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.