Paddy Dooley was born on the17th March 1930 in Headford, Co. Galway. He was educated at St. Mary's and with the Jesuits in Galway and at the age of 12 went away to the Salicians at Pallis Kenry to prepare to study for the priesthood.

However, that way of life was not to be. When he was 16 years old Paddy became very interested in the "Fit-Ups", the travelling shows that went from town to town around Ireland in those days and he ran away from home and joined a touring show. His parents were not too happy with this and they brought him home.

By now, however, Paddy had decided that was the life he wanted to follow and even though he worked in a bar in Tourmakeady, Co. Mayo, for 10 shillings a week, sometimes working from 9.00 a.m. until 2.00 a.m. the following morning, Paddy was still thinking of becoming involved in show business.

Paddy decided to form a drama group in Headford and the first play was "The Righteous are Bold" - a very controversial play at that time. He ran into some problems during rehearsals when your leading lady Mary Lowry refused to spit on the statue and break it. The Parish Priest came to his assistance and came to a rehearsal and told Mary that the statue was only made of chalk and was not blessed and in fact he demonstrated how it should be done!. Well, that play was a great success and the group went on in later years to become All Ireland winners and are recognised as one of the leading drama groups in the country.

Paddy joined a company called the Tara Players run by John Cowley and Annie Dalton who later became household names when they starred in the long running television serial on R.T.E."The Riordans".

In those days the touring companies did not always enjoy the luxury of a public address system for advertising their shows and sometimes it became Paddy´s job to use the globe of an oil lamp as a loudspeaker and to go around the pubs in the various towns and villages where he was appearing and announce the show which often had hilarious results!

Around this time Paddy married a young English actress, Liz Luling and moved to England. During this time he was auditioned by John Guilgood at Sheppard's Bush. The audition went very well and Sir John promised him the first opening for an Irish part.

However he decided not to remain in England and returned to Ireland with Liz where Paddy started his own touring company "The Starlight Players". They had two daughters Miranda and Debbie, they toured all over the country and they were very good days. Sadly, Liz died and the children moved back to England to Liz´s parents to be educated.

Later on Paddy met Rachael Glynn and married her. They toured around Ireland.

By the late 60's Paddy and Rachel have four children (Lorna, Sylvia, Nicola and Adrian) and Rachel is keen to settle somewhere so they can be educated. Television had taken its toll on the size of the audiences and they decided to settle in Portmarnock, Co. Dublin. Firstly in Rose Cottage Caravan site run by Phylliss Duffy and later on in the house "Tara" in Carrickhill road.

Paddy is still very active in the theatre doing MC and acting now and then. He runs the "Old Folks Comittee" and is always busy organising outings and concerts.

Also the last twelve years Paddy and Rachael organised the Fit-Up Reunion Dance bringing all the show people of Ireland and England together who were and still are involved in show business.

"Farewell to the Fit-ups" – his CD produced by his daughter Lorna – is just released. A selection of 12 beautiful monologues – most of them never before recorded! A tribute to days gone by but with the timeless emotions of sadness, happiness, humour, comedy and tragedy. To order it just call Paddy (+353 (01) 8463774) or send a mail.

Paddy is currently writing a book about the fit-ups!