A remarkable musical connection stretching across the Atlantic Ocean has emerged as County Tyrone singer, comedian and entertainer Gary Gamble tours Newfoundland, Canada — following in the footsteps of another much-loved entertainer from his home village of Sion Mills.
Almost half a century ago, Gregory Donaghey, a talented singer and comedian from Sion Mills, became a familiar face to audiences throughout Newfoundland as a member of the legendary Carlton Showband.
Now, in October 2026, fellow Sion Mills entertainer Gary Gamble is bringing his own distinctive combination of Irish music, comedy and laughter to the Canadian province, performing alongside the acclaimed Keltic Storm Band as part of The Ultimate Irish Hooley.
A Special Connection
Both hail from the same small village in County Tyrone, both built their careers around singing and comedy, and both crossed the Atlantic to entertain Newfoundland audiences.
But what makes this story even more remarkable is that the two entertainers were not strangers. They shared a close personal connection through family friendship and a love of music that lasted for many years.
Gregory Donaghey — A Newfoundland Favourite
Gregory Donaghey began his career touring with the popular Cadets Showband before joining the Carlton Showband in the 1970s. He became a key member of one of Canada’s best-loved Irish entertainment groups and was renowned for his singing and comedy. He also enjoyed recording success with the song More Than Yesterday, a number still fondly remembered by fans.
The Carlton Showband enjoyed huge success through recordings, television appearances and live performances, including the popular Canadian television programme The Pig and Whistle.
Gregory was particularly popular in Newfoundland, performing in arts and culture centres across the province for many years.
A Newfoundland newspaper report in June 1992 described him as the band’s business manager, singer and comedy performer, highlighting the group’s longstanding tradition of entertaining audiences throughout the island. Gregory passed away on 2 May 2024, aged 78.
A Family Friendship
For Gary Gamble, the connection goes far deeper than their shared birthplace or careers in entertainment.
Gregory was a very close friend of Gary’s father, Marty Gamble, and was a regular visitor to the Gamble family home in Sion Mills.
“Gregory wasn’t just somebody from Sion Mills who became famous in Canada. He was a really close friend of my dad Marty, and he stayed with us at home. We have great memories together,” Gary recalled.
Gregory appeared at Gamble family concerts in Ireland, was interviewed by Gary on radio, and during Gary’s first tour of Newfoundland, he joined him on stage in St. John’s — a special moment for two entertainers from the same village.
Following In His Footsteps
Gary Gamble’s 2026 tour includes:
- Corner Brook Arts and Culture Centre
- Gordon Pinsent Centre for the Arts (Grand Falls-Windsor)
- Joseph R. Smallwood Arts and Culture Centre (Gander)
- Holy Heart Theatre (St. John’s)
- Princess Sheila NaGeira Theatre (Carbonear)
Local people have told him that Gregory performed at all of these venues during his years with the Carlton Showband, creating a remarkable link between two generations of Sion Mills entertainment.
Gary’s current Newfoundland appearances with Keltic Storm follow an earlier Canadian tour with the Ryan Turner Band, further strengthening his connection with Canadian audiences.
A Proud Legacy
From the Cadets Showband to the Carlton Showband, and now Keltic Storm, the story is a reminder of how far local talent from a small village on the banks of the River Mourne can travel.
While the entertainers belong to different generations, their remarkably similar talents, shared family history and love of music and comedy have created an enduring link between Sion Mills and Newfoundland.
As Gary Gamble takes to the Newfoundland stage, he does so not simply in the footsteps of another Sion Mills entertainer, but in memory of a family friend whose music, humour and kindness remain part of his own story.
“Two singing comedians. One wee village. Fifty years of musical history. And a friendship that connected Sion Mills and Newfoundland across generations.”