Showband exhibition in Claremorris
Claremorris Town Hall will host an exhibition of memorabilia from the showband era. The material has been collected over the years by Philip D’Arcy from Enniskillen, whose love and affection for the era is reflected in the quality of this nostalgic collection.
The showband era got underway in the mid-1950s and, along with the country and pop bands of the 1970s, continued through to the early 1980’s.
In the heyday of the showband era, there were hundreds of ballrooms and bands in operation all over Ireland. Claremorris Town Hall operated as a dance hall from 1969 to the 1980s.
Most showbands featured seven or eight members, a full complement of brass and a lead singer. Names like Brendan Bowyer and the Royal Showband, Butch Moore and The Capitol, Joe Dolan and The Drifters, Dickie Rock and The Miami, Butch Moore and The Capitol, The Dixies featuring Brendan O’Brien and Joe Mac, Doc Carroll and the Royal Blues, took the country by storm and at its peak. It is estimated that 700 to 800 showbands toured Ireland continuously.
The Philip D’Arcy showband exhibition in Claremorris Town Hall opens on 7 December at 7.30pm and runs through until Saturday, 9 December. All are welcome.
Mary and Pat team up
Mary O’Connor and Pat Kelly have teamed up as a musical duo on the social dancing circuit. Mary is no stranger to the country scene, having grown up in London. Her father was from Mayo and her mother from Galway.
She got her big break when she joined Larry Cunningham and the Country Blue Boys with whom she spent six years on the 1980’s playing shows all over Ireland as well as the UK and USA. Mary has resided in Abbeylara in Co Longford for several years and has released a number of singles in recent years, including My Old Irish Home and Paint Me A Picture of Ireland. Pat Kelly started playing music with the Kelly family, along with his father, uncles and his late brother, Christy, in the Meath area. He also featured with the Gold and Silver Band. Mary and Pat have just completed their debut album, which features the kind of music they play at dances and other occasions. Further details can be had from Patsy Farrell on 086-8180076, or from Mary at 087-7409206.
Ben joins Sheerins for
Ballymahon sessions
The Sheerin Family continue their regular once-a-month sessions in Cooney’s Hotel, Ballymahon, on 12 December. Joining them on this occasion will be award-winning newcomer Ben Troy from Co Monaghan.
Ben is just 19 years old and hails from Magheracloone. He has been a regular guest performer on the Derek Ryan concert shows around Ireland and UK, and is part of Ryan Records. Ben is also a regular performer on the Phil Mack Country Shows.
The show gets underway at 10pm and admission is free. CL
Grapevine
• Daniel O’Donnell has just released his first single in two years. The Plains of Old Kildare was penned by PJ Murrihy and recorded in Beechpark Studios, Rathcoole, Co Dublin.• George Langan gets into the festive mood with his new single, One Happy Christmas. The Limerick native is a retired member of An Garda Siochana and has resided in Dublin for many years. He has recorded a number of country albums over the years.• Ally Harron and Marian Curry have just returned from a trip to the US. The popular Fermanagh duo were delighted to meet up with many friends in New York and Boston.• Steve Farlow has been to Studio 19 in Co Down in recent times. His latest single, Rainbows and Roses, produced by William Mawhinney, is taken from his forthcoming album.
Showband exhibition in Claremorris
Claremorris Town Hall will host an exhibition of memorabilia from the showband era. The material has been collected over the years by Philip D’Arcy from Enniskillen, whose love and affection for the era is reflected in the quality of this nostalgic collection.
The showband era got underway in the mid-1950s and, along with the country and pop bands of the 1970s, continued through to the early 1980’s.
In the heyday of the showband era, there were hundreds of ballrooms and bands in operation all over Ireland. Claremorris Town Hall operated as a dance hall from 1969 to the 1980s.
Most showbands featured seven or eight members, a full complement of brass and a lead singer. Names like Brendan Bowyer and the Royal Showband, Butch Moore and The Capitol, Joe Dolan and The Drifters, Dickie Rock and The Miami, Butch Moore and The Capitol, The Dixies featuring Brendan O’Brien and Joe Mac, Doc Carroll and the Royal Blues, took the country by storm and at its peak. It is estimated that 700 to 800 showbands toured Ireland continuously.
The Philip D’Arcy showband exhibition in Claremorris Town Hall opens on 7 December at 7.30pm and runs through until Saturday, 9 December. All are welcome.
Mary and Pat team up
Mary O’Connor and Pat Kelly have teamed up as a musical duo on the social dancing circuit. Mary is no stranger to the country scene, having grown up in London. Her father was from Mayo and her mother from Galway.
She got her big break when she joined Larry Cunningham and the Country Blue Boys with whom she spent six years on the 1980’s playing shows all over Ireland as well as the UK and USA. Mary has resided in Abbeylara in Co Longford for several years and has released a number of singles in recent years, including My Old Irish Home and Paint Me A Picture of Ireland. Pat Kelly started playing music with the Kelly family, along with his father, uncles and his late brother, Christy, in the Meath area. He also featured with the Gold and Silver Band. Mary and Pat have just completed their debut album, which features the kind of music they play at dances and other occasions. Further details can be had from Patsy Farrell on 086-8180076, or from Mary at 087-7409206.
Ben joins Sheerins for
Ballymahon sessions
The Sheerin Family continue their regular once-a-month sessions in Cooney’s Hotel, Ballymahon, on 12 December. Joining them on this occasion will be award-winning newcomer Ben Troy from Co Monaghan.
Ben is just 19 years old and hails from Magheracloone. He has been a regular guest performer on the Derek Ryan concert shows around Ireland and UK, and is part of Ryan Records. Ben is also a regular performer on the Phil Mack Country Shows.
The show gets underway at 10pm and admission is free. CL
Grapevine
• Daniel O’Donnell has just released his first single in two years. The Plains of Old Kildare was penned by PJ Murrihy and recorded in Beechpark Studios, Rathcoole, Co Dublin.• George Langan gets into the festive mood with his new single, One Happy Christmas. The Limerick native is a retired member of An Garda Siochana and has resided in Dublin for many years. He has recorded a number of country albums over the years.• Ally Harron and Marian Curry have just returned from a trip to the US. The popular Fermanagh duo were delighted to meet up with many friends in New York and Boston.• Steve Farlow has been to Studio 19 in Co Down in recent times. His latest single, Rainbows and Roses, produced by William Mawhinney, is taken from his forthcoming album. 
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