Several hundred people are expected to line the streets of Gorey for the Tom Doyle Memorial Mass Band Parade which takes place today at 3 pm, starting from Gorey Hospital. A spokesperson for the family told WexfordToday.com; “We’re calling all pipe band musicians past and present to join us on this fantastic day of music in memory of our dearly beloved Tom who passed away during the year with his long battle against cancer. It will be in conjunction with the Gorey town festival. We’re raising some much-needed funds for our friends of Gorey District Hospital and North Wexford Hospice Home Care. We hope to see you there to enjoy music from these gifted people. We’ll have players from pipe bands from across the country.”

WexfordToday.com has learned that from the volume of enquiries and because Tom was so popular on the local, national and international piping, that bands are travelling from far and near to participate in the colourful and musical occasion. Tom Doyle passed away on Tuesday, April 2nd, and WexfordToday.com made the following announcement; “The world of piping has lost one of its greatest stalwarts and most skillful exponent following the sad passing of Tom Doyle, Park Road, Camolin, who was a lifelong member of St. Michael’s Pipe Band, Gorey.
“Tributes have come from pipe bands everywhere, but there was a special tribute from Tom’s colleagues and friends in Gorey Pipe Band who paid tribute to “our beloved friend and former Pipe Major.”
“Our thoughts and prayers are with his son Darragh, partner Ann, Darragh’s mother Mary, brothers and sister and extended family and friends.”
Tom Doyle was associated with St. Michael’s Pipe Band for over 40 years in the book Celebrating With Pride 75 years (1938-2013) Tom said he “was privileged and proud to be secretary and Pipe Major in the band.”
He explained that a chance meeting with Michael (Dinky) Hobbs in the old Brass Band Room in the early 1970’s to bring chairs across to the Parish Hall for the Pipe Band and the moment he entered the band room he was “hooked by the sounds of the pipes.”
As a piper and Pipe Major, Tom had so many exciting chapters in his life with the band. He was on the All-Ireland winning side in 1976 and in 2012 he qualified for the World Championships in Glasgow playing alongside his son, Darragh.
He was so proud as he would lead the band through the streets of his native Gorey for events in the town such as welcoming Wexford teams from Croke Park or participation in annual St. Patrick’s Day parades.
Another everlasting legacy is Tom’s presence in the Irish comedy film Man About Dog featuring Fionnuala Flanagan, Sean McGinley and Pat Shortt, which was first shown in cinemas around the world in 2004. Tom embraced the devilment of the movie when he saluted by ‘raising his kilt’ after delivering a tune on the pipes.