Niagra Showband

The Niagra Showband from Ballyhaunis were managed by John Egan from Knock who now presents
"Hospitals Request Show" every Sunday on Mid West Radio in Ireland.
Our thanks to John Baird for background info on the band.

From The Western People: The Niagara Showband were based in the East Mayo area and were at the height of their popularity around 1968 and ‘69. The lead singer was John Kelly from Knock who recorded a single “Isle of Innisfree” in the Eamonn Andrews Studios in Dublin in 1969. It was arranged by Noel Keeleghan and produced by Bill O’Donovan who was very involved in the start-up of Radio 2 (2FM) some years later.

John served as a member of the Garda Siochana for many years and retired from the service six years ago. Since then he has recorded two albums and a video and last weekend he commenced a country show on the new Knock FM radio which hit the airwaves for the first time in its new format last Saturday.

Our photo shows (left to right): Pat Halpin from Ballyhaunis played lead guitar. He is a brother of John Halpin in Ballyhaunis and has resided in London for many years. Tony Dolly, a native of Knock, has lived in Ballina for years and is still involved in the music business. He was bass player with the band. John Kelly from Knock was lead singer and trombone player (see above). Liam Byrne from Dublin played saxophone and oboe and later played with the No. I Army Band.

Gerry Fahy from Tuam was the drummer with the band. He later emigrated to Canada where he died tragically in a car accident some years ago. Aidan Staunton, formerly from Westport and long time resident of Kiltimagh, played organ and rhythm guitar. He works in the motor trade (Cleary’s, Kiltimagh) and is still involved with the music scene. His son Jonathan is now a member of the John Hogan country band. Don O’Shaughnessy from Dublin was the trumpet player and now lives in Las Vegas. He is also a former leader of the Artane Boys Band.

The Niagara were managed by John Conway from Ballyhaunis (now in Dublin) who was a member of The Riviera Showband. John Egan from Knock also managed the band for a time.