Brian Foley was the quintessential gentleman; this was the spontaneous consensus of the large numbers who attended his recent funeral. His character revealed only the highest principles, consistently applied, and many endearing qualities - politeness, courtesy, diplomacy and wit. There was no contradiction between these qualities and a firmness when needed. This, coupled with a keen intellect, sound judgement and his ability as an articulate communicator, provided the basis for a highly successful career in the banking industry. Starting in the Clifden branch of the National Bank, he rose to become deputy secretary of the Bank and later of the National Bank of Ireland. Upon completion of the merger with the Bank of Ireland, he was appointed an executive in the combined bank. He moved from there to take up the position of secretary-general of the Irish Bankers Federation, the representative body for the banking industry in Ireland. This was a position he filled until his retirement with distinction, at home and abroad, during a period of immense change and growth in the industry: his diplomacy and broad knowledge of banking were particularly effective.
He was a rounded, cultured man with interests which included music, theatre, painting and literature, and a particular fascination with history. His historical research of his wife Maribel's family, the Butlers, descended from the Wild Geese who settled in Spain, resulted in the publication of various articles in the Journal of the Butler Society, the Old Kilkenny Review and other journals of genealogical interest. At the time of his death he was researching two branches of his maternal family, the Joyces, one of the tribes of Galway, and the Conroys.
Brian was a past president of the Dublin Spanish Society and it was through his involvement in this Society that he met Maribel, who lectured in the Department of Spanish at UCD. Brian was totally committed to his family, took a great interest in the professions of Maribel and of his two daughters, Isabel and Ina, and enjoyed enormously their success.
Due to his many deep interests, his personality and his character, he was interesting and stimulating company. He will be missed by a wide circle of friends, reflecting the esteem and affection held for him. Maribel, Isabel and Ina, their husbands and children will be heartened in their grieving by the memories of a genuinely good man, exemplary in so many ways. F.M.S.