The Paddy Mc Cafferty Band dates back to about 1935
And what an impressive Band it was ,backing such top visiting acts such as Joe Loss, Harry Gold and his Pieces of Eight, Felix Mendehlson, The Dutch Swing College Band , and playing relief to all the top Irish Showbands, The Clippers, Johnny Quigley, Royal Showband, Big Tom. Larry Cunningham , and so on.
The Band did a lot of work for Jimmy Nugent in the Star Ballroom , Omagh,
as well as playing all the local venues Butt Hall, Fiesta, Devlin Hall and many North of Ireland venues.
But unlike other Bands, they did not travel to play in England or Scotland during the Lenten period.
They stayed at home playing as resident Band in the Butt Hall , Ballybofey
, for the many Drama and Variety Shows , that went on during the Lenten
period. Paddy Mc Cafferty demanded much from his musicians,
they were well known as a reliable band to hire throughout
Ireland
Back Row. L-R, Dessie Mc Cafferty, Pat Duskey, Paddy Murray
Front Row L-R. Jimmy MC Glinchey, Noel Connelly, Jen Brown
and Vivian Deery
. Thanks to The Paddy Mc Cafferty Showband, many lads inherited a
good musical training ,
and many dancers had the pleasure of dancing to one of our most
popular Showbands,
The Paddy Mc Cafferty Showband , Ballybofey,
Sadly , Paddy,
and Dessie Mc Cafferty, Noel Connelly, Sean Kelly
and Paddy “Pop” Murray.from the original band have passed on.
Jimmy Mc Glinchey, Vivian Deery, Steve Mc Philemy,and Dinny Bonnar
together with Dennis Bonnar, and Dom Espie, Jen Brown and others,
are still with us as reminders of the great local Band .
Read This Article
Story of
the Paddy McCafferty Showband
By John Baird (Link)
From John Bairds collection
bairdart@eircom.net
