Paddy Finlay, Dublin’s St Patrick’s Day ‘vampire’, dies after short illness

The “vampire” who entertained millions of people along the route of the Dublin St Patrick’s Day parade route for almost 50 years has died.

Paddy Finlay, who was better known as Paddy Drac, passed away on Saturday afternoon in Tallaght hospital following a short illness.

Mr Finlay, who was given a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Tallaght Person of the Year Awards in 2016, had been too unwell to march in this year’s parade and his absence had been noted by many St Patrick’s Day regulars who had come into the city centre to watch the floats pass them by.

The reason for his absence became clear on Saturday when his son Graham posted news of his death on Facebook.

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Memory

"Friends of Paddy, just to let you know , Paddy lost his short battle with cancer today shortly before 1pm in Tallaght Hospital. We will all miss him, may he rest in peace with his Nan. Enjoy the memory of his stories."

His removal will be from the family home to St Dominic’s Church in Tallaght on Monday evening with a funeral Mass taking place on Tuesday followed by burial at Newlands Cross Cemetery.