The Sailors Showband Bagenalstown

The Sailors float back into mind

This photograph of The Sailors showband from Bagenalstown, will bring back many happy memories to those who danced in the many 'ballrooms of romance' during the show-band era of the 1960s. The Sailors were a very popular showband and played at venues around the country for a number of years, being particularly popular in their local counties of Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford, Laois, Kildare and Wicklow. The photo was supplied to Looking South by Sarah Gordon, St. Brigid's Crescent, Bagenalstown. The band was managed by the late May Shaw-Rea from Bagenalstown and the fan club secretary was listed on their promotional photo material from the time as c/o Fitzpatrick, Killinane, Bagenalstown.

The band members in the photo are, from left, front: Shay Rea (deceased), who played rhythm guitar and was lead vocalist; Charles Nolan (trombone) and vocals; Ian Rea (bass guitar); in centre: Joe Fitzpatrick, who played lead guitar and trumpet; Andrew Whelan (drums); and on top of the picture is Billy Purcell, who played organ. Shay, Charlie and Ian were from Bagenalstown while Andrew and Billy were from the Paulstown area of Co, Kilkenny.
Source: The Nationalist Aug 15th 2003 p.6

---

Carlow Showband's

Presidents Showband, Carlow. From Carlow c.1970. The Band members were Pat Kearns, Carlow, trumpet, Joe and Paddy Fitzpatrick, Royal Oak, bass and guitar, Gerry Corcoran, Bagenalstown, vocals, John and Stevie Nolan, drums and trumpet, and Stevie O Neill. Other members included Seamus Rae, and Paul Quinlan Source: eBay seller	P. J. Tierney & His Orchestra, Carlow P.J. Tierney nine-piece orchestra playing in the Crofton Hotel, Carlow, in 1956. A self taught musician Pa Joe played in many bands before starting his own in 1949. The Glen Miller hit ‘American Patrol’ was the band’s signature tune.	Boston Showband, Carlow. Line-up L to R: Tom Dowling (Trombone), Seamus Hayden (Drums), Pat Kearns (Trumpet), Billy Cooney (Guitar) Pat Kelly (Bass), Andy Conway (Guitar), John Curran (Vocals), and Sean Hennessey (Sax). Our thanks to Liam Kelly and Andrew Conway for the line-up info. Thanks to the Irish Showbands.com website for the above images and information.
Rainbow Showband, Carlow. Line-up  Back L to R: Tom Dowling (Trombone), Andy Conway (Guitar), Pat Kearns (Trumpet), Sean Hennessey (Sax), Front: Billy Kehoe (Bass), Billy Cooney (Guitar) and Seamus Hayden (Drums). Our thanks to Liam Kelly for background info on the band.	The Fashion Showband, Carlow. From Graiguecullen. John J Bradley has named the following members of the band: L to R Steve O’Neill, Mick Hayden, Timmy Gleeson, Owen O’Neill, Mick Lawler, Sheamus Lawler, J.J. Hennessy. Image source: Anne Gleeson  Facebook	The Rolettes Showband, Carlow. Bagenalstown. A Blast from the past . . . The Rolettes were very popular on the local circuit in the ‘50 and ‘60s. From Mick O’Toole’s extensive collection.
The Michael Foley Combo, Carlow. Photo taken mid 1960's Managed by Jay Corcoran of John Street, Carlow. Photo provided by 'Carloman'	Tropical Showband, Carlow. Manager - Michael Foley Photo credit Liam O'Reilly	The Big 8 Showband, Carlow. This band included Brendan Boyer and Tom Dunphy, Kelly and Dave Coady. The band was managed by T.J. Byrne of Mulberry, Larkfield. Carlow
Carlow Youth Centre Band 'Carlow Youth Centre Band' dated to May 1969. Source: Peter Heary on Facebook.	The Sailors Showband, Carlow. The Sailors Showband was from Bagenalstown	The Hennessy Family, Carlow. The Hennessy Family - a great group ofentertainers. Source: The Nationalist
Oscars Showband, Carlow. From Carlow circa 1969 Line-up: Pat Kearns (Trumpet), Bertie Whelan, RIP (Drums), Rory Moran (Guitar), John Curran (Vocals), Andy Conway (Guitar), Sean He nnessey (Sax), and Pat Shelly, RIP-(Bass).Our thanks to Liam Kelly for background info on the band.	Gerry and The Presidents Showband, Carlow.  c.1970's  from Bagenalstown, Co. Carlow. Image contributed by the Fitzpatrick Family to www.Irish-Showbands.com	The Three Amigos, Carlow.  Maurice Nolan, Tony Sullivan and Jim Lawler - in there rocking years.... Photo & Info provided by Michelle Lawler & Jacqui Hynes
The Gazette Showband (Carlow) Lead Vocals/guitar: Jim Byrne Lead Guitar: Bill Delaney Bass: Harry Kenny Sax/vocals: Shay Byrne Trumpet: Stepen O'Neill Drums: Paddy Blake Organ/Piano: Seamus Donovan Manager: Harry Kenny  Source: The Gazette Showband, Hacketstown, Carlow (irishshowbands.net)	The Ritz Showband, Carlow. The Ritz Showband
The Donnie Collins Band, Carlow. Source: The Nationalist	Vikings Showband, Carlow. Source: The Nationalist	Mick Hennessey Orchestra, Carlow. Source: The Nationalist