Irish Country Bands

Currently listing 225 Country & Cabaret Acts

One of the biggest influences which took hold early in the showband era was that of country music, or as it is known in Ireland, Country and Western. In fact, Ireland's version of country has almost become its own style, quite different from the American Country Music on which it was originally patterned. Irish Country was designed for one purpose, jiving, a dance form which was a mainstay of the dancehalls throughout the era and down to this day.

Names like Big Tom, Philomena Begley, Margo, Larry Cunningham, and many others have gained international fame for their versions of country music classics. For many Irish country artists, a trip to Nashville to record an album represented the pinnacle of their career. The appeal of country music to rural audiences was also one of the key reasons it took such hold in Ireland. As the days of the showband waned, many country artists retreated to cabaret, and are still performing today in theatres which dot the countryside, in much the same way dance halls did years ago.

Acknowledgements: Special thanks to Patrick Hoye for his contributions to building this list - identified with (PH) after band name. Photos: Special thanks to Shaun Magee, Dick Lynott, David Dwane, Anthony Grace, Francis Kennedy, Teddie Palmer, Jan Lynch, Declan Colgan, Peter Kinsey, Joe Dodd, Brian "Shorty" O'Kane, Andy Monk, and Alan Carr for additional photos. All photos are identified with contributor's names (see full details on photo page).

Listed alphabetically by the band's name....or lead singer's last name.

Click here to see all the country and western band photos in our collection.