Shaun Aisbitt is a pastor and author who is known for being Ireland's tallest man.
Shaun Aisbitt | |
|---|---|
 Shaun Aisbitt in 2024 | |
| Born | England |
| Occupation | Pastor |
| Known for | Ireland's tallest man |
Early life
editAisbitt was born in Aldershot, Hampshire, England, to an Irish mother.[1][2] He spent most of his early childhood in Kiveton Park, Sheffield,[citation needed] Yorkshire, but after his father died, the family moved to Ireland. Aisbitt was raised in the Ballybough and North Strand areas in Dublin.[3][4] He attended a number of schools, including the O'Brien Institute and Artane Industrial School, before settling at St. Columba's National School and then Mount Temple Comprehensive School.[5] He shared classes with Larry Mullen of U2.
Early career
edit
Aisbitt worked for a time at the Olympia Theatre as a stage doorman.[6] He looked after visitng stars, including Marcel Marceau, Ronnie Corbett, Lenny Henry, Shirley Bassey, Stephen Fry, Howard Keil, Freddie Starr, David Essex, The Pogues, Johnny Cash, Lyle Lovett and Robert Cray. He also encountered Robin Williams, some members of the Rolling Stones and other contemporary musicians and film stars. Aisbitt has appeared in many television programmes in Ireland and England.[citation needed]
Ireland's tallest man
editAt the age of 21, Aisbitt was declared Ireland's tallest man following a competition on The Late Late Show.[3][7] At this time he was approximately 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m). Aisbitt started to grow again at the age of 39, at this time he was diagnosed with gigantism.[4] By 2016, he had reached the height of 7 ft 4 in (2.24 m). As a consequence of the condition and his height, he spent a time confined to bed.[1][3] However, he regained his mobility through the use of a specialised wheelchair.[4][1]
Aisbitt regularly played a comical character in stop motion animations that were broadcast on Irish national television.
Pastoral work
editAisbitt is a Christian pastor, who conducted international missionary work in Antwerp Belgium, Cardiff Wales, Singapore, across Romania, Istanbul Türkiye, Budapest Hungary and Malaysia but had to reduce this activity for health reasons.[3] His writings on the Beatitudes and on religious cults have been cited.[8] He has helped many people around the World leave religious cults.
He helped found the Tall Persons' Club in Ireland and was its first president.[3]
Personal life
editReferences
edit- 1 2 3 Paul (17 April 2017). "The Good Word From On High". Greystones Guide. Retrieved 9 November 2025.
- ↑ Aisbitt, Shaun (2009). "Tallness in Ireland". ooCities. Retrieved 21 November 2025.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Dillon, Fiona (7 March 2014). "Ireland's tallest man Shaun can hardly stand due to health problems". Irish Independent. Retrieved 9 November 2025.
- 1 2 3 Nugent, Ryan (17 November 2016). "'It felt like I was in prison' - 7ft 4in Shaun gets specially developed wheelchair after 4 years in bed". Irish Independent. Retrieved 9 November 2025.
- ↑ Aisbitt, Shaun (29 June 2005). "Shaun's Aisbitt's Testimony". GeoCities. Archived from the original on 15 December 2008. Retrieved 9 November 2025.
- ↑ O'Brien, Kyran (7 March 2014). "Meet Ireland's Tallest Man". Irish Independent. Retrieved 16 November 2025.
- ↑ Byrne, Gay (1985). "Shaun Aisbitt Ireland's Tallest Man". The Late Late Show. RTÉ. Retrieved 9 November 2025.
- ↑ Bernay, Adam (2007). Beyond Salvation (Why Believers in Jesus Should Keep the Torah) (PDF). Ben Mordechai Productions. Retrieved 9 November 2025.