Pat Favley weathered booms and busts, and over his life as an entrepreneur he experienced the hunger for success, the yearning for more, the disappointment of failures, and the satisfaction of achievement. For his success, Pat also suffered great costs personally and to his family in a rags to riches story that finally led to a contented, balanced life.
Pat has lead multi-lingual, multi cultural teams into the highest, coldest, harshest, most remote and beautiful places on planet earth. Places where even a small mistake in planning, communication or teamwork and decision-making may cost the ultimate price: DEATH.
He has seen firsthand a changing planet. These changes hold frightening consequences for us as humans: the effects of global warming, climate change, population explosion and the destruction of ethnic cultures by colonizing forces.
At only seven years of age, Pat’s mentor and Grandmother Mary B. O’Callaghan set him up in his first business. Mary purchased a baby’s pram for Pat to collect second hand clothes for her to sell. Pat then turned his pram to further good use by collecting turf (a fire fuel) from a nearby coal merchant, and selling kindling from his father’s building yard to old age pensioners.
At the age of ten Pat was the wealthiest kid in his area and had a thriving business.
To relieve the stress of his dire circumstances, Pat took up hill walking and fell in love with the challenges it presented him. On only his second climb – reaching the summit of Ireland’s highest peak Corran Tuathail – he was so stimulated that he turned to a friend and (with a glint in his eye) declared he was going to climb Mt Everest.
Of course everyone thought he was crazy and just a dreamer. He would prove his critics wrong. He took the disciplines learned from his business career and adapted the skills required to succeed in his new career. He trained hard and learned all the techniques required, not only to be an efficient and competent mountaineer and adventurer but also to become a world-class expedition leader. He honed his skill by climbing with people that had a similar passion for self-sufficiency in the wilds. He perfected his technical skills in being a member of the Kerry Mountain Rescue Team for 9 years, and became involved in a number of spectacular rescues.
Testimonials:
“Ordnance Survey Ireland employed the services of Pat Falvey as an inspirational speaker at our launch of the Discovery Series maps at the Aviva Stadium on Thursday 24th June 2010. Pat addressed an audience of over 200 guests from the corporate, tourist and outdoor activity sectors. Pat spoke with great passion, energy and enthusiasm. We received very positive feedback from our guests including a general theme that they went away with a “real good feel” factor. I am very happy to recommend Pat as an inspiring and entertaining speaker.” – Geraldine Ruane, Chief Executive, Ordnance Survey Ireland
