The largest digital showband archive in the world!
Based In Sligo, Ireland / email: showbands@gmsproductions.com

With thanks to Irish Newspaper Archives: https://irishnewsarchive.com

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Name:  Michael Callaghan
Email: john_wayne57@hotmail.com
Date:  28 Mar 2007

Comments: Hi, I would like to know the where abouts of Gloria Smith because I grew up with her. What is she doing now. Also, what happened to the Arrows? I was a big fan. from Michael Callaghan, Melbourne, Australia


Name:  Arnold Smyth
Email: arnoldrichardsmyth@vodafone.ie
Date:  27 Mar 2007

Comments: Love the site. Think all images are very well kept. Big Tom Fan who was too young when the early traveller LP's were out. If any one has track listings for all their albums that would be great


Name:   Sean Coyne
Email:  pjcoyne@iprimus.com.au
Date:  24 Mar 2007

Comments: My memory is the 50 & 60's  when I lived in Dublin. To me the rock at age 20 it was great I loved it all also the Dubliner's. I am 76 now and live in Australia since 1968.


Name:  Aisling Flanagan
Email: ashfla84@yahoo.co.uk
Date:  23 Mar 2007

Comments: We love the good old show bands. love aising and kristen


Name:  Agnes Laughlin
Email: agnesreg@hotmail.com
Date:  22 Mar 2007

Comments: Sad to learn of so many old friends who have now departed these were wonderful days and great great entertainers who are sadly missed. Heaven will truly be a joyous place to have so much talent and the stars shine much brighter to have these wonderful people. God bless each and everyone of them from the bottom of my heart and many many other hearts. We will remember each of them and treasure all memories they have left us


Name:  Tony Moore
Email: maxtrax123@hotmail.com
Date:  22 Mar 2007

Comments: Many years ago being a member of '' The Fed" (Irish Federation of Musicians) you would get a 'call ' from  some band up north who needed a rhythm guitarist and vocalist to play locally and ''a Mr. Chris Mahon" would call you. Hands up those of you who remember Chris. You know most of the one man bands on the road are in their 50/60s....there are very few new acts coming on stage. I would like to thank Charlie McLaren for is input into the 'Oldies/Showbands" files. Thank you....Tony Mac.


Name:  jacqueline Logan
Email: clarnileochain@nyc.rr.com
Date:  19 Mar 2007

Comments: My father played in the Showbands, Pascal Logan of Dublin.  I will submit some background, photos and some of his funny stories of that magical time in Ireland.


Name:  Michael Davidson
Email: buskefjump@yahoo.co.uk
Date:  19 Mar 2007

Comments: I think your web site is awesome. It has brought back many good memories for me. Thank you so much and keep up the good work. Will be a regular visitor from now on. I can remember seeing Them playing in the Maritime and Sammy Houstons Jazz Club. Saw Dickie Rock playing Queens. Have seem many more and your website has brought it all back to me. Many thanks again.....Michael


Name:  matt smyth
Email: thanatos@comcen.com.au
Date:  17 Mar 2007

Comments: A Chara, What a terrific site............such memories of those fabulous days....Im first cousin of Joe Tyrell of the Miami (and before that The Downbeats) living now in Sydney. Slan....Matt Smyth


Name:  martin george
Email: gogmanrocks@lycos.co.uk
Date:  15 Mar 2007

Comments: I first heard the single "Witness for the world" when Simon Mayo was loving it on Radio 1. I then bought the album which i instantly loved and when anyone came to my house they were subjected to a listen and it became an instant hit around Swaffham, Norfolk. I was like a preacher making everyone I could convert 2 Cry Before Dawn which a lot of people did. Happy days which I will always remember and Cry B4 Dawn was a major part of it. Cheers guys, Martin.


Name:  Peter Moore
Email: stonewallfarm@aol.com
Date:  15 Mar 2007

Comments: Hi Guys, Love the site, Picked up Stepaside at the airport coming back to the States last year. My son loves them. I was trying to remember the name of a band in the late seventies that Donald Nagel formed. Does anyone remember those. I think there were only three guys it. Peter M.


Name:  Frank Flanagan
Email: Frank.inbox@hotmail.co.uk
Date:  14 Mar 2007

Comments: The era of the showbands was unique, everyone enjoyed the same music, whether they be 7 or 70. I recall in 1962 a Jim Reeves poster advertising his imminent arrival to sing in Sligo's "Las Vegas Ballroom." We were also privileged to have all the best bands too at the Rainbow Ballroom in Glenfarne and also at the Mayflower in Drumshanbo two of the best venues in County Leitrim, and no better than Larry Cunningham to be there. However it was  not until 1968, that a young Longford man here in England said to me, did you hear of this new singer Big Tom? I replied you and your pop singers!! (how wrong) So if you are still about Barney Brady (Balinamuck or Glasson or?) hope you're well.   Good luck to this great web site and happy St. Patricks day to all presenting it..


Name:  mervyn currie
Email: mervyn.currie@btinternet.com
Date:  14 Mar 2007

Comments: Great to know that showbands are still alive.


Name:  Charles Mc Guire
Email: charles.mcguire2@btinternet.com
Date:  14 Mar 2007

Comments: Very interesting site.    pity todays showbands seem to loose some of that 60s magic.


Name:  Jennifer Blaine
Email: jbpilatesgirl@aol.com
Date:  12 Mar 2007

Comments: I have been trying to track down my cousin, Des Kelly.  So glad to find him here.  We met about ten or so years ago here in the states.  I wish him and his family all the best.


Name:  dan  murphy
Email: aidan.p.murphy@hotmail.co.uk
Date:  11 Mar 2007

Comments: I  used  to  play  bass  with  a  very  popular  country  band  based  in ballela  outside  banbridge  called   the  shanrods  in  early/mid/eightys  all  around  county  down  later  joined  john  glen   still  playing  new  two  piece  starting  very  soon  mananged  by  martin  murphy  from   strabane    ,great  web  site


Name:  freddie elwood
Email: yamahanibiker@aol.com
Date:  10 Mar 2007

Comments: i saw Anne, Shelly and the Marines at the Woodlands Hotel in Lisburn many years ago, they were really brilliant , good vocals by the two girls, pity there was not groups like them nowadays


Name:  Heinz White
Email: dj_white@email.com
Date:  08 Mar 2007

Comments: Sheeba is Super with Song Horoscopes 1981 en Dublin. With Maxi, Marion Fossett, Frances Campbell is Fantastic!!!!!! (Grand Compliment) Greetings Heinz to Maxi, Marion Fossett, Frances Campbell.(Group Sheeba)


Name:  Dara O Rourke
Email: daraorourke@hotmail.com
Date:  05 Mar 2007

Comments: Great Site.Brought me back to summers of the 67-70 period. So the Top Hat Ballroom is no more! Saw a group called The Fire Brigade there. Close your eyes and it was the Stones. Also the Stella in Stillorgan where nice elderly gents would ask you to behave as you went in! Purty Kitchen, Caroline Club in Glasthule, even Monskstown Tennis Hop. Beat groups/showbands both did covers brilliantly but the former had no uniforms, end of. I never again saw such dancing. In England the trick was to look bored. What happened to This Village? All the best.   Dara O Rourke.


Name:  Jason McAuley
Email: jason.mccauley@ntlworld.com
Date:  05 Mar 2007

Comments: Fantastic site . Really great to see my dad, Peter McAuley, of American Express featured here.


Name:  Irene Webber
Email: i.p.webber@blueyonder.co.uk
Date:  04 Mar 2007

Comments: was a fan of larry s way back in the sixtys, first met him in dublin then the Irish Club in Glasgow. we had some photos taken with him that night. just bought the Irish Showbands Collections and wow, he hasnt changed so much. well done larry!


Name:  Maryjane Pacifico
Email: mjpacifico@optonline.net
Date:  03 Mar 2007

Comments: Just remembering a wonderful cruise on a Celebrity ship with Paddy Noonan's band.  Our family of four -Pau;, Maryjame, Alicia, and P.J. - enjoyed many an evening at dinner with Glenn Curtin.  We miss the trip and the fun.  Wonder what he is up to these days.  Paul and I will be in Mallow, Cork, from 9/1 to 9/08/07 where my grandmother was born - Glassabee, Dromahane.  Wish we could get in touch with Glen.  Best wishes, anyway.  Maryjane Pacifico


Name:  Saffrom McGregor
Email: saffronmcgregor@yahoo.co.uk
Date:  03 Mar 2007

Comments: We would love to know what Noel from the Indians is dong now. He was a great singer who we loved. My husband and I went to see the Indians and it was not the same without him. He was absolutely briliant. We would love to shake his hand!!!!!!!


Name:  Mike Connolly
Email: mikeconnolly@verizon.net
Date:  28 Feb 2007

Comments: I enjoyed looking at a list of all the bands, going back 50 years or so , I think it is a great idea to have something like this to have a look down memory lane once in a while. keep up the good work, looking forward to scrolling back to catch up on things when i get the time


Name:  naoimh o hagan
Email: pop86@hotmail.com
Date:  27 Feb 2007

Comments: I am the very proud grand daughter of the late legend (big)fergie o hagan from the first band that started the whole show band era The Clipper Carltons. it great to see so much information on the band and that the memories the clippers created are being kept alive, if you know of any footage of the band could you let me know. all the best. naoimh


Name:  ms michele maitland
Email: brendong@HOTMAIL.COM
Date:  25 Feb 2007

Comments: very pleased to see web site set up. im daughter of the late danny maitland .and niece of walter. i am looking to track down some music .little lover sang by danny 1962 madadors red hand lable. i would be so thankful for your help.michele maitland.


Name:  Kay McBride
Email: KAYBE0219@COMCAST.NET
Date:  22 Feb 2007

Comments: I saw Frankie Mcbride and the Polka Dots with my grandparents, Hugh and Rebecca McBride in Philadelphoia in the 1970's. Was back home in Omagh in 1980 and 1990 and visited with the Mcbride clan - stayed with Vincent and Finnoula - Love to see Frankie Tour the USA again.


Name:  bobby  forsythe
Email: bob.forsythe@btinternet.com
Date:  22 Feb 2007

Comments: I was the guitar player in the Johnny Quigley All Stars 1960/61. The photo is Tony Duggan (vocals), Johnny Q, Mickey Q, Joe Q, Edmund Q, Roy Addinell (trumpet), Bobby Forsythe (guitar), Jackie Flavelle (Bass), Tommy McMeninin (drums), Dennis Fisher (trombone). Does anyone out there remember us?  They were a great band. I still gig with some of the showband guys mostly playing jazz, our first love. But we all loved our showband days. This site brings many great memories. I am from Belfast but lived in Derry during Quigley days. Great time. I hope to hear from someone out there. Bobby Forsythe.


Name:  margaret o' rourke
Email: margaretorourke99@eircom.net
Date:  22 Feb 2007

Comments: Hi i have just loged into your site and i think it is great, i was born in 1968 and while i was growing up i spent most of my childhood listening to the showbands,my aunt went out with Tony Kenny back then,and their is a photo of him and my aunt with me as a baby in my pram,i will send it to you.keep up the good work,by the way does anyone know anything about Johanna and Taquile Sunrise, she had a hit in the 80  with the song NOREEN BAWN she was on the BiBi Baskin show one night,i would love to no if anyone can get that song as i have tried everywhere and no one seems to of heard of her , she was brilliant,


Name:  mary devine
Email: marydevine14@hotmail.com
Date:  22 Feb 2007

Comments: Hi there. I think your web site is great.  I wonder if anyone remembers Tracy and the grassroots . I wonder where are they now.  I think she may have left the grassroots and formed another band - if there is anyone who knows please email at the above email .


Name:  Dan Flanagan
Email: dn_flngn@yahoo.co.uk
Date:  18 Feb 2007

Comments: Well done!I thoroughly enjoyed the website.It brought back fond memories of my younger years seeing Chips perform in Cork City. They were such a talented band and I wish each and every one of them the very best. Dan


Name:  jackie holgate
Email: holgate58@msn.com
Date:  17 Feb 2007

Comments: could you please tell me if i could get hold of any of glorias songs on cd , from the albums gloria at her best and gloria mississippi? thank you.


Name:  eugene tyrrell
Email: eugenetyrrell@hotmail.com
Date:  16 Feb 2007

Comments: My name is eugene tyrrell from kilkenny and i play the trumpet in a 14 piece big band.


Name:  Lindsay McGuire
Email: Lindsayjmcguire@gmail.com
Date:  15 Feb 2007

Comments: HI i'm a great friend of des lee from the miamii showband , he left south africa not so long ago to do reunion shows for the show band, i am looking for contact details for anyone that is in contact with him if he could please contact me would love to see how he is doing ....


Name:  tommie coleman
Email: crachelcoleman1@aol.com
Date:  13 Feb 2007

Comments: been a fan since 1970 and in my opinion i think your one of the best entertainment acts of the last thirty years


Name:  David Harrington
Email: david@showpianist.de
Date:  12 Feb 2007

Comments: Congratulations for your fabulous website! My father Thomas Harrington played drums at "THE CRICKETS SHOWBAND" in the 60s and he came over to Germany to play at the Star Club in Hamburg for quite a long time. I am very proud of him and I became a musician (pianist and conductor) myself.


Name:  Uel Megarity
Email: uelnmegarity@yahoo.co.uk
Date:  11 Feb 2007

Comments: The Indians were the best showband on the circuit, when Noel Brady & Shay O'Reilly sang lead vocals.  Where are they now


Name:  Vaughan Byrne
Email: vkbyrne@googlemail.com
Date:  11 Feb 2007

Comments: Hi All, Jimmy Johnston Showband drummer Billy McLaughlin appears in extreme right hand side of the photograph at the band wagon. Billy and his brother played with a terrific group called Lee Parker and the Vibratones.during the early 1960's based in Belfast. Regards Vaughan


Name:  Gabrielle Sherlock
Email: Gabriellesherlock@hotmail.com
Date:  10 Feb 2007

Comments: It was Fabulous to discover your website. It's fantastic, It brings back so many memories from the 60s and 70s. I grew up in Phibsboro, Dublin. I knew the memories well. Does anybody out there still remember me? I've been living in Belgium for the past 30 years. Gabrielle.


Name:  james walsh
Email: jameswalsh56@hotmail.com
Date:  07 Feb 2007

Comments: its a brilliiant site, can you please please tell me where i can get billy browne's peace album, have searched all over but to no avail. thanks


Name:  pete kinsey
Email: pete@kinsey1951.fsworld.co.uk
Date:  06 Feb 2007

Comments: Hi, I often wondered what happened to some of the lesser known singers/ session singers on the showband scene.I remember people like Mary Clifford and Alma Carroll who basically were session singers,also Lisa Love who sang with Glen Curtin, She  had a great voice. finally Trina and Nora Larkin who were the first and third female singers with New Blues.Would love to know.


Name:  dave mc d
Email: dave10@oceanfree.net
Date:  06 Feb 2007

Comments: Love the site I ;ve only just gottinto the horselips previously I was ahuge fan of rory gallagher and thin lizzy but since i saw the return of the dancehall sweet hearts DVD I was blown awayby it. The horslips were amazing that psychdelic space ship they arrived in whaen play the first song Furniture was brilliant, Love it. 70's rock was defnatly the best decade in Irish music history


Name:  Bones
Email: chubbchubb@blueyonder.co.uk
Date:  05 Feb 2007

Comments: Brilliant site. It has brought back many memories of my friend and I dancing on the beach at Cranfield Co Down to the The Sounds of the Dickie Rock, and  Brendan Bowyer  on a little battrey record player. Thank you


Name:  collette
Email: colletteusher@hotmail.co.uk
Date:  05 Feb 2007

Comments: My cousin Kevin Geoghegan played with the emerald showband and won oppurtunity knocks.Havent seen him for many years and wondered what he is doing now?


Name:  liam heffernan
Email: liamjheffernan@eircom.net
Date:  03 Feb 2007

Comments: to verify that unkonwn micheal quinn is infact lead guitar. my father liam heffernan is on trombone second from left back row.


Name:  Roy Addinell
Email: Roy Addinell@blueyonder.co.uk
Date:  02 Feb 2007

Comments: I wonder who the person who was taught 'brass' in the 1990s by Roy Addinell is? I am Roy Addinell, & have taught 'brass' in several schools for many years, but now (semi) retired. Can someone satisfy my curiosity pleas? Roy Addinell.


Name:  Sid Morton
Email: ArthurMorton06@aol.com
Date:  02 Feb 2007

Comments: Hi there,  What a nice surprise your site is. It brought back wonderful memories for me of touring in the late 80s/90s with shows organised by Carousel Promotions ( Peggy and Michael Smith ) then of the Carousel Club, manchester.  Our trio were support artists to some of the best,  Brendan Shine,  Dermot O'Brien, The Indians , Foster and Allen , Johnny McEvoy ,Vince Miller, Rose Marie ,Philomena Begley, Ray Lynham  Etc.  It was a priviledge to be in the company of such great artists.  Keep up the good work my friends,   Sid. Morton,  Ex drummer of " The Bon-Accords" ( Robin & Deryn Waite) from Dumfriesshire, Scotland.


Name:  sean hussey
Email: thehuzz@gmail.com
Date:  02 Feb 2007

Comments: Great memories.Only seems like yesterday,wish i could relive it all again. I played the scene from 1968 till1980 with Paddy Hanrahan,Margo and the late Brian Harkin. Must look up old photos to share.


Name:  Roy Addinell
Email: Roy Addinell@blueyonder.co.uk
Date:  02 Feb 2007

Comments: I wonder who the person who was taught 'brass' in the 1990s by Roy Addinell is? I am Roy Addinell, & have taught 'brass' in several schools for many years, but now (semi) retired. Can someone satisfy my curiosity please? Roy Addinell.


Name:  David Mehaffey
Email: djmehaffey@yahoo.co.uk
Date:  01 Feb 2007

Comments: Derrick. I do not have an address/contact details for you Perhaps you would you get in touch so that we may catch up on family news etc Ta David


Name:  Deirdre Craney
Email: craneyfamily@hotmail.com
Date:  31 Jan 2007

Comments: I used to date Derek Teeling and on a whim thought I would Google his name.  What a blast from the past, lovely to be able to walk down memory lane again!!


Name:  Dominic Cunningham
Email: dominic.cunningham@btinternet.com
Date:  31 Jan 2007

Comments: Enjoyed reading the web site. I'm with the Irish Independent, incidentally, and not the Irish Times.  When I was writing about the showbands it was back in the late '60's with a weekly Co Down paper called "The Outlook".  It was great craic! I look forward to further info on your site. DC.


Name:  Derek Elliott
Email: derekw@uwclub.net
Date:  30 Jan 2007

Comments: I just found the site tonight and It was great to scroll through the Showbands and dream about those great days. I lived in Ireland throughout that never to be forgotten era and often think about it now that I am back in England. I lived in Co Wexford and was a regular at The Cedars, Rosslare when Seamus Casey and Vera ran it, they had all the top bands and I got to know many of them personally including Dermot O'Brian and Ronnie Medford with the Nevada among others.


Name:  marcel louis
Email: marcellouis55@hotmail.com
Date:  29 Jan 2007

Comments: when brendan of the monarchs came to england in the late sixties he played and still does if anyone wishes to know now residing in blackpool use my email to cntct him


Name:  frankie gallagher
Email: frankie_gallagher@btinternet.com
Date:  27 Jan 2007

Comments: What a great site. Keep up the good work.


Name:  liam mc cabe
Email: liam.mccabe@musgrave.ie
Date:  27 Jan 2007

Comments: looking for the words of meanding my netts in kinsale


Name:  edward broughan
Email: ebroughan@eircom.net
Date:  27 Jan 2007

Comments: Has any one got any tapes  or cd of lee lynch  would love to here from you ,would be in a position to purchase if they are for sale.


Name:  frankie gallagher
Email: frankie_gallagher@btinternet.com
Date:  26 Jan 2007

Comments: I am deeply sorry for the tragic loss of your son. As I have a young boy not much older than grant was i can imagine the the turmoil that you and your family are going through. My prayers and thoughts go out to you and I hope that someday you  will get some consolation from this tragedy. May God help you in this time of great sadness.


Name:  Ciara Campbell
Email: Ciara@tylerstaproom.com
Date:  25 Jan 2007

Comments: You have no idea how much this web site has meant to me. I am the daughter of Joe Campbell who passed away in 1990 and the niece of Joe McGreevy both of whom played in the President's Show Band and The College Boy's thankyou so much for taking the care and time to put such a wonderful site together and recording such a fantasic time in our history. My Fathers picture and details are in the "In Memory section of the website, thank you for doing that, although i could not thank you enough if you could change his details to "sadly passed away in 1990" again i cannot thank you enough for giving me these old pictures and memories back.


Name:  allana dell                
Email: allana.dingwall@btinternet.com
Date:  25 Jan 2007

Comments: hi i am the daughter of billy dell who was a member of the "sterling showband" i have browsed through this site and i think its great i have found it really interesting


Name:  deborah dunne
Email: dmrdunne@yahoo.ie
Date:  24 Jan 2007

Comments: Hi there.really enjoyed the site.just wonderin if anyone remembers a drummer named jerry dunne,my dad.i would have been very young but im nearly certain he told us he played with the clipper carltons.would love to hear if his name rings a bell with anyone.he played with the belcantos


Name:  noel mc shane broadcaster
Email: noel.mcshane@fivefm.co.uk
Date:  23 Jan 2007

Comments: Hi everyone just been down memory lane by scrolling through this site. The information and pictures are great and for someone looking to relive the dancehall memories.  This is just the ticket,   Most of us who worked along with the bands during that time like myself as a dj doing the crowd warmup before the bands took center stage. I feel very proud to have known and worked in front of these bands both past and present.. Now after 30 yrs i have recently got a job with the new radio station fivefm broadcasting on 100.5fm. THUR/FRI NIGHTS 7 830PM  IRISH COUNTRY AND SUNDAY NITES 9/11 AMERICAN COUNTRY.To the people behind this site i say well done and congrats this really gives people who want to know about the bands ,a great insight.just in case there is someone looking at this abroad and are from newry or co down/armagh and would like to say hello to faimly or friends  please feel free to contact me on line or tex maybe you might like a track from some of the bands on this site, once again to the site set up team great stuff . thanks noel.


Name:  joeann
Email: j.baxter879@btinternet.com
Date:  22 Jan 2007

Comments: Is there a new video out of Big Tom. My mum is a huge fan and I can@t get one anywhere. Jo


Name:  Junior Billings
Email: 7luckyjr@rcvideo.com
Date:  22 Jan 2007

Comments: Hi,does anyone out there know who Joe Clark is playing with now if so please let me know,yhank you   Jr


Name:  Vaughan Byrne
Email: vkbyrne@googlemail.com
Date:  21 Jan 2007

Comments: What a great idea they were brilliant times we all thought it would never end.  One or two corrections Ricky Curry who was lead guitarist  with The Jimmy Johnston SHOWBAND in the late sixties is alive and well living in Australia . We swopped Christmas cards last year 2006.  Frankie and the Echoes were based in Belfast not Ballymena.  I played bass with Frankie and the Echoes from 1962 -1964  I also played bass with the Federals (Belfast) Jimmy Johnston (Lisburn) Be achcombers (Lisburn) Kid Wayne (Lisburn)


Name:  sandra cleary
Email: sandcleary@hotmail.com
Date:  20 Jan 2007

Comments: Would love to hear Dickie singing  Candy Store on the Corner. Best wishes Sandra


Name:  Annmarie Courtnet
Email: sinead.marron@northernfoods.com
Date:  20 Jan 2007

Comments: Hi, I am wondering if anyone out there has any photos of the letrim loughrea ceili band.  I was in the band however very young at the time and would be interested in them. To all others out there....thank God for


Name:  Claire Truesdale
Email: clairet1704@aol.com
Date:  19 Jan 2007

Comments: I am delighted to have found some pictures in here featuring my dad Frank Truesdale as he was the Bass player and sang backing for 'The Spectres' in the early 60's. He has some newspaper cuttings of events, pictures and articles posted back then featuring the band. It looks as though they were quite a big thing in Belfast! Unfortunately, I have not heard any of their tracks personally, but I am very proud to have a dad who was part of a band who hit no. 4 in the charts with 'The facts of Life' (Rag Disc) when worldwide star Tom Jones was at no. 1 with its not unusual.


Name:  Vera Keaveney
Email: ceglia@adelphia.net
Date:  19 Jan 2007

Comments: Thanks for the great site. My parents owned The Ranch House and it is great to see all the old showbands. Thanks for a great site.


Name:  samantha o'brien
Email: tink@hotmail.co.uk
Date:  19 Jan 2007

Comments: Hi i am writting on my dad's (brendan o'brien) behalf as he sadly pasted away in 2000. he always spoke so highly about the band and still right up to his last day was singing the songs. i knew he missed you all and wished he stayed in contact.


Name:  owen neill
Email: owenneill@hotmail.com
Date:  18 Jan 2007

Comments: Hello, This is a photo of my father (Johnnie Bourgoyne) Stewart Neill. We were surfing the net and found this great site. My Father is alive and well living in Edmonton Alberta Canada. He still preformes on a part time basis. And stills wows them they way he use too. I have seen my fathers greatness through the years from that little kid watching the show from the bar linen closet. He preformed the Canadian bar circut for years With his unique style entertaining all. In the last few years dad has found himself down south in Mexico where he has a sun set show right on the main Puerto vallart beach.   Thank you for all the good times. Can I get This photo my dad would love it


Name:  Carrie mc Guinness
Email: mcguinnesscaroline@hotmail.com
Date:  17 Jan 2007

Comments: I thnk your webie site it great My father was born in finglas then moved to kilbarrack dublin Jimmy Keane my mother was Mary Gordon and they followed bands all over  dublin and up and down the country, in the 1970's. If any of their friends out their would be great to hear from you all or James Jimmy keane i was told he might have moved to the uk thanks


Name:  Jimmy Bergin
Email: ballymona@juno.com
Date:  16 Jan 2007

Comments: WOW! What a site! I stayed up half the night browsing through it. Still a lot to see. I am from Ballyhaise Co. Cavan. home of the Mighty Avons. I used to know them all. Sad to see that some of them are in Heaven now. How time has flown. I booked them for a fundraiser in Cavan Town Hall before they hit it big. Of course i was also a big fan of the Clipper,The Royal, and the Swingtime aces from Galway. Another band i liked was the Jonnny Quigley Band. I believe they were from Derry.I Havn't found any of their pictures  on your website yet. Anyway thanks for a great site and keep up the good work.  It's nice to relive the old days.      Jimmy Bergin.


Name:  Ros Harman
Email: david.harman@tiscali.co.uk
Date:  16 Jan 2007

Comments: Hi there. I have been ask by a friend to look up Tony and the Graduates on my computer she has found a record by them and would like to know a bit more info. can any one help


Name:  arthur moynihan
Email: denahennelly@hotmail . com
Date:  15 Jan 2007

Comments: i arthur moynihan living in ferns co wexford,  where i grew up  playing music with our family band....... the late dave moynihan big band  i am proud  to have been part of .  i still play music  nothing like the days of the big band sound  i still hold dear in my  thoughts  along with  many musicians  of that time.....  arthur moynihan 


Name:  Joseph McAveety
Email: mcaveety@hotmail.com
Date:  15 Jan 2007

Comments: Hi Mike, hope to find you well and happy,i remember a song you recorded many years ago with the Real Mc Coy the song was Many The Memories. do you know where i can buy that song on cd? Also i am on the look out for the Freshmens second album Peace On Earth,i wonder if it is on cd. Thank you   keep on rocking Mike
Kind regards.................Joe McAveety 


Name:  Roy Condon
Email: spud1971@aol.com
Date:  14 Jan 2007

Comments: I live in New Jersey USA  and am good friends with Willie Lynch ex Deep set. Iwas a close friend of Dermot O Connor of Spud and was wondering if anyone knew how i could contact him. by the way your web site is terrific it brought back many good momories of when i lived in Dublin   thanks


Name:  John Middleton
Email: jamiddleton@hotmail.com
Date:  13 Jan 2007

Comments: Great to see so many photos of the old showbands     Well done


Name:  Pat and Patsy Kearney
Email: kearneypj@hotmail.com
Date:  12 Jan 2007

Comments: Your site brings back so many memories from times past. We knew many of the guys and still see some of them now and then. When I see the pictures from back then it seems like only yesterday, the bands and the crowds were so young and vibrant, it is hard to believe so many of them are already gone. With so many bands on the road every night all over Ireland, it never occurred to us that it would ever end. I still see a few of the old halls when I visit home, the Lakeland Mullingar, The Roseland Moate, and a few more are still there, the Granada in Granard was torn down last year. There were so many halls and hotels and then in summer you had all the Marques set up for the carnivals. I often wonder how many couples met a one of them for the first time, and how many people in their thirties and forties could trace their families beginning back to one of them. You are doing a great job, thanks for the memories.


Name:  Sean preston
Email: s53p@aol.com
Date:  12 Jan 2007

Comments: Hello lads.....sean preston here ..left Ireland showband scene 1985 to move to the states living there now and itsgreat to look back at the old photos of the bands of my era .thanks for the memories


Name:  Gerrit en Jeannette Veltink
Email: gerrit.veltink@planet.nl
Date:  12 Jan 2007

Comments: Good to see pictures of Sean Gallagher in his early years.  We know Sean and his sons Boxtie from touring in Holland. Their great people and the best musicians. Love your website !!!


Name:  Jean Suitor (nee Rowland)
Email: melsport2000@yahoo.com
Date:  11 Jan 2007

Comments: Hello Tom. Came across your website as I was on my sons laptop!  I hope you & your family are all well and that you have a very happy New Year. Olive & I hope to see you soon


Name:  Alec Cowan
Email: alecmel@oceanfree.net
Date:  10 Jan 2007

Comments: Hello, I've just discovered this website and it's great. I played in a Dublin showband called The Vienna Showband, a 6 piece (previously called Ther Roosters) from 1966 until 1970. I see we're not featured (yet), can I send you a photo? Let me know if your interested and give me the E-Mail address. Regards, Alec


Name:  mike o'brien
Email: mollyblooms@rogers.com
Date:  09 Jan 2007

Comments: Hi, Guys,mike o'brien here,ex Real Mc Coy,living,and entertaining in london,Ontario,canada. Give me a shout, lots of old band photos and information.


Name:  Phyllis McDonald nee Simpson 
Email: pmcd7@bigpond.com
Date:  09 Jan 2007

Comments: I was thrilled to see the photo of David Martin with the band, please can you give me some more information about him, the website is very interesting and has brought back a lot of memories....   thank you   Phyllis  McDonald  nee Simpson.


Name:  Frank Mangan
Email: Frankmangan@verizon.net
Date:  08 Jan 2007

Comments: It was fabulous to discover your site as i looked for something entirely different. I was a founder member of the" Hoedowners" with Earl Gill, Sean Dunphy etc when we changed from The Earl Gill Showband in 1966 after getting booked to do the Hoedown Show on fledglingTelefis Eirann. I have many great memories and some not so great of the Showband Era which I left in 1968. i have noticed a couple of innacuracies in what I have avidly read so far about my dear late friend butch Moore, which I will share with you at a better time. Thank you for the site and the memories! Frank Mangan


Name:  Seamus  Mulrennan
Email: mulrenns@eircom.net
Date:  07 Jan 2007

Comments: Fantastic  site  brings  back  so  many  memories.  May  have  some  showband  photos  that  maybe  of  interest  to  you.


Name:  harry hockedy
Email: hockedy@hotmail.com
Date:  07 Jan 2007

Comments: Hello Enjoyed the site,as usual.I would appreciate any info regarding any recordings of the Billy Brown(of the freshmen)band.It would seem that a lot of people out there have their vinyl records gathering dust.Well its no big deal to burn the records to CD.All you need is a computer and a suitable music burning programme.if Kieran O Malley wishes to contact me we can talk about Reform.Thats all for now and thank you for this stroll down memory lane


Name:  kitty maguire
Email: kittylodge@hotmail.co.uk
Date:  07 Jan 2007

Comments: Great to read all about the old showbands  .did,nt know they existed until sent me the web sit number.i had the pleasure of dancing to the donel ring ceilie band many moons ago.it was with great bleasure 2 years ago in cork i danced again to the same band now run by his son


Name:  Bobby Morrison
Email: bobsermo@hotmail.com
Date:  06 Jan 2007

Comments: Just found your site it is superb just like reliving good old days. Did most of my dancing in St. Theresa's parochial hall which I don't see mentioned and The Astor in Belfast. We used to dance to many of the top bands here as well as groups from across the water such as Chris Farlowe, Spencer Davis etc.  Wish those days were back with us.  All the very best with this site in the future and rest assured I will be visiting it on a regular basis.


Name:  greg porter
Email: greginireland@hotmail.co.uk
Date:  05 Jan 2007

Comments: in 1995 i worked with the reformed miami,they there just as hot as fran and the boys,and i am still see some of the band,


Name:  ANGELA
Email: angela.gevauxross@tesco.net
Date:  05 Jan 2007

Comments: The website is very good. I only discovered it today im a big fan of mary duff & daniel o donnell keep up the good work angie england


Name:  maria donegan
Email: morio@eircom.net
Date:  02 Jan 2007

Comments: i am  the daughter of Enda O Riordan. any messages for him? he is alive and well and would welcome contact.


Name:  Eamonn O'Riordan
Email: eamonnoriordan@eircom.net
Date:  02 Jan 2007

Comments: Nice to see your photo of the first IBBA comittee , I  am Enda O'Riordan's son .. he is alive and kicking in Clonmel and often talks about the old days  when he managed the Cowboys, the Tony Stevens band and was also the Manager of the Collins Hall , Clonmel where I began  my courting days in the early 60 's .. recently Enda attended a Joe Dolan concert in the Park Hotel , Clonmel and was delighted that Joe and Ben introduced him from the stage .. nice to see that people still care. I now work in the Seychelles Islands where a co -worker informed me recently she is a fan of Big Tom's !


Name:  Tom Seerey
Email: tnseerey@telusplanet.net
Date:  01 Jan 2007

Comments: Very nice to see pictures of the guys and gals when they were all young


Name:  Tony Carney
Email: t_celt@yahoo.com.au
Date:  01 Jan 2007

Comments: I have discovered your site by accident and it was wonderful to be reminded of the great showband era.I grew up in Belfast during the sixties and went to see all of them.Incidentally,the reason I was browsing these sites was to see if I could find a copy of The Barleycorns,The town I loved so well.It has been covered by many fine singers but no one puts it over like Liam Tiernan.Can anyone help me? Keep up the good work


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In Loving Memory of Grant Gallagher: Sept. 21, 1990 - Nov. 18, 2006