Friday night at the Killarney Folkfest was pure magic
It took me back to the days of Listoonvarna & The Fleadh Mor Tramore 93
Moving Hearts were brillo as perfect as back in the days of Woodies Castleisland which I passed near on the way back & forth on the night Great to see the band and the crew like Jimmi & Woody etc enjoying themselves Mick Hanly was a pleasant surprise as well as Mairtin O’Connor
It started off the way it will end pure energy with Luka Bloom in full flight and the band from Mali were excellent and all the others too numerous to mention Looking forward to next year.
See YouTube for highlights of the nights.
(I wonder will Ed Sheeran get his wish and see a reformed Planxty live or maybe an LP of the songs & tunes on YouTube that did not make onto vinyl)
Christy's reply
glad it went for all concerned…heard very good reports from different quarters…I’ve not heard Woodys of Castleisland mentioned for a while…a great stomping ground for Moving Hearts…. we used it as base camp for a while and did some rehearsing there as well as partying, carousing and the odd gig thrown in to help balance the books…Tom and Kate McCarthy were great hosts…Tom also ran gigs in Dingle,Tralee and Bandon…good times indeed
Dia is Muire Dhuit agus Failte Romhat,
Duffy’s my name, I cut through stone
Work for me, I’m one of your own
In dollars I will pay you…
Morning Christy the next time you are back in Belfast checking out the murals…why don’t you call in to Cultúrlann McAdam Ó Fiaich! You could play in a session and enjoy a quare bowl of chowder! Mary
They hope to do a bit more work on the site and have said they’ll bring the remains of Catherine Burns’ father in law back to Tyrone if they can identify them.
Great to hear that you’re doing some recording. Hope the Summer is good to you – and watch out for those gulls !!!!
Christy's reply
interesting piece…all newspaper articles about Duffy’s Cut appear to be accompanied by photos of men in Kilts…bagpipes and kilts…I think myself and Wally will have to re-assess our dress code and accompaniments…maybe its time to hit the auld Mull of Kintyre
“The Smoke that hid the Bullets from the Barrel of the Boss’s Gun”
CM (70)
I see there is a lot of talk about dublin seagulls God they seem very dangerous .I don’t know if they are worse than cromwells magpies or not.things are very quiet here now .you have a bit of a break yourself well from gigs anyhow.Fine feed of holy mackeral here this morning .They come here for the “the summer”, like what summer?anything new there?
CS (10)
Christy's reply
CS….you dont know the half of it out west…Cromwells Magpies would’nt hold a candle to the marauding seagulls around these parts…they’d take the eye out your head, they’d ate a child’s arse through a chair….you’d need your helmet and your goggles, your leggins and doc martins ridin a bike around here…between the seagulls and the gannets you’re taking your life in your hands riding your bike down to the shop for a bottle of milk and a brown loaf….I’m seriously thinking of buildin a tunnel to the local Spar….hard to bate a fresh mackerel (or two) fried crisp on the pand with some well buttered turn-over white loaf and strong tea for the washdown….better then any fare from any 5star fancy restaraunt… we never saw mackerel growing up in Kildare but whe we went to Tramore for the hols we used get right feeds of mackerel in Mrs Carroll’s Guest House…her husband Mr Carroll would have them caught fresh, gutted and washed in the sea water and then back to Mrs Carroll and straight down on the pan as we came down for the breakfast…all we got in Kildare were a few eels, an odd pike or perch from the canal and the odd trout from the Liffey if you happened to be well in with a good fisherman…Johnny Gibson was the best fisherman in Newbridge..I often watched him for hours as he cast his flies across the evening waters…Donal Lunny used to fish the river as well….I’m working towards a new album and concentrating on the Championship…our Minors are having a good run…Luka , my brother, has been singing a few songs for them ….
Enjoyed the great gig in Claremorris Town Hall.Even better to hear a new song Oblivion (if thats the right name).Also Van Diemens Land and Wicklow Boy for Nicky Kelly.The night flew by and yourself and Dec seemed to be having a great time.Many tanx until next time.
Christy's reply
we loved that venue and the audience were great…going to record that song shortly, keep an ear out ….
Well Christy ..In a rare moment of madness one of the commercial radio stations took me back to Ballyshamnon Festival via Cork.
Not Gone Yet
I was drivin’ past St Olivers and I wasnt goin’fast
It woulda took a bilge pump
To get the water off the glass
Then the lights on my yoke faded to yellow and they died
I could feel a chill..and a deep foreboding ..deep inside
I fecked the skies and donned my cap and stepped onto the tar
Then I swore at Henry Ford
And his curs’d motor car.
Untying baler twine so I could look at what was wrong
With my head below the bonnet I heard a crokin’ song
Well that moonlit night cast shadows
And reflections here and there
I spied a pair of eyes that held me in their stare
It startled me not once but twice
When again it spoke
But the only word it uttered was a melancholy croak
Well it studied me with interest
As I fiddled in the dark
Dryin off my HT lead to try and get a spark
And I tied the bonnet down again
Confident my car would go
I turned the key and took the road for Ovens nice and slow.
Before my oul car took a break
I’d been listenin to the news
And when my radio came on again
It was playin’ Bullfrog Blues
And when I drive near Ballyconlig now
In my head I hear that song
And though the headlights may be faded
The spirit still lives on.
Christy's reply
your “rare moment of madness” did yield a grand bit of a song
Hi Christy
I wrote this song about a very special place in Kerry, Corran Tuathail. When all my answers are gone I climb Corran Tuathail and I am left with no questions.
I’ll be bringing two of my kids to Ireland 28 July to 4 August and would love for them to see Christy. I vividly remember the first time I saw him at the 1988 Olympia theatre show in honor of Mandiba ,and would love for the kids to see him. Will there be any gigs during that week? Peace
Christy's reply
greetings Terence….we are on holidays at that time…hope you have a good visit
Christy. Thank you so much for saying you will dedicate a song to Henry. He is inspirational. If I manage to find a Bekfast gig ( next year now I think) how would I ask you to play a song for him please?
Angela
Christy's reply
come back here close to the gig …be sure to remind me of this correspondance…hope it all works out and that Henry and I survive to see the day !!! …you too of course!
I have to confess to not posting on here for way too long.
For a good while there, life was too busy to even read on here, but thankfully, things have settled down a bit and the priorities realigned!
As is usual when we havent heard from somene in a while, you can guess that they are looking for something..
I’m trying to put a year on the Goffs gigs where Eleanor Shanley supported you.
(I bought her CD after the show and when I heard a gentleman singing Kilkelly last week, it triggered the memory).
I’m guessing early 90’s, maybe 92/93?
Twas a while back anyway.
I’m hoping there is a Newbridge gig in the pipeline for later in the year!
Enjoy the hols
Colum
Christy's reply
I did a few stints back in Goffs around that time ,,one year did 6 nights…another yeara few more….I remember it being very cold, Ice and snow covering Kildare….might even have been late 80s…hope to return to Keadeen in November this year….time to return to Ballymany
Hi Christy
Been a fan for many years now but only finally got to see you for the first time at the waterfront recently, thought your set was fantastic and i perticularly found your impromptu singing of On the Bridge very good and quite moving, hope to see you again next year,
Hi Christy,
My father was born in Killough in 1923. He joined the Navy in 1937…. Money, prosecution etc. He died when I was 21. I have been in touch with my Irish family for just 3 years now. They have welcomed me with open arms . They make me immensely proud to be Irish as I am in every bone in my body!
Henry Henvey is my father’s cousin. He is now 85. He is one of the last traditional boat builders in Ireland. He is well known. He is still building boats in the traditional manner on his own at the age of 85. They are always about 21 feet long. He built the replica life boat of the Titanic for the Titanic centre. He has had little recognition of his skill.
He learned his skills at technical school in Downpatrick but honed them by working with the German Prisoners of War. This shows what a flexible and tolerant man he is. After he left the merchant Navy he joined Irish Lights and became the Lighthouse Keeper of St John’s Point. My family have always been there.
If I can get him to your next Belfast concert, or perhaps you know of a gig close to Co Down. The problem I have is that I live near to London. If I can get him to a gig, would you dedicate a song to him please. He is a great man and throughout his life has had so little recognition, like so many Irish people.
I love your Music Christy! I have seen you several times in London.
Many Thanks
Angela
Christy's reply
thanks for sharing Henry’s story…hopefully there will be a gig along the way that suits both of you…it will be a pleasure to dedicate a song to him…let me know if and when and I’ll do my best
This is a rather late comment, but I wanted to let you know how much much husband and I enjoyed seeing you back in June in Dungannon. You, your band, and your music are simply magical! My husband had seen you in Balleybofey several years ago. Later, when he suffered a brain infection, he constantly wondered why you weren’t there to visit! (delerious) After he recovered, he and I were able to get back to Ireland this June, and the Dungannon show was such a treat! He was again ill in the states for a few weeks afterwards (recovering now) which is why this comment is late. We loved “I wish I was Back Home in Derry” and I was so happy to also hear “Farmer Michael Hayes,” which I didn’t expect. Your Youtube videos of “Viva La Quinta Brigada” at the Barrowlands, and your solo performance of “The Well Below the Valley” actually make my hair stand on end. We are hoping to see you again sometime. Sending love and good wishes from Colorado. Lisa and Barry McCann
Christy's reply
greetings to you both..its manys the year since I played in the mountains of Colorado….thanks for sharing your memories of Dungannon…. I hope that Barry is enjoying good health again,that you both have peace of mind….hopefully our paths will cross again along the way
So, last gig of the “summer” done and dusted” . Enjoy the break and thanks for all the great music through the year. Tralee at the end of August is tempting us already….
Christy's reply
just getting the togs and sunglasses out of the drawer now….the nivea suncream and the sandals are packed….time to chill….climb a mountain,jump in a lake…see you later…keep coming back
It was raining Cats and Dogs in Mayo & and the Kingdom were doing the business in Killarney, but we were enthralled by yourself and Decy inside that beautiful Room in Claremorris.
That room full of listeners hung on to every note with Gusto.
Thank you Christy and Decky for a fantastic show.
Ride on
Patsy
Christy's reply
Hey Patsy,just back in the door after a grand midnight spin from Claremorris…passing so many old haunts along the way…The Midas in ‘Haunis, The Abbey in Ros, Coffeys of Lecarrow….passing Moate I thought of yourself, only now to discover that you were at the gig…what a beautiful theatre they have created in the old Town Hall…I hope they get plenty of gigs there
Hi Christy, Thank you for a truly brilliant gig in Bundoran earlier, it was high octane stuff right from the off. “In the City and Duffy’s Cut were ideal openers for the night and the place that was in it. There was a really good receptive and respectful crowd in again tonight (which you duly acknowledged) Powerful rendition of “The Time Has Come” and as always “Black Is The Colour” had the hairs standing on end. “Hattie”, “The Contender” and “Companeros” also went down a treat. Spoke with several people I knew afterwards in the audience, all of whom surprised me by telling me that it was their first ever live Christy gig….all were suitably blown away though by the sheer energy and passion of the performance. Not bad for a 70 year old was the general consensus…LOL ! Whatever your doing keep doing it because there’s still lots of new people needing to hear you …..Big weekend of sport ahead as well, Ulster Final is too close to call I think, but hopefully Donegal can prevail ….MOTD kicks off again shortly as you were saying …looking forward with enthusiasm to the new season, I’m doubling up a home game against Southampton with the Philharmonic gig at the end of October. Getting to see LFC & CM, two of my greatest and life long passions, in the one day again…it doesn’t get much better than that …Once more thank you (Declan, Vicky & Jimmy) and the crew for a brilliant evening, always an honour and privilege to be there to listen …See you soon. Love & Respect Martin Mac
Christy's reply
The rain was lashin the wind was howling and the evening sun was getting the odd look in….what a wild night of weather……when we played beautiful Bundoran last Oct it was wintry…when I saw the return date I was looking forward to a walk in the Summer Sun !! The weather let us down but the audience more then made up for it…ye were majestic and inspirational…the 2 hours just zipped past….I am a year shy of 50 years gigging and Im happy to share that I’ve never enjoyed my work as much as of late….this band allows me full rein to go wherever the night may lead….I also enjoy the anticipation of playing again with The Trad Outfit later in the year…in between times I also do some solo gigs which are entirely different …I now need to get my head into Solo Mode for tonights Gig in Claremorris County Mayo… I’m playing a venue tonight that I last played with Planxty 43 years ago….. Back then Des Kelly of Galway was our manager, Nicky Ryan of Dublin our Sound Man and Johnny Divilly of Galway our Transport Captain….thankfully Liam O’Flynn, Andy Irvine, Donal Lunny and myself are still on the road, still chasing the tune…both Liam and Donal play at KIllarney Festival next weekend and Andy is out there somewhere singing “Never Tired of The Road”
Oh man ,what a gig. Are you sure you are 70 ?. High energy Only half describes tonight’s show. Great to hear Last Cold Kiss again and an emotional Time Has Come…very special. Thanks for Casey , bit of a surprise there alright. Myself and Ger hardly even knew it was raining on the way home.
Christy's reply
The morning after the night before….I love that room in Bundoran’s Great Northern Hotel. It takes a bit of effort to get it set up but everyone weighs in and the effort is worth the end result. The management and staff there get behind our crew when the stage,sound and lighting are being installed. I feel very priviledged to work with such an accomplished and hardworking team. The success of our gigs depends very much on the fore- planning of each and every gig.No matter how good a venue may be it requires foresight and dedication to make it work. Declan,Jimmy, Vickie and I made the music last night …behind the scenes are a very dedicated band of colleagues who plan,stage,light and amplify our efforts. Then the audience arrive and provide the air which sustains us all…United we stand
Friday night at the Killarney Folkfest was pure magic
It took me back to the days of Listoonvarna & The Fleadh Mor Tramore 93
Moving Hearts were brillo as perfect as back in the days of Woodies Castleisland which I passed near on the way back & forth on the night Great to see the band and the crew like Jimmi & Woody etc enjoying themselves Mick Hanly was a pleasant surprise as well as Mairtin O’Connor
It started off the way it will end pure energy with Luka Bloom in full flight and the band from Mali were excellent and all the others too numerous to mention Looking forward to next year.
See YouTube for highlights of the nights.
(I wonder will Ed Sheeran get his wish and see a reformed Planxty live or maybe an LP of the songs & tunes on YouTube that did not make onto vinyl)
glad it went for all concerned…heard very good reports from different quarters…I’ve not heard Woodys of Castleisland mentioned for a while…a great stomping ground for Moving Hearts…. we used it as base camp for a while and did some rehearsing there as well as partying, carousing and the odd gig thrown in to help balance the books…Tom and Kate McCarthy were great hosts…Tom also ran gigs in Dingle,Tralee and Bandon…good times indeed
Dia is Muire Dhuit agus Failte Romhat,
Duffy’s my name, I cut through stone
Work for me, I’m one of your own
In dollars I will pay you…
Morning Christy the next time you are back in Belfast checking out the murals…why don’t you call in to Cultúrlann McAdam Ó Fiaich! You could play in a session and enjoy a quare bowl of chowder! Mary
West Belfast Chowder..I’ll be there…
Nice little piece in today’s Journal about the visit of the Duffy’s Cut crew to Derry last week. Interesting to read how all the little things brought the story to life. http://www.derryjournal.com/news/features/duffy-s-cut-researchers-visit-derry-1-6856571
They hope to do a bit more work on the site and have said they’ll bring the remains of Catherine Burns’ father in law back to Tyrone if they can identify them.
Great to hear that you’re doing some recording. Hope the Summer is good to you – and watch out for those gulls !!!!
interesting piece…all newspaper articles about Duffy’s Cut appear to be accompanied by photos of men in Kilts…bagpipes and kilts…I think myself and Wally will have to re-assess our dress code and accompaniments…maybe its time to hit the auld Mull of Kintyre
“The Smoke that hid the Bullets from the Barrel of the Boss’s Gun”
CM (70)
I see there is a lot of talk about dublin seagulls God they seem very dangerous .I don’t know if they are worse than cromwells magpies or not.things are very quiet here now .you have a bit of a break yourself well from gigs anyhow.Fine feed of holy mackeral here this morning .They come here for the “the summer”, like what summer?anything new there?
CS (10)
CS….you dont know the half of it out west…Cromwells Magpies would’nt hold a candle to the marauding seagulls around these parts…they’d take the eye out your head, they’d ate a child’s arse through a chair….you’d need your helmet and your goggles, your leggins and doc martins ridin a bike around here…between the seagulls and the gannets you’re taking your life in your hands riding your bike down to the shop for a bottle of milk and a brown loaf….I’m seriously thinking of buildin a tunnel to the local Spar….hard to bate a fresh mackerel (or two) fried crisp on the pand with some well buttered turn-over white loaf and strong tea for the washdown….better then any fare from any 5star fancy restaraunt… we never saw mackerel growing up in Kildare but whe we went to Tramore for the hols we used get right feeds of mackerel in Mrs Carroll’s Guest House…her husband Mr Carroll would have them caught fresh, gutted and washed in the sea water and then back to Mrs Carroll and straight down on the pan as we came down for the breakfast…all we got in Kildare were a few eels, an odd pike or perch from the canal and the odd trout from the Liffey if you happened to be well in with a good fisherman…Johnny Gibson was the best fisherman in Newbridge..I often watched him for hours as he cast his flies across the evening waters…Donal Lunny used to fish the river as well….I’m working towards a new album and concentrating on the Championship…our Minors are having a good run…Luka , my brother, has been singing a few songs for them ….
please listen again to STRINGS that bind
thanks mairin
Enjoyed the great gig in Claremorris Town Hall.Even better to hear a new song Oblivion (if thats the right name).Also Van Diemens Land and Wicklow Boy for Nicky Kelly.The night flew by and yourself and Dec seemed to be having a great time.Many tanx until next time.
we loved that venue and the audience were great…going to record that song shortly, keep an ear out ….
I would really like for Christy to hear my version of Ride On. 🙂 love it!
been singing that song for 30 years now Charlie
Well Christy ..In a rare moment of madness one of the commercial radio stations took me back to Ballyshamnon Festival via Cork.
Not Gone Yet
I was drivin’ past St Olivers and I wasnt goin’fast
It woulda took a bilge pump
To get the water off the glass
Then the lights on my yoke faded to yellow and they died
I could feel a chill..and a deep foreboding ..deep inside
I fecked the skies and donned my cap and stepped onto the tar
Then I swore at Henry Ford
And his curs’d motor car.
Untying baler twine so I could look at what was wrong
With my head below the bonnet I heard a crokin’ song
Well that moonlit night cast shadows
And reflections here and there
I spied a pair of eyes that held me in their stare
It startled me not once but twice
When again it spoke
But the only word it uttered was a melancholy croak
Well it studied me with interest
As I fiddled in the dark
Dryin off my HT lead to try and get a spark
And I tied the bonnet down again
Confident my car would go
I turned the key and took the road for Ovens nice and slow.
Before my oul car took a break
I’d been listenin to the news
And when my radio came on again
It was playin’ Bullfrog Blues
And when I drive near Ballyconlig now
In my head I hear that song
And though the headlights may be faded
The spirit still lives on.
your “rare moment of madness” did yield a grand bit of a song
Hi Christy
I wrote this song about a very special place in Kerry, Corran Tuathail. When all my answers are gone I climb Corran Tuathail and I am left with no questions.
The Mountain (Corran Tuathail):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LlEGeIFtPxo
fair play to you Joe
I’ll be bringing two of my kids to Ireland 28 July to 4 August and would love for them to see Christy. I vividly remember the first time I saw him at the 1988 Olympia theatre show in honor of Mandiba ,and would love for the kids to see him. Will there be any gigs during that week? Peace
greetings Terence….we are on holidays at that time…hope you have a good visit
Christy. Thank you so much for saying you will dedicate a song to Henry. He is inspirational. If I manage to find a Bekfast gig ( next year now I think) how would I ask you to play a song for him please?
Angela
come back here close to the gig …be sure to remind me of this correspondance…hope it all works out and that Henry and I survive to see the day !!! …you too of course!
I have to confess to not posting on here for way too long.
For a good while there, life was too busy to even read on here, but thankfully, things have settled down a bit and the priorities realigned!
As is usual when we havent heard from somene in a while, you can guess that they are looking for something..
I’m trying to put a year on the Goffs gigs where Eleanor Shanley supported you.
(I bought her CD after the show and when I heard a gentleman singing Kilkelly last week, it triggered the memory).
I’m guessing early 90’s, maybe 92/93?
Twas a while back anyway.
I’m hoping there is a Newbridge gig in the pipeline for later in the year!
Enjoy the hols
Colum
I did a few stints back in Goffs around that time ,,one year did 6 nights…another yeara few more….I remember it being very cold, Ice and snow covering Kildare….might even have been late 80s…hope to return to Keadeen in November this year….time to return to Ballymany
Hi Christy
Been a fan for many years now but only finally got to see you for the first time at the waterfront recently, thought your set was fantastic and i perticularly found your impromptu singing of On the Bridge very good and quite moving, hope to see you again next year,
see you then Digger
Hi Christy let the music keep our spirits high.
Hi Christy,
My father was born in Killough in 1923. He joined the Navy in 1937…. Money, prosecution etc. He died when I was 21. I have been in touch with my Irish family for just 3 years now. They have welcomed me with open arms . They make me immensely proud to be Irish as I am in every bone in my body!
Henry Henvey is my father’s cousin. He is now 85. He is one of the last traditional boat builders in Ireland. He is well known. He is still building boats in the traditional manner on his own at the age of 85. They are always about 21 feet long. He built the replica life boat of the Titanic for the Titanic centre. He has had little recognition of his skill.
He learned his skills at technical school in Downpatrick but honed them by working with the German Prisoners of War. This shows what a flexible and tolerant man he is. After he left the merchant Navy he joined Irish Lights and became the Lighthouse Keeper of St John’s Point. My family have always been there.
If I can get him to your next Belfast concert, or perhaps you know of a gig close to Co Down. The problem I have is that I live near to London. If I can get him to a gig, would you dedicate a song to him please. He is a great man and throughout his life has had so little recognition, like so many Irish people.
I love your Music Christy! I have seen you several times in London.
Many Thanks
Angela
thanks for sharing Henry’s story…hopefully there will be a gig along the way that suits both of you…it will be a pleasure to dedicate a song to him…let me know if and when and I’ll do my best
Hello Christy,
This is a rather late comment, but I wanted to let you know how much much husband and I enjoyed seeing you back in June in Dungannon. You, your band, and your music are simply magical! My husband had seen you in Balleybofey several years ago. Later, when he suffered a brain infection, he constantly wondered why you weren’t there to visit! (delerious) After he recovered, he and I were able to get back to Ireland this June, and the Dungannon show was such a treat! He was again ill in the states for a few weeks afterwards (recovering now) which is why this comment is late. We loved “I wish I was Back Home in Derry” and I was so happy to also hear “Farmer Michael Hayes,” which I didn’t expect. Your Youtube videos of “Viva La Quinta Brigada” at the Barrowlands, and your solo performance of “The Well Below the Valley” actually make my hair stand on end. We are hoping to see you again sometime. Sending love and good wishes from Colorado. Lisa and Barry McCann
greetings to you both..its manys the year since I played in the mountains of Colorado….thanks for sharing your memories of Dungannon…. I hope that Barry is enjoying good health again,that you both have peace of mind….hopefully our paths will cross again along the way
So, last gig of the “summer” done and dusted” . Enjoy the break and thanks for all the great music through the year. Tralee at the end of August is tempting us already….
just getting the togs and sunglasses out of the drawer now….the nivea suncream and the sandals are packed….time to chill….climb a mountain,jump in a lake…see you later…keep coming back
It was raining Cats and Dogs in Mayo & and the Kingdom were doing the business in Killarney, but we were enthralled by yourself and Decy inside that beautiful Room in Claremorris.
That room full of listeners hung on to every note with Gusto.
Thank you Christy and Decky for a fantastic show.
Ride on
Patsy
Hey Patsy,just back in the door after a grand midnight spin from Claremorris…passing so many old haunts along the way…The Midas in ‘Haunis, The Abbey in Ros, Coffeys of Lecarrow….passing Moate I thought of yourself, only now to discover that you were at the gig…what a beautiful theatre they have created in the old Town Hall…I hope they get plenty of gigs there
Hi Christy, Thank you for a truly brilliant gig in Bundoran earlier, it was high octane stuff right from the off. “In the City and Duffy’s Cut were ideal openers for the night and the place that was in it. There was a really good receptive and respectful crowd in again tonight (which you duly acknowledged) Powerful rendition of “The Time Has Come” and as always “Black Is The Colour” had the hairs standing on end. “Hattie”, “The Contender” and “Companeros” also went down a treat. Spoke with several people I knew afterwards in the audience, all of whom surprised me by telling me that it was their first ever live Christy gig….all were suitably blown away though by the sheer energy and passion of the performance. Not bad for a 70 year old was the general consensus…LOL ! Whatever your doing keep doing it because there’s still lots of new people needing to hear you …..Big weekend of sport ahead as well, Ulster Final is too close to call I think, but hopefully Donegal can prevail ….MOTD kicks off again shortly as you were saying …looking forward with enthusiasm to the new season, I’m doubling up a home game against Southampton with the Philharmonic gig at the end of October. Getting to see LFC & CM, two of my greatest and life long passions, in the one day again…it doesn’t get much better than that …Once more thank you (Declan, Vicky & Jimmy) and the crew for a brilliant evening, always an honour and privilege to be there to listen …See you soon. Love & Respect Martin Mac
The rain was lashin the wind was howling and the evening sun was getting the odd look in….what a wild night of weather……when we played beautiful Bundoran last Oct it was wintry…when I saw the return date I was looking forward to a walk in the Summer Sun !! The weather let us down but the audience more then made up for it…ye were majestic and inspirational…the 2 hours just zipped past….I am a year shy of 50 years gigging and Im happy to share that I’ve never enjoyed my work as much as of late….this band allows me full rein to go wherever the night may lead….I also enjoy the anticipation of playing again with The Trad Outfit later in the year…in between times I also do some solo gigs which are entirely different …I now need to get my head into Solo Mode for tonights Gig in Claremorris County Mayo… I’m playing a venue tonight that I last played with Planxty 43 years ago….. Back then Des Kelly of Galway was our manager, Nicky Ryan of Dublin our Sound Man and Johnny Divilly of Galway our Transport Captain….thankfully Liam O’Flynn, Andy Irvine, Donal Lunny and myself are still on the road, still chasing the tune…both Liam and Donal play at KIllarney Festival next weekend and Andy is out there somewhere singing “Never Tired of The Road”
Oh man ,what a gig. Are you sure you are 70 ?. High energy Only half describes tonight’s show. Great to hear Last Cold Kiss again and an emotional Time Has Come…very special. Thanks for Casey , bit of a surprise there alright. Myself and Ger hardly even knew it was raining on the way home.
The morning after the night before….I love that room in Bundoran’s Great Northern Hotel. It takes a bit of effort to get it set up but everyone weighs in and the effort is worth the end result. The management and staff there get behind our crew when the stage,sound and lighting are being installed. I feel very priviledged to work with such an accomplished and hardworking team. The success of our gigs depends very much on the fore- planning of each and every gig.No matter how good a venue may be it requires foresight and dedication to make it work. Declan,Jimmy, Vickie and I made the music last night …behind the scenes are a very dedicated band of colleagues who plan,stage,light and amplify our efforts. Then the audience arrive and provide the air which sustains us all…United we stand