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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.

 


© 2002-2022 GMS Productions

In Loving Memory of Grant Gallagher: Sept. 21, 1990 - Nov. 18, 2006