THERE was great sadness on the Northside following the
death of Joe Lynch, musical director of the Artane Senior Band and musical
director of the Artane Boys’ Band.
Joe was a well-known and deeply respected member of
the Irish music scene through his involvement with the Artane School of Music
organisation, and his business, Joe Lynch Musical Instruments at McCullough
Pigott music store on South William Street.
He was also famous for his many appearances throughout
a long and distinguished career with the Artane Boys’ Band and was a regular, well
known and respected figure in GAA circles through his hundreds of performances
at Croke Park throughout a career spanning some 53 years.
Joe Lynch began his distinguished career with the
Artane Boys’ Band in September 1956. At the age of 14, he first conducted the
band at a concert in Kilrush, County Clare.
After completing his training with the band, Joe
continued his musical education, studying under Prof AJ Potter and Col JP
Brennock (Irish Army School of Music).
On completing his studies, Joe returned as musical
director of the Artane Boys’ Band, where he built and developed the band until
his retirement from that role in 1995.
Joe continued his involvement with the Artane School
of Music in the position of musical director of the Artane Senior Band, a post
he conducted with great vigour, enthusiasm and dedication, until his untimely
death.
He conducted the Artane Band with world-renowned
artists such as Neil Diamond, James Last, Frank Patterson, Perry Como, and Bing
Crosby.
Joe also performed for every serving Taoiseach and
President of Ireland during his long tenure with Artane, and also United States
Presidents John F Kennedy, Richard Nixon, and Bill Clinton.
Joe’s sudden passing will be mourned by the many
hundreds, even thousands, of young men and women, past and present members of
the Artane Bands, whom he educated through the art of musical appreciation and
performance.
Dublin North East TD Terence Flanagan (FG) expressed
deep sadness at Mr Lynch’s passing.
“He was a musical perfectionist who had a strong work
ethic and always ensured that the highest standard of musicality was achieved
by the band,
? said Deputy Flanagan.
“Joe has been the driving force behind the great
success of the Artane Bands for the past 50 years.
“As well as being a
conductor and musical arranger he was also a man of great integrity who was an
excellent role model for the thousands of young people, including myself, who
graduated from the band over the years.
?
Deputy Flanagan said that as a former member of the
Artane Boys’ Band and a member of the Artane Senior Band, he is deeply saddened
that Ireland has lost a musical great.
“There is nobody else in this country who has the
experience and who has achieved what Joe Lynch has during his long career,
? he
added.
“He selflessly gave his life to music for the benefit
of the Irish people and for this we salute him.
?
Artane Whitehall ward councillor Declan Flanagan (FG),
also a former member of the Artane Boys’ Band, said he was deeply saddened by
Mr Lynch’s untimely death.
“He was outstanding in the music business, very
dedicated, a perfectionist, who instilled the love and appreciation for music
in the boys who attended the Artane Boys’ Band,
? stated Cllr Flanagan.
“He will be sadly missed throughout the length
and breadth of Ireland.
“He was a great arranger and composer of music
and will be best remembered for conducting the band in Croke Park on
All-Ireland Final days.
?
Joe Lynch is survived by his wife Dolores, daughters
Shelly, Mandy, Trish, Aimee and five grandchildren.