Paddy Leonard's Collection (238 photos on this page)

A message from Paddy: I would like to share this collection of showband photos and handouts as they bring back many happy memories of my early teenage years. The majority of those in the collection I received  from bands who played at the dance halls I attended in the early 60’s. This was mainly in Co Derry with the odd excursion across the border to the Borderland Ballroom in Muff Co Donegal.

Others I was given by friends older than me who knew my passion for collecting photos and being older had gone to other ballrooms further afield. Another source was a friend Liam McCloskey whose brother Jim ran the Castle Ballroom in Dungiven. At seventeen, my bedroom wall was covered with photos received from the bands and sorry but some still have marks from the Cello-tape which held them in place, no Blue Tac in those days! I still have them in an old shirt box which contained the first real fashion shirt I ever had, a present from my mother and father on my 16th birthday.

Now 67 years old and the shirt box and photos are still with me after all these years, having traveled from Ireland to England and now to my home in the Blue Mountains in Australia. How it has survived the journey and numerous house moves over the years is a mystery. I hope you enjoy seeing some of the bands again and that they evoke some happy memories for you too!

Click on a photo to see a full size image. 19 Photos so far!