Tawdy pictured before the 2012 Euro Championships. Source: Mark Graham

Ah Tawdy, he’d always have a wave for anyone who beeped or saluted him

He was a reminder to us all that you don’t need money to be happy or free. RIP.

He’ll always remind me of summer – the drive out to Tramore just won’t be the same anymore.

EVERY CITY OR town has its characters – the ones who do things their own way, who are happy to be ‘outsiders’ in some respects. They may not have easy lives, but they will always have a special place in the hearts of locals.

In Waterford, ‘Tawdy’ Morrissey was a figure who people knew well. Anyone passing on the main road between Waterford and Tramore during the day would have seen him in his spot just before the Halfway House.

Today came the sad news that Tawdy has died, with Waterford gardaí confirming that Tawdy was found dead in his hut by locals this morning.

His death was not suspicious, but his “lifestyle” may have contributed to his death, gardaí indicated.

Memories of Tawdy

One Waterford local told TheJournal.ie:

He used to hang out on the main road between Waterford and Tramore, just before the Halfway House pub, where he originally had his own office chair planted on the side of the road along with his collection of Ireland flags [and a few others]. The council eventually put up a wooden barrier along the side of the road, but they built a wooden seat into it so he still had a spot.

He said Tawdy “used to sit or stand in that spot most of the day and he was always good for a wave when you were passing in the car”.

There were loads of different stories about what had happened to him, but not sure how true any of them were. I know people used to buy him cans and drop them to him when they were passing. He was nearly always peaceful and quiet when I saw him. Some man.

On Twitter, people have also been paying tribute to Tawdy:

Sad to hear Tawdy passed away today. The drive to Tramore will never be the same! — Kolyn Ryan-Byrne (@KolynByrne) June 17, 2014 Source: Kolyn Byrne /Twitter

Rest In Peace Tawdy. I wonder will he sit at the gates of heaven and wave at everybody going in #LocalLegend #Waterford — Colin Shanahan (@DigiColMedia) June 17, 2014 Source: Colin Shanahan /Twitter

Its never going to feel right going out the tramore road and not seen tawdy — Dean Finn (@Dean_180) June 17, 2014 Source: Dean Finn /Twitter

Poor Tawdy. He used to come into the off licence where I worked every morning. He was a nice man. — Alan (@alan_maguire) June 17, 2014 Source: Alan feat. Pitbull /Twitter

Did you know of Tawdy? Share your memories in the comments.