Philip Hogarty, Chairperson of the Irish Chess Union, died in Tallaght, Dublin, on 1 January 2008. A very active chess player in Dublin, where he played at the Rathmines Club, he had also taken part in the Limerick Open held in October 2007 and played for Ennis A in the Munster Chess League match against Limerick A on 2 December 2007 in Ennis. He was greatly missed by the chess fraternity.
A tribute from Jamie Flynn, organiser of the Limerick Open:
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. 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.
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.
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. 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, and putting his own time and energy into helping us with no possible reward for himself, he then went even further and gave us money out of his own pocket to help run a great tournament.
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 has happened, but I feel it is the least we can do.
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 is for you Phil, we love you and you will never be forgotten. Rest in peace, Philip Hogarty. — Jamie Flynn
Source: Limerick Chess Club archive.