End of an era as Mayo dentist Tony Grimes retires after 40 years

Anthony (Tony) Grimes has announced his decision to retire from his dental practice at Davitt's Terrace in Castlebar on December 31 following 40 years of dedicated service.

He said he reached the decision to start a new chapter of his life ‘after much deliberation and certain hesitation’.

Tony has thanked all those who placed their trust and confidence in him over the past four decades.

“The relationship I have had with so many people has been a big part of my life and I will be forever grateful to consider them all as my friends,” he said.

He paid tribute to his dental nurses Ann and Bríd for their loyalty and dedication, both to himself and the patients, over the years.

A native of Spencer Street, Tony attended St. Gerald's College before graduating from University College Dublin as a dental surgeon in 1968.

He spent 12 years working in the profession in London before returning to his home town to set up his own practice in April 1981.

An avid sports person throughout his life, he was a member of the Mayo minor teams that reached All-Ireland finals in 1961 and ‘62 and he subsequently played for his county at Under 21 level. He starred as a forward with Castlebar Mitchels for a number of years.

A member of Castlebar Golf Club, he has attended a number of major sporting events over the years, including the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand and the 2015 Rugby World Cup in London. He is also a keen follower of horse racing.

As well as spending more time on the golf course and attending sports events, he looks forward, along with his wife Ann, to visiting their grandchild, Aoibhinn, the first child of daughter Niamh and son-in-law John Conlon, in Australia.

Tony and Ann also have a son, Tony junior, working in the legal profession in Bangkok.

His many friends in Castlebar and throughout Mayo join in wishing Tony a long and happy retirement.