Wheely exciting plan for Joe Dolan festival

Organisers of a Mullingar festival in August are hoping to set a world record - by getting as many motorbikes as possible on the longest bridge in Ireland - the Joe Dolan bridge."We want as many bikes as possible to come along: we want this to be a huge event," says Adrian Dolan, the late singer Joe's nephew.The record-breaking event is just one of several highlights of the second annual Joe Dolan festival, which this year has Bord Fáilte on board offering support.While there are plenty of activities for Joe fans, and for families, there is expected to be immense excitement on Saturday August 4, as motorcyclists amass on the bridge to try and set the record."The Midland Motorcycle Club is helping with this," said Adrian. "They have raised so far €800,000 from their fun runs for St Luke's Hospital, and this year, as part of the opening of the Joe Dolan Festival, they're going to attempt to do this record on the bridge, and once that is done, they will come down the town and do their collection for St Luke's."The Midland Motorcycle Club is putting out an appeal to other motorcycle clubs around the country to come and help Mullingar set this record - and Adrian anticipates that it will be an exciting spectacle.That's just one of the events planned for the festival, which, conveniently, happens between two other events - the staging of A Midsummer Night's Dream at Belvedere House on the Friday night, with later that evening, Mike Denver in concert at The Greville Arms Hotel, and the World Strongman competition, at Columb Barracks on the bank holiday Monday.As with last year, this year's festival is to include a Joe Dolan impersonator competition - something that created a great buzz in 2011, and that will also be one of the big events of the festival Saturday.While the motorcycles are assembling on the Joe Dolan bridge, there will already be plenty of activity in the centre of Mullingar, as the festival organisers have received permission to close off Pearse Street for the day.To kick off an exciting day of activities, Mullingar Town Band will play at noon, and all afternoon, there will be a host of bands playing live - not to mention free activities for kids, including face painting and bouncy castles.But it's not just all for the children: there's plenty for the adults too, reveals Adrian."There will be craft stalls and there will be a food market featuring local food producers and we'll have street performers and a tug-of-war."Along with that, the Fáilte Ireland Belvedere Bus Tour will be another enticing option. "That will bring people around to the Joe Dolan sights around Mullingar, and out to Walshestown, and then out over the Joe Dolan bridge to Belvedere House," says Adrian."There, there is free entry for those on the bus in to Belvedere House, and they can visit the Joe Dolan Timeline display, and in the audiovisual theatre, get a real taste of what it was like to attend a Joe Dolan show."The bus tours will be going on all day, from 11am right through until 5pm.At 5pm, the focus will shift to this year's Joe Dolan impersonator contest. "They don't have to necessarily turn up in a white suit, but it's about seeing can they do a Joe Dolan song," says Adrian.That evening, Joe Dolan fans will be going to the Joe Dolan Reunion Show at the Arts Centre. There there will be a performance of all Joe's greatest hits, and following that, at The Greville Arms Hotel, there will be more Joe music as Karen and The Dolans take to the stage.On the Sunday, Ben Dolan will perform his My Brother Joe show, in which, through songs and music, he recalls his life on the road with one of Ireland's greatest-loved singers, and their early life growing up together. Karen and The Dolans will also perform, along with Sandra Dolan. Also making an appearance will be comedian Sean Connors.Anyone interested in taking part in the impersonator contest can do so by emailing: info@joedolan.com.