From Margaret Wright

Tony Doyle: A Life Remembered

I first met Anthony Killykeen Doyle (Tony) more years ago then I care to admit and from the outset regarded him to be an incredible person. But this was an understatement on my part for Tony turned out to be one of the most remarkable and exquisite men that I have been fortunate enough to know and privileged enough to be able to call a friend.

Those of you who knew Tony will know what a charismatic character he really was. He had that elusive quality of being able to make you feel that you were really special. He would always greet you with a smile that came from his heart and was merely reflected in his eyes. His greetings were always sincere and invariably genuine and when he said "well look at you. What have you been doing? You look a million dollars!". You could almost believe what he said, even if you were in wellies and jeans!

Tony acquired his first Irish Wolfhound when he was 11 and from that time it was imperative to him that he studied every aspect of this dignified and noble breed. Over the years his thirst for knowledge and understanding have ensured that he became an expert, second to none, in every element of the breed. He has contributed so much that his expertise and knowledge will be sadly missed not just in Ireland but throughout the world.

In recent years Tony had become saddened and disillusioned by the health problems that had been allowed to penetrate the breed. For his part, he always had a vision of perfect Irish Wolfhound and although Tony is no longer with us his aspirations will be kept alive by his many good friends, particularly Velda Clark and Anne Mette Mikkelsen.

When I think of Tony I am reminded of the words:

"What we think or what we know or what we believe is in the end of little consequence. The only consequence is what we do".

Tony was a man of great dignity and honour. We shall not see his likes again.

Margaret Wright