Golden celebrations for Star Band

THE Golden Star Band started out as a céilí band on June 18, 1961, just over 50 years ago, and went on to become one of the most requested dance bands in the country, playing at halls and carnivals throughout Ireland and in the UK.
To mark their 50th anniversary, a reunion is planned for the first weekend in August. The band will play in the Auburn Lodge Hotel on Friday, August 5 and in the Quilty Tavern on Saturday, August 6.
The band’s first date in 1961 was in the Leon Hall in Quilty and the members on that occasion were Ray O’Donoghue (leader), on piano accordion, John Clancy (RIP) and Paddy O’Donoghue (RIP) on fiddles, Michael Davoran and Jimmy Clancy on flutes, Michilin Conlon (RIP) on accordion, Gus Arthur (RIP) on piano and saxophone, Michael O’Connor (RIP) on drums, Charlotte O’Donoghue and Marie Kennelly on vocals. Later, they were joined by Gerald O’Loughlin (RIP), Michael Kelliher, Paddy Donoghue, Des Mulkere and Michael White.
In later years, others who played with the band include Owen Neville, Jimmy Hill, Eddie Stack, Aidan Keane (RIP), Noel Dinan, Anne Mulqueen, Frances Griffin, Bob Madden, Christopher Whyte, Brendan Barnes, Colie Moran, Hughie Benn and Mary Griffin.
Throughout the ’70s and ’80s, the membership of the band had changed a lot to include Breda McMahon, David Culligan, Michael O’Brien, Pappy O’Donoghue, Raymond Casey and Frank Hogan.
Ray O’Donoghue, a native of Kilfenora, has been the leader of the band from the outset. The band is still active, as a smaller group, mainly in the Galway area. However, the Golden Star Band has never lost its identity with Kilfenora, the leader’s native parish, and has always had strong connections with the North Clare parish with John and Jimmy Clancy and Michael Davoran in the earlier days, as well as members of the O’Donoghue family, who hail from Larakea, including Ray, Pappy, Charlotte, Angela, Eileen, Maureen and their late father Paddy, who toured with the band for many years.
Lissycasey native, Breda McMahon was the band’s lead singer for many years. She is now a Kilfenora resident, having married Pappy O’Donoghue, the band’s drummer. She is currently a member of the local church choir, while her recordings are still played on a variety of radio stations.
The band was particularly popular during the ’70s and ’80s when marquee dancing was a huge attraction between Easter and September in the West of Ireland. The Golden Star Band played at every venue, sometimes twice, during the course of a three-week festival in Kilmurry McMahon, Kilmihil, Lissycasey, Doonbeg, Miltown and Kilkishen, as well as venues in Kerry, Galway and Mayo. There was scarcely a dance hall in the country that they didn’t play in, while they also toured England on a few occasions.
According to Ray, for the reunion, the band will re-create the sound, fun and excitement of the glory days of the showband era of the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s, while at the same time helping a number of Clare charities by donating all of the profits from both nights.
Many of those who have performed at different times with the band over the years will also join in the celebrations on the night.
In both venues, doors will open at 9pm, with the show commencing at 9.30pm.