We’re all about entertaining you and your guests.

We really want to help you to create unique and fun memories that will have you and your guests smiling (and maybe blushing!) for years to come. We want to help you dance together, laugh together and have fun together!

So who are we?

Collectively we have been playing in the music industry for over 20 years. Some of us have rubbed shoulders with Irish legends U2, Def Leppard, Carly Hennessy and our very own Imelda May. We have joined forces to bring the best of our talents to events all over Ireland.

Johnny (AKA – Lightning) Angel – Bass & founding member of the band
Johnny started his musical career with No Sweat, an Irish rock band, in the early 1990s. Best remembered for their hit single, “Heart and Soul” (produced by the Def Leppard frontman Joe Elliott), which topped the Irish Singles Chart in 1990, No Sweat, their self-titled album went on to achieve gold status in sales in Ireland.
Not much has changed about Johnny’s performance over the years, he is still an energetic and dynamic bass player with a zest for life that is infectious to those who see him perform, and he feels as comfortable on stage as he is jumping with the audience on the dance floor.
His love for the stage and musical extravaganza has lead Johnny to create his own productions for the Irish entertainment industry with acts characterized by their energy, fun and audience interaction such as Tickled Pink, Glamtastic, Charlies Angels, Funky Nights and now The Glitterbugs!

Niamh (AKA – Miss-Chief) McGuirk – Vocals
Niamh first started her musical adventure at the age of 11, where she studied vocal training and music in the Royal Irish Academy of Music. Throughout her teens she attended stage schools such as Billy Barry and Diggs Lane for dance and vocal training and starred in many shows and musicals around Dublin.
Niamhs professional career started in 1998, when she joined Abbaesque, the most successful Abba tribute band in Ireland to date. Playing the part of Frida, they toured around Ireland, the UK and Dubai. During her time with Abbaesque Niamh performed on many TV shows including the Late Late Show. Leading on from some of those sessions, Niamh has appeared on TV backing artists such as Carly Hennessy.
In 2006 Niamh took some time out to focus on her fitness training. She is now qualified national fitness trainer and presenter for UK and Ireland. Niamhs career in fitness is one which she enjoys very much, but music has always been her passion. Niamhs outstanding vocal talent and energy really shine when she is on stage with the band, and she never misses an opportunity to engage the audience in the bands performance.

Conor (AKA – Speedy) Curran – Guitar
Conor was born into a showbiz family. Conor’s family have been in the music business in Ireland for decades. His uncle, Butch Moore represented Ireland for the first time in the Eurovision in 1965. Conor formed his first band at the age of 12. And since then he has been performing with the top bands in the country. Conor is a sought after guitar player by bands in the industry, only recently performing on the Late Late Show with Conor McKeon and the Crooks. Conor has been a proud supporter of local talents, not only by tutoring young musicians, but also performing in musical theatre himself. For over 20 years Conor has worked as a guitar player and vocalist on the road and in the studio. He has played guitar for many artists, including Brendan Kiely. Connor has also appeared on The Late Late Show and The Podge and Rodge show with tribute acts such as The Red Hot Chili Feckers and Bon Jaysus. A born entertainer and great person for audience interaction, his passion for live entertainment and his many influences prove Conors to be a very valued asset to the band! Conor’s stage performance is second to none. He is one of those musicians who makes hard work look incredibly easy. He exudes personality both on and off stage and is very much a team player on the Glitterbugs stage shows.

Jonathan (AKA – Starman) Merryman – Drums
Jonathan started playing drums at age 10 when his family immigrated to the US in 1984. Jon took the option of orchestra in school where he learned to read notation and perform publicly. Along with Orchestra Jonathan soon was playing in Drum Cores and Marching bands and garage bands with his school friends.

Upon returning to Ireland in the early 90’s Jon with his two brothers formed rock band Exit, soon the band were managed by music empresario Bud Pragger (Foreigner, Megadeth, Type O Negative)
After achieving 2 top 20 singles in the Irish charts, Exit were signed by the legendary A and R man Jon Kolodner to Sony in Los Angeles. Kolodner otherinclude AC/DC, Peter Gabriel, and he over saw Aerosmith’s resurgence in the early 90’s ,

After extensive touring and work in the US through the 90’s and early 2000’s, Jonathan again returned to Ireland, working as a professional musician Jonathan and his wife (also a professional singer and vocal coach) moved to Co. Meath in 2004, putting down roots in the area they opened the M&J School of Music in September of that same year. Through the ups and downs of the last 10 years Jonathan is proud to have helped a new generation of musicians in the Navan and North Co. Meath area discover the joy of music and help develop there talents.
Jonathan’s energy and powerful drumming style is now the driving force of The Glitterbugs live energetic stage performances.