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Pat the cope Gallagher

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  • 07-10-2004 1:41pm
    #1
    vector
    Registered Users Posts: 1,756 ✭✭✭


    Just heard his name mentioned on the news (the context is irrelevant)

    I was wondering what is with "the cope", is that a nickname, or a second name
    where did it come from?


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    #2
    aodh_rua
    Registered Users Posts: 1,242 ✭✭✭aodh_rua


    AFAIK - it's a family thing. His father was the same. It's not uncommon in Donegal where name's like Gallagher are common. I know my family were called 'the Peru' O'Donnells up in Letterkenny. Note sure where the 'Cope' comes originally though.


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    #3
    Illkillya
    Registered Users Posts: 2,372 ✭✭✭Illkillya


    The headmaster of my primary school was Paddy "The Stick" Gallagher.


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    #4
    Paddy20
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,797 ✭✭✭Paddy20


    Afaik, Pat (the cope) Gallagher T.D.'s grandfather was heavily involved in the Co-operative movement in Glentie's in Donegal.

    In Glentie's there is still a very large Co-operative retailer of all types of good's which was apparently started by Pat's grandfather along with other local's as a self help community initiative. This is also Pat's home area.

    Traditionally, in Donegal if you have a common name such as Gallagher, then a nickname would be added by local's so that people would know which Pat Gallagher you might be talking about. This nickname/addition usually stick's with the individual for life.

    In my own case, I was christened Patrick, but local's always call me Paddy, as I have a number of cousin's also called Patrick with the same surname as myself, but I got stuck with Paddy.


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