Patrick Byrne (Dandy Pat) was a councillor for Vauxhall Ward from 1884 until his untimely death in 1890. As a member of the council, he always advocated what he considered to be in the interest of the working people of the city.
People he was in the habit of befriending, especially in times of scarcity from want of work, and during severe winters.
From the Liverpool Review - Saturday, May 25th 1890:
The Remarkable Gratitude of Liverpool Labourers:
The Patrick Byrne Memorial Fund promises to be one of the most
truly popular of anything of the kind ever to be promoted in the
city. At the inaugural meeting, a sum of £50 was subscribed
in the room among a score of people.
At the first committee meeting, held on Tuesday evening last, the secretary of the Scavengers Union (Refuse Collectors) stated that the scavengers of Liverpool, as a mark of gratitude of the late Mr. Byrne, were desirous to subscribe each of them, three pence a week for four weeks towards the fund.
The hon. treasurer of the Dock Labours Union also informed the meeting that the various branches of the Union are to be called together to consider the best mode of supporting the memorial.
After much discussion and deliberation by the memorial committee it was proposed that the memorial should take the form of a water fountain. It was also proposed that it should be erected in Scotland Place, opposite Mr. Byrne's "Morning Star Hotel".
from
Ireland's Own- January 23rd 1998:
"Dandy Pat, Wexford's Champion of Liverpool's
Poor."
This prompted a group of local people to form the Dandy Pat Memorial Project. During the late 1970's the fountain was moved from Scotland Place for road widening. In time the fountain disappeared but the remains of the fountain were found by members of the present memorial committee. Many prominent people down the years have kept the memory of Patrick Byrne alive, none more so than Eric Heffer MP, and Bob Parry MP
For further information contact the Dandy Pat Memorial Committee.
Chairman: Bernard Morgan
Treasurer: Joe O'Grady
Secretary: Mike Kelly
If you would like to make a donation to the memorial fund please contact:
Scottie Press
Vauxhall Neighbourhood Council
Silvester Street
Liverpool L5 8SE
0151 298 1544
or
Mike Kelly on:
0151 476 1893
Link to Irish Websites:
http://www.wexfordweb.com/irish.htm
Irish Family History Foundation:
Irish Roots