File of correspondence between Joe Burke and William (Billy) Dervin of the Leitrim Céilí Band and local organisers of dances, particularly in County Galway, but also in ten other counties, and in England (Cheshire, Yorkshire, London) - asking for quotations and arranging performances; also some other items generally concerning music events, and the music business. Including invitation from Macra na Feirme (Loughrea 21 March) to a talk given by a P.R.O. for Esso Ltd. on the World Ploughing Championships in Rome; request to return the Cott Cup won by Burke in Boyle 1960 (Swinford 23 March); entry form for Kingdom County Fair competitions (Tralee undated) for May 31. Also including a private letter from John Quinn (St. Patrick's Maynooth undated) asking for notes of two tunes - "we hear very little of the traditional music in the College".
File of correspondence between Joe Burke of the Leitrim Céilí Band and local organisers of dances, particularly in County Galway, but also in seven other counties - asking for quotations and arranging performances; also some other items generally concerning music events, and the music business. Including letter from Seán Ó Síocháin (Dublin 2 June) needing material for a brochure for the upcoming U.S. tour in November; letter from Clare Fleadh Ceoil organisers (Miltown Malbay 20 June) inviting him to adjudicate in the senior accordion competition; entry form for An tOireachtas competition (Dublin-for 29 October) for Joe Burke and Séamus O'Connolly. Also including letter from Galway fleadh organisers (Tuam 24 May) inviting entries and disclaiming payment of expenses - pointing out that the fleadhanna have done much to revive traditional music and dancing which meant increased business for bands. [partly in Irish]
File of correspondence and receipt concerning the Leitrim Céilí Band; correspondence between Joe Burke and Patrick Fahy of the Leitrim Céilí Band, and members of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí (Sligo) and Muintir na Tíre (Kanturk, County Cork), concerning bookings for dances; also including receipt for a drumkit from Ben Callanan for £18.
File of correspondence between Padden Downey and Joe Burke of the Leitrim Céilí Band and local organisers of dances in Counties Galway, Westmeath (Athlone), Offaly (Birr), Dublin (Hibernian Ballroom), Clare (Ennis/ Ballyvaughan), arranging bookings. Hibernian Ballroom advertisement (for 7 October) naming the band as this year's Connacht Champions; including a letter from Thomas Broderick (5 September, Ballinasloe) stating their audience tend to prefer a programme with more [modern] dancing than pure céilí music.
File of correspondence between Joe Burke of the Leitrim Céilí Band and local organisers of dances particularly in County Galway, but also in ten other counties - arranging bookings; many offering congratulations following the band winning the All-Ireland championship in Thurles in early May. Including letters from Pádraig Ó Maoileoin (Miltown Malbay, Laichtín Naofa Céilí Band 22 May) and from Kitty Lennane (Ennis, Kilfenora Céilí Band 18 June) both recommending the band to work with James O'Neill's record company; invitation by National Commemoration Committee to Wolfe Tone Commemoration céilí (Dublin 27 May).
File of correspondence between Joe Burke, Paddy [Dooley], and Padden [Downey] of the Leitrim Céilí Band and local organisers of dances particularly in County Galway, but also in seven other counties, and in London (Cricklewood, Leytonstone) - asking quotations and arranging performances. Among these a series of performances by Gael-linn in Conamara. Including receipt and bill from Walton's (Dublin) and "Nuachtán Gael" (Dublin). Also including letter from the Association of Irish Traditional Musicians (Dublin 6 and 12 August) warning that if the band members are not members of the union, they cannot perform with another band that is; letter from Tommy Hennessy, M.C. (Dublin 15 August) offering his services; private letter from Fr Dan Lyons (Pallaskenry) requesting a simple recording of music. Typical fee agreed for a performance 19-10 (Birr 23 September).
File of letters from James O'Neill of Dublin Records, Long Island (United States of America) to Joe Burke; introducing his company as one that has done recordings with the Kilfenora and Tulla Céilí Bands and many individuals, and urging the Leitrim Céilí Band to engage in a record contract with him on foot of their winning the All-Ireland championship. Outlining requirements for recording in Dublin, and terms of contract specifying that Burke himself record some tracks solo; listing tracks required ( 5 per person, 10 for Burke, expenses for Dublin). Eventually disappointment with the Nealon studios, further recording in London in November, and his satisfaction with both sets of recording. Stating his friend Harry McGuirk may bring the band to New York for St. Patrick's Day 1960. Warning him against a Dublin record company.
File of correspondence between Joe Burke of the Leitrim Céilí Band and local organisers of dances or members of public, particularly in County Galway, but also in Westmeath (Mullingar), Clare (Ennis), Tipperary (Nenagh), Roscommon (Strokestown), Leitrim (Carrick-on-Shannon), and also Yorkshire (organising locally and for London). Also including a list of 32 céilí bands issued by the Association of Irish Traditional Musicians; press cutting with advertisement for a band for Easter; letter from James O'Connor (Huddersfield, no date) promising to organise performances, depending on a London club date, stating that many bands are heading over for Lent.
File of correspondence between Joe Burke of the Leitrim Céilí Band and local organisers of dances, particularly in County Galway, but also in seven other counties - asking for quotations and making bookings; also some other items generally concerning music events, and the music business. Including dances planned for a Pioneer Social (Ardrahan 19 May), a G.A.A. dance (Lixnaw 10 May); competitions entered at the Fleadh Cheoil (Boyle 4-6 June) by the Leitrim Céilí Band but also by the Paddy Carty Trio, and the Tony Molloy Trio. Including also letters demanding return of cups won in 1959 (Longford/ Boyle, 27 April, 2 May). Further including letters from James O'Neill (30 April New York) dealing with the recent recording made by a certain Costello which were meant for a radio show but not for making a record.
File of correspondence between Joe Burke of the Leitrim Céilí Band and local organisers of dances, particularly in County Galway, but also in eight other counties - asking for quotations and arranging performances; also some other items generally concerning the band's business. Including requests for performances at the "County Sheepshearing" (Gort 7 May 7 June); at the Fleadh Chiarraí in Ballybunion (Lixnaw 23 May).