Showbands centre-stage on city’s ‘walk of fame’
Plans for a €100,000 Hollywood Boulevard type walk of fame will be unveiled in Cork today.
Up to 20 star-shaped bronze plaques, each bearing the name of a showband, will be laid on the footpath outside the site of the city’s famous Arcadia Ballroom.
The Showband Walk of Fame will commemorate the artists and bands who helped create a unique era in Irish life during the 1950s, 60s and 70s.
Each showband name will be set in a plaque measuring 450mm x 450mm x 50mm thick.
The plaques will have a stainless steel frame and will be set in concrete in the footpath. Lord Mayor Donal Counihan said he expects the Showband Walk of Fame to attract local, national and international visitors and become one of the city’s top tourist attractions.
The city council’s roads department will lay the plaques on the footpath opposite Kent Railway Station over the coming months.
They will commemorate top Cork showbands like The Dixies, Gina, Dale Hale and The Champions, The Victors, Pat Lynch and the Airchords, Declan Ryan and The Arrivals.
Others like The Royal Showband, The Capital, The Miami, Joe Dolan and The Drifters and the Freshmen, will also be commemorated.
The concept is the brainchild of Dixies showband stars Joe MacCarthy and Sean Lucey, with Noel Magnier.
“These are bands that led to many happy memories, and possibly a few babies as well, during the showband era,” said Joe Mac, drummer and comedian who fronted The Dixies, alongside Brendan O’Brien.
“We have been working on this project for a few years and with the support of Cork City Council and sponsors Declan O’Mahony and Carl Dillon, owners of the Arcadia, it has come to fruition,” Mr Magnier said.
An official opening of the walk of fame will take place later this year.
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