 All
the latest news for 2025 on the site and the scene.....
Click here for our news archives including
articles from Irish papers
Headlines from:
2024-2023-2022-2021-2020-2019-2018-2017-2016-2015-2014-2013-2012-2011-2010-2009-2008-2007
December 21, 2025...Death of Joe Murray (Firehouse,
Smokey Mountain
Ramblers, Real Country, 2nd Sound,
Country Folk,
Misty)
Sad news again from John Harrold that former
showband musician, Joe Murray, has passed away in Athboy, Co. Meath
after battle with cancer. Joe played with many bands over his career
including the Smokey Mountain Ramblers, one of the biggest country
bands on the circuit in the late 1960s. After leaving the showband
world, he venture into cabaret with the band, Misty. Our sincere
sympathies are extended to his wife, Rosie, his children, extended
family, friend and fans across the country.
December 23, 2025...Death of Gerry Black (Epic
Showband,
Finnavons,
Hilton Showband,
Lynchmen, Seasons,
Big Valley)
Sad news today from community member John Harold
that Gerry Black, former lead vocalist with many bands, has passed
away in Castleblaney. Gerry started his career in the mid 1960's (we
think) with the Hilton Showband as a guitarist. Over the next few
years, he built his reputation as a solid musician and vocalist
eventually formed his own band, Gerry and the Seasons scoring an
Irish top ten chart hit in 1973 with "Meet Me Tonight in Laredo."
The band broke up near the end of 1976 and he went on to sing with
the Big Valley in the late 1970s. Our sincere sympathies are
extended to his wife, Mary, his children, extended family and
friends and family.
December 18, 2025...Death of Kathleen Fitzgerald (Fitzgerald
Ceili Band)
Sad news today from community member John Ha
Sad news today from community member John Harold
that Kathleen Fitzgerald (married name Diver) sadly passed away
suddenly in Bundoran, Co. Donegal. Sister of legendary Ceili
musicians, Ritchie and Barney Fitzgerald, the family band dominated
the dance scene in the heyday of the Ceili band in the 1950s and
early 1960s. Our sincere sympathies are extended to her husband,
Sean, her children and immediate family as well as friends and fans
across Ireland and the UK.
November 4, 2025...Death of Eamon McRory (Two's Company)
Sad news today from community member John Harold
that Eamon McRory, one half of the top cabaret act, Two's Company
has passed away in Sydney, Australia. Eamon met his partner in Two's
Company, Mary Darcy Wilson when she was 16. Managed by Tony Byrne,
the duo became one of the top cabaret acts of the 70s and 80s. They
released many records and had their biggest success in 1975 when
their single, You're My Best Friend, reached number five in the
Irish Charts. Our sincere sympathies are extended to his family,
friends and fans around the world.
June 21, 2025...Death of Noel O'Toole...(Tree Tops, Spaniards,
Top League,
Dingaling)
Sad news today from community member John Harold
that Noel O'Toole former trumpeter with a few bands has passed away
at University Hospital, Limerick. More to come...
April 18, 2025...Death of Donie Trautt...(Fleet,
Bandits,
Boys N Girls,
Philosophers,
SBB Band)
- Sad news today from community member John
Harold that Donie Trautt, former drummer with several band, has
passed away in Galway. Although originally from Ardagh in County
Longford, he relocated to Galway during his showband days.
Originally with the Fleets he also did stints with the Bandits,
Boys N' Girls and the Philosophers. By 1981, the Philosophers
had split up with several members reported to be joining TV
presenter Sean Ban Breathnach in the SBB Band. Our sincere
sympathies are extended to his wife, Breda, his children,
grandchildren, friends, extended family and fans around the
country.
February 10th, 2025...Death of Padraic Potter...(Clefonaires,
Ohio,
Jack Ruane
Showband)
Very sad news today that Padraic Potter, one of
the first musicians I had the pleasure of knowing since I was a
teenager, has passed away in Sligo after a long illness. His
successful showband career started with the showbands and more
recently as part of Sligo's famous Jazz Ladds band. Padraic Potter
started his musical journey with local skiffle group turned showband
the Clefonaires from Tubbercurry in the late 1950s on clarinet and
sax. From there he joined several tops bands including the Ohio
Showband and Ballina's famous Jack Ruane Band. After settling back
in Sligo, he was an original member of the Jazz Ladds, who were
regulars on the entertainment scene across the Northwest and often
traveled to major jazz festivals across the country. Our sincere
sympathies are extended to his wife, Breda, his children, extended
family, friends and fans both locally and across the country.
January 23rd, 2025...Death of Paddy Cole...(Maurice
Lynch,
Capitol,
Paddy Cole
Superstars)
Sad news today
from ex-Hoedowners' musician Frank Langan that the legendary Paddy
Cole has passed away in Dublin. Sadly Paddy had suffered from
"incurable lung cancer" since 2022. One of the country's best known
musicians, Paddy's long career started with the Maurice Lynch
Showband when he was 17. He would eventually join the Capitol
Showband, one of the greatest bands of the era. When Brendan Bowyer
and Tom Dunphy formed the Big 8 Showband after leaving the Royal,
they tapped Paddy as their sax player. He then formed his own Paddy
Cole Superstars during the later stages of the era and has continued
to be one of the dominant musicians on the jazz entertainment scene
in Ireland in the decades since the era ended. Our sincere
sympathies are extended to his wife, Helen, his children and his
friends, extended family and fans across the world. Another of the
era's best known stars has sadly left us.
January 5th, 2025...Death of Colm Connolly...(Paramount
Showband)
 Sad news today
from community member John Harrold that Colm Connolly, a founder
member of Tuam's Paramount Showband has passed away in Cyprus, aged
82. After playing with the band, Colm went on to a career with RTE
where he received many awards and accolades as one of the country's
top newsmen. Our sincere sympathies are extended to his family,
friends and fans across the country and the world.
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