Meelick's Patrick in vintage form at Tullamore Show

PATRICK O'Brien came from Meelick to exhibit at the Tullamore Show with his two best friends, dogs Tom and Ned.

After mounting the pets on his vintage bike, Patrick explained: “He's Tom because Tom Mahon my father-in-law had a great head of hair. And this one is named Ned, that's my father's name, and my father had no hair. So I called them Tom and Ned.”

A native of Dunkerrin, Patrick has been living in Meelick since 1980 and he comes to the vintage section of the Tullamore Show every year with some of his old bikes.

He has a postman's bike which he estimates dates from about 1955 and a tandem bike of uncertain vintage.

“They started making them in 1899 so it could be 100 years old.”

Back at home he has a 101-year-old butcher's bike. “I'll bring it next year in the parade in Birr [Vintage Week].”

The 70-year-old is a former employee of the meat factory in Roscrea and he says maintaining old bikes is a great hobby.

“I like it. Something to do, madness. You have to have an interest in something.”

Patrick is also known as the man who formerly had 'Rod the Singing Dog'. Unfortunately Rod passed away a couple of years ago after more than a decade exercising his vocal chords.

“When you'd tell him to sing he'd start barking,” said Patrick.