All the latest news for 2026 on the site and the scene.....

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February 3, 2026...Death of Francis Kennedy...(Swingtime Aces, Brendan Shine Band)

Sad news today from community member John Harold that Francis "Frank" Kennedy a former member of the Swingtime Aces and the Brendan Shine Band has passed away in his hometown of Athenry, Co. Galway. After a period playing with the showbands, Francis turned his talent to the art world and also ran a website dedicated to the showband era until his death. Last year he published a book on the era titled from Tango to Twist. Our sincerely sympathies are extended to his family, friends and fans at home and abroad.

March 18, 2026...Death of Cahir O'Doherty...(Gentry, The Dazzle Band)

Sad news today from his loving wife Teresa that Cahir O'Doherty sadly passed away after a sudden illness March 18th.  Cahir first came to prominence with the group The Gentry,. The band soon morphed (along with several other groups of the period) into a fully fledged showband. The band eventually packed it in a Cahir went on to from the Dazzle Band which specialised in "good ole" rock n' roll. He eventually moved to the stage starring as Pharaoh in the musical, Joseph and his Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat in Dublin. He soon left Ireland for the States where he settle in Florida and continued to entertain crowds with his own special brand of Irish folk music. Our sincere sympathies are extended to Teresa and Cahir's family, friends and fans both in Ireland and the United States.

May 31st, 2026...Death of Henry McMahon...(Mainliners)

Sad news today from community member, John Harrold, that former founding member of the Mainliners, Henry McMahon, passed away on May, 31, 2026. Henry formed the band in 1963 along with Big Tom McBride, when Tom returned to Ireland after working in England for a couple of years. The band started as the "Mighty Mainliners" and their reputation (and unique sound) captured the imagination of the Irish dancing public throughout the early showband years. They soon became Big Tom and the Mainliners and dominated the ballroom circuit for many years. In recent years Henry continued to tour with the reformed Mainliners until Tom's passing and also handled management for Jimmy Buckley. Our sincere sympathies are extended to his family friends and fans across Ireland and the UK.