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Introduction
Patrick Joseph (‘Paddy’) Duffy (April 15, 1921 – October 18, 1987), Olympian and fencing master (maitre d’armes).

Duffy began his fencing career competitively in 1946. He participated and presented Ireland at the London (1948) and Helsinki (1952) Olympics. He earned Irish fencing titles in the sabre, épée, as well as all-weapons during 1947-1952.

Even though Duffy won a number of titles and took part in many masters world championships, he was mostly remembered as a teachers to others. He was known as ‘Professor’ Duffy and coached many of Ireland’s outstanding fencers. He ran a successful salle d’armes founded in 1952 with his wife, Olympian Shirley Duffy (née Armstrong).

He was heavily involved in fencing clubs such as University College Dublin and Trinity College Dublin. During his time in Trinity College Dublin (1952- 1987),he helped build the TCD fencing club as one of the recognised and dominated inter-varsity fencing in Ireland for many years, until now. It has become one of the leading clubs in the country.

Family Life
Patrick Joseph (‘Paddy’) Duffy was born on 15 April 1921 at the Rotunda Hospital, Dublin. He was born in a large family to James Duffy, labourer, and Kathleen (‘Kate’) Duffy (née McCarney). He lived with his family in 5 Commons St., Dublin.

Duffy married Olympian Shirley Duffy (née Armstrong), who is a nine-times Irish fencing champion. She was one of the two women selected for Ireland to compete in the Olympic Games in Rome in 1960.

Duffy founded The Irish Academy of Arms in 1952. The Academy was founded to facilitate the regulation and training of fencing masters and coaches at all levels. The Irish Academy of Arms is associated to the International Academy of Arms, which acknowledges and accredits the Diplomas of the Irish Academy. Duffy along with his wife Shirley Duffy ran successful Salle d’Armes located in Salle d’Armes, 32 St. John’s Road, Sandymount, Dublin 4, for many years.

Furthermore, Duffy has a brother, Vincent Duffy, who was an Irish Foil Champion in 1961 and an acclaimed sabre exponent in the 1960s. Vincent Duffy actively participated in the National Championships in held in the Gymnasium in Trinity College, Dublin in 1966 and 1967.