Taoiseach pays tribute to 'exceptional' showband legend Paddy Cole

Eva Osborne

Taoiseach Simon Harris has paid tribute to showband and music legend Paddy Cole, who has died aged 85.

The musician’s death comes after he was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2022, The Irish Times said. He was receiving hospice care at the time of his death.

Harris said Cole was "an exceptional music talent, a gifted performer, a warm-spirited person, and an 85-year-old who never grew old".

"His achievements are eye-watering and his adventures almost swashbuckling, best captured in his excellent memoir, King of the Swingers.

"Paddy almost became a butcher in his younger life, but the call of the saxophone and jazz was in his blood from his family in Castleblayney."

Harris said Cole's admirers included Elvis, who came to see him perform multiple times in Las Vegas.

"Paddy was also a talented broadcaster on both RTÉ television and later the Paddy Cole Hour on weekend radio, the embodiment of the companionship and magic of a great radio show," Harris said.

"His first love always remained performing live, something he continued to do well into his 80s.

"Paddy spoke with great dignity in recent years about his battle with cancer and to his wife Helen, his children, all his family and friends as well as those who loved and admired him, I am terribly sorry for your loss."