Tony Doyle was without doubt one of the best actors in Ireland. He appeared in Amongst Women, Band of Gold, A Love Divided and Four Fathers to name but a few. . This interview first appeared in December 1999. Tony died on 28 January 2000. Read Tributes to Tony and the special edition of the website.

Tony, is probably best known as Brian Quigley - the loveable rogue in Ballykissangel - played the father of Niamh and grandfather of Kieran.

"He’s a bit of a wheeler dealer with a heart of gold" says Tony. Quigley is no longer alone in the con stakes though. In episode six, Paul Dooley, Quigley’s old rival comes to town. "The competition between the two is quite fascinating because it is quite definitely the cat watching the mouse" says Tony. When asked was he anything like his character Tony very affirmatively replied ‘I should hope not’.

There is no doubt that Tony thoroughly enjoyed shooting Ballykissangel so much so that he can't pinpoint one favourite episode. However, he did go on to say "I particularly like any episode with my grandson in it because he is a lovely kid and great fun. He doesn’t half surprise you sometimes." Laughing he added, "His lines aren’t always scripted you know so you have to go along with that".

On working on Ballykissangel, Tony has nothing but praise for the whole team and programme. "I think it’s fun to do, very nice cast, wonderful crew, they are good company and it’s great to be with them."

Throughout our interviews with the cast of Ballykissangel we always asked them about practical jokes and fun that they have had on the set. So Tony was no different. He replies "I’m afraid we don’t have time for that as we do a twelve to fourteen hour day, so there’s not much time for high jinx in that space of time" -

(editor - that’s not what Gary Whelan say’s about you Tony! I reckon Tony gets up to mischief with Joe Savino and Frankie McCafferty when they have a break and he’s not telling!)

On a more sombre note, Tony goes on to mention the more difficult scenes that he has shot recently. "Any scene with a death in it is really quite difficult to do because it brings you really close to the reality of losing someone". Anyone in particular? Tony continues "Well Ambrose and of course Birdy Sweeney who died while shooting".

There was just one last thing that I had to ask Tony - what he’d like to see Brian Quigley do next? "I’d like to see him take the cast and crew on a Caribbean holiday". I’ve no doubt Tony that they would all agree with you. I'm sure even Paul Dooley would take you up on your kind gesture - presuming you offer!