FERMANAGH showbands fans are in for a treat next week when much-loved Philip Darcy brings his huge collection of music memorabilia to Enniskillen for a special exhibition.
Mr Darcy, a popular member of the local community, will host his ‘Remembering The Showbands’ exhibition at the Enniskillen Library from Tuesday until the following Friday, July 26.
Enniskillen is renowned for its showbands history, with one of its most famous bands, ‘The Skyrockets’ rising to acclaim and headlining some of the biggest venues in the UK in the 1960s and 1970s.
The Fermanagh man boasts an ‘irreplaceable’ collection of memorabilia, with around 1,500 fan cards, posters and photographs that are proudly displayed all around his home in Enniskillen.
“I was attracted to the sound. I could recognise showband music right away because of the ‘beat’,” Mr Darcy previously told the Herald.
“A band wasn’t a showband unless it had six, seven or eight members playing different instruments. Nowadays, it’s just a someone playing backing tracks and a lead singer.
“I like Patrick Feeney, Michael English and John McNicholl, and of course Philomena Begley and Daniel O’Donnell. They all had full bands. Music has changed a lot, and sadly, it’s not for the good.”
Music fans were recently left saddened when legendary guitarist Pete Cresswell, who performed with local band ‘The Skyrockets’, passed away last month.
The four-day event next week at the Enniskillen Library will give local music fans the chance to reel back the years and bask in Mr Darcy’s wide array of memorabilia.
“This stuff is irreplaceable. I enjoy the buzz of the exhibitions and what it gives to people. If you can try and make them see your vision, then you are successful,” said Mr Darcy.
“I just love music. I have three radios and two record players and I play the LPs in the kitchen.”
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