More and more people stopping to see Joe Dolan landmark

A BUILDING in Dromone has become a notable local landmark and a reference point when giving directions.

Devoted Joe Dolan fan, Oliver Gilsenan, decided to have his shed painted as a memorial to the late showband icon, and it now looks like a country cottage with Joe smiling out over the half door

It is a major local attraction and hundreds of passers-by have stopped their cars for pictures in recent years and particularly during the pandemic.

Oliver (56) was a huge Joe Dolan fan. "I followed him everywhere. I love his music and my partner Caroline Elliott is also a big fan.

"We are looking forward to getting back out and seeing the Joe Dolan tribute bands in action again. There is one in Mullingar next week."

Rita Gilsenan at 'Joe's' Whitewashed Gable in Dromone. Photo: Seamus Farrelly

Joe had the shed painted ten years ago by local artist, Colette Kearney.

"I saw something similar in Galway years ago where a woman was looking out the door. I decided to get it done as my memorial for Joe."

Colette created a typical Irish whitewashed cottage, with a cat in the window and a bicycle propped against the wall.

Among the many visitors to the shed was Joe's nephew Ray, who took photographs and video.

"Passers-by are always stopping and asking if it is ok to take pictures.

"It's even used as a marker when giving directions these days. When you get to the Joe Dolan house, take a left or a right, that kind of thing.

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"There has been even more interest in the last few years when people started going for drives because they couldn't really go anywhere else."

"Nobody has ever had to ask me who the man looking out the door is - everybody knows it’s Joe Dolan, even though he is dead 15 years."

Oliver lights up his home and the shed at Christmas and at Halloween holds a party in the garden for children.

He is such a dedicated fan he even has his own white suit and when local groups held LipSync fundraisers he participated as Joe Dolan. "I also performed as Joe at a few events in the parish."

Oliver says his favourite song is 'Goodbye Venice Goodbye". "I've said that I want it sung at my funeral."

Oliver drives a truck for a living and has a couple of old trucks in his yard. "They call me Greengrass after Claude Greengrass in Heartbeat. "I've always enjoyed the bit of banter and craic," he says.