A diverse range of events has been planned by Mullingar traders for this weekend to coincide with the unveiling of the life-sized Joe Dolan statue in the centre of Mullingar.
Kicking off events on Saturday at 2pm will be a guided walking tour of Joe Dolan’s Mullingar. Visitors are invited to explore the town of Mullingar and the places that Joe knew and loved so well.
Days Bazaar and Just Books will host book signings and readings of the Joe Dolan Biography by Joe’s brother Ben Dolan and author Ronan Casey from 3pm.
Later that evening, at 8pm, Mullingar Greyhound Stadium will host the Final Joe Dolan Stakes.
On Sunday December 7, the day of the official festivities, two large screens will be erected adjacent to Market Square, showing the proceedings and ensuring access to viewing for the large crowds expected on the day.
The day’s events will begin with a reception hosted by chairman of Mullingar Town Council, Cllr Mick Dollard, for the Dolan family and their guests.
At 1.15pm the Mullingar Town Band will begin a recital in Market Square, followed by the official ceremony beginning at 2pm.
An Taoiseach, Brian Cowen, will be in Mullingar to unveil the sculpture, and he will be accompanied in the proceedings by Westmeath County Council cathaoirleach, Cllr Joe Whelan, and Ben Dolan, brother of the late Joe Dolan. The statue will then be formally blessed.
On completion of the formal proceedings, The Dolan Band will perform a segment of the award-winning Joe Dolan The Reunion Show, live in the open air on Market Square.
Following the completion of the event the barriers around the Market Square will remain in place for approximately two hours to accommodate the removal of all equipment. For health and safety reasons, the public are asked to co-operate with all instructions.
Westmeath County Council, along with the Dolan family, Gardai, traders, and many others have planned the weekend’s festivities to ensure the event is a special one and fitting of Joe’s legacy - a day to be remembered for the many Joe Dolan fans expected to travel to Mullingar for the event.
