Sir, – For over 50 years Joe Lynch was musical director of both the Artane Boys’ Band and the Artane Senior Band (“Artane Boys’ Band director dies at 65”, Home News, November 22nd).
As a former member of the Artane Boys’ Band who knew Joe for most of my life, I am deeply saddened by his untimely death. 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.
He was well known and will be sadly missed throughout the length and breadth of Ireland.
Joe was the driving force behind the great success of the Artane Bands. As well as being a conductor, musical arranger and composer 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. He instilled love for and appreciation of music to all he met, and he will be best remembered for conducting the band in Croke Park on All-Ireland Final days.
Under Joe’s guidance, the Artane Boys’ Band performed with world-renowned artists such as Neil Diamond, James Last, Frank Patterson, Perry Como, and Bing Crosby. Joe 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.
The band has also played in Croke Park with Irish artists such as Foster and Allen, Declan Nerney, Finbarr Wright and Johnny Carroll. Pete St John was also involved in musical collaborations with the band.
He selflessly gave his life to music for the benefit of the Irish people and for this we salute him and we think of his family at this difficult time.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam. – Yours, etc,