Hayes, pianist Teresa Tubridy, and accordion player Joe Cooley at Minogue's Bar in Tulla, County Clare, Ireland.
Their initial repertoire came very much from local sources, along with Galway tunes from Joe Cooley.
[1] The band won first prize at Féile Luimní the following year and made their debut radio performance broadcast in 1948.
In 1956, Tulla tied Kilfenora for first place in the Munster competition but lost by a half point in the All Ireland.
The band toured Britain and the United States in 1958, delivering a memorable performance at Carnegie Hall in New York on St. Patrick's Day.