**We owe major thanks to Patrick Hoye for his help and continuing support in building this list. A very special thanks to David Dwane of the Western People , Billy Swann, formerly of The Cossacks Showband, Joe Dodd, and Liam O'Reilly of the Columbia Showband (among others), who generously contributed their collections of photographs to the website. Also our thanks go to Michael Nesbitt, Glen Brown, John Baird, Dick Lynott, Jan Lynch, Anne Lynch, Lorraine Clarke, Karl Compton, Paddy Brennan, and Teddie Palmer for additional info and photos.

The photo at left was donated by Liam O'Reilly and was taken in Donegal in 1963. Each ballroom was running twice a week with top bands in all the venues. Click on the photo for a full size version. Most amazingly, all these halls were within twenty miles of Letterkenny.

Seeing Double: As you peruse the list below, you will occasionally see the same band name twice, but from different towns. This isn't a mistake and the bands didn't move. Often two bands in different parts of the country would choose the same name. Depending on where they played, this usually did not create a problem, but when it did, one band usually changed its name. There are several great resources about this era in Irish entertainment history including Vincent Power's book, Send 'Em Home Sweatin' and Finbar O'Keefe's book, Goodnight, God Bless and Safe Home .

Of course these bands were huge, but not all bands were making thousands of pounds a night. Thanks to a member of our community, Declan Byrne, we have an exclusive from his late mother's collection of memorabilia. Click on the small photo at the left to see the full size image. For those who can't wait to see, the date was 1966, the band was The Royal Earls Showband, and the fee was £60 for five hours from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Those were the days!

Legends Brose Walsh and Jack Ruane in 1980

This was the period in Irish entertainment history that gave the country its first "superstars." Names like Dickie Rock, Brendan Bowyer, Butch Moore, Brendan O'Brien and many others, came to prominence during the heyday of the showbands in the early to mid-1960's. Ballrooms dotted the countryside and were packed with "punters" every night. Bands like the Capitol , the Clipper Carlton , the Royal Showband , the Miami , and many others created an industry that employed upwards of 10,000 people at its peak.

Before the days of electric guitars, keyboards, and synthesizer s, brass instruments dominated the music of Ireland. Every showband worth its salt had two, or even three (or more) brass players. Although brass instruments were overtaken by guitars and organs in American and British pop music in the sixties, showbands, and some notable pop acts, continued to feature brass.

The pictures below are a who's who of the showband scene in the mid 1960's this is the front and back covers of the 1967 Spotlight Annual (kindly contributed by Liam O'Reilly). Click on either photo to get a large size image and the names of all the stars!

The term "showband" was reportedly coined by the late legendary Belfast musician Dave Glover. In a 1989 interview on BBC Ulster radio he said that although the Clipper Carlton were the first band to put on a show during the night with their "Saturday Night Jukebox" segment, he was the first to add the word to his band's name, becoming The Dave Glover Showband . Although in later years the term would come to identify a broad range of musical styles, in the mid 1950's it meant just that...the band included a "show" in the middle of the evening. Usually this "show" included comedy skits, impersonations, or other acts that stopped the crowd in their tracks and they watched the "show" for up to a half hour or more, after which time dancing would be resumed. Click here to listen to Dave's story about the term "showband." (You must have Real Player to hear the streaming audio).

The true era of the Irish showbands actually started in the mid 1950's, but really didn't catch fire and explode until the early 1960's. Many books and documentaries have done a good job explaining how and why the showbands came about. What is certain is that a showband had just one job...entertain the crowds and "keep them dancing."

Currently listing 1,021 Showbands as of 19 August, 2020 If you don't see the band you are looking for here, it may be listed under another genre: Pop , Country , Rock , Orchestras , Ceili , Folk , Cabaret

Abilene Showband** [Ballina] (later became the Fairways)

Actions Showband*** [Dublin] (started in 1965 featured Ian McGarry on drums, Carl Phillip vocals)

Agents Showband/P2 [Edenderry] (featured Ollie then Gary Street - RIP, they became the Fairways in the late 60's)

Airchords Showband [Dublin] (featured Pat Lynch-broke up in 1971 with several members joining Red Hurley's Wheels)

Alamo Showband [Unknown] (On the road in 1970 and featured Mick Haverty)

Allegros Showband** [Unknown] (formerly the International Viscounts Showband)

Alberta Five Showband [Dublin?] (on the road in 1961)

Buddy Allen Showband^ [Belfast]

Ray Allen Showband^ [Summerhill, Co. Meath] (resident in Shelbourne Hotel, Dublin)

Alpine Showband featuring Monty Snow [Belfast]

Ambassadors Dance Orchestra^ [Belfast]

Amigos Showband** [Belfast]

Angels Showband** [Dublin] (on the road in the mid to late 1960's)

Annalee's Showband** [Ballyhaise, Co. Cavan] (on the road in 1968

Paul Anthony Showband^ [Carndonagh] (on the road in 1962)

Apache Showband [Sligo] (on the road from 1961 through at least 1964)

Aran Showband*** [Dublin]

Arcadians Showband/P2/P3/P4 [Navan] (featured Jimmy Smith and Joe Higgins on lead vocals)

Archers Showband ** [Cork]

Argonauts Showband^ [Banbridge]

Ariel Showband^ [Derry]

Armada Showband [Northern Ireland] (became Dan and the Farmers in 1973)

Arranville Showband [Lifford]

Arrivals Showband (featuring Declan Ryan) [Cork]

Artones Showband** [Greystones, Wicklow] (Featured Tommy Hayden and became the Jets then the Nevada)

Ascot Showband^ [Limerick]

Gene and the Assassins [Unknown] (on the road in the mid to late 1960's)

Astrals Showband^ [Galway] (Featured Norman Payne)

Astronauts Showband [Kilkenny] (became the Montana Showband)

Atlantis Showband/ P2 /P3 [Dublin] (Short lived showband that became the Debonnaires, featured Cyril Shane)

Avengers Showband** [Limerick]

Avonaires Showband** [Belfast]

Aztecs Showband^ [Belfast]

Jim Bacon Orchestra** [Dublin]

Bankers/P2/P3 [Derry] (on the road in 1966)

Jimmy Banks Showband [Dublin]

Toby Bannon Orchestra** [Bray, Co. Wicklow]

Barnstormers Showband** [Dublin]

Barristers Showband [Derry] (on the road from 1963)

Syd Bates Orchestra*** [Belfast]

Bats Showband*** [Belfast]

Beat Minstrels Showband** [Louisburg]

Beavers Showband [Bray]

Belaires Showband [Dublin]

Bel-Aires Showband [Ballyclare]

Beltona Showband** [Bushmills]

Beltones Showband^ [Limerick] (On the road in the early 1960's through 1969)

Bermuda Showband [Loughrea] (on the road around 1966)

Bermuda Showband [Wexford] (on the road in the early 1960's)

Berwyn Showband [Limerick] (founded by Mick Crowe in 1966)

Big Eight [Dublin] (Started by Brendan Bowyer and Tom Dunphy after leaving the Royal relocated to Las Vegas)

Big Five Showband^ [Derry]

Big Four [Derry] (started in 60's and reformed in 1974)

Big Timers Showband [Donegal?] (featured Chris Kirby)

Benny Birkett Orchestra* [Dublin] (started in 1950 became Des Furlong showband in 1960)

Black Aces Showband [Kilkenny] (featured Ollie Kearney and then Sonny Cullen)

Blackbirds Showband* [Dublin] (thanks to Joe Dodd)

Black Diamond Showband** [Claremorris] (started by the late Mattie McDonagh)

Jim Blaine Showband [Crossmolina] (photo courtesy David Dwane)

Blarney Ceili Band^ [Cork]

Blazers Showband** [Galway]

Blue Aces Showband [Waterford] (Formed in 1957, moved to London in 1964 to make it, broke up around '66.)

Blue Aces Showband [Galway] (Same name, different band...on the road in the late 1960's)

Blue Angels^ [Belfast]

Blue Beats Showband^ [Dublin]

Blue Clavons** [Dublin] (late 50's band gave Butch Moore and Jimmy Hogan of the Capitol their starts in Dublin)

Blue Crystals Showband** [Dublin]

Blue Hurricanes Showband [Unknown] (on the road in the early 1960's)

Blue Notes Showband [Derry]

Blue River Boys** [Belfast]

Blue Rockets Showband** [Cork] (originally called The Blue Rockets)

Blue Zodiacs Showband [Dublin]

Jimmy Boggan Showband^ [Dublin]

Harry Boland Band [Waterford] (started in 1956)

Boston Showband/P2 [Dunshaughlin, Co. Meath] (thanks to Paddy Brennan)

Boston Showband [Carlow] (thanks to Liam Kelly)

Boston Stompers [Waterford]

Jimmy Boyce Showband^ [Castlereagh]

Boys from County Mayo with Eileen Donaghy [Unknown] (thanks to Dick Lynott)

Johnny Brady Dance Band [Claremorris] (thanks to Colman Rushe)

Breakaways Showband [Magherafelt] (where Brendan Quinn got his start - became the Signs)

Breakaways Showband [Midleton, Cork] (launched in February, 1971 - managed by Bertie O'Mahoney)

Breda McMahon and the Golden Star [Unknown]

Brian Rock and The Boys** [Dublin]

Brigadons Showband* [Dublin]

Broadsiders Showband featuring Deidre Downes [Unknown]

Broadway Showband/P2/P3 [Belfast] (featured Oliver Harcourt in the late 1960's)

Bromwells Showband*** [Cork]

Brother's Showband** [Newtownabbey]

Brunswick Showband** [Belfast]

Buccaneers Showband featuring Des Kelly [Unknown]

Ritchie Burbridge Orchestra^ [Dublin]

Buoylanders Showband^ [Belfast]

Johnny Butler Orchestra/P2 [Dublin] (started in the 1930's and went to America in 1956)

Chris Byrne Showband** [Dublin]

Cadets Showband [Dublin] (Eileen Reid was Ireland's first female superstar with a string of hit records)

Gerry Cahill Dance Band [Galway] (formed in 1954)

Johnny Calvert Showband** [Belfast]

Cameron Clan* [Larne] (C&W band which featured Tom Cameron who enjoyed a solo career as a fiddler)

Mark Canavan and his Band* [Arklow]

Jim Cantwell Big Band [Kilkenny] (10 piece band which featured Paddy Day as lead vocalist in 1970)

Capitol Showband [Dublin] (One of the great showbands...Butch Moore passed away in April, 2001)

Captain's Showband** [Dublin] (on the road in the mid 1960's)

Carnegie Showband/P2/P3^ [Irvinestown] (became the Dawnbreakers in 1966)

Carolina Showband** [Mullingar]

Caroline Showband [Dublin] (started by Ronan O'Rahilly who owned Radio Caroline, featured Earl Jordan-Mel Dean)

Billy Carter Showband^ [Dublin]

Gene Carr Showband^ [Bishopstown]

Dick Cashman Showband/P2 [Middleton, Cork] (regional showband which played in the southern counties from 1955)

Casino Showband [Dublin] (became the Indians in 1971 and are still on the go today)

Stan Cauley Orchestra [Derry]

Cavalier Showband [Limerick]

Cavern Showband/ P2 [Co. Down] (on the road in 1968, released one record, It's A Sin)

Tony Chambers Orchestra [Castlebar]

Chancellors Showband/P2/P3** [Drogheda] (on the road 1965-1969 - featured singer Mickey Rooney)

Charade Showband^ [Dublin]

Checkers Showband/P2 [Derry] (featured Pat McCrossan in the late 60's)

Checkmates [Belfast]

Chessmen (featuring Alan Dee) [Dublin] (Popular in the mid to late 60's)

Bud Clancy Showband** [Limerick]

Eber Clarke Orchestra [Newry] (our thanks to Noel Cunningham and Agnes Sloan for photo and info)

Classic Dance Band [Donegal] (band formed by the late John Kerr)

Classic Showband [Claremorris] (band featured Royal Blues' Gill brothers-from Colman Rushe)

Clavichords Showband*** [Dublin] (On the road in 1963)

Claxton Showband [Drumquin, Co. Tyrone] (On the road in 1961)

Clefonaires [Tubbercurry, Sligo] (3 members-Paraic, Mickey and Roddy-still gig as the Jazz Ladds in Sligo)

Clifton Showband^ [Portadown]

Clipper Carlton Showband [Strabane] (The "original" showband - originators of the Saturday Night Jukebox dance)

Clouds [Dublin] (voted Best new band in Spotlight 1969 poll)

Nat Coleman Showband [N.I.]

College Boys [Newtownabbey] (Northern showband from the 60's, and again in the 80's)

College Showband [Limerick] (started in 1963)

Collette and the Partners [Unknown]

Colours Showband [Dublin] (formerly The Jackpots changed their name in May, 1969 and added Red Hurley)

Columbia Showband [Arklow, Co. Wicklow] (formerly the Red Seven)

Commodores Showband** [Dublin]

Jimmy Compton Showband* [Belfast]

Concord Showband [Dublin] (early sixties five pieces "showband")

Concords Showband [Bandon] (played widely on the southern circuit in the 1970's)

Confederates Showband [Co. Tyrone]

Noel Connell Showband** [Dundonald]

Chris Connolly Ceili Band ^ [Kilcullen]

Conquerors Showband^ [Birr] (moved to Portumna then Galway and still going strong today)

Continental Showband [Bangor]

Continentals Showband [Limerick]

Mickey Conway Showband [Magherafelt]

Corsairs Showband^ [Belfast]

Cortina Showband [Belfast]

Pascal Cosgrove Showband [Foxford]

Joe Coughlan Orchestra*** [Dublin]

Countdown Showband [Bundoran]

Countrymen Showband [Clara, Co Offaly]

Counts Showband^ [Ballyphehane, Cork] (Munster-based band from 1964 through 1969)

Courtelles Showband [Greenisland]

Cousins Showband/P2/P3 [Newtownabbey] (featured lead singer Clarke Frampton-our thanks to Teddie Palmer for info)

Cowboys Showband [Carrick-On-Suir] (formerly the Voxenaires)

Crackaways Showband (featuring Patricia)^ [Clara] (changed name to Playmates in 1970)

George Crawford Showband^ [Belfast]

Creole Showband** [Athlone]

Cruisers Showband [Unknown] (aka Larry and the Cruisers)

Mick Cummins Orchestra [Dublin] (Resident in the Macushla Ballroom-our thanks to Peter Brady)

Bob Cupples Showband [Belfast]

Peter Cusack and the Tonics* [Bray, Co. Wicklow] (thanks to Joe Dodd)

Cyclones Showband [Belfast]

Cyclones Showband/P2 [Dublin] (photo courtesy Joe Dodd)

Dakotas Showband [Omagh]

Dambusters Showband [Waterford] (late 1960's showband with David Kelly lead vocalist)

Danstimers Showband [Portadown]

Dave and the Diamonds^ [Belfast]

Debonaires Showband [Dublin] (formerly the Atlantis Showband)

Decca Showband [Waterford] (formed in 1962 by the Bible brothers, Val and Vic)

Defenders Showband featuring Deidre [Newry] (Opportunity Knocks winners in 1966)

Mick Delahunty Orchestra [Clonmel] (started around 1935 by Mick)

Thomas Delaney Showband [Dublin]

Delta All Stars [Coleraine] (photo courtesy Brian O'Kane)

Demons Showband*** [Lurgan]

Denver Showband^/P2 [Letterkenny] (Ponsonby family showband which eventually became the Rascals)

Deputies Showband*** [Belfast]

Derby Showband [Kildare] (Featured Betty Gibson, on the road in the early 60's - Steve Talbot)

Derek Joys Showband [Waterford] (photo courtesy Joe Dodd)

Derry City Showband** [Derry] (Changed their name to the Tahiti Showband when they turned pro at Easter 1965)

Derritones Showband^ [Derry] (On the road in 1962, managed by bandleader Pat Canney)

Des-etts Showband** [Dublin] (new name for Des Furlong Showband in 1964)

Detours Showband^ [Bangor]

Detroit Showband [Bandon, Co. Cork] (Thanks to Jim Nolan for info on the band)

Diamonds Showband** [Unknown]

Dinny Hughes Showband [Mullingar] (on the road for nearly 50 years)

Diplomats Showband [Dublin]

Dixielanders Showband [Cork] (formed from Arcadia Ballroom relief group and eventually shortened to The Dixies)

Dixies Showband [Cork] (after their split in 1972, Joe Mac and Brendan O'Brien formed Stage 2)

Alex Dixon Showband^ [Newtownabbey]

Dolphin Showband [Dublin] (on the road in the early 1960's)

Domino Showband^ [Hollywood]

Dominoes Showband [Ballina] (a.k.a. "The Dynamic Dominoes")

Domino Showband** [Cork]

Donnays Showband** [Belfast]

Dots Showband/P2 [Strabane] (would become the Polka Dots - or the other way around)

Dougie and the Dingles** [Unknown]

Dreambeats [Westport]

Dreams [Dublin] (the band split and formed Freedom in the early 70's)

Drifters Showband (featuring Joe Dolan) [Mullingar] (spawned both the Swarbriggs and The Times bands)

Dublin Corporation with Peter Law** [Dublin]

Dublin City Showband* [Dublin] (photo courtesy Joe Dodd)

Dukes Showband [Cork]

Dynamics Showband*** [Dublin] (featured Kevin O'Doherty)

Eddie & the Cravats** [Castlepollard] (formed by members of the Firehouse Five)

Editors Showband (featuring Kevin Flynn)^ [Cahir] (mid to late 60's)

Eldorado Showband** [Drogheda] (late 50's early 60's)

Embassy Showband** [Derry] (Resident band in Derry's Embassy Ballroom)

Emily Showband [Blarney] (on the road in the late 1960's)

Encores Showband** [Belfast]

Epic Showband [Newry] (photo courtesy Billy Swann)

EPs Showband^ [Omagh]

Erin Vale Ceili Bandshow [Lurgan]

Exciters Showband [Monaghan]

Exciters Showband/P2/P3 [Roscommon] (formed in 1968 from two local groups with a female bass player from the USA)

Jim Farley All Stars (featuring Terry Mahon) [Dublin] (one of the many bands formed by Ireland's top sax player)

Jim Farley Band Show [Dublin] (eleven piece early 60's band)

Jim Farley and the Tophatters (featuring Tina) [Dublin] (photo courtesy Joe Dodd )

Jim Farley Showband [Dublin] (featured Roly Daniels)

John Farrell Orchestra^ [Dublin]

John Fitzgerald Orchestra*** [Dublin]

Richie Fitzgerald Ceili Band [Bundoran] (Richie sadly passed away in February, 2007)

Federals Showband [Belfast] (our thanks to Vaughan Byrne for the photo and lineup info)

Fernandos Showband** [Roscommon]

Finnavons Showband [Castleblaney] (Fronted by Gerry Black and later Tom Allen)

Fiesta Showband [Charlestown]

Finvola Showband [Ballykelly]

Firehouse Five/Showband^ [Castlepollard] (became 5 plus Two in the mid 60's)

Jack Flahive Orchestra^ [Dublin]

Flair Showband [Belfast] (1969 - 1970, formerly known as the Raydots - our thanks to Alan Jones)

Florida Showband*** [Derry]

Flying Carlton Showband* [Drogheda] (formed in 1945, the first Irish band to fly to a gig)

Johnny Flynn Showband [Tuam] (One of the West's all time favourite bands)

Fontana Showband [Cork] (started in 1963, featured Rory Gallagher and became The Impact Showband in 1965)

Fontana Showband [Ballymena] (became the Green Angels in 1965)

Foundations Showband^ [Derry]

Freshmen [Ballymena] (featuring the talents of Derek Deane and Billy Brown-break away from Billy McFarland band)

Friars Showband [Limerick]

Friends Showband [Laois] (started in 1968)

Des Furlong Showband [Dublin] (formerly Benny Birkett Band then became the Des-Etts SHowband)

Galaxy Showband [Lurgan] (60's and 70's showband)

Ray Gallagher Showband [Derry] (Late 50's early 60's showband)

Johnny Gavin Bandshow**/P2 [Dublin] (Resident band in Clery's Ballroom-featured Helen Jordan and John Hyland)

Gay Dons Showband [Monaghan] (on the road in the early 1970's)

Gearytones Showband [Cork]

Gene and the Gents [Enniskillen] (formed by ex members of the Skyrockets and featured Henry McCullough)

Generation Showband^ [Limavady]

Gentiles Showband [Unknown] (on the road in the late 1960's featured Simon King)

Gents Showband [Dublin]

Jack Glynn Quintet*** [Limerick]

Ritchie Glynn Showband^ [Dublin]

Goldentones Showband [Dublin] (on the road in 1962)

Graduates Showband [Skerries] (featured Tony Keeling)

Grafton Showband [Cookstown] (lead in the early 1960's by Jimmy Devlin)

Grafton Showband [Gowna] (first band Larry Cunningham joined in 1960 or so)

Granada Girls/P2^ [Castlerea] (one of the first all girl bands)

Jimmy Grant Showband^ [Dublin]

Gravediggers Showband*** [Belfast]

Albert Gray Showband^ [Belfast]

Green Angels [Ballymena] (featured Gerry McLean and Roy Addinell in 1966 formerly the Fontana Showband)

Great 8 Showband** [Hollywood]

Greenbeats [Dublin] (resident group on The Showband Show turned showband featured RTE producer, John Keogh)

Grenada Sound Showband** [Antrim]

Grenadiers Showband [Belfast] (on the road around 1964 featured the late Bo Birtch)

Gypsies [Newtownabbey]

Fred Hanna and the Langanmen [Newtownards]

Harmony Aces Showband [Armagh] (On the road in 1958 and managed by Joe Devlin)

Harlequins Showband [Belfast]

Kevin Harper and the Boys *[Arklow]

Jack Harrison Showband^ [Belfast]

Danny Haverty & His Orchestra* [Unknown]

Hawaii-50 Showband** [Unknown]

Hawaiian Showband [Dublin] (formerly the Bob Ormsby band, changed name in 1964)

Heatwave^ [Dublin]

Helmsmen Showband^ [Carrigaline]

Andy Hennessy Showband^ [Gowna]

Bridie Howitt and her Dixielanders [Dublin] (on the road in the mid to late 1950's)

High Seas Showband [Larne] ('65-'69 featured Billy Brown's cousin Alex as well as T.G. Ford)

Hi-Fi's Showband^ [Dublin]

Hi-Lows Showband [Cavan] (featured Ian Corrigan in the late 60's)

Hilton Showband [Newry] (formed by members of The Rhythm Aces)

Highwaymen Showband^ [Armagh]

HMV Showband^ [Cork]

Hollies Showband/P2 [Farranferris, Co. Cork] (featured lead singer Tony Murphy)

Houston Showband [Edenderry] (on the road in the mid to late 1960's)

Hudson Showband/P2 [Lurgan] (photo courtesy Billy Swann)

Hustlers Showband [Dublin] (went on the road in 1964)

Idaho Showband** [Belfast] (formerly known as the Manhattan Showband-emigrated from Bob Alexander)

Impact Showband [Cork] (formerly The Fontana and launching board for guitar legend Rory Gallagher)

Impact Showband [Waterford] (Unsure if there is any connection to the Impact of Cork)

Index Showband [Unknown]

Individuals Showband^ [Coleraine]

Inmates Showband*** [Dublin]

Innkeepers Showband** [Belfast]

Iona Showband^ [Derry]

Ivy Caste Dance Band [Ballintubber] (lead by the late Peter Shanagher, who helped set up the Premier Aces)

Jackpots Showband [Dublin] (changed their name in May, 1969 to The Colours)

Jaguars Showband [Roscommon]

Des Jenkins Dance Orchestra [Cavan] (aka Des Jenkins Sextet on the road in the mid 50's)

Trevor Jenkins Showband [Belfast]

Jets Showband [Greystones] (Previously known as the Artones, they became the Nevada)

Jimmy Joyce Showband ** [Belfast]

Earl Jordan* [Dublin] (Earl was with both the Caroline and Derek Joys Showbands)

Joys Showband [Dublin]

Jukes Showband ^ [Dromore]

Kangaroos Showband [Dundalk]

Noel Kelehan Showband ^ [Dublin]

Charlie Kelly Showband^ [Derry]

Tom Kelly Sound [Ballina] (precursor of the Fairways)

Billy Kendrick Orchestra [Clonmel]

Ken Kennedy Showband [Monaghan] (started in 1959 featured Ronnie Griffiths)

Kentuckians Showband** [Derry-thanks to Jim Nolan]

Kestrals Showband** [Cork]

Kevin Bourke Showband [Castlebar]

Keymen Showband^ [Dublin]

Kiltormer Ceili Band^ [Ballinsaloe]

Kingdom Showband [Tralee] (Mossie Burke's resident band in Horan's, Ballybunion & Hydro Hotel, Kilkee)

Klan Showband [Belfast]

Knoxville Showband** [Ballybofey]

Krystals^ [Dublin]

La Bamba Showband** [Dublin] (thanks to Patrick Hoye)

Lamplighters Showband [Dublin]

Don Lane Orchestra^ [Dublin]

Chris Lambe Showband** [Dublin] (often advertised as Chris Lamb "R adio" Showband)

Laredo Showband [Kilkenny] (started in 1963)

Las Vegas [Belfast] (Our thanks to Alan Jones)

Las Vegas Showband*** [Dublin]

Dave Lalor Nostalgia Band/P2 [Tullamore] (on the road in the 1990's)

Leitrim Ceili Band^ [Loughrea]

Walter Lewis Enterprise Showband [Ballymena] (featured Dusty Young in the late 1960's)

Lions Showband [Dublin] (Featured the late Danny Pierce, then Tony Hughes and Gene Chetty)

Londonaires Showband [Limerick] (on the road in the early 1960's)

Luxembourg Showband [Wexford] (became the Supreme Showband-featured Joe Lowrey)

Maurice Lynch Showband /P2 [Castleblaney] (featured Gloria Smith in early 70's)

Stan Lynn Showband/P2/P3 [Belfast] (on the road in 1959 and early 60's)

Emilio Macari Showband^ [Dublin]

Madisons Showband [Naas]

Mad Lads Showband [Belfast]

Madrid Showband** [Dublin] (formed in mid 1964 from Fendermen line-up with ex-Casino vocalist Jimmy Breen)

Majestic Showband ^ [Keady] (also known as the Majestic All Stars)

Majors Showband/ P2 [Dublin?] (on the road in the mid to late 1960's)

Mainliners (featuring Big Tom) [Castleblaney] (perhaps the biggest name of the era)

Mainliners [Derry]

Olly Maloney Showband [Tuam] (Olly was also with the Ohio & Johnny Flynn but passed away in 1994)

Manhattan Showband/P2 [Belfast] (Featured Van Morrison as sax player in 1963-photo courtesy Pat Bogle)

Manhattan Showband [Dublin] (2 photos courtesy Darren Walsh)

Marguerite and the Kentuckians [Unknown]

Marines Showband [Letterkenny] (featured Pat Duskey in the mid 1960's)

Marksmen (featuring Houston Wells) [Dublin]

Mark V Showband^ [Omagh]

Masters Showband** [Derry]

Matadors Showband/P2/P3/P4 [Belfast] (Bill Bleakley's son, Owen, told us the band was on Top of the Pops)

Mattie McDonagh Dance Band [Claremorris] (our thanks to Colman Rushe)

Alex McKee Showband*** [Belfast]

Tom McKechnie Showband*** [Belfast]

C. McNamara Showband [Thurles]

Melochords [Dublin] (Featured pre-Miami Dickie Rock)

Melody Aces [Newtownstewart] (One of the top bands of the era - featured Shay Hutchinson )

Memphis Showband [Dublin] (short lived 1965 showband which featured newcomer Roly Daniels)

Merrymen Showband^ [Moate]

Merry Monarchs Showband [Omagh] (early 1960's)

M.I. Five Showband*** [Belfast]

Michael and the Majors Showband [Dublin]

Mighty Avons [Ballyhaise, Cavan] (band members Larry Cunningham and Ronnie Griffiths went on to solo fame)

Mighty Rhythm Aces*** [Donegal]

Mighty Rhythm Boys*/P2 [Buncrana] (managed in 1960 by Leo Smith)

Millionaires Showband [Dublin] (formed around 1964 and managed by John Devitt)

Misfits Showband*** [Belfast]

John Mitchell Showband^ [Ballymena]

Modernaires Showband^ [Mitchelstown]

Molloy All Stars [Unknown] (on the road in the late 1950's)

Monaco Showband /P2/P3 [Dublin] (featured Beatrice Reid, sister of Eileen)

Monarchs Showband [Belfast] (featured Van Morrison abd George Jones before Them)

Monarchs Showband [Limerick] (formed in 1960 and eventually added Tommy Drennan in 1963, broke up in 1972)

Montana Showband** [Kilkenny] (formerly the Astronauts)

Montrose Showband [Foxford]

Moonlight Serenaders Showband [Belturbet, Co. Cavan]

James Morrow Showband*** [Belfast]

Denis Moynihan Quintet [Ballingeary. Co. Cork] (Our thanks to Jerry Kelleher for town)

Maurice Mulcahy Orchestra [Mitchelstown] (Started in 1953, he passed away in 1963 and his brother Joe took over)

Brendan Mulhaire's Ceili Band^ [Galway]

Humphrey Murphy Showband*** [Dublin]

John Murphy Bandshow [Crossmaglen] (also featured vocalist Frances Duffy, see Newline Showband)

Paddy Murphy and his Sorrento Dance Orchestra [Athy]

Paddy Murphy Showband [Athy]

Musicmakers Showband*** [Cork]

Mystery Men Showband*** [Dublin]

Mystics [Boyle] (formerly The Jivenaires)

Navak Showband [Cavan] (Formed in 1965)

Neary Brothers Showband [Foxford]

Nevada Showband^ [Coleraine]

New Yorkers Showband** [Dublin]

Newline Showband / P2 [Castleblaney] (Featured Mainliner Ronnie Duffy's sister Frances on vocals)

George Newmen Band*** [Belfast]

New Savoy Orchestra^ [Belfast]

Night Squard featuring Muriel Day** [Toronto] (our thanks to Pat Hoye)

Nomads Showband [Kilkenny] (featured Big Band leader Jim Cantwell - formerly Swing Commandos)

Northernaires Showband/P2 [Antrim] (on the road in the mid 1960's)

Northern Comets Showband/P2/P3 [Belfast] (on the road in the early 1960's)

Tommy O'Brien Orchestra*** [Dublin]

Kevin O'Doherty Showband [Dublin] (Our thanks to Liam Redmond, former bass player with the band)

Darby O'Gill [Dublin] (Character player by Earl Gill)

Shay O'Hara [Unknown] (Sang with the Premier Aces and Royal Blues)

Ohio Showband (featuring Gerry Cronin) [Tuam] (One of the West's best known showbands)

Old Cross Showband [Omagh?] (on the road in the late 60's with Angela Begley as lead singer)

Olympia Showband*** [Galway]

Olympic Showband [Dublin] (led by Jack Flahive, later to become head of the Irish Musicians Union-from Patrick Hoye)

Omega Showband** [Limerick]

Joe O'Neill and his Orchestra [Athy]

Ontario Showband^ [Derry]

Orients Showband*** [Belfast]

Orlando Showband [Ballymoney]

Bob Ormsby Allstars** [Dublin]

Orpheus Showband^ [Belfast]

Oscars Showband [Dundalk or Carlow]

Overlanders Showband/P1/P2/P3/P4 [Blacklion] (on the road in 1969 and early 70's)

Pacific Showband [Dublin] (originally the Royal Olympics featured Sean Fagan & Sonny Knowles, then Peter Law )

Palms Showband [Donegal?] (formerly known as the Transit Showband)

Panama Showband** [Dublin] (featured Earl Gill in 1963)

Paragon Seven Showband [Dundalk] (featured Gerry Foran - our thanks to Gerry McKenna)

Frank Parkes Orchestra** [Dublin]

Partners Showband (featuring Collette)** [Monaghan] (on the road in the early 1970's)

Pavillionaires Showband** [Dublin]

Eddie Pearl Showband^ [Belfast]

Pendulums Showband** [Newtownabbey]

Pickering, Johnny Ceili Band^ [Moy, Co. Tyrone]

Pilots Showband [Dublin] (photo courtesy Joe Dodd)

Pioneer Aces Showband [Ballintubber, Co. Roscommon] (became the Premiere Aces)

Pirates Showband [Limerick]

Planets Showband^ [Elphin]

Platters Showband [Omagh] (changed their name to the Plattermen)

Plattermen [Omagh] (Brian Coll's country band until Rob Strong joined in late sixties & changed direction)

Playmates Showband [Clara] (Formerly the Crackaways, added John Murphy - aka Jon Burley-as lead singer in 1970)

Polka Dots Showband [Omagh] (Featured Gregory in 1966 and later Frankie McBride)

Tommy Power Showband*** [Cork]

Power Pack Showband** [Galway]

Premier Aces Showband [Ballintubber] (Roscommon's best known showband, previously the Pioneer Aces)

Presidents Showband [Belfast] (photos courtesy Brian O'Kane and Dessie Lennox)

Gerry and the Presidents [Bagnelstown]

Peter Pringle Showband [Dublin]

Prophets Showband^ [Belfast]

Pyramids Showband [Athlone]

Jim Rabbitte Showband [Clara] (aka Silver Star Orchestra, on the road in the mid 1950's)

Radio Showband/P2 [Wicklow] (formed in 1968 from members of the Scorpions and Dukes Showband)

Rainbow Showband/P2 [Carlow] (Our thanks to Liam Kelly)

Raindrops Showband [Galway] (featured Sean Nolan in the late 1960's and Chris Grace in 1969 became Big Time)

Rangers Showband [Wexford]

Ray Allen Orchestra** [Dublin]

Raydots [Belfast] (1967-69 featuring Tom E. King - Our thanks to Alan Jones, changed to Flair in May 1969)

Red Barons Showband [Armoy] (became the Young Stars showband)

Red Devils Showband** [Mullingar] (original name of the Drifters in 1963)

Red Rockets Showband [Enniskillen] (photo provided by Len Quinn)

Red Sunbeam Showband [Swanlinbar] (Led by Sean Gilheaney, whose nephew Joey was in the Times)

Regal Showband [Castleblaney] (started as Regal Orchestra in the early 1950's)

Regal Showband [Cork] (started as Regal Orchestra in Bantry featuring Declan Ryan/Barry Hendrick)

Regency Showband [Belfast] (photo courtesy Billy Swann)

Regents Showband [Monaghan] (featured Gene Stuart in the late 60's until he joined the Mighty Avons)

Revellers Showband*** [Unknown]

Rhythmaires Showband*** [Ballymoney]

Rhythm Aces [Newry] (became The Hilton Showband)

Rhythm Kings [Bangor] (late fifties band)

Donal Ring Ceili Band^ [Cork]

Rio Showband / P2 [Cork] (our thanks to Jim Cotter)

Ritz Showband [Cork] (Managed by Kevin O'Sullivan)

River Boys (featuring Cindy)** [Portrush]

Riviera Showband (featuring Shay Cribben) [Ballyhaunis] (Shay sadly passed away Sept 30, 2005)

Robin & the Breakaways [Magherafelt] (photo courtesy Billy Swann)

Rocky Mountain Travelers [Unknown]

Jimmy Rohan Orchestra ** [Unknown]

Rollin' Tones*** [Dublin]

Romany Dance Orchestra [Foxford] (on the road in the mid 1950's)

Pat Roper and the Spotlights [Unknown] (Originally the Cabaret All Stars quartet formed by ex-Capitols)

Rovers Showband?? [Monaghan] (Formed by Ceili king Malachy Doris with members of the Grafton showband)

Rowlands Showband [Belfast]

Royal Blues Showband (featuring Doc Carroll) [Claremorris]

Royal Concords Showband [Dublin] (early sixties band)

Royal Earls Showband [Dublin] (one time featured Sandie Jones, became the Zulus - thanks to Patrick Hoye)

Royal Olympics Showband [Dublin] (original name of the Pacific Showband)

Royal Showband [Waterford] (photos courtesy of Billy Swann/Joe Dodd)

Royal Showband (featuring Lee Lynch) [Waterford] (Lee Lynch replaced Brendan Bowyer when he formed The Big 8)

Royal Stars Showband*** [Drogheda]

Royalists Showband** [Ballyhaunis] (featured Fred Molloy)

Royaltones Showband** [Ballinderry]

Rhythmaires Showband*** [Ballymoney]

Safaris Showband / P2 [Tullamore] (featured singer Brendan Dooner in 1966)

Sahara Showband [Granard] (formed in 1967 featured singer Pat Hanrahan)

Sands Showband [Dublin] (formed by Murty Quinn after split with Miami in 1967)

San Remo Showband** [Unknown]

Santa Fe Showband [Strabane] (temporarily formed by members of the Clipper Carlton)

Saturn Orchestra [Unknown]

Savoy Showband [Waterford] (featured singer Don Duggan)

Secrets Showband [Newcastle, Co Antrim]

Seekers Showband** [Belfast]

Seven Seas Showband/P2/P3** [Tramore] (thanks to David Hayes for the info & photo)

Shandon Ceili Band^ [Cork]

Sharons Showband [Unknown]

Sheba Kelly Showband/P2/P3 (photo courtesy Paddy Brennan) (all female showband of the 60's)

Signs Showband/P2/P3/P4 [Magherafelt] (formerly called the Breakaways and became Cade's County)

Silver Pennies Showband (with Paddy Boy) [Monaghan] (a showband before rocker April joined)

Silver Seven Dance Orchestra [Drogheda] (our thanks to Alba Mooney for info)

Silver Six Dance Orchestra [Mullingar]

Ralph Silvester Orchestra^ [Dublin]

Sinners Showband** [Belfast] (resident in Belfast's Boom Boom Room in 1964)

Sinners Showband*** [Longford] (On the road in 1964)

Skyliners Showband** [Bangor]

Skyrockets Showband [Enniskillen] (featured Penny Starr and Pat McGeegan in late 1960's)

Slieve Foy Showband [Greedore] (formed by Leo Brennan, father of Enya and members of Clannad)

Chick Smith Showband** [Dublin]

Louis Smith Showband [Unknown]

Smokey Mountain Ramblers (band featured fiddler George Kaye and lead singer Pat Ely)

Somertones Showband** [Cork]

Sonics Showband*** [Belfast]

Sorrento Showband^ [Athy] (featured Paddy Murphy)

Sounds Anonymous Showband [Omagh] (Became the Derrick and the Sounds)

Southerncoasters Showband^ [Cobh]

Souvenirs Showband^ [Belfast]

Spectres Showband*** [Belfast]

Squire's Showband [Tralee]

Stardusters Showband [Wexford]

States Showband [Cork] (On the road in the early 70's)

Statesiders Showband** [Strabane] (tragedy struck the band when half the band were killed in a car crash in 1964)

Steeplejacks Showband^ [Derry]

Stellas/P2/P3/P4 [Dublin] ( More info on The Stellas is available at http://aftershock-the-band.com/stellaspage1.html )

St. Mary's Ceili Bandshow^ [Sligo] (included future members of Rocky Mtn Ramblers)

St. Peter's Ceili Band [Dungannon]

Strands Showband [Belfast]

Pete Stuart Orchestra [Dublin] (our thanks to Peter Brady - resident band at Dublin's Palm Court Ballroom)

Students Showband [Ahoghill] (formerly the Billy McFarland Bandshow)

Styx Showband^ [Newtownabbey]

Supreme Showband [Wexford] (formerly the Luxembourg Showband-featured Joe Lowney changed name in 1964)

Swallows Showband*** [Dublin]

Swingbeats Showband** [Cork]

Swing Commandos [Kilkenny] (became the Nomads in 1964)

Swinging Doors Showband [Rockcorry]

Swinging Safari Showband** [Monaghan]

Swingtime Aces Showband [Athenry] (featured Norman Payne in the late 60's)

Swingtones Showband^ [Derry]

Sylvians Showband** [Belfast]

Syndicate Showband/P2 [Buncrana] (formed by former Mighty Rhythm boy, Dennis Eccles)

Tahiti Showband** [Derry] (formerly known as the Derry City Showband)

Teenbeats Showband*** [Belfast]

Teenbeats Showband/P2/P3/P4 (featuring Betty Anne ) [Dublin] (mid sixties Dublin based beat group turned showband)

The Rising Sons Showband [Unknown]

Tides Showband [Galway] (formerly the Bermuda Showband, changed name in July, 1968)

P.J. Tierney Orchestra [Carlow] (photo courtesy Michael Brennan)

Tigermen/ P2 / P3 (formed when Timmy Regan and Eamonn Campbell left Dermot O'Brien's Clubmen)

Times Showband [Mullingar] (formed when members of The Drifters split from brothers Joe and Ben Dolan)

Times Showband [Sligo] (managed by Pat Noone from Claremorris)

Tonics Showband (featuring Peter Cusack) [Bray]

Tony & The Telstars [Belfast] (became Tony G. Ford & The Seekers, the precursor of the Stellas Showband)

Tony G Ford & The Seekers [Newcastle] (precursor of the Stellas Showband - thanks to Teddie Palmer for the info)

Top 7 Showband [Dublin] (short lived band formed by Connie Lynch and Frank Chisum after leaving the Royal in 1971)

Topliners Dance Band [Strabane]

Toreadors Showband^ [Cork]

Toreadors Showband [Omagh]

Tourists Showband/ P2 [Drogheda] (Managed by Gerry Carolan 1966-1970?, once featured Red Hurley on drums)

Tower Dance Orchestra [Youghal]

Traffic Showband [Unknown] Formed in late 1969 with Martin McCauley as lead singer

Transit Showband/P2 [Dublin] (went on to become the Palms)

Tremors Showband^ [Belfast]

Trend Showband (featuring "Peter Boy") [Derry] (Peter Boy was Pete Roddy-thanks to Richard Kelly)

Trenniers [Enniskillen] (Billed as Ireland's teenage "Dynamic" showband)

Troubadours Showband [Tralee]

Twylights Showband^ [Dublin]

U.S.A. Showband** [Dublin]

Val and the Valentines** [Unknown]

Vanguard Six [Tralee] (featured vocalist Little Eddie in the late 60's)

Vaqueres Showband*** [Belfast]

Velvetones Showband [Lisburn]

Ventures Showband [Emyvale] (featured brothers Tony & Colm Hughes)

Vibratones*** [Belfast]

Viceroy Showband*** [Cork]

Viceroy Showband [Milford]

Vikings Showband [Carlow]

Viva Showband*** [Lurgan]

Voxenaires Showband [Clonmel] (became the Cowboys in 1968)

Voodoos Showband [Dublin] (Dublin 5 piece beat group formed in 1965 that added brass and hit the road in 1967)

Warriors Showband [Portumna]

Washington Showband** [Belfast]

Waves Showband, featuring Ricky Jennings [Cork] (formed by Dixies, short lived band of 1968-69)

Houston Wells and the Masters [Derry] (formed after Houston's group, The Marksmen, disbanded)

Westlanders Showband^ [Derry]

Wheels Showband/P2 ( formed by remaining Airchords with Red Hurley before he joined the Nevada)

Whirlwinds Showband [Belfast]

Billy White Showband*** [Belfast]

Shan Wilkinson Band [Dublin] (played resident in the Theatre Royal Dublin before going on the road - now in Hawaii)

Bob Wilson Showband*** [Belfast]

Jack Wilson Showband** [Belfast]

Dick Whitney's Showband [Unknown]

Woodchoppers Showband [Derry] (on the road in 1963 through 1966)

Woodchoppers Showband [Waterford] (on the road in 1960)

Woodpeckers Showband [Dundalk] (on the road in 1959)

Young Cadets [Cork]

Young Clavons** [Dublin]

Young Shadows [Dublin] (started in 1962 and managed by John J. Scanlon of Rialto, Dublin)

Frank Young Showband^ [Dublin]