Ex-Army wine importer who embraced people and work

Paddy Keogh, who has died aged 64 after a long illness, was a much-admired and much-loved wine merchant and former Army officer.

He harnessed knowledge gained from holiday trips to France to create Wines Direct, which has grown to become a leading online business. He founded the Mullingar-based company in 1991 before retiring from the Army with the rank of commandant in 1997.

Keogh was born in Dublin in 1949. His father was Director of Cavalry Líeut-Col Pat Keogh from Adare, Co Limerick, and his mother was Marie Timoney, a daughter of a Mullingar postmaster. He was the eldest of four. His brother Gerry works for an unrelated wine company in the US and his sister, Helen Keogh, is chief executive of the World Vision Ireland charity and a former Progressive Democrats TD and Fine Gael senator.

Keogh was educated at St Mary's College, Rathmines, Dublin, and joined the Army as a cadet in 1969. He served in the Lebanon and rose to the rank of commandant before retiring in 1997 to concentrate on his wine importing business.

Army comrade and friend Mick Dunne said that after he returned from the Lebanon Keogh later played a big part in the formation of the representative bodies in the Defence Forces.

“Paddy’s big pleasure was people. He loved meeting people of all nationalities, he loved entertaining, he loved his family. A larger-than-life character, he had contacts and friends all over the world.”

Keogh began importing wine from France initially as a hobby before establishing Wines Direct in November 1991. The idea for the business came from tasting wine in Bordeaux on the family’s annual holiday. He was struck by the quality and value offered by the small producers he met. Keogh shared their passion and commitment and was always happy to spread the word of his latest discovery.

He based Wines Direct in Mullingar where he had been stationed. Initially it was a mail-order company but he branched into selling to restaurants and the growth of the internet allowed him to create a dynamic online business.

It wasn’t always plain sailing. In October 2007, a fire destroyed the company’s warehouse and a huge amount of stock. However, he rallied staff and moved to new premises in September 2008.

Keogh was a keen sportsman. He played senior cup rugby with St Mary’s and joined Mullingar rugby club where he also coached. He enjoyed golf and served on the committee of Mullingar Golf Club.

Irish Times wine critic John Wilson said: "Paddy was a gentleman but a steely determined one. He was uncompromising in his determination to source quality wine. He dealt only with family owned producers; he visited every single one on a regular basis. In a world full of PR spin and soundbites about passion, he was the real deal.

“He would call me once a month to tell me about a few new wines or samples he wanted to send. He made you feel each one was a gem to be treasured. You also felt a little scared!”

He is survived by his wife Siobhan and children Gareth and Gavin.