We sadly announce the death in Tallaght, Dublin of Philip Hogarty, Chairperson of the Irish Chess Union on the 1st January 2008. A very active chess player in Dublin where he played at the Rathmines Club, he was also a participant in the Limerick Chess Open held in October and played for Ennis A in the Munster Chess League match against Limerick A on December 2nd 2007 at Ennis. He will be sadly missed by the chess fraternity.
For further news see also Rathmines Club report at Rathmines Chess Club
Funeral Arrangements
The funeral service for Philip Hogarty was held at St. Thomas' Church, Kitalown Way, Jobstown, Tallaght, on Saturday, 5thJan 2008, at 11 am. The church was packed with mourners, mainly family and friends, but also many chess players from all around Ireland who knew and respected Philip, not only for his tireless efforts to popularise the game, but also as a personal friend. The cortege then proceeded to the Crematorium and cemetry at Newland's Cross, Ballymount Road.
A Tribute from a friend
Philip Hogarty's tragic death on the 1st of January 2008 was a very sad loss. I was a good friend with Phil and we shared many happy memories.
Phil was easily one of the best people I ever met. I would not say this unless I genuinely believed it. Of all the people I have met and encountered in the chess world, Phil would easily sit atop the list of people I most respected and admired.
His genuine willingness to try to improve chess in Ireland was unprecedented. It is such a pity that his second term as ICU Chairperson was cut so short. We had many discussions about chess, things ranging from the rating system, to junior chess, to the Irish Championships. He definitely had a head on his shoulders and I could see the Irish chess scene booming under his guidance. Many of you may know me as the Limerick Open organiser for the past three years. Every year Phil came and helped us out. We discussed how to make the tournament better, how to attract more players, and how to improve the overall tournament. I think a lot of credit is due to Phil for the help he gave us. He didn't have any personal gain from it; he just genuinely wanted to help create a great tournament. He was completely selfless and this is something I admired greatly. We both shared the ambition to create a great tournament, and I hope someday, that the tournament will live up to his and my expectations. I think the following anecdote definitely demonstrates many of the great traits that Phil had. It was the second day of the Limerick Open 2007 and Phil was in the middle of his third round game. Phil came up to me and said that he was still to pay his entry fee. Whenever we talked about the tournament and how it could be improved, the key to improving the tournament was invariably the same, money. Phil handed me €100 as his entry fee. I went to give him change and he refused to take it. "Keep it," he said, "I want to support ye". After coming from Dublin to play in the tournament, showing up a day early to help us organise, paying his own entry fee, securing funds from the ICU to give us, putting his own time and energy into helping us with no possible reward for himself, he then went even further to give us money out of his own pocket to help run a great tournament. If this is not the epitome of a good person, friend, supporter, and chairperson, I don't know what is.
I would also like to take this opportunity to say that we will be running the Limerick Open as a memorial to Phil. It is hardly a consolation given what's happened, but I feel it is the least we can do.
These 500 odd words can come nowhere near to fully justifying the great person that Philip Hogarty was. All that I have left to say is that my condolences go to Phil's family and loved ones, and I hope that his parents know that they raised one of the most outstanding people I have ever met in my life. This if for you Phil, we love you and you will never be forgotten.
Rest In Peace
Philip Hogarty
Thank You.
Jamie Flynn.
More information available on ChessBase.com.