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Tributes to showband legend Brendan Boyer
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Tributes to showband legend Brendan Boyer
The Gleneagle Hotel has led local tributes to the internationally acclaimed Irish performer, Brendan Bowyer, who has passed away at the age of 81.
A native of Waterford, Brendan lived and spent most of his career in Las Vegas, but never forgot his Irish roots. For over of six decades Brendan enthralled audiences around the world. The title of Ireland’s answer to Elvis Presley rested easily on his shoulders.
“We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Brendan Bowyer. His performances at The Gleneagle down through the years were nothing short of legendary. He was one of the kings of the Showband era both at home in Ireland and abroad. Our sincerest condolences to his wife Stella, his family and his many friends. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis,” said Patrick O’Donoghue, CEO of The Gleneagle Group.
He burst onto the scene in the late 1950’s as a member of The Royal Showband with whom he performed what many consider his signature tune The Hucklebuck. The Dancehall genre of music was at its height and packed out venues the length and breadth of the country throughout the 1960’s.
His move to Las Vegas in the early 1970’s was the stepping stone to international stardom with the Big 8 Showband which he formed with the late Tom Dunphy. He readily sold-out venues in his adopted city and rubbed shoulders with the iconic performers of the time.
He made many trips back to Ireland for performances over the following 40 years and was made a freeman of Waterford City
Wallace Arnold coach drivers return to Killarney
A group of 26 former coach drivers, wives, and friends from the Wallace Arnold tour company returned to Killarney over a recent weekend.
The group travelled from Holyhead to Dublin in a restored Wallace Arnold coach, staying at the Killarney Towers Hotel for three nights.
During the visit, the group drove the vintage coach to local landmarks, including Kate Kearney’s Cottage and Muckross House, before returning to town ahead of the Kerry versus Donegal match. The itinerary also included a trip around the Ring of Kerry.
The trip allowed the former drivers to reconnect and reminisce about their years touring Ireland. Organiser Bob Adams said that the vintage coach drew attention from local residents along the route.
The group noted the absence of several former colleagues who could not travel due to health reasons, including veteran driver Hilton Caldwell who is well known in Killarney.
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