Tributes paid to Cork artist Willie Harrington following death at 84 

An intervention from Padre Pio reputedly saved Harrington's fingers from amputation as a child 

The late Cork artist Willie Harrington in a photograph taken by his friend Patrick Dunne.

William 'Willie' Harrington, who has died aged 84, was a well-known character and artist around Cork city. Fiercely independent, he flirted briefly with teaching as a career, but chose instead to dedicate himself full time to his work as an artist.

Harrington was born in Coppinger’s Lane off Shandon St in 1941. His father Jack, a baker, died of TB when Harrington was four, and he contracted the disease himself around the same time.