Statement by President Higgins on the death of Paddy Cole
Date: Wed 22nd Jan, 2025 | 21:27
"The loss of Paddy Cole is the loss of one of the founding icons of the great period of the Irish showbands.
From the Capitol Showband to the great brass sound, what Paddy Cole did for music and for jazz will be remembered across generations.
The significance of the showband era is perhaps one of the insufficiently recognised aspects of Irish music history. There are places that became famous because of the artists they produced. Castleblayney, always known as 'Blayney', is one such place for producing Paddy.
Paddy Cole's music was first class, with jazz of international quality, and Sabina and I knew and admired him as a friend.
May I send our condolences to Paddy's wife, Helen, to his children Pat, Pearse and Karen, and to all of his family, fellow musicians and many friends."