Ballybay Heritage Facebook Page recently published an article for the press dated 16th October 1937. The article entitled ‘Boy Wonder Violinist’ was sent to them by Fiona Hunter who lives in Glasgow but who a relative of the boy in question. The article reads as follows:
“The artist who scored the biggest triumph of this year on the stage of the theatre Royal, Dublin, was a boy of thirteen years – Xavier Gibson, from Ballybay. This young genius secured his Diploma in violin playing (A.L.C.M) before his 13th birthday. The most exacting critics pronounce him a marvel of talent. His marvellously accomplished playing of the accordion drew rounds upon rounds of applause at the Theatre Royal where he secured an unprecedented triumph being recalled several times to take a bow. Master Gibson has been engaged to appear at the Magnet Cinema for the week beginning Monday October 25th”.