Jude, John
February 04, 2014Known always as Jude, news of his sudden passing at The Cloch Ban caused deep shock and regret. Jude ran the pub with his wife, the former Anne Freaney from Clonroche. Born on 27 October 1940, John Jude was the eldest in a family of six children of the late Christopher and Mary (nee Joyce) Doyle, Knockavagh. He moved to Co Wexford in the 1960s, spending 19 years as a horticultural researcher at the soft fruit research centre outside Clonroche.
Jude owned and ran The Cloch Ban with wife Anne. Together, they had renovated the pub, which is known throughout the length and breadth of the country. Deeply involved in community life, Jude was associated with the local Cloughbawn GAA club and was a leading figure in equestrian matters, being a director of Horse Board Ireland. The Horse Show at the RDS was always the highlight of his year and 2013 was the first time in 44 years that he missed the show. Jude was a founder director of Horse Sport Ireland and was instrumental in the setting up of the All-Ireland Inter-Secondary School Showjumping competition.
Jude regularly reported on equestrian events for a variety of radio stations.
During radio sessions, he also outlined some of his soft fruit research work at the Clonroche Research Centre. Like many people in Co. Carlow, Jude lamented the fact that there was no more commercial beet-growing in the Model County.
Jude wrote a number of publications, often focussing on famous local figures, and was producer of a DVD that highlighted the places, people and songs of Co Wexford.
He made regular trips back to his native area, where he would view the land at Knockavagh, travelling by jeep with his brother Jim.
A life-long asthmatic, Jude had been in indifferent health for some time but his sudden passing came as a great shock to all who knew him
Jude reposed at his home in Ronans Hill, Cloughbawn, on Thursday and Friday. On Saturday morning, 18 January, his remains were removed from Tectors Funeral Home, Main Street, Clonroche to St Clement's Church, Cloughbawn for his funeral Mass, which was celebrated by parish priest Fr Bernard Cushen, who paid tribute in a eulogy to the life of Jude Doyle.
The coffin was carried on showjumping poles to the hearse, while six members of Wexford Hunt Club, on horseback, flanked the hearse on the short journey to the church. Wexford Pony Club, Cloughbawn GAA Club, Horse Board Ireland and Cloughbawn Soccer Club provided a guard of honour at the church.
Jude's great friend and colleague Liam Spratt, sports commentator with South East Radio, in a graveside oration in which he described Jude as "a legend", said: "Jude, you have left a big void in my life and the lives of everyone here today. He is, I'm sure, on some committee up there already. Happy galloping, John Jude, my great friend and colleague. Thank you for the memories."
Jude is survived by his wife Anne, children Lillian Doyle (Ballygarrett, Co Wexford), CJ (Clonroche), Rosie Hudner (Dublin), Siobhan Doyle (Clonroche) and Meabh Doyle (Dublin), brothers Jim (Knockavagh, Rathvilly) and Pat (Kilteel, Naas), sisters Mary Morrison (Drogheda) and Siobhan Smyth (Chester, England), daughter-in-law Mag, son-in-law Brian, grandchildren Caoimhe, Tara, Cathal, Finn, Siun and Sadhbh, by brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, neighbours and friends.
Jude was predeceased by his brother Christopher, Balalley Drive, Dundrum, Dublin in December 1999.
The Nationalist, 4th February 2014 Tweet
