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A dancing Irishman known as the 'fella in the favela' has become an internet sensation in Brazil.

Patrick Fitzgerald, 35, of Abbeyfeale, Co Limerick, quit his job in March to travel South America and follow his dream of owning a bar and serving drinks in the sunshine.

After splitting from his fiancee of six-years, Patrick saved €12,000 hot-footed it to Rio.

He has been dancing and singing in the Santo Amaro favela on the outskirts of the city ever since.

With the word "Brazil" painted on his chest and midriff, he was filmed doing a jig dressed in their team colours, shorts, bra, Carnival head dress, and Elton John-style sunglasses while downing local Caipirinha cocktails, a mix of ice, sugar, lime and cachaca.

His routine is an unusual mix of Irish jig and Brazilian samba as he bounces up and down on a balcony occupied by a DJ blasting out pop music.

Footage of his antics has been picked up by Brazilian media and he has become known as the 'fella in the favela'.

He has spent the World Cup watching matches with the locals and joked: “People are asking 'who's the fella in the favela' and it is me.

“I don't know if I have the music in me but the craic is good and I love the people here.

“I have wanted to come to South America ever since I watched the Mexico World Cup in 1986 when I was only seven years old.

“Brazil were not even that great but I followed their team and wanted to see their country.

“Maradona was so good, I fell in love football.”

He added: “It has always been my dream to travel South America and settle down here.

“I know so many people think they can do that and set up their own bar but that is exactly what I aim to do somewhere on the North east coast of Brazil, or may be even Ecuador or Columbia.

“I took stock of my life and decided I wanted to do something different. I first came to Rio on March 13.

“I was meant to be here for four days but I stayed for 14 before I went travelling.

“I have spent around €9,000 so I am going to have to find a job and I am aiming to do some work in bars before I open my own.

“I can speak a bit of the lingo but I must admit when I order something I am sometimes confused when they give me the answer.”

Bob Nadkarni, the Brit ex-pat who runs the favela B&B where Patrick stays, said: “He is very popular here and has certainly put a dent in my beer stocks.

“Goodness knows what will happen to him after a few more weeks – many come here to travel and end up meeting a Brazilian lady and settling down.”

Patrick is certainly in the right place to keep up his dancing. His favela B&B has live music including jazz nights – and he has become a popular turn in the bar there too.