A day of joy and a day of sadness

It was a day of emotion, fun and joy. Sunday"s tribute to Joe Dolan was all things. Happily, it was also sunny, which meant the estimated 5,000 people who turned out for the celebrations, got to enjoy the events laid on by Westmeath County Council, and a local voluntary committee.A gigantic screen had been installed on the street between Canton Casey"s pub and Shaw"s Drapery, to ensure that everyone present - no matter how far back - could see exactly what was going on.There were some great moments: the decision of Paddy and Dymphna Dolan to do an impromptu dance as the Mullingar Town Band played Joe numbers; the plea from Joe"s band on stage for everyone to look towards the stage for a photograph (the photograph on this front page), the tears in so many people"s eyes as the music of Goodbye Venice was played - and then again as the Joe version of 'Oh Holy Night' was played.As images of Joe performing were beamed onto the big screen, it was, for many, like seeing the great man in the flesh all over again.Just how that great man looked in the flesh is the image that artist Carl Payne attempted to capture in his bronze statue of the singer, and there was great excitement as an Taoiseach, Brian Cowen, unveiled the monument. Made by Genesis Fine Arts from Mr. Payne"s design, the statue got a massive thumbs up from all present.The crowd on Sunday was good humoured and deeply respectful of Joe Dolan and his achievements, and it was clear that the evidence of such respect and love from so many people deeply affected the members of the Dolan family present at the event.Joe"s memory will, however, stay even stronger in people"s minds with the erection of the statue, and it"s clear that the true fans want just one other thing.... 'more, and more and more'....