The Managers & Promoters
394 Managers & Counting....
Click here for
managers from J-Z
Welcome to the pages where we pay tribute to the people behind the scenes...the
managers. Often looked upon with mixed emotions, and much maligned, these are
the movers and shakers that not only booked the bands, but often also ran the
dances as well. This is another area in which we need your help. Finding
out the managers of bands and venues 30-50 years after the fact is a difficult
task, and was generally only known by people inside the business. The information
below was gleaned from personal diaries, friends, emails, and advertisements...
with particular thanks to the late John Coughlan of Spotlight Magazine.
Click on the photo below for a full size image
of the newly formed Irish Ballroom Bands Association IBBA).
If
you know of any promoters or managers, please click here to let us know!
Last, First |
Venues
Promoted |
Bands Managed |
Aiken, Jim
(Jim sadly passed
away March 2, 2007) |
St. Mary's Hall, Belfast, Co. Antrim
Orpheus Ballroom, Belfast, Co. Antrim
Ulster Hall, Belfast, Co. Antrim
Boom Boom Room (with Trevor Kane) |
Brian Coll & the Plattermen |
Anglum,
J. |
|
Southlanders Showband |
Armstrong,
Robert |
|
Chips |
Aughey, Sid |
East County Hotel, Ballinasloe |
The Times
The Swarbriggs |
Bardon, Peter |
|
Teddie Palmer & The Rumble Band
Thin Lizzy
Chips
Real McCoy
Johnny & The Hot Rods
Mike Scott & The Hoot'nannys
Bray City Rollers
Keith Kelly & Kansas City
Tony O'Leary & the Gallowglass (1973) |
Barr, Sammy*
(sadly passed away in
the 1990's) |
Flamingo Ballroom, Ballymena |
Cossacks Showband |
Barrett, Jack |
|
Big Four (1960's) |
Barry, Frank |
|
Conquerors (Early days) |
Barry, Oliver |
|
Earl Gill Band
Sean Dunphy & the Hoedowners
Freshmen
Stockton's Wing
Wolfe Tones |
Barry, Tony |
|
Memories |
Belton,
Pat |
|
Downlanders |
Blanche, Paddy |
|
Zulus
Royal Earls Showband with Sandie Jones |
Bogan,
Tony
former Miami drummer |
|
Sunshine
Miami
Pat Roper & the Spotlights
Indians
Arrows |
Bogle,
Martin
(sadly passed away in
August 1995) |
|
Memories
Liberation
Chuckles
Edison Lighthouse
Vanity Fair |
Bolger, Dan |
|
Express Showband (1965)
Columbia Showband (1964) |
Bolger,
Smiley |
|
Dave Prim Band (1973)
Sundown (1974) |
Boyle, John |
Highland Hotel, Glenties, Co. Donegal |
|
Brady, Sheila |
|
Orange Machine (1967) |
Bradley, Paddy |
Corncutter's Rest. Creeslough
Milford Inn, Donegal
Fairyland Ballroom, Termon, Co. Donegal*
Allingham Arms Hotel, Bundoran, Co. Donegal*
Glenbay Hotel, Glencolumbkille
Fleet Inn, Downings |
The Topp Stars
Hugo Duncan & The Ranchers* |
Branagan, Michael |
|
Branagan Brothers Band |
Breslin, Michael |
Abbey Hotel, Donegal |
|
Burke, Maurice |
|
Vanguard Six Showband
Kingdom Showband |
Burns, Finbar |
|
Pressmen Showband |
Burns, Paddy
(sadly passed away
August 14, 2011-79) |
|
The Indians (1970-1984)
The Big Time (1974) |
Byrne, Ollie |
|
Skid Row
Crypt |
Byrne, Sean |
Silver Slipper Ballroom, Strandhill,
Co. Sligo |
|
Byrne, T.J.
(sadly passed away
Dec 10, 2016)
|
Top Hat Ballroom, Dun Laoghaire |
Royal Showband (1956)
Sands Showband (1967)
Brendan Bowyer & the Big 8 (1971)
College Boys (1967)
Red Hurley Band |
Byrne, Tony |
|
Gina, Dale Haze & the Champions
Sandie Jones Band
Trend
Poteen |
Cahill, Joe
(sadly passed away
in 2000)** |
|
Paragon Seven Showband |
Cahill John |
|
Billie Jo Superband
John Quinn, Shana & Sparkle |
Campbell,
Paddy |
|
Pat and the Gay Dons |
Carlin, Michael |
|
Deidre & The Defenders |
Carolan, Gerry |
|
Tourists Showband
Oscars SHowband (1969) |
Carolan, Matt |
National Ballroom, Dublin |
|
Carroll, Ted |
|
Skid Row (1967) |
Carty, Noel |
Roseland Club, Moate, Co. Offaly |
Brendan Shine Superband
Lucky Numbers
Magic Band (1975)
Murphy & The Swallows (1974)
Har & the Escorts
Art Supple & the Victors (1968)
Jim Tobin & the Firehouse (1970) |
Carty, Willie |
|
Conquerors (after Greg Hughes)
Robert Mizzell |
Carville, Billy |
|
The Earls Showband |
Casey, Seamus |
|
Joe Dolan & the Drifters
The Times
Jim Tobin & The Firehouse |
Cassan, John |
Atlantic Ballroom, Ballybunion, Co.
Kerry |
|
Cassidy, Donie |
|
Foster & Allen
Jim Tobin & the Firehouse
Joy Starr & Opportunity
T.R. Dallas Band (Tom Allen) |
Cassidy,
Maurice |
Stardust Club, Derry, Co. Derry |
Santa Fe Showband
Tony Kenny & The Sands |
Chapman, Louis* |
Silver Slipper Ballroom, Strandhill, Co.
Sligo
Silver Sandal, Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh |
Clefonaires Showband (Clefs)
|
Claffey, Paul |
Cupid's Night Club, Castlerea
Midnight Club, Ballaghdereen
Swingers, Ballyhaunis |
|
Clancy, Sean |
|
Burmah Showband |
Clarke,
Eber |
|
Epic Showband (1960's) |
Clerkin, Mick |
|
Gary Street & The Fairways
Gloria and Mississippi
Larry Cunningham & The Country Blue Boys
Ray Lynam & The Hillbillies
Dermot Hegarty |
Coady,
John "Lucky" |
Jetland Ballroom, Limerick |
|
Coakley, Ciaran |
|
Fleet Showband |
Collins,
Donie |
|
Donie Collins Band |
Collins, Michael |
Stardust Club Hotel, Cork |
|
Colgan, Gerry |
|
Emmett Spiceland (1968) |
Colgan, Frank |
Gortin Rooskey Social Club |
Teddy Bears |
Comms, Al |
|
Telstars |
Condon, Bob |
|
Glen Curtin Band
Kate Twins |
Connell,
George |
Top Hat Ballroom, Lisburn,
Co. Antrim (Owner)
Regal Ballroom, Ardglass, Co. Down (Owner) |
|
Connolly,
Brian |
|
Catherine and the Spurs |
Connolly,
Mick |
|
California Brakemen (1971) |
Conway, John |
|
Niagra Showband
Cathy and the Fugitives |
Costello,
John |
|
Gina and the Herdsmen (1973) |
Costello, Tom |
|
Cadets Showband
Johnny McEvoy Country Band
Tracy & The Grassroots
Real McCoy
Bill Ryan & the
Hoot'nanny's
Cotton Mill Boys
Jon Ledingham |
Costelloe, John |
Flamingo Ballroom, Abbeyfeale, Co.
Limerick |
|
Coughlin, Pat*
(Sadly
passed
away
in October,
2002) |
Hilton Club, Cork, Co. Cork
Top Hat Ballroom, Fermoy
Student Club, Cork |
|
Cox, Seamus |
|
Riviera Showband |
Craig, Victor* |
|
Clipper Carlton |
Cranny, Tom
(Tom was killed in a
car accident in
January, 1969 -
Spotlight.) |
|
Mexicans |
Crawford, Neil |
|
Marines Showband (1965) |
Creighton, Andy
(Passed
away
December
4,
2003
in
London) |
|
Royal Blues Showband
Abilene Showband
D.J. Curtin & The Kerry Blues (1971)
Brush Shiels Band
Flint
Memories
Plattermen
Samba & The Philosophers
Skid Row
Jim Cantwell Big Band (1971)
Tom Kelly Sound
Tumbleweeds with Johnny Regan |
Creighton,
Pat |
|
Ohio Showband |
Cronin,
Michael |
|
Hi-Lites Showband |
Crowe,
Michael |
|
Berwyn Showband |
Crymble, E.S. |
|
Strands Showband |
Curley, Barney |
|
Claxton Showband
Frankie McBride & the
Polka Dots
Brian Coll and the Buckaroos (1969) |
Curran,
Cyril |
|
Nashville Showband (1970) |
Curran, Pat |
Kirks, Castlefin, Co. Donegal |
|
Daly, Frank |
Katy Daly's, Killaloe, Co. Clare |
Maurice Mulcahy
Tommy Drennan Superband |
Darbey,
Leo P. |
|
Starliners Dance Band (Dublin) |
Darcy,
Con |
|
Klondyke (Omagh) |
Davidson,
W. |
|
Melotones Showband (Belfast) |
Davis,
Des
(Clara, Offaly) |
|
Crackaways Showband |
Davis,
Eddie |
|
Barristers Showband (1965)
Peter Boy and the Trend
Friends Showband |
Dee,
John |
|
Keltic Wine (1973)
Peggy's Leg (1973)
Demon Duck (1973)
Luv-Bug (1974) |
Deeny,
Michael |
|
Horslips (1971)
Chips |
Delaney,
M
(Dublin) |
|
Goldentones Showband (1962) |
Dempsey, Peter |
Starlight Ballroom, Belfast |
Freshmen (early 60's)
The People
Roly Daniels and Green County
We Four
Dave Glover All Stars
Boys N' Girls (1974) |
Devine, John* |
|
Melody Aces Showband |
Devine, William*
B.
(Boyle) |
|
Jivenaires (1963)
Mystics Showband |
Devitt,
Johnny |
|
Millionaires Showband |
Devlin, Jimmy |
|
Breakaways Showband (Cookstown) |
Devlin, Joe |
|
Presidents Showband |
Doherty,
Jim |
|
Capitol Showband (pre-1967)
Derrick & the Sounds (from May 1967) |
Doherty, Tom |
|
The Miami
Capitol Showband |
Dolphin, Tom |
|
Astronauts Showband
Conquerors (After Frank Barry) (1971) |
Donegan, Vincent |
Killyhevlin Hotel, Enniskillen, Co.
Fermanagh |
Frank Chisum
Evelyn, Hugh McLean & The Envoys (1973) |
Donnelly, Liam |
|
Bill Rice and the Ventures Showband
Dawn Knight & The Casuals
Jim Nash and the Swallows |
Donoghue, T.J. (DJ?) |
|
Sahara Showband |
Doris, Malachy |
|
Malachy Doris Ceili Band Show |
Downes,
Joe |
Olympic Ballroom,
Newcastle West, Co. Limerick |
|
Doyle, Danny |
Clody Hall, Bunclody, Co. Wexford |
|
Doyle, Pat |
|
The Word (1967) |
Doyle,
P.J. |
Castle Ballroom, Enniscorthy (Geoff
Wheatly) |
|
Duddy, Mick* |
|
The Sundowners |
Duffy, Martin
(sadly passed away
5th April, 2009) |
Ritz Ballroom, Carlow
St. Joseph's Hall, Blessington
Dreamland Ballroom, Athy |
|
Duffy, Tom |
|
Tides Showband |
Duggan, Steve |
|
Big Country (1972) |
Dunne, Jimmy |
|
Strangers (1967)
Deep Set (1967) |
Dunne, Kevin |
|
Greenbeats (1967) |
Elliot, Bobby |
|
Scripto |
Egan, John
Now lives in New York |
|
Tweed
Joanna and Tequila Sunrise |
Egan, Seamus |
|
Falcons Showband |
Esmonde, Roy |
|
Movement, The (1967)
Skid Row (1968) |
Fahy,
Jack |
|
Jacobites, The (1970) |
Farrell, Kevin
(sadly passed away in
March, 2013) |
Copper Beech, Edenderry, Co. Offaly |
|
Fay,
Pat |
|
King Bee (1967) |
Fennelly, Paul |
|
Tweed |
Ferris, Robert |
Embassy Ballroom,
Derry, Co.
Derry |
|
Finan, Noel |
Seapoint Ballroom, Salthill, Co.
Galway |
|
Finlay,
Brian
Brian sadly passed
away a couple of
years ago. |
|
Finbar Harte
John Hogan Band
Zozimus
Evelyn and the Envoys |
Finlay, Jack |
|
Cahir O'Doherty
Hollywood Stars (1975)
Ireland's Freemen
Kansas City
Rovers Showband (thanks to Julie Byrnes)
Bloody Morgan & The Pirates (1974) |
Fitzsimons, John* |
|
Dermot Henry, Sharon & The
Entertainers
Marlena and the Country Flavour (1974) |
Flanagan, Michael |
|
Monkey
Champagne
Doc Carroll and the Nightrunners (1974)
Wagon Wheels Showband (1974) |
Flatley, Andy
(Claremorris) |
|
Rhythm Kings Showband (1960) |
Foley,
Denis |
Central Ballroom, Ballybunion, Co.
Kerry |
|
Foley, Michael |
|
Tropical Showband |
Foley, P. |
|
Royal Aces Showband |
Frawley,
John |
|
Bojangle |
Friel, Aidan |
|
Playboys |
Friel,
Harry |
|
Emperors Showband (1965) |
Friel, Pat |
|
Johnny Quigley All Stars |
Fuller, Bill |
Crystal Ballroom, Dublin (1948)
Bar "B" Ballroom Woodbrook, Bray (1953)
Ballerina Ballroom, Parnell Square (circa 1953)
Atlantic Ballroom, Tramore (1958) |
|
Gallagher, Gerry |
|
Kim Newport Band (1982-3) |
Gallagher, Jim |
|
Harvest Showband |
Gallagher, Paul |
|
Pluto |
Gallagher, Seamus |
Club Crystal, Kiltimagh, Mayo
Town Hall, Claremorris, Co. Mayo
Ranch House, Cummer, Co. Galway |
|
Gee, John |
|
Granny's Intentions (1970) |
Gill, Earl |
|
Sean Dunphy
Hugo Duncan & the Tallmen (1974) |
Gill, Neil |
|
Johnny Quigley All-Stars |
Gill, Vincent |
Templemore Arms Hotel, Co. Tipperary
Kilrush, Co. Clare |
The New Blues
Gerry, Margaret & The Roadrunners |
Gilmartin, Pat |
Grand Hotel, Sligo |
|
Gleeson,
Sean |
|
The Willows |
Glover,
Dave |
|
Confederates (1973) |
Griffin,
Andy |
Kincora Ballroom,
Lisdoonvarna, Co. Clare |
|
Griffin, Sean |
Manhattan, Donegal, Co. Donegal |
|
Grimes, Liam Jr. |
Castle Arms, Enniscrone, Co. Sligo |
|
Gunn, Christy |
Ierne Ballroom, Dublin, Co. Dublin
|
|
Hand, Aiden
(brother of Jim
-Spotlight 11-9-72) |
|
Gentry
Airchords (from 1967)
Hawaii 5-0 (1972) |
Hand, Jim
(Jim passed away in
May, 2001) |
|
Capitol Showband
Dermot O'Brien and the Clubmen
Cahir O'Doherty & The Dazzle Band
Dreams
Chips
Dermot Henry & the Virginians
Columbia Showband (1968) |
Hanley, Donal |
|
Barons Showband |
Hannon, Peter |
|
Johnny Flynn Sound (1972) |
Harding, Gerry |
Jackson's, Ballybofey |
|
Hardy,
Hugh |
|
Larry Cunningham & the Mighty Avons
(1965)
Columbia Showband (1966)
Victors Showband
Terry and the Trixons (1969)
Pat McGeegan & the Big Four (1969) |
Harte, Patsy |
|
Country People |
Hayden, Tommy*
(Tommy sadly passed
away 20th April, 2013)
|
|
Art Supple & The Victors*
Royal Blues (1971)
Nevada (1967 on)
Red Hurley Band
D.J. Curtin & The Kerry Blues (1973)
Gina, Dale Haze & The Champions
Candy (1973) |
Hayes, Packie |
Oyster Ballroom, Dromkeen, Co.
Limerick |
|
Healy, Peggy |
Glenamoy, Co. Mayo |
|
Hegarty,
Tony |
|
Regal Showband (1967) |
Henry,
Maurice |
|
Malachy of the Sounds
Cathy and the Fugitives |
Henry, Peter |
Blue Lagoon, Sligo |
|
Heraty,
Ray |
|
Tommy Drennan and the Monarchs
Michael O'Callaghan Band (1973) |
Herterich,
Noel |
|
Breakaways - Naas |
Higgins, Jimmy |
Silver Swan Hotel, Sligo |
New Smokeys
Raindrops (1972)
Paddy Hanrahan and Oklahoma
Liam Ivors Country Dance Band
Red River Valley Boys |
Higgins, Tommy |
Baymount, Strandhill, Co. Sligo |
|
Hilliard, George |
|
Mary Lou & Harvest
Pat McCaul & The Premier Aces
Rob Strong & Las Vegas |
Holt,
Harry |
|
Prairie Ramblers
Paddy Wagon (1971) |
Howe,
Trevor J. |
|
The Chekkers (Belfast) |
Hughes,
Greg
(sadly passed away
18th May, 2014) |
|
Hugo Duncan and the Tall Men
The Times
Conquerors (after Tom Dophin) |
Hughes, Sean |
Glenavon House Hotel, Cookstown, Co.
Tyrone
Fir Trees Hotel, Strabane
Ardboe Hall, Co. Tyrone |
Clowns |
Hynes, Johnny
(Sadly passed away 1st Sept, 2018) |
|
Sheeba
Marie Morgan & The Pirates
Skyrockets |
Hynes,
Cornelius
"Con"
(sadly passed away
September 20, 2005) |
Las Vegas Ballroom, Templemore
Associated Ballrooms, Nationwide
Westpark Hotel, Portumna - 1974
Central Ballroom, Tullamore - 1974
Slieve Bloom Hall, Borris-in-Ossary - 1974
Roseland Ballroom, Moate - 1972
Many many more to come |
Premier Aces (1965)
Dermot O'Brien & the Clubmen (1962) |
Irwin, Robert |
|
Big Tom & The Travellers
John Glenn & the Wranglers
The Apaches
Sean Thompson & The Everglades
Mary Lou and Music City |
Ivory, Tom
(Tom sadly passed
away in 1983) |
Olympic Ballroom, Dublin (sold it in
1972) |
|
Click here for Managers with last names J-Z
* Special thanks to Teddie Palmer, Brendan McCarthy, John McGrenra, Peter Kinsey, Louis
Chapman, Jan Lynch, Alan Carr,
Mike Niblett, Billy Swann, Pat Hoye, Leslie Thompson, Alan Jones, Ronnie Campbell, Gene O'Sullivan & Vincent Power's "Send 'Em Home Sweatin" for their assistance with this list.
**Thanks to Eddie Kelly(RIP) for letting us know about the passing
of several managers.
|