Comic Ardal O'Hanlon drove around in a VW camper van, as many of the showbands did Showbands were distinct from the four-man beat combos elsewhere; they were larger for a start, typically numbering ...

It was shown for the first time recently on BBC4, and will be repeated tonight on BBC2 Northern Ireland, this documentary fronted by Ardal O'Hanlon called Showbands: How Ireland Learnt to Party. And I ...

THE hugely-successful Ireland's Showbands - Do You Come Here Often? tour returns for another season of concerts this Christmas taking in a date at the INEC Killarney on January 2. Presented by ...

Before U2 redefined the Irish music scene, the showband dominated. Now a film celebrating them is due to be screened at the ...

Adam Clayton was always the cool one in U2 – not that it’s any great boast, considering the competition. He’s a decent documentary presenter, to boot, having first displayed his chops in 2022 with a ...

The success of acts like Van Morrison and U2 can be traced back to work done by the likes of Brendan Bowyer and the Royal in the early 1960s Brendan Bowyer and the Royal Showband at the Bowling Alley ...

Madam, - With reference to John Water's column of December 31st, it is true that Joe Dolan was an icon and that the great showman… Madam, - With reference to John Water's column of December 31st, it ...

Ronan Collins sings his renowned tributes to The Great Joe Dolan and Dickie Rock and more! Joining Ronan is ‘The King’ himself Brendan Bowyer. He is simply a living Legend of showbiz for the past 40 ...

"Look, it takes all sorts. And the all sorts in the showbands were more interested in making a solid living than changing the world. If that meant compromise, then Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep." There ...