The great Joe Dolan - Irish life will be duller for his passing

IRREPRESSIBLE, charismatic, almost frighteningly energetic, hugely committed, genuinely modest, a tremendously emotional performer and a great entertainer — Joe Dolan was one of the very best showmen this country has ever produced.

He was born in Westmeath nearly 65 years ago and for nearly five decades filled every venue in the country — and a very great number abroad — year after year.

He established a record very few can even contemplate let alone consider matching.

He represented a peculiarly Irish faultline; though he had a great many loyal urban followers his base was essentially rural, if not physically then certainly spiritually.

He was confident in his midlands roots and whether he was covering songs by Blur, Oasis or U2 or some maudlin, tear-inducing ballad, he performed with gusto.

Though it is hard today to understand the significance of an Irish showband touring the Soviet Union nearly 30 years ago — in 1978 — he, and others like him, opened a small window and encouraged a relaxation of the totalitarian attitudes that sustained the Cold War. It is from these little acorns that great things grow.

Joe Dolan had that greatest gift that is bestowed on so very, very few — by giving of his all and sharing his talent he could make people happy. He could enrich lives and relationships as thousands of Irish people will gladly attest. There really was no show quite like a Joe Show and the fabric of Irish life will be duller for his passing.