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Singer gave cash secretly to poor Singer gave cash secretly to poor
(about 1 hour later)
More than 2,000 people have gathered in Mullingar for the funeral of the singer and entertainer Joe Dolan. More than 2,000 people have attended the funeral of the singer and entertainer Joe Dolan in Mullingar.
The 68-year-old whose career spanned four decades, died on Boxing Day after suffering a brain haemorrhage.The 68-year-old whose career spanned four decades, died on Boxing Day after suffering a brain haemorrhage.
In his homily Father Brian Darcy told mourners that the singer had secretly given tens of thousands of euro to the poor during his career.In his homily Father Brian Darcy told mourners that the singer had secretly given tens of thousands of euro to the poor during his career.
Requiem Mass took place at the Cathedral of Christ the King. He will be buried in Walshestown Cemetery. Requiem Mass took place at the Cathedral of Christ the King. He was buried in Walshestown Cemetery.
Fans had queued to pay their respects on Friday at a funeral home in Mullingar, Westmeath, the singer's hometown.Fans had queued to pay their respects on Friday at a funeral home in Mullingar, Westmeath, the singer's hometown.
Among the first to arrive at the funeral on Saturday were leading figures in the Irish entertainment industry, including Paddy Cole, Dickie Rock, Ronnie Drew, Brendan Grace and Oliver Barry.Among the first to arrive at the funeral on Saturday were leading figures in the Irish entertainment industry, including Paddy Cole, Dickie Rock, Ronnie Drew, Brendan Grace and Oliver Barry.
IllnessIllness
The singer's management team said he had been with his family in Dublin on Christmas Day when he was rushed to the Mater Private Hospital, where he died at around 1500 GMT the following day.The singer's management team said he had been with his family in Dublin on Christmas Day when he was rushed to the Mater Private Hospital, where he died at around 1500 GMT the following day.
The entertainer had suffered an illness in the autumn and was forced to cancel tours, on the advice of doctors, due to exhaustion.The entertainer had suffered an illness in the autumn and was forced to cancel tours, on the advice of doctors, due to exhaustion.
Born in Mullingar, his first job was with the local newspaper, the Westmeath Examiner, but after completing his apprenticeship he let his passion for music take over.Born in Mullingar, his first job was with the local newspaper, the Westmeath Examiner, but after completing his apprenticeship he let his passion for music take over.
A string of hits followed in the showband era of the 1960s and 70s as he entertained fans across Europe and as far afield as Argentina and Brazil.A string of hits followed in the showband era of the 1960s and 70s as he entertained fans across Europe and as far afield as Argentina and Brazil.
Dolan also earned fame for being the first western pop singer to play in Moscow at the height of the Cold War in 1978.Dolan also earned fame for being the first western pop singer to play in Moscow at the height of the Cold War in 1978.
His biggest hit, Make Me An Island, went as high as number three in the UK chart in 1969, and reached number one in 14 other countries.His biggest hit, Make Me An Island, went as high as number three in the UK chart in 1969, and reached number one in 14 other countries.