A Social and Sustainable Funeral Cortege

Last Cycle

Shortly before his death in April 2021, the Irish documentary filmmaker and cycling advocate, Paddy Cahill, requested that his coffin be cycled from Dublin city centre to the cemetery.

This recording of that four-mile funeral journey was created by friends of his to share with those who could not attend.

It follows the route taken by the specially made bicycle-drawn hearse, which friends and family were able to cycle alongside. At a time when attendance at funeral ceremonies was limited, everyone could grieve and sympathise together while cycling through neighbourhoods and places of significance to Paddy during his life.

Several events have taken place since then to celebrate Paddy’s life and work, but this film has never been shown in public. Paddy’s family has chosen to permit its inclusion in the programme of this unique event because we believe he would like people to reflect on how they get around for all of life’s journeys, including their last.