J & C Promotions has a long history of excellence in Events Management and Live Music. Founded in 2001 by Husband-and-Wife team Joe & Claire Finnegan, they have managed some of the biggest acts in Country Music. From household names like Jimmy Buckley, Patrick Feeney, and the trailblazing trio- The Three Amigos, to rising stars in the industry like Ciaran Rosney, and Claudia Buckley.
Over the years, Claire and Joe’s diverse skills and expertise have allowed their business to evolve past managing just the acts themselves but the concerts and events as well. They succeeded in bringing the traditionally rural Country Music scene to larger city venues with sell-out shows in the likes of Vicar Street and The Helix in Dublin or the Waterfront in Belfast. J&C were also responsible for creating ‘The Mid-Summers Day with the Stars’ at Roscommon Racecourse. This ambitious gathering of the very best in Irish Country Music, which Joe and Claire and their team have produced and promoted for nearly ten years, holds the distinction of being the largest open air Country Music event ever staged in Ireland.
They are no strangers to hospitality either with extensive experience in music themed holidays and trips like the Three Amigos Costa Del Sol, Declan Nerney’s Hooley in the Sun, as well as the ‘JF and Friends’ Weekends around Ireland.
J&C Promotions is unique in their close relationship with many of Ireland’s leading Broadcasters and Media Outlets. Many of their acts and performances have appeared on RTE, particularly ‘The Late Late Show’, with which J&C have strong connections to. They play an active role in organising and coordinating the annual Late Late Country Special and the ICMA Music Awards, which has brought Irish Country Music to millions of people across Ireland. In a joint venture, the two also created the phenomenal ‘RTE Concert Orchestra and Classic Country Live’ at the Marquee, Cork, bringing together Ireland’s best performers in a ground-breaking cross-over event.
About Joe Finnegan
Joe Finnegan makes up one half of J&C Promotions. Born in Birmingham, he grew up immersed in the Irish Country Ballroom scene which dominated the expat community of the late 1960s. His love for Live Music and Radio flourished when he moved to Mayo as a child. His long career in the industry began in earnest in 1989 as one of the founders of Shannonside Radio in 1989, where he has worked as the Presenter of its primetime show ‘The Joe Finnegan Show’ for over 30 years. He also spent years as a Live DJ before beginning his career as the manager of many of Ireland’s most successful country music acts. His success and knowledge of this industry can be seen clearly in his election as the Chairperson of the Irish Country Music Association (ICMA) in the past.
About Claire Finnegan
Claire Finnegan was born and raised in Manchester to Irish Parents, and like Joe, was always surrounded by Irish Country Music as a child. The likes of Big Tom and Philomena Begley could always be heard in her house growing up, so a career in country music was inevitable. As a teenager, she moved to Ireland, where she has lived in the Midlands ever since. Before, and alongside, setting up J&C Promotions, she has been a successful Businessperson in her own right, owning several successful hospitality and retail enterprises over the years. Claire has an Honours Degree in Business which has been pivotal in her management of J&C and has recently furthered her studies with a Diploma in Tourism and Communications.