All the latest news for 2025 on the site and the scene.....

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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.