The sad and untimely death of Glenmacnass native, Pat Doyle, has struck a sorrowful chord throughout County Wicklow. A dedicated family man, all round sportsman and hard working businessman, Pat of Timullen, Rathdrum, passed away in the early hours of Thursday morning on August 23, aged just 53. Pat was born in the valley of Glenmacnass. The family moved to Timullen, rathdrum, 50 years ago when he was just three years of age. He attended Newbawn and Barndarrig national schools and later the vocational school in Rathdrum. A keen GAA man, he played both football and hurling with Avondale and played at county minor, under 21 and senior levels. He played football for Avondale in the club's glory days during the 1970s and 1980s. Along with his brothers Owen and John Joe, the family was a force to be reckoned with, playing for Avondale for 20 years. He and Owen, were part of the county team that reached the Leinster semi finals in 1978 which featured five avondale players. All three also played rugby with Rathdrum Rugby Club where Pat played in front or back row positions. In later years, having given up his sporting career on the GAA and rugby pitches, Pat continued his interest by taking up golf, fishing and shooting. He retained a heavy involvement in Avondale GAA Club and was chairman, a member of the very active field committee and trained under-age teams for many years. He had also joined the county development committee and was involved in the county board's project to develop an all weather training centre for the county teams. Pat had forged a very successful business with his landscape company. After leaving school he attended agricultural college in Mount Bellew and Piltown and Pursued a career in horticulture. His first job was with Goulding's Fertilizer company in Dublin. He then moved to Dublin Corporation's landscape section. He was the first full time gardener to be employed by Arklow UDC. About 20 years ago he decided to start his own business and established Avondale Landscapes. He began with small local hobs but gradually developed a huge business and established Avondale Landscapes. He began with small local jobs but gradually developed a huge business which has seen him working on some of the country's top golf courses including Mount Juliet and the K Club. More recently he has diversified into developing football pitches and worked on the new pitches in Bray and Blessington. The company has won many awards and he built up an enormous network of contacts around the country. Pat married Marian, a native of Cavan, 25 years ago. The couple had three children, Anne-Marie, William and Eamon. He was absolutely dedicated to his family and very loyal to them. He had a great personality and was well known for his mischievous wit and sense of humour. He loved the craic and a bit of banter and made many friends in all the spectrums of his life. He loved children and young people and was able to communicate with them and they with him. Huge crowds gathered at the removal to Rathdrum church on Friday night and for the funeral on Saturday morning. Burial and funeral took place close to his beloved Glenmacnass valley in Brockagh Cemetery in Laragh. Pat is deeply mourned by his wife, Marian, children Anne-Marie, William and Eamon. He is also survived by his brothers, Owen and John Joe and sisters, Elizabeth and Carmel and a wide circle of friends. Courtesy of The Wicklow People. August 2007 Tweet

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