Nationalist and Leinster Times.
June 28th 1958. (front page).
Death of Dr. Laurence Doyle.
"Old Doctor Doyle is dead"
This
phrase echoed and re-echoed through Carlow on Monday and
everywhere it was greeted with the same stunned sorrow.
Old
Doctor Doyle -- that description had been his for many years,
not because of age but rather to distinguish him from his son,
Dr. Brendan Doyle, who also entered the medical profession in
Carlow.
Dr.
Doyle was an integral part of Carlow life.
He
was regarded with affection by hundreds of people because he had
shared with them the great moments of birth and death.
A
born doctor, and a brilliant one, he retained a fresh and
un-waning interest in his profession up to a retirement which
was forced on him by ill health.
To
the poor he was counsellor as well as physician ; he fought
their battles and gave them experienced advice.
Occasionally he could be harsh but always it was for the
patient's good --to bring them to their senses, to make them
realise that it was time to act.
The
late Dr. Doyle's sense of humour and warm hospitality are
legendary and there are few in Carlow who cannot relate with
pleasure some encounter with him.
A
fitting tribute to a life given willingly and cheerfully to the
care of the sick was his funeral which arrived from Dublin on
Tuesday night.
Lining the route were hundreds of local people, many wheeling
prams or leading toddlers by the hand. They came to pay their
last respects to the Doctor and not even the torrential downpour
could move them away, for they knew they had lost a friend. (see
obituary, page 10).
Late
Dr. L. Doyle.
Widespread sympathy was felt at the announcement of the death on
Monday of Dr. Laurence Doyle, Dublin Street, Carlow. A native of
Tullow where he was born in 1886, he had spent forty-five years
in Carlow.
Educated at the monastery Schools, Tullow, at Knockbeg College
and later at the University College, Dublin, he qualified in
1911.
He
became a House Surgeon in the Mater Hospital and afterwards did
a post graduate course in the Coombe Hospital and Crooksling
Sanatorium.
The
late Dr. Doyle came to Borris as Medical Officer and after a
short period arrived in Carlow where he was dispensary doctor
for forty-five years.
He
was appointed County Coroner about twenty-five years ago and was
Medical Officer to Carlow Fever Hospital from 1933 until his
death. He was Medical Officer to the Carlow Branch of the Irish
National Foresters for forty-five years and was Chairman of
Carlow County Council Health Committee.
The
late Dr. Doyle was essentially a man of intellectual pursuits.
A
devoted sympathiser with the Republican Movement, he was closely
associated with many of the leaders of the day. He was a
personal friend of Kevin O' Higgins, William Cosgrave and
Gearoid O' Sullivan, they often visited him at Carlow.
The
late Dr. Doyle had a life-long association with Carlow Golf Club
of which he was President at the time of his death. His
hospitality to visiting golfers was well-known, and when the
Club was in its infancy, this aspect of his character did much
to develop its prestige.
The
late Dr. Doyle was keenly interested in Carlow Rugby Club having
played with Bective in his youth, with whom he toured in France.
The
remains were brought from Dublin to the Cathedral of the
Assumption on Tuesday night, and very rarely has such a large
cortege been seen in the town. The remains were received at the
Cathedral by Rt. Rev. Msgr. J. Conway, P.P., V.G.
On
Wednesday, following Office and Requiem Mass, internment took
place in St. Mary's Cemetery.
Prayers at the graveside were said by Very Rev. M. Coughlan,
Adm., and Very Rev. P.J. Doyle, P.P. (brother), Naas.
The
attendance included: Mr. W.T. Cosgrave; Mr. J. A. Costello, S.C.
T.D.; General P. Mulcahy, T.D.; Mr. Liam Cosgrave, T.D.; Mr. J.
Hughes, T.D. ; Dr. F. Humphries, T.D. ; Senator S. Hayes;
Senator H. Barniville; Judge J.C. Conroy.
Also
present were representatives of all local bodies, industrial and
business concerns, medical and legal professions, and sporting
associations.
The
Pigs and Bacon Commission was represented by Mr. C. Hendrick and
Mr. M. McDonald represented Buttles Barley Fed Bacon Company.
Chief mourners:- Mrs. Christine Doyle (widow); Brendan Doyle and
Coleman Doyle (sons) ; Mrs. M. Power, Rathmines and Mrs. B.
Daly, Ballinrobe (daughters); Very Rev. P.J. Doyle , P.P., Naas
(brother).
Council's Tribute.
Carlow Urban Council on Tuesday night passed a vote of sympathy
with the widow and family of the late Dr. L. Doyle.
Mr.
Patrick Governey, Chairman, proposing the vote, said it was a
source of regret to him that the doctor's death had come so
shortly after his retirement before the Council could pay him
the tribute he deserved.
"No
words of mine", he said, "could ever describe his loss".
Mr.
Ray McDonnell, said that Dr. Doyle had been a family friend to
everyone in the Urban area and outside it.
Capt. P. Shevlin spoke of Dr. Doyle's consideration for the poor
and said that during the Fight for Independence, Dr. Doyle had
often gone to the mountains to care for Republicans, who needed
his aid.
Mr.
John Prendegast, Mr. John O' Brien, Mr. John Alcock, and Mr.
John Callinan also joined in the tribute. Mr. J. Boland, Acting
County Manager, associated himself with the vote on behalf of
the staffs of Carlow Urban and County Councils.
Office.
His
Lordship, Most Rev. Dr. Keogh, Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin,
presided at Solemn Office in the Cathedral of the Assumption on
Wednesday and celebrated Pontifical Requiem Mass.
Rt.
Rev. Msgr. Miller, P.P., V.F., Newbridge, assisted at the
throne. Deacon was Rev. Gregory Brophy, C.F. Curragh Camp ;
Sub-deacon, Rev. L. Newman, C.C., Naas ; and Master of
Ceremonies, Rev. Con. Crowley, C.C.
Forty-four priests are named as being in the Choir.
[Note added 2010. A Plaque erected in 1958 on
Graigue Bridge reads:
To The Memory of
Doctor Laurence Doyle,
Dispensary Doctor
1913 -- 1958.
R. I. P.
A Token Of Grateful Remembrance
Of The People Of
Carlow And Graiguecullen.
Dr.
Larry Doyle, 1886 - 1958.
I
can remember the car he drove around in, it was black shiny with
pointed corners on it. It was called a Triumph Mayflower.
