Joe Dolan in the Market Square, Mullingar

Press release from Westmeath County Council re unveiling of Joe Dolan statue.

Westmeath County Council's press release in the run up to the unveiling of the Joe Dolan memorial statue in Mullingar:

http://www.westmeathcoco.ie/media/joe%20dolan%20press%20release%2028th%20november%202008.pdf

May be of curiosity to some.

Westmeath Examiner article on Joe Dolan Memorial

Local paper the Westmeath Examiner have an informative article on the run up to the unveiling of the Joe Dolan memorial statue. Click here for a link to article.

It gives a good account of the background work that happened at a local level to make the weekend run smoothly.

Joe Dolan Statue Unveiled in Mullingar 7 December 2008

On Sunday afternoon, December 7, 2008 at 2pm in Mullingar's Market Square, a bronze life-sized statue of Mullingar's favourite son was unveiled.

When Taoiseach Brian Cowen and Joe's brother Ben Dolan removed the white cloth covering the statue there was a collective gasp and a huge cheer. The first person to put his arms around the life-size bronze creation was the singer's brother Paddy.

The statue, described by devoted fans as "the image of Joe" was a commission and created by Genesis Fine Arts in Mullingar and artist Carl Payne.

Taoiseach Brian Cowen described Dolan as one of Ireland's best loved singers and entertainers who "left the country and whole world a lasting musical legacy," a man "who captivated audiences around the world".

6,000 people from all over Ireland and the world thronged Mullingar for the unveiling.

The afternoon finished with a magical concert, with the Joe Dolan band performing a segment from the award winning "Joe Dolan - the Reunion Show" synchronised to a video backdrop of the late singer performing live.