Patsy Dan Rodgers (Patsaí Dan Mag Ruaidhrí) was a painter, musician, and the King of Tory from the 1990s until his death in 2018.
Biography
Rodgers was born in 1944 on Westland Row, Dublin.[1][2] His family adopted him and took him to Tory when he was about four years of age.[1][2][3] His paintings have been exhibited worldwide.[1][2] As a youth Derek Hill had personally inspired him to paint during Hill's visits to Tory, and he was also devoted to music and his native language.[1][2][3] The musical instrument with which he was most associated was the button accordion.[2] He often sported a black seafarer's cap.[4]
During the 1970s and 1980s, he steadfastly opposed the relocation of Tory's inhabitants to the Irish mainland.[1] The Kingship of Tory was granted him during the 1990s when the children of his predecessor, Padraig Óg Rodgers, endorsed him for the position,[1] and for more than two decades Rodgers often personally welcomed visitors arriving in Tory[1][3] in his native tongue.[2] He also performed ambassadorial duties when abroad.[5] While visiting nearby in May 2016, Charles III expressed the wish to one day visit Tory and meet Rodgers,[6] but he never did.[7]
Rodgers resided at West Town.[4] He died on 19 October 2018[8] in the Mater Hospital in Dublin at the age of 74.[1][2] His remains were flown back to Tory, where he was buried following a funeral ceremony attended by various dignitaries from neighbouring lands.[4][9]
Rodgers was survived by his three daughters, one son, and two grandchildren.[1][4]
