Item 1216 - Br Patrick Doyle SJ

Born: 31 December 1785, County Meath
Entered: 07 September 1819, St Stanislaus College, Tullabeg, County Offaly
Final Vows: 08 September 1837
Died: 25 October 1867, Clongowes Wood College, Naas, County Kildare

◆ HIB Menologies SJ :
From his earliest years he was trained by his uncle in farming. he acquired excellent knowledge in cattle, sheep, horse and tillage etc. He became a a land steward for a rich landlord, managing a number of his farms very successfully. Feeling himself called to Religious Life, he visited Clongowes, and asked to be admitted as a Postulant c 1817. Shortly after that, Peter Kenney dismissed him following some negligence on the farm. Soon after that he had the courage to apply again, and was admitted at Tullabeg 07 September 1819.

He spent early all his religious life at Tullabeg, being land steward there for almost thirty years. He was most diligent in his duties, and though he suffered from age and infirmity, he never complained nor shirked from his duties. He developed a wonderful power of conciliating all the neighbours adjoining the College lands.
1857 He was sent to Clongowes in the hope that the change of air might restore him somewhat. He was again in the role of “villicus”, and did this for a couple of years. He was obliged to cease work when his health and age got the better of him, and he approached death with a joy and confidence that he was going to a better life. He died 24/10/1867 at Clongowes, and is buried the Clongowes Cemetery, where his grave is marked by a small cross.
As well as hard work, he was remarkable for his great spirit of prayer, ad in spite of a very busy life was always faithful to his daily meditations and other prayers. His devotion to the Blessed Virgin was also noteworthy.

Note from John Nelson Entry :
He took his Final Vows 02 February 1838 along with eleven others, being the first to whom Final Vows were given since the Restoration in Ireland. The others were : Philip Reilly of “Palermo fame”; Nowlan, Cleary, Mulligan, Michael Gallagher, Pexton Sr, Toole, Egan, Ginivan, Patrick Doyle and Plunkett.

◆ James B Stephenson SJ Menologies 1973

Brother Patrick Doyle 1785-1867
Br Patrick Doyle was born in Meath in 1785 and was land steward to a rich land owner. Feeling the call to religion, he visited Clongowes and was admitted as a postulant in 1817. Shortly afterwards, Fr Kenney dismissed him for some negligence on the farm. However, he appeared again and was admitted in 1819.

He spent most of his life on the farm at Tullabeg, being land steward there for thirty years. In 1857 he was sent back to Clongowes as steward.

He was remarkable for his great spirit of prayer, and his devotion to Our Lady was noteworthy. He received the news of his approaching end not only calmly, but joyfully, and he expired on October 24th 1867, and was buried in the Clongowes cemetery.