Fitzpatrick was in County Donegal for the special ceremony at Dave Gallaher Park in Ramelton for an exchange of soil to mark Gallaher’s “homecoming”.
He described the player as the “original All Black”, a moniker a monument in Ramelton also attributes to him.
“What he did in terms of the Boer War, World War One and leading that great Originals All Blacks,” Fitzpatrick said.
“Just what he instilled in that All Black jersey in terms of the humility.
“The legacy is so important to us, the legacy of the jersey is more intimidating than any opposition and that’s because of Dave Gallaher. He started that.”
Fitzpatrick, who won 92 caps for the All Blacks and captained them in the 1990s, said he is staying in the original home of Dave Gallaher while in Donegal.
“For me, personally, this is just a lovely experience,” he added.