Back row (L to R): Tony Dever, M. P. Coyle, Mattie Ruane, James Conlon,
Stephen Garvey, Art O'Neill, Michael Murtagh, Frank Walsh, Sean She.
Front row (L to R): Paddy Cafferty, C. Lyndon, Liam McDonagh, M. L. Stritch,
Tom O'Neill, Pat Maher, John McDonagh.  Mascot: Master Ruane.

Stephen Garvey was born in Castlebar in 1902
When Stephen Garvey started up his band - The Stephen Garvey Strict Tempo Orchestra,
it was the start of an era of famous showbands.
He was the first in Ireland to import the famous Hammond Organ, in 1936.
When one mentions The Stephen Garvey Band names such as Joe Chambers, Seamie Gavin,
Jimmy Feeney and Brendan Ward come to mind, as these were household names at the time.
He was particularly popular during the big band era of the 30s.
One of his main claims to fame was that he led the first dance orchestra on Radio Eireann.
 They quickly became an institution and played all over Ireland and the U.K. in venues ranging from
The Emerald Ballroom in Lecanvey to the Mansion House in Dublin
He played the piano with his back to the audience and watched them through a mirror on his piano
while his brother Jimmy played the base.
The members of the band, which in the1950’s included Val Doonican,
often changed but the name always stayed the same under the leadership of Stephen Garvey.
His fame spread to London and beyond where he was a great hit, especially among Irish emigrants
Stephen went to America and retired in 1956 after 40 years in showbusiness.
He died in 1962 and was buried at Houston, Texas.

His greatest wish, which was to be buried in Castlebar graveyard.
Due to the efforts of a committee his final homecoming was organized:
on 18th August 1996  his remains were finally laid to rest.
 

Other popular Mayo dance bands were the bands of
Tony Chambers, Brose Walsh and Jack Ruane.
 

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