitzpatrick family with the late Willie Callaghan on Michael's first day in Dáil Éireann.

Dáil Eireann

On the 14th June, 2007 he took his seat in the 30th Dáil, and saw it as not merely the pinnacle of his political career, but an absolute honour bestowed upon him by the constituents of Kildare North. It also ensured those constituents of a continuation of representation at the highest level.

Motor Neurone Diagnosis

Michael biggest challenge in life came in Feb 2010 when he was diagnosed with Motor Neurone disease, he continued to work tirelessly during this critical period with a 90 per cent attendance record in Dáil Éireann. Professor Orla Hardiman recalls in Michael’s memoirs his stoicism which was inspirational, and despite his progressing illness, he contested the 2011 General Election. His seat was one of the casualties of seismic shift in public opinion against Fianna Fáil.

His acceptance of the will of his constituents was in accordance with his life as a public figure. In an interview with the Irish Times, he stated “I know this condition is incurable and terminal, but I think all the time of living, not dying…. I am not scared of death “per se”; I am a practising Catholic and my faith is what is keeping me going as well as everything else”

Friends and family after a fundraising even in aid of Motor Neurone supports and research.

Tireless worker to the end

His unfinished memoirs were completed by his family with contributions from his friends and colleague with proceeds donated to Motor Neurone Research. In his final year, Michael focused on creating an awareness of the disease and initiated with his family/friends many funding raising events.

Michael has left behind him a legacy of immense achievements across Kildare, having being involved and central to countless number of projects primarily ensuring the provision of essential public services. There were a number of important projects which had a key involvement with and he ensured they were brought to fruition.

The late Michael laying a wreath at the 911Memorial with Sean Tallons family at Donadea

Michael’s involvement in Donadea Forest Park, a local and national resource and his role as Chairman of Donadea 911 Memorial committee, which honoured the victims of the New York Twin Towers, including young Donadea firefighter Sean Tallon, who had a special place in his heart. Michael visited the Twin Towers site, New York Fire and Police Department, and visited the home of Sean Tallon.

The Michael Fitzpatrick Enterprise Centre

In early 1990’s after the closure of ESB Power Station Allenwood, the biggest employer in the area for 40 years, Michael turned his efforts to develop a Community and Development Centre for the area. He succeeded in this objective and the Michael Fitzpatrick Enterprise Centre (renamed in his honour in December 2012) continues to generate employment and enterprise and contribute to the local quality of life.

Lifelong Learning

Michael had great belief in lifelong learning and served on numerous School Boards of Management in Co Kildare. His real interest was to ensure that the youth of Kildare had a first class educational service as evidenced by the quality of education provided throughout Kildare.

Michael was an Ambassador of Irish Racing in Dáil Éireann, working tirelessly to secure and maintain funding for the industry. In recognising the contribution Punchestown made to the local economy and community, his dedication to the racecourse went beyond just racing.

With Maureen and his extended Cavan family

Family Man

Michael was a great family man and was extremely proud of his immediate and extended family. Maureen was his rock and he proved to be a wonderful Dad and mentor to Daragh.

The late Michael Fitzpatrick: Cavan man, adopted Kildare man; family man, community man.

A man of the people, he won the hearts – and confidence - of the people of Kildare.

Fondly written by Michael’s wife, Maureen and close friend, Johnny O’Callaghan.

Featured image of the late Michael with friend and former FF TD, Minister and

EU Commissioner, Charlie McCreevey.