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The Managers & Promoters

330 Managers & Counting....

Click here for managers from J-Z

Welcome to the pages where we pay tribute to the men and women 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 general only known by people inside the business. The information below was gleaned from personal diaries, friends, emails, and advertisements...
with particular thanks to 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

Barr, Sammy*
(sadly passed away in
the 1990's)

Flamingo Ballroom, Ballymena

Cossacks Showband

Barry, Frank 

 

Conquerors

Barry, Oliver

 

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 

Boyle, John

Highland Hotel, Glenties, Co. Donegal

 

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 

 

The Indians

Byrne, Ollie

 

Skid Row
Crypt

Byrne, Sean

Silver Slipper Ballroom, Strandhill, Co. Sligo

 

Byrne, T.J.
 

Top Hat Ballroom, Dun Laoghaire

Royal Showband
Brendan Bowyer & the Big 8
College Boys
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

 

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
Jim Tobin & the Firehouse (1970)

Carty, Willie

 

Conquerors

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

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, Frank

Gortin Rooskey Social Club

Teddy Bears

Comms, Al

 

Telstars

Condon, Bob

 

Glen Curtin Band
Kate Twins

Connolly, Mick

 

California Brakemen

Conway, John

 

Niagra Showband
Cathy and the Fugitives

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

Creighton, Andy 
(Passed away
December 4, 2003
in London)

 

Royal Blues Showband
Abilene Showband
D.J. Curtin & The Kerry Blues
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 

Crowe, Michael

 

Berwyn Showband 

Crymble, E.S.

 

Strands Showband 

Curley, Barney

 

Claxton Showband
Frankie McBride & the Polka Dots 

Curran, Cyril

 

Seamus McGee & the Nashvilles (1970) 

Curran, Pat

Kirks, Castlefin, Co. Donegal

 

Daly, Frank

Katy Daly's, Killaloe, Co. Clare

Maurice Mulcahy
Tommy Drennan Superband

Davidson, W.

 

Melotones Showband (Belfast)

Davis, Eddie

 

Peter Boy and the Trend
Friends Showband

Deeny, Michael

 

Horslips
Chips

Dempsey, Peter

Starlight Ballroom, Belfast

Freshmen
The People
Roly Daniels and Green County
We Four
Dave Glover All Stars

Devine, John*

 

Melody Aces Showband

Devine, William*
B.

 

Jivenaires
Mystics Showband

Devitt, Johnny

 

Millionaires Showband

Devlin, Jimmy

 

Breakaways Showband

Devlin, Joe

 

Presidents Showband

Doherty, Jim

 

Capitol Showband
Derrick & the Sounds

Doherty, Tom 

 

The Miami
Capitol Showband

Dolphin, Tom 

 

Astronauts Showband
Conquerors

Donnegan, Vincent 

Killyhevlin Hotel, Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh

Frank Chisum
Evelyn, Hugh McLean & The Envoys

Donnelly, Liam

 

Bill Rice and the Ventures Showband
Dawn Knight & The Casuals
Jim Nash and the Swallows

Donoghue, T.J. (DJ?)

 

Sahara Showband

Downes, Joe

Olympic Ballroom, Newcastle West, Co. Limerick

 

Doyle, Danny 

Clody Hall, Bunclody, Co. Wexford

 

Doyle, P.J.

Unknown

 

Duddy, Mick* 

 

The Sundowners

Duffy, Martin 

Ritz Ballroom, Carlow

 

Duffy, Tom

 

Tides Showband

Duggan, Steve

 

Big Country (1972)

Dunne, Jimmy

 

Strangers

Dunne, Kevin

 

Greenbeats

Elliot, Bobby

 

Scripto

Egan, John

 

Niagra Showband
Tweed
Joanna and Tequila Sunrise

Egan, Seamus

 

Falcons Showband

Esmonde, Roy

 

Movement, The

Fahy, Jack

 

Jacobites, The (1970)

Fennelly, Paul

 

Tweed

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
Ireland's Freemen
Kansas City
Rovers Showband (thanks to Julie Byrnes)

Fitzsimons, John*

 

Dermot Henry, Sharon & The Entertainers

Flanagan, Michael 

 

Monkey
Champagne

Foley, Denis

Central Ballroom, Ballybunion, Co. Kerry

 

Foley, Michael 

 

Tropical Showband

Frawley, John

 

Bojangle

Friel, Aidan 

 

Playboys

Friel, Pat 

 

Johnny Quigley All Stars

Fuller, Bill 

Town & Country, Dublin

 

Gallagher, Gerry

 

Kim Newport Band

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

Gill, Neil

 

Johnny Quigley All-Stars

Gill, Vincent

Templemore Arms Hotel, Co. Tipperary
Kilrush, Co.
Clare

Lola & The New Blues*
Carole & The New Blues
Gerry, Margaret & The Roadrunners

Gilmartin, Pat 

Grand Hotel, Sligo

 

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, Aidan

 

Gentry
Airchords

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

Hanley, Donal

 

Barons Showband

Hannon, Peter

 

Johnny Flynn Sound (1972)

Harding, Gerry

Jackson's, Ballybofey

 

Hardy, Hugh

 

Larry Cunningham & the Mighty Avons
Victors Showband
Terry and the Trixons (1969)
Pat McGeegan & the Big Four (1969)

Harte, Patsy

 

Country People

Hayden, Tommy*

 

Art Supple & The Victors*
Nevada
Red Hurley Band
D.J. Curtin & The Kerry Blues
Gina, Dale Haze & The Champions

Hayes, Packie

Oyster Ballroom, Dromkeen, Co. Limerick

 

Healy, Peggy

Glenamoy, Co. Mayo

 

Hegarty, Tony

 

Regal Showband

Henry, Maurice

 

Malachy of the Sounds
Cathy and the Fugitives

Henry, Peter

Blue Lagoon, Sligo

 

Heraty, Ray

 

Tommy Drennan and the Monarchs

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

Howe, Trevor J.

 

The Chekkers (Belfast)

Hughes, Greg

 

Hugo Duncan and the Tall Men
The Times

Hughes, Sean

Glenavon House Hotel, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone
Fir Trees Hotel, Strabane
Ardboe Hall, Co. Tyrone

Clowns

Hynes, Johnny 
Now in the USA

 

Sheeba
Marie Morgan & The Pirates

Hynes, Con

Las Vegas Ballroom, Templemore
Associated Ballrooms, Nationwide

Premier Aces

Irwin, Robert

 

Big Tom & The Travellers
John Glenn & the Wranglers
The Apaches
Sean Thompson & The Everglades

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 for letting us know about the passing of several managers.

 


© 2004-2010 GMS Productions

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