Christy. This will be my 5th time seeing you this weekend in Vicar Street.
My brother Oisín and his girlfriend are flying home from Perth, Australia on Saturday and we’re going to see you Sunday. He was the person who had me listening to you from the young age of 8 on our way to play in the local céilí band & grúpa ceoil and still at 23 I have you playing non stop. This will be his first time seeing you and we just can’t wait!
Christy's reply
Dear Loco-jnr of Monaghan…hope you and The Brother have a good night…just to mention that Sunday’s gig is primarily a “Gig for Gaza” with all proceeds going to MECA, an organisation working with Children traumatised by war. WE will all be doing our best to make it a good night but it will be a bit different from our usual gig
Re The Voayge,,,, it sure is a great song, written over 2 decades ago years ago it seems,,,, even for those of us without ” our own Crew ” it still has a great meaning and message… Here is what Johnny Duhan has written about it,,, its pretty long also,,, apologies,,, but I’m still buzzing after Bantry,,,,H I sat down to write The Voyage twenty four years ago partly as a gesture of gratitude to my sailor father for having held a steady hand on the tiller of our family’s fortunes during the turbulent times of my upbringing. When I mutinied at sixteen and set off as a professional singer, he didn’t speak to me for over a year. After that, whenever I visited home, he invariably greeted me with a curt “Are you making any money from that mug’s game yet?” I realise now that this biting remark disguised a deep concern for my wellbeing. So, I was delighted that my father lived long enough to witness the first success of The Voyage.
The idea to write on the family theme grew organically out of my earlier excavations of family history in my album Just Another Town. Though my parents’ marriage had been a rocky affair at times, they showed a deep respect for one another and managed to create an atmosphere of overarching security and affection in our home. Measuring the inevitable early struggles of my own marriage against my parents’ relationship, I wrote a song called Trying to get the Balance Right (Mary Black recorded a version), and this led on to reflections on the whole institution of marriage and child rearing. Over a six or seven year period my thoughts on the subject crystallized into a series of songs that eventually became The Voyage album. The title song was one of the last songs of the collection to come to me. After exposing the raw nerves of the marriage struggle in many of the other lyrics – and maybe because I was open enough to give full expression to these familial difficulties – I felt empowered to write and sing of the more positive side of the marriage adventure with conviction and sincerity.
2010 was the 21th Anniversary of the release of the first of many covers of The Voyage, by Christy Moore. In the Irish singer/songwriter section of iTunes dowload chart, Christy’s version has had an almost permanent place in the top ten since the chart was established. Politicians, clergymen, writers, journalists and school teachers have eulogised the lyric. Choirs sing it. Comedians gag on it. Marriage counsellors swear by it. Most popular songs have a short life span. The Voyage grows more popular with age. Many standard ballads are restricted by national boundaries. The Voyage is sung all over the world in a variety of languages.
Niall Stokes of Hot Press has predicted that The Voyage will be around long after most popular rock songs are long forgotten. This echoes Christy Moore’s assessment that the song is destined for a high place in the cannon of folk “standards”.
If The Voyage is on its way to becoming a modern classic, as many believe, its intrinsic appeal lies in the affection that most of us feel for our families. This and the fact that we are all on this mysterious life-journey together and our common aim seems to be more than just a safe haven.
Christy's reply
Thanks for posting Johnny’s notes on His Song…never read this before…
Hi Christy!
I just wanted to share this long story with you, I only wish I could tell it as well as you would! My husband, then boyfriend introduced me to your music back in 1987 when we first met.( He’s one of those boys from Co Armagh y’know who ventured over to Cornwall in search of goodness knows what, but found me!)
He took me to the Hammersmith Odeon to see you, in 1989 I think it was. We had an eventful journey there “having no maps to guide us” as we’d left them at home! We navigated our way around London using an underground map in the back of my diary, needless to say we were late(and a tad stressed!) so dumped the car by a bus stop. We fully expected to return to either no car or a car to no wheels! Thankfully we were wrong! Your concert was amazing, though I remember feeling a bit on edge having never experienced such banter to’ing and froing between you and the crowd! I now know understand this as part of the craic!
Anyway (I did warn you this was long!) ‘The voyage’ became our song and we used to croon away to the tape in the car! We wanted it for our first dance when we tied the knot in 1990 but our Cornish DJ was unable to oblige so we had to settle for Phil Collins instead!(sorry) However we still listen to the voyage and have even been known to sing it together to unsuspecting friends at the end of a long night’s session. We find it pretty much impossible to sing without our eyes leaking at some point and it doesn’t matter how many times I sing it! Well, I was checking this morning to see whether you had written it and found a lovely clip of you and Johnny Duhan. (who I now know wrote it!) The two of you were talking about the sentimentality of the song which echoed mine exactly! His point was so true, its the sentimentality that makes such a great piece of poetry/song,
Well, Peter (my Armagh fella) and I indeed have our own crew…three beautiful daughters, Riona, Orla and Aoife and Aoife came to see you with us in August at The Sneem Hotel for her 10th birthday treat! (Your opening song brought me to tears that night..I cant recall the name of the track but the story told was about the hypocracy of our warring world and how our children are pawns) It was beautifully sad and painfully true.
Back to ‘The voyage’. Its our 25th wedding anniversary next year so I plan to record and sing the voyage for him as a gift….so to you and Johnny thanks for an amazing song! (Any tips on how to sing dry eyed would be greatly appreciated!)
Ever appreciative of your music.
Mandy
PS Are you doing anything in or around Kenmare 25th Oct onwards as we’re over yeeha!
Christy's reply
The old Hammy Odeon was a grand venue in its day….Kate Bush really lit the place up again recently..dont know what they call it now..some venues seem to change their name annually.. surely a sign of the uncertain times we live in….lovely that the songs are part of your journey too…wont be around Kenmare at that time
Hello Christy,
It sounds like the Bantry folks gave you a magnificent welcome, you were happy and laid on a special treat for them. I like your two new songs very much!
Your visit to the old Sheeps Head was seemingly joyful and yes, indeed Arundel’s are offering very good food now. We were delighted to find that out when we stopped there with rumbling tummies after walking the Cahergal Loop. And we had the tastiest fish ‘n chips in their beer garden overlooking the pier one fine summer’s day.
Glad to read Paula Meehan is joining you at your Gaza Gig. So I suppose beautiful Folk Tale will be sung again!?
Autumn greetings, Traudel
Christy's reply
it was almost like a homecoming..being back again around Ahakista…seeing the familiar fields and coves, the great pines and quiet boreens….we went out to Ahakista to visit The Heron Gallery for food but the cafe was closed…luckily we met Paddy Arundel on the road and he told us we’d get fed down at the Pier…great food and atmosphere..we’ll be back
Hi All. Such great gigs in Bantry,,,, a cosmopolitan audience with several languages and accents present…. yet both gigs felt like hometown gigs,,,such great audience appreciation and singing and mighty performances from the stage,,,, two totally different gigs with the re introduction of many songs not heard for a while,,,, its lovely to have Vicky share her talents not only her great voice but now her songwriting as well,,,Jimmy is so well settled now its hard to remember what it was like before he joined ye,,,, you mentioned that John Spillane is in a purple patch,,, well it seems to me that both Declan and you are in a perpetual one,,, Slan tamall agus go raibh mile, mile maith agaibh,,, H
Christy's reply
Morra Hilary….back at base…a storm howling adout in The Haggart…thanks for your feedback…Jimmy Higgins has really tightened our duo into a Trio…his presence opens up new possibilities… Thanks too for forwarding Petra’s translation of that Bantry review…I love the language of it all and where it comes from…it reminds me so much of my times in Germany,of all the good times,fine gigs and great listeners
A bunch of Geordies are heading over to Dublin for a jam next month. You in touch with Tom Tuohy? All welcome.
Christy's reply
I’ve been ringing Tom, leaving voicemail but no replies…he gets very busy that boy..he could be at the art,or singin, or tunin the Honda or deep sea diving or bog snorkelling….a bunch of Geordies heading for jam might catch his attention..last I heard he was carousing around Westport yonder in County Mayo…if he reads this he’ll get your message..otherwise you’re on your own canny lad..keep your feet still
Hi Kristy … work on site’s that mine Iron Ore all over the Pilbara, very – very big machines dig out the iron ore and load into train carriages which has 235 of them and they weigh 10tonne each approx.. then they travel 100’s of km to a port where it gets crushed and reloaded onto barges for China (that is a rather simplified version 🙂 … at the moment am at the receiving end and working on a port expansion site.. .so am near water and love watching the wales and dolphins… and the local crayfish every now and then 🙂 .. Temp here at the moment is 34 – 36 and approaching cyclone season… but I am soooo looking forward to travelling home to Holland in December to visit family and friends and hopefully have a WHITE CHRISTMAS….. take care … Marion
Christy's reply
everything so massive…a train of 235 carriages sounds like it would stretch from Dublin to Cork….. endless thousand tons of crushed ore bound for China..such heat and dust and noise and industry…jasus Marion you will have earned your White Christmas….dont let them bastards rind you down…my only experience of such heavy Industry was a spell on an oil rig in the North Sea in 1966…the foremen and gangermen were all lifelong Texan Oilmen. They were mean taskmasters on a strictly non-union work platform….I can still remember the exhileration of getting off that chopper in Great Yarmouth after a two week stint on The Orion Rig..twas like walking thru the gates of jail …you too take care in the Pilbara
Back in Dublin after spending a couple of days in my home town. I have been to many of your gigs since I moved to Dublin in 1992 but last night in the Maritime was brilliant. I think the venue is great for a gig and people feel a real part of it. Thought I might see out in Gearhies at your brother’s residence as I visit my old friend and neighbour each time I’m down that way. She lives in the next house on the left after his. Give her a visit some time if you’re out that way. Thanks again for a great show last night.
Christy's reply
we passed thru Gearies on the back road to Átha an Ciste today…had the Chowder in Arundel’s and mighty fine fare ’twas too…well nourished for tonights schimozzel back here in The Maritime……
Good morning Christy,
Thank you very much for this great set list! Now I know what I missed … but looking forward to listen to, thanks to our one and only Rose.
Enjoy some of their delicious cakes, quiches, salads … at Organico.
Very best wishes for another magic night in the Town we love so well! Traudel
Christy's reply
“collect the root, the stem, the leaf, the flowering top and seed of every plant we need to do our work”…(Paula Meehan) Paula is going to join us at next weeks Gig for Gaza……..the red fuchia and montbrecia are still to the good
Hi Christy … I borrowed a vehicle from Engineer, as most of the Engineer’s on mine sites here are Irish 🙂 I was looking forward to a change off pace, well as I turned up the sound your clear voice broke the silence. And as I completed the CD and replayed it again I did not realise that the 2.5 hour drive was all but completed.
My only regret is that I have not come across your gentle but clear voice WITH so much humour and passion … have now expanded my collection to several CD’s to pass long lonely hours on the mine site… thank you
Christy's reply
mining in Karratha WA…tell us more…is it Uranium or Gold, Opals or Antracite you’re after…..are you a Bogman deep down or perhaps a Geologist, a Roustabout or a Rebel Rouser…here in West Cork the Sun is rising over Bantry Bay…Whiddy Island is waking up,her Lake of crude well tended by its caring flock. Early seagulls are hungrily swooping on Friday Night’s discarded Chip boxes…its quiet here in my Bivouac as I think back to WA,
“The Rain never Falls on The Dusty Diamondtina” I loved my short visits there to both Perth and Fremantle “The faces in the photograph are fading, I cant believe he looked so much like me. Its been 7 long years today since I left for old Cork Station.I wont be back ’til the Drove is done”
Spot on.
The winds were blowing the right way ‘cross the sea… with a (little) help from our friend.
Good to know Organico stands firm. Lovely memories. Nite.
Christy's reply
Greetings this dawn time to our loyal listener in the far off land of Chile…these damn-blasted machines make the world smaller by the minute, smoke signals rise above Bantry Bay to be instantly read on Santiago Bay. We cling to the head of our pin and wonder what the day will bring. Hope all is well with you and your family
Listening as I type to the great Dick Gaughan currently visiting our shores. Did you get to hear him this time? Is he still on listening list? As I looked at some You Tube videos (trying to familiarize myself with some tracks) I see you’re well represented as your good self and Dick covered the same ground in both your times.
Dick plays in an old stomping ground of yourself, the Dean Crowe, Athlone next Thursday night, I’ll be there hopefully. I think he has a Cork Folk Festival gig this weekend.
(In the event of you not happy with someone publicising or ‘advertising’ a gig you are welcome to take that portion of this post down)
Dear Christy,
Hope these words find you well. Enjoyed reading your latest Chat and I’d like to thank you sincerely for what you are doing because it is something extraordinary! I think there are not many artists/singers who share their impressions, thoughts, emotions … with their listeners. We don’t regard it as a matter of course and appreciate very much. And the way you do it is just fantastic! I love the stories about your experiences around gigs and travels. When you are reflecting a gig I had attended myself, like the John Reilly Concert in Boyle (What a memorable night!), the reading is very special.
I was astonished to hear of the closed Bantry Bay Hotel, it seemed to be busy at our last visit in June. What a pity! We often had some food there before going to concerts in Bantry House or St. Brendan’s Church. Poor old Bantry … hopefully it will see better days again.
Thanks to Hilary I also was able to read your superb interview in the Southern Star ahead of your Bantry gigs. Well done! Hope there are still some red fuchsias and montbretias in bloom these autumn days and the half moon will spread shining light over Bantry Bay.
Best of Luck for your Maritime gigs and enjoy West Cork, Traudel
Christy's reply
Last nights gig in Bantry ended just 2 hours ago…it was lovely to be back in The Maritime Hotel…its a very good gig room and the Audience were splendid…they listened and sang, they stayed with us every which way , we played for a little over two hours and I enjoyed every moment
How Long
Matty
Gortatagort
Missing
Nancy Spain ( in memory of Barney Rush)
Delerium
The Ballad of Patrick Murphy
Ordinary
Brown Eyes
Voyage
Stitch in Time
North and South
Butterfly
Honda 50
Two Conneeleys
Chicago
Motherland
Play in The Light
Little Light Box
On The Mainland
Derry
Michael Hayes
Pity The Poor Immigrant
Shovel
Ride On
Beeswing
Lisdoonvarna
Shine On You Crazy Diamond
John O’Dreams……………………..chances are you have the gig already,….our Kingdom archivist was busy recording…the 4711ers in Santiago, Hamburg, Wooloomaloo, Lyracrompane and Maghaberry are already plugged in, even before I have me tea drunk …..now its quiet around the old Square…tomorrow will bring another day….might visit Organico tomorrow for some sustenance
Back to Ireland tomorrow to celebrate my birthday with family. Stopping off in Bantry first to see your show as you have not made it across the Irish sea are Christmas this year. My better half’s grand son, Oliver who is only 4 loves your music and we would be over the moon to here where I come from or my little Honda 50 which are his two favourite songs. Let’s hope for a great night. Up Tipp!
Christy's reply
greetings to you Oliver..hope you are having a good nights sleep over yonder in Leeds…..I still remember those golden years in Elland Road….Giles, Bremner,Clarke, Lorimer,Big Jack, great songs and clubs and singers too….and Good Ale by gum…pay no heed to this auld man’s rambles
Best thing I’ve heard in a long time, well worth looking at these lads Christy…
1.
Well oft-times we grumble and oft-times we groan,
And oft-times we sit and we whinge and we moan,
Of how our sons and daughters are forced to leave home,
And bid farewell to ould Éireann.
In hundreds and thousands, in gangs and in droves,
They gather their bags and they take to the roads,
In some far distant land there’s a life they are owed,
For you know they won’t get it in Éireann.
2.
Well it’s just a short journey, in the space of one day,
You can find yourself somewhere that’s far far away,
Where the sun often shines and it seldom is grey,
In direct opposition to Éireann.
You can then find a gaff for a couple of quid,
Large, big and comfy, not much rent for to give,
Not a dank one-roomed hovel for one thousand quid,
Like the ones that they rent you in Éireann.
3.
You may talk like a peasant, you may talk like a snob,
But when they hear your brogue well they’ll throw you a job,
You are Gaelic, Exotic, and you’ll make their hearts throb,
Because you come from the land of ould Éireann.
Your people are warriors, your people are Gaels,
You withstood the Empire with your old ancient ways,
You survived the famine, you’ve seen some dark days,
Let’s drink to the health of ould Éireann.
4.
Oh life can be easy, life can be a sport,
Set up in the New World with the golden passport,
Free drinks and kudos your eternal reward,
But your heart sinks when you think on Éireann.
For you miss all the slagging, and for Jaysus’ sake,
The hot bowls of coddle that your ma used to make,
And the misdirected respect you find hard to take,
For your only ashamed of ould Éireann.
5.
Where the people are weak, and the people are spent,
Running in circles ’til their legs they are bent,
Lamenting the price of the petrol and rent,
We are slow to learn in ould Éireann.
And the green rag all tied round our ears and our eyes,
It stops us from telling the truth from the lies,
For competitional patience we’d win the first prize,
For we’re too easy going in Éireann.
6.
Where politicians and bankers they do as they please,
The pennies in our hands they laugh as they seize,
And the people are happy to remain on their knees,
And beg for the scraps in ould Éireann.
We uphold the cult of the canny cute hoor,
Who steals from the mouths of the sick and the poor,
These charlatans, knaves, three-card trick men and boors,
Are running the show in ould Éireann
7.
With their cheap talk they fooled us, we were sold, we were had!
They led us up the path and they took us to bed,
They bent us right over, punched us in the head,
And they took us right up the ould Éireann.
We awake in the mornings with heads that are sore,
In the Dáil sit the pimps, we are the whores,
We cannot lie back and take this anymore,
Things must come to a head in ould Éireann!
8.
So if you find yourself in Australia or Amerikay,
And they drink to ould Éireann, well what can you say?
That your people aren’t warriors, your people aren’t saints,
And we’ve an undeserved high reputation?
Its not too late to fight back and these tyrants eject,
Take back what’s ours from these primates erect,
Our purpose, our life, our own self-respect,
Then you’d have something to be proud of in Éireann. https://soundcloud.com/lynched_music/deanta-in-eireann
Christy's reply
good post Dylan…I been listening to Lynched fora few years now and heartily recommend the work..some tasty parodies in their back catalogue too…hope to hear them again soon
The Goilin is a great club, couldn’t agree more, and not just to local Dubs. We’ve just returned home from the Frank Harte weekend run by the Goilin; a fantastic weekend of wonderful singing in great company. We were the couple sitting next to you on the Sunday afternoon and your kindness and concern for my wife were much appreciated by both of us. She is waiting for a second hip replacement and the pain of sitting on a low stool just got too much in the end. Thankyou again for your help and kindness. We both enjoyed your gentle singing next to us during the afternoon and it would be great to see and hear you over here in Cornwall again; it has been too long.
Christy's reply
that Sun afternoon session was classic…after ye sat in beside us I became aware of the lovely quiet harmonies ye were singing. Then when ye came in with your song it was great to be sitting so close..good too to hear that the pain is temporary and good luck with the next procedure…hopefully we’ll all sing together again along the road….
Christy you are an angel, I just got your email and myself and Martin (my beloved) will be seeing you on Dec 30th. xxx
Can you please advise the presale code for Vicar Street Dec 2014? I didn’t get the email 🙁
quadruple gulp !!!! hope it arrived
Christy. This will be my 5th time seeing you this weekend in Vicar Street.
My brother Oisín and his girlfriend are flying home from Perth, Australia on Saturday and we’re going to see you Sunday. He was the person who had me listening to you from the young age of 8 on our way to play in the local céilí band & grúpa ceoil and still at 23 I have you playing non stop. This will be his first time seeing you and we just can’t wait!
Dear Loco-jnr of Monaghan…hope you and The Brother have a good night…just to mention that Sunday’s gig is primarily a “Gig for Gaza” with all proceeds going to MECA, an organisation working with Children traumatised by war. WE will all be doing our best to make it a good night but it will be a bit different from our usual gig
Re The Voayge,,,, it sure is a great song, written over 2 decades ago years ago it seems,,,, even for those of us without ” our own Crew ” it still has a great meaning and message… Here is what Johnny Duhan has written about it,,, its pretty long also,,, apologies,,, but I’m still buzzing after Bantry,,,,H I sat down to write The Voyage twenty four years ago partly as a gesture of gratitude to my sailor father for having held a steady hand on the tiller of our family’s fortunes during the turbulent times of my upbringing. When I mutinied at sixteen and set off as a professional singer, he didn’t speak to me for over a year. After that, whenever I visited home, he invariably greeted me with a curt “Are you making any money from that mug’s game yet?” I realise now that this biting remark disguised a deep concern for my wellbeing. So, I was delighted that my father lived long enough to witness the first success of The Voyage.
The idea to write on the family theme grew organically out of my earlier excavations of family history in my album Just Another Town. Though my parents’ marriage had been a rocky affair at times, they showed a deep respect for one another and managed to create an atmosphere of overarching security and affection in our home. Measuring the inevitable early struggles of my own marriage against my parents’ relationship, I wrote a song called Trying to get the Balance Right (Mary Black recorded a version), and this led on to reflections on the whole institution of marriage and child rearing. Over a six or seven year period my thoughts on the subject crystallized into a series of songs that eventually became The Voyage album. The title song was one of the last songs of the collection to come to me. After exposing the raw nerves of the marriage struggle in many of the other lyrics – and maybe because I was open enough to give full expression to these familial difficulties – I felt empowered to write and sing of the more positive side of the marriage adventure with conviction and sincerity.
2010 was the 21th Anniversary of the release of the first of many covers of The Voyage, by Christy Moore. In the Irish singer/songwriter section of iTunes dowload chart, Christy’s version has had an almost permanent place in the top ten since the chart was established. Politicians, clergymen, writers, journalists and school teachers have eulogised the lyric. Choirs sing it. Comedians gag on it. Marriage counsellors swear by it. Most popular songs have a short life span. The Voyage grows more popular with age. Many standard ballads are restricted by national boundaries. The Voyage is sung all over the world in a variety of languages.
Niall Stokes of Hot Press has predicted that The Voyage will be around long after most popular rock songs are long forgotten. This echoes Christy Moore’s assessment that the song is destined for a high place in the cannon of folk “standards”.
If The Voyage is on its way to becoming a modern classic, as many believe, its intrinsic appeal lies in the affection that most of us feel for our families. This and the fact that we are all on this mysterious life-journey together and our common aim seems to be more than just a safe haven.
Thanks for posting Johnny’s notes on His Song…never read this before…
Hi Christy
Have been a life long fan and admirer of your wonderful music since I first saw you in Lisdoonvarna way back when.
When are you coming back to see us in Glasgow?
If all goes well, the plan is to return to Glasgow in October of next year….Lisdoonvarna till rocks..
Hi Christy!
I just wanted to share this long story with you, I only wish I could tell it as well as you would! My husband, then boyfriend introduced me to your music back in 1987 when we first met.( He’s one of those boys from Co Armagh y’know who ventured over to Cornwall in search of goodness knows what, but found me!)
He took me to the Hammersmith Odeon to see you, in 1989 I think it was. We had an eventful journey there “having no maps to guide us” as we’d left them at home! We navigated our way around London using an underground map in the back of my diary, needless to say we were late(and a tad stressed!) so dumped the car by a bus stop. We fully expected to return to either no car or a car to no wheels! Thankfully we were wrong! Your concert was amazing, though I remember feeling a bit on edge having never experienced such banter to’ing and froing between you and the crowd! I now know understand this as part of the craic!
Anyway (I did warn you this was long!) ‘The voyage’ became our song and we used to croon away to the tape in the car! We wanted it for our first dance when we tied the knot in 1990 but our Cornish DJ was unable to oblige so we had to settle for Phil Collins instead!(sorry) However we still listen to the voyage and have even been known to sing it together to unsuspecting friends at the end of a long night’s session. We find it pretty much impossible to sing without our eyes leaking at some point and it doesn’t matter how many times I sing it! Well, I was checking this morning to see whether you had written it and found a lovely clip of you and Johnny Duhan. (who I now know wrote it!) The two of you were talking about the sentimentality of the song which echoed mine exactly! His point was so true, its the sentimentality that makes such a great piece of poetry/song,
Well, Peter (my Armagh fella) and I indeed have our own crew…three beautiful daughters, Riona, Orla and Aoife and Aoife came to see you with us in August at The Sneem Hotel for her 10th birthday treat! (Your opening song brought me to tears that night..I cant recall the name of the track but the story told was about the hypocracy of our warring world and how our children are pawns) It was beautifully sad and painfully true.
Back to ‘The voyage’. Its our 25th wedding anniversary next year so I plan to record and sing the voyage for him as a gift….so to you and Johnny thanks for an amazing song! (Any tips on how to sing dry eyed would be greatly appreciated!)
Ever appreciative of your music.
Mandy
PS Are you doing anything in or around Kenmare 25th Oct onwards as we’re over yeeha!
The old Hammy Odeon was a grand venue in its day….Kate Bush really lit the place up again recently..dont know what they call it now..some venues seem to change their name annually.. surely a sign of the uncertain times we live in….lovely that the songs are part of your journey too…wont be around Kenmare at that time
Hello Christy,
It sounds like the Bantry folks gave you a magnificent welcome, you were happy and laid on a special treat for them. I like your two new songs very much!
Your visit to the old Sheeps Head was seemingly joyful and yes, indeed Arundel’s are offering very good food now. We were delighted to find that out when we stopped there with rumbling tummies after walking the Cahergal Loop. And we had the tastiest fish ‘n chips in their beer garden overlooking the pier one fine summer’s day.
Glad to read Paula Meehan is joining you at your Gaza Gig. So I suppose beautiful Folk Tale will be sung again!?
Autumn greetings, Traudel
it was almost like a homecoming..being back again around Ahakista…seeing the familiar fields and coves, the great pines and quiet boreens….we went out to Ahakista to visit The Heron Gallery for food but the cafe was closed…luckily we met Paddy Arundel on the road and he told us we’d get fed down at the Pier…great food and atmosphere..we’ll be back
Thanks for two musical matsterpieces in the Maratime hotel. They were suberb. Thanks for the Bright Blue Rose.Thanks again Christy. David.
“for all who seek to understand”..good to see you again…some fine harmonies emanating from the front row…
Hi All. Such great gigs in Bantry,,,, a cosmopolitan audience with several languages and accents present…. yet both gigs felt like hometown gigs,,,such great audience appreciation and singing and mighty performances from the stage,,,, two totally different gigs with the re introduction of many songs not heard for a while,,,, its lovely to have Vicky share her talents not only her great voice but now her songwriting as well,,,Jimmy is so well settled now its hard to remember what it was like before he joined ye,,,, you mentioned that John Spillane is in a purple patch,,, well it seems to me that both Declan and you are in a perpetual one,,, Slan tamall agus go raibh mile, mile maith agaibh,,, H
Morra Hilary….back at base…a storm howling adout in The Haggart…thanks for your feedback…Jimmy Higgins has really tightened our duo into a Trio…his presence opens up new possibilities… Thanks too for forwarding Petra’s translation of that Bantry review…I love the language of it all and where it comes from…it reminds me so much of my times in Germany,of all the good times,fine gigs and great listeners
A bunch of Geordies are heading over to Dublin for a jam next month. You in touch with Tom Tuohy? All welcome.
I’ve been ringing Tom, leaving voicemail but no replies…he gets very busy that boy..he could be at the art,or singin, or tunin the Honda or deep sea diving or bog snorkelling….a bunch of Geordies heading for jam might catch his attention..last I heard he was carousing around Westport yonder in County Mayo…if he reads this he’ll get your message..otherwise you’re on your own canny lad..keep your feet still
Hi Kristy … work on site’s that mine Iron Ore all over the Pilbara, very – very big machines dig out the iron ore and load into train carriages which has 235 of them and they weigh 10tonne each approx.. then they travel 100’s of km to a port where it gets crushed and reloaded onto barges for China (that is a rather simplified version 🙂 … at the moment am at the receiving end and working on a port expansion site.. .so am near water and love watching the wales and dolphins… and the local crayfish every now and then 🙂 .. Temp here at the moment is 34 – 36 and approaching cyclone season… but I am soooo looking forward to travelling home to Holland in December to visit family and friends and hopefully have a WHITE CHRISTMAS….. take care … Marion
everything so massive…a train of 235 carriages sounds like it would stretch from Dublin to Cork….. endless thousand tons of crushed ore bound for China..such heat and dust and noise and industry…jasus Marion you will have earned your White Christmas….dont let them bastards rind you down…my only experience of such heavy Industry was a spell on an oil rig in the North Sea in 1966…the foremen and gangermen were all lifelong Texan Oilmen. They were mean taskmasters on a strictly non-union work platform….I can still remember the exhileration of getting off that chopper in Great Yarmouth after a two week stint on The Orion Rig..twas like walking thru the gates of jail …you too take care in the Pilbara
Back in Dublin after spending a couple of days in my home town. I have been to many of your gigs since I moved to Dublin in 1992 but last night in the Maritime was brilliant. I think the venue is great for a gig and people feel a real part of it. Thought I might see out in Gearhies at your brother’s residence as I visit my old friend and neighbour each time I’m down that way. She lives in the next house on the left after his. Give her a visit some time if you’re out that way. Thanks again for a great show last night.
we passed thru Gearies on the back road to Átha an Ciste today…had the Chowder in Arundel’s and mighty fine fare ’twas too…well nourished for tonights schimozzel back here in The Maritime……
Good morning Christy,
Thank you very much for this great set list! Now I know what I missed … but looking forward to listen to, thanks to our one and only Rose.
Enjoy some of their delicious cakes, quiches, salads … at Organico.
Very best wishes for another magic night in the Town we love so well! Traudel
“collect the root, the stem, the leaf, the flowering top and seed of every plant we need to do our work”…(Paula Meehan) Paula is going to join us at next weeks Gig for Gaza……..the red fuchia and montbrecia are still to the good
Hi Christy … I borrowed a vehicle from Engineer, as most of the Engineer’s on mine sites here are Irish 🙂 I was looking forward to a change off pace, well as I turned up the sound your clear voice broke the silence. And as I completed the CD and replayed it again I did not realise that the 2.5 hour drive was all but completed.
My only regret is that I have not come across your gentle but clear voice WITH so much humour and passion … have now expanded my collection to several CD’s to pass long lonely hours on the mine site… thank you
mining in Karratha WA…tell us more…is it Uranium or Gold, Opals or Antracite you’re after…..are you a Bogman deep down or perhaps a Geologist, a Roustabout or a Rebel Rouser…here in West Cork the Sun is rising over Bantry Bay…Whiddy Island is waking up,her Lake of crude well tended by its caring flock. Early seagulls are hungrily swooping on Friday Night’s discarded Chip boxes…its quiet here in my Bivouac as I think back to WA,
“The Rain never Falls on The Dusty Diamondtina” I loved my short visits there to both Perth and Fremantle “The faces in the photograph are fading, I cant believe he looked so much like me. Its been 7 long years today since I left for old Cork Station.I wont be back ’til the Drove is done”
Spot on.
The winds were blowing the right way ‘cross the sea… with a (little) help from our friend.
Good to know Organico stands firm. Lovely memories. Nite.
Greetings this dawn time to our loyal listener in the far off land of Chile…these damn-blasted machines make the world smaller by the minute, smoke signals rise above Bantry Bay to be instantly read on Santiago Bay. We cling to the head of our pin and wonder what the day will bring. Hope all is well with you and your family
Listening as I type to the great Dick Gaughan currently visiting our shores. Did you get to hear him this time? Is he still on listening list? As I looked at some You Tube videos (trying to familiarize myself with some tracks) I see you’re well represented as your good self and Dick covered the same ground in both your times.
Dick plays in an old stomping ground of yourself, the Dean Crowe, Athlone next Thursday night, I’ll be there hopefully. I think he has a Cork Folk Festival gig this weekend.
(In the event of you not happy with someone publicising or ‘advertising’ a gig you are welcome to take that portion of this post down)
you ask me why I sing no love songs…..
Dear Christy,
Hope these words find you well. Enjoyed reading your latest Chat and I’d like to thank you sincerely for what you are doing because it is something extraordinary! I think there are not many artists/singers who share their impressions, thoughts, emotions … with their listeners. We don’t regard it as a matter of course and appreciate very much. And the way you do it is just fantastic! I love the stories about your experiences around gigs and travels. When you are reflecting a gig I had attended myself, like the John Reilly Concert in Boyle (What a memorable night!), the reading is very special.
I was astonished to hear of the closed Bantry Bay Hotel, it seemed to be busy at our last visit in June. What a pity! We often had some food there before going to concerts in Bantry House or St. Brendan’s Church. Poor old Bantry … hopefully it will see better days again.
Thanks to Hilary I also was able to read your superb interview in the Southern Star ahead of your Bantry gigs. Well done! Hope there are still some red fuchsias and montbretias in bloom these autumn days and the half moon will spread shining light over Bantry Bay.
Best of Luck for your Maritime gigs and enjoy West Cork, Traudel
Last nights gig in Bantry ended just 2 hours ago…it was lovely to be back in The Maritime Hotel…its a very good gig room and the Audience were splendid…they listened and sang, they stayed with us every which way , we played for a little over two hours and I enjoyed every moment
How Long
Matty
Gortatagort
Missing
Nancy Spain ( in memory of Barney Rush)
Delerium
The Ballad of Patrick Murphy
Ordinary
Brown Eyes
Voyage
Stitch in Time
North and South
Butterfly
Honda 50
Two Conneeleys
Chicago
Motherland
Play in The Light
Little Light Box
On The Mainland
Derry
Michael Hayes
Pity The Poor Immigrant
Shovel
Ride On
Beeswing
Lisdoonvarna
Shine On You Crazy Diamond
John O’Dreams……………………..chances are you have the gig already,….our Kingdom archivist was busy recording…the 4711ers in Santiago, Hamburg, Wooloomaloo, Lyracrompane and Maghaberry are already plugged in, even before I have me tea drunk …..now its quiet around the old Square…tomorrow will bring another day….might visit Organico tomorrow for some sustenance
Back to Ireland tomorrow to celebrate my birthday with family. Stopping off in Bantry first to see your show as you have not made it across the Irish sea are Christmas this year. My better half’s grand son, Oliver who is only 4 loves your music and we would be over the moon to here where I come from or my little Honda 50 which are his two favourite songs. Let’s hope for a great night. Up Tipp!
greetings to you Oliver..hope you are having a good nights sleep over yonder in Leeds…..I still remember those golden years in Elland Road….Giles, Bremner,Clarke, Lorimer,Big Jack, great songs and clubs and singers too….and Good Ale by gum…pay no heed to this auld man’s rambles
Best thing I’ve heard in a long time, well worth looking at these lads Christy…
1.
Well oft-times we grumble and oft-times we groan,
And oft-times we sit and we whinge and we moan,
Of how our sons and daughters are forced to leave home,
And bid farewell to ould Éireann.
In hundreds and thousands, in gangs and in droves,
They gather their bags and they take to the roads,
In some far distant land there’s a life they are owed,
For you know they won’t get it in Éireann.
2.
Well it’s just a short journey, in the space of one day,
You can find yourself somewhere that’s far far away,
Where the sun often shines and it seldom is grey,
In direct opposition to Éireann.
You can then find a gaff for a couple of quid,
Large, big and comfy, not much rent for to give,
Not a dank one-roomed hovel for one thousand quid,
Like the ones that they rent you in Éireann.
3.
You may talk like a peasant, you may talk like a snob,
But when they hear your brogue well they’ll throw you a job,
You are Gaelic, Exotic, and you’ll make their hearts throb,
Because you come from the land of ould Éireann.
Your people are warriors, your people are Gaels,
You withstood the Empire with your old ancient ways,
You survived the famine, you’ve seen some dark days,
Let’s drink to the health of ould Éireann.
4.
Oh life can be easy, life can be a sport,
Set up in the New World with the golden passport,
Free drinks and kudos your eternal reward,
But your heart sinks when you think on Éireann.
For you miss all the slagging, and for Jaysus’ sake,
The hot bowls of coddle that your ma used to make,
And the misdirected respect you find hard to take,
For your only ashamed of ould Éireann.
5.
Where the people are weak, and the people are spent,
Running in circles ’til their legs they are bent,
Lamenting the price of the petrol and rent,
We are slow to learn in ould Éireann.
And the green rag all tied round our ears and our eyes,
It stops us from telling the truth from the lies,
For competitional patience we’d win the first prize,
For we’re too easy going in Éireann.
6.
Where politicians and bankers they do as they please,
The pennies in our hands they laugh as they seize,
And the people are happy to remain on their knees,
And beg for the scraps in ould Éireann.
We uphold the cult of the canny cute hoor,
Who steals from the mouths of the sick and the poor,
These charlatans, knaves, three-card trick men and boors,
Are running the show in ould Éireann
7.
With their cheap talk they fooled us, we were sold, we were had!
They led us up the path and they took us to bed,
They bent us right over, punched us in the head,
And they took us right up the ould Éireann.
We awake in the mornings with heads that are sore,
In the Dáil sit the pimps, we are the whores,
We cannot lie back and take this anymore,
Things must come to a head in ould Éireann!
8.
So if you find yourself in Australia or Amerikay,
And they drink to ould Éireann, well what can you say?
That your people aren’t warriors, your people aren’t saints,
And we’ve an undeserved high reputation?
Its not too late to fight back and these tyrants eject,
Take back what’s ours from these primates erect,
Our purpose, our life, our own self-respect,
Then you’d have something to be proud of in Éireann.
https://soundcloud.com/lynched_music/deanta-in-eireann
good post Dylan…I been listening to Lynched fora few years now and heartily recommend the work..some tasty parodies in their back catalogue too…hope to hear them again soon
The Goilin is a great club, couldn’t agree more, and not just to local Dubs. We’ve just returned home from the Frank Harte weekend run by the Goilin; a fantastic weekend of wonderful singing in great company. We were the couple sitting next to you on the Sunday afternoon and your kindness and concern for my wife were much appreciated by both of us. She is waiting for a second hip replacement and the pain of sitting on a low stool just got too much in the end. Thankyou again for your help and kindness. We both enjoyed your gentle singing next to us during the afternoon and it would be great to see and hear you over here in Cornwall again; it has been too long.
that Sun afternoon session was classic…after ye sat in beside us I became aware of the lovely quiet harmonies ye were singing. Then when ye came in with your song it was great to be sitting so close..good too to hear that the pain is temporary and good luck with the next procedure…hopefully we’ll all sing together again along the road….