Vinnie Doyle

Vincent Doyle (1938 – 21 September 2010)^[2][3] was an Irish journalist noted as having served as editor of the Irish Independent for 24 years, considered a lengthy period in Irish terms.^[4] He also served as editor of the Evening Herald for several years prior to this.

Doyle was originally from Dublin, reared in Glasnevin, was initially a copy boy until he became a reporter.^[5] He joined The Irish Press in 1958, later transferring to The Sunday Press and then onto the Independent Group.^[4] In 1977 he was made editor of the Evening Herald.^[4][6] In 1981 Doyle was made editor of the Irish Independent.^[4] He was also credited with creating the Weekend magazine which comes with the Saturday edition of the Irish Independent.^[7]

He was married to Gertie and the couple had three sons; all four of them outlived Doyle.^[4] The pair often travelled to far-flung destinations when Doyle was alive.^[8] Doyle shunned the spotlight and often wore sleeve garters.^[9] He regularly worked late hours.^[10] As editor of the Irish Independent he appeared on radio and television just twice.^[1]

Upon his death at the age of 72^[11] in 2010 he received a tribute from Taoiseach Brian Cowen who described him as "a legendary figure in Irish media".^[4] Several other political leaders, such as Eamon Gilmore, John Gormley and Enda Kenny, also sang his praises.^[12] Kevin Myers described him as the "last great working editor", the other two having been, according to Myers, Tim Pat Coogan and Douglas Gageby.^[13] James Downey also opined that Gageby was his only rival, describing Doyle as "one of the greatest Irish editors of his time, probably of all time".^[8]

Doyle was interred in Kilmashogue Cemetery after funeral Mass at the Annunciation Church in Rathfarnham, Dublin on 23 September 2010.^[11] Hundreds of people attended,^[14] including notable journalists, Vincent Browne, former taoiseach Albert Reynolds, MEP Mairead McGuinness and a representative of the President.^[3][15] Doyle had been ill for a brief spell,^[11] before dying at the Blackrock Clinic on 21 September 2010.^[3]

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