WATCH! Romance in the air at Greville Arms Remembering Joe show!
By Sarah Slevin
It was a big night at the Remembering Joe concert at the Greville Arms last, as one couple got engaged on stage.
The Joe Dolan band and family reunited to kick off the Remembering Joe tour in Mullingar on Friday 11 February.
People from Mullingar and across the country attended the show, all delighted to be back at live gigs, but there was an extra element of excitement for one couple.
Joseph Galligan had planned to propose to his partner, Lena, with the help of the Joe Dolan band.
Speaking to the Westmeath Examiner beforehand, the Cavan man, shared his plans and how he was feeling.
“She loves this Joe Dolan show. So, my plan for tonight is to get engaged to the woman I love. I’m feeling very good. I’m excited,” Joseph said.
Halfway through the show, Ray Dolan invited the pair on stage, and Joseph got down on one knee to ask Lena to marry him.
“Well, I’ll give it a try,” Lena said, accepting the proposal as the audience cheered and clapped for the newly engaged couple.
Joseph said he bought the ring in Mullingar too in Ennell Jewellers, right across the street from the Greville Arms.
The concert had been rescheduled due to Covid-19 restrictions, but audience, the band and the hotel staff were all delighted it was finally going ahead, with full capacity.
Devoted fan, Oliver Gilsenan, who spoke to the Westmeath Examiner recently about his Joe Dolan-themed shed in Dromone, was delighted to be at the gig.
“It’s great to be back, it’s like cattle getting out of the shed. I love Joe Dolan, I’ve enjoyed his songs for years, especially ‘Goodbye Venice Goodbye’. I booked the tickets for this right away when they announced it,” Oliver said.
There were also people travelling from all over the country to come see the Remembering Joe concert in his hometown, including Shelia Donnelly.
“We’re here from Kilkenny, but I’d travel to the far side of the earth for Joe,” Shelia laughed.
“It’s been about two years since I’ve been out and it’s great to be back tonight especially for the Joe Dolan tribute band, I can’t wait for the show,” Shelia told the Westmeath Examiner before the show began.
Ray Dolan caught up with the Westmeath Examiner beforehand to share how himself and the band were feeling being back.
“We’re feeling excited and delighted. It’s a long time since we played the Greville Arms. There’s a huge crowd here, we met people from all over the country who are here for it,” Ray said.
“It’s bringing vibrancy to Mullingar and it’s great for local businesses too as a lot of people are staying for the weekend,” Ray added.
Ray was joined on stage by his father Ben, alongside Adrian and Sandra Dolan and Karen Carroll and musicians Steve Milne, Dave Kelly, Joe Meehan and Paul Kienan.