Our friend bought my husband The Humours of Planxty by Leagues (great name) O’Toole over 10 years ago. He inscribed it: To Kevin on your big 50. Fond memories of many nights with Christie and the Boys! They were with us again at the Tar Isteach gig. I’ve started re-reading it again and it really is a great read. Well done Leagues ‘The result is the compulsive and fast-paced story of how four talented musicians became an abiding musical phenomenon.’ There you go! Andy that’s a cracking story about your Grandmother…Nancy Spain! Regards to all Mary
Christy's reply
Leagues O’Toole made a doc about Planxty that was shown on RTE in 2003..it resulted in our coming together in 2004-5 for 25 concerts. He put a lot of work into both the Documentary and subsequent book….he now works as a Music Curator with Aiken Promotions
My Grand Mother’s name was Nancy Spain, Born in 1910 Lived at Stoney Island, Portumna, Ireland…Sarah Ann Spain A.K.A Nancy Spain….Left Ireland at the age of 18 yrs with her Sister Nell to come on a 10 Pound steerage ticket to New Zealand in 1928…..She had Pale Blue eyes and left behind a Fiance’ who pined for her they would go sailing on the Lough Derg and the River Shannon…..Could this be the story of Nancy Spain that inspired the song?…..She left in secret, organised by the Mother Superior at Longford Convent who wanted the young girls to escape their Father, who was taking their wages every month from working in the Laundry at the convent. A lot of Irish Folk songs start out as Stories retold at the local Pub and later some Musician hears it and thinks it would make a great song….Sarah Ann (Nancy) White nee(Spain)died October 1987 aged 77 yrs in Coventry, Warwickshire England.
Christy's reply
Thanks for sharing Andy…..the song was written by Barney Rush of Sallynoggin,Co Dublin.I learned it from Barney in Jersey, The Channel Islands, back in 1969. I sing it at almost every performance….and each time I think of my own Mother,Nancy Power from Yellow Furze, nr Navan Co.Meath (1919-1992).
Whatever might have inspired Barney we will never know….but whatever emerges in the mind of the listener, whatever it stirs in our hearts…thats what matters….Nancy Spain might be sung tonight to a thousand listeners, each and every one will have different interpretations….next time I sing it I will remember Sarah Ann…..
Just home from listening to the Dawn Chrous, one of Mother Nature’s beautiful gifts ?
Looking forward to hearing you again in Roscommon in about 3 weeks. Be delighted if you would kindly play This is the Day, please. I like the slow Box Set version but have an even greater fondness for the Album title track.
Warm Regards
Jim
Christy's reply
where the rain puts a shine on the chestnut spikes
HI CHRISTY, HAD A CALL LAST NITE FROM NEWBRIDGE BUDDY WHO ATTENDED YOUR MILLTOWN GIG.NO SURPRISE TO LEARN THAT THE EVENT WAS PURE MAGIC GIVEN THAT YOU WERE REALLY AT HOME IN THE AREA AND THE LOCATION (CHURCH) SIMPLY ENSURED A HUGE SUCCESS. WAS MYSELF UNABLE TO ATTEND BUT CAN IMAGINE IT SO WELL. CONGRATS AGAIN, LONG MAY YOU CONTINUE TO DELIGHT YOUR FANS, REGARDS AND BEST WISHES TO YOU AND FAMILY. TANGO SENDS REGARDS!!!!!!!!
CHEERS,
BILL BRADY, CORK AND PAIRC MHUIRE
Christy's reply
it was a very special night in a place where I have always wanted to sing..there were many there who remembered the Dowling family all long since gone from Barronstown…..my Father’s Mother was Bridie Dowling of that parish…Bridie ,Frank and Nan are mentioned in the song “Bogman”….as were Gary,Jimmy and Neddy Slattery..Neddy’s two sons were in the audience too as were many from Barronstown and all the surrounding Townlands
Philomenadoran@yahoo.com
March 17, 2017 at 9:37 am
Location: Glenageary, Co. Dublin, at present soon back to Canada
Hi Christy, It was great to see you again after so many years! I was amazed at how well you still look, like you have hardly changed a day! You looked and sounded great! Strong as ever! It was a truly great show you put on on Clonmel, Tipperary, it was a great time had by all who attended and the audience all had a brilliant time including me. I particularly was impressed with your rendition of Magdalen Laundries, I prefer your version! I got some videos of the show that captured the great atmosphere I will try to get them to you.
I am in Ireland since March 8th and go back on Tuesday March 21st. I am getting back into the music myself as my youngest is now 15 and nearly a man (lol) Your show was not only an experience of musical delight with ballads that transport a person through time, but also great comic relief in your gift for making people laugh. I am staying in Glenageary for the next couple of days, if you have a spare minute, my email is philomenadoran@yahoo.com. If you drop me a line I can email you the videos. Thank you for the inspiration and the great encouragement in the past. God bless and stay strong! xxx 🙂 Philomena Daly
Christy's reply
still on the road here and enjoying the gigs..glad to read that you are having a good trip…thanks for the feedback and wish you a safe journey back to Canadayio
Just passing along, trying to change my password in my profile but the 3rd box where i am to repeat my new password won’t allow the procedure. 3rd box Empties the 1st box etc. Thanks so much.
Christy's reply
have to check it out and get that sorted…thank you
Mamaí was delighted to see you last night (so was I). It was a truly wonderful evening, go raibh míle maith agat for your support for Tar Isteach Christy. I’ve a couple of lovely photos of you two, I’ll email them to you.
Best wishes
Trish x
Christy's reply
hope ye danced around The Conway Mill ? great to see ye at “the tar Isteach” Annie looked like she was ready for a a twirl around the floor…thanks for the photos
Thanks for a great night on the Falls Christy. It was a pleasure to hear your voice ring out across St. Mary’s College… assembly was never like that! Loved all the songs in particular Luka’s ‘I’m a Bogman’ just love it. Not sure of the name of the song under Black Mountain… but what a beautiful and poignant song. I have just dug out my Gordon Lighfoot LP as result of your reference to McIlhatton. It was great to meet you after the concert and thank you for the photo! Shine on Christy, shine on! Mary
Christy's reply
sound Mary…..Great to meet, now I have a face to go with the posts! I love singin the Bogman…its always transports me back to the Dowling home in Barronstown where my Grandmother Brigid Dowling was born, reared,lived and died…I’ll be singing it tonight in the Old Church in Miltown where all the family are buried…a lovely peaceful spot near the Old Canal not far from The Hill of Allen
it was a real privilege to be in the audience tonight, at your show in St Mary’s. there were times the hairs on the hairs on the back of my neck were standing.Well done.
Christy's reply
Just back home now …it was a joy to play on “The Road” again……First solo gig for a long time …happy that it was so well recieved
I am really enjoying Planxty ‘Between the Jigs and the Reels’, what a great reminder of how fabulous Planxty was in all its lineups.
As I listen to ‘The Pursuit of Farmer Michael Hayes’ (on heavy rotation), and particularly the break, it seems to me the genesis of the Moving Hearts sound, something that didn’t transpire until some years later.
Such a brilliant performance. Thanks for all that listening pleasure over the years
Christy's reply
Sound Tony….its now 45 years since we played our first gig…1972 we kicked off playing a residency every Monday night at The Mugs Gig in Capel Street, Dublin…. that first line-up reconvened back in 2004 for approx 20 gigs…..the recent retro album you mention has been well recieved..it was carefully and tastefully assembled and the band were consulted at every stage…..
attending the gig tonight in st.marys college, many years ago my uncle John put my daddy on to your music, who has then passed the faith on to us. my uncle John was murdered in milltown cemetery 29 years ago, come tomorrow. If you could play the time has come and give him a wee mention that would be great, many thanks ciara.
Christy's reply
thanks Ciara..looking forward to tonight’s concert for “Tar Isteach”
After a great night on Sat last in The Punchbowl, we now look forward to hosting Peter Byrne and Conor Mahony on Sat, 25th March..they’re first CD has beautiful versions of many well known songs and they’ll perform them on the night.
Thanks to those who came and supported, means a lot to us.
Tickets at 0868659814
Thanks
Christy's reply
great news…the brother-in-law, Peter Byrne, is one of my favourite singers and Conor O’Mahoney’s accompaniments are highly accomplished, subtle and very very tasty…unfortunateley cant make it that night as I’ll be slaving over a hot guitar in Tullamore….keep it up Lar
When is the gig list for the second half of the year released? Heading to Ireland in October with a life-long CM fan to whom I promised gig tickets for his birthday (last year)!!
Christy's reply
Hi Aingeal
we are scheduled to play in the Northern Counties in early Oct…Belfast and Derry soon to be listed…confirmed are Buncrana Oct 20th and Ballina Oct 21st
other dates will be posted on gig page asap
We must admit that one year has passed since we last visited Ireland, have been there in spirit many times though … But it won’t be long now: Uwe and I are looking forward to be at your next gigs, dear Christy – booked tickets for Carrickmacross, Tullamore and Kilkenny. Sweet music roll on!
Christy's reply
Yipee! The Germans are coming !! Petra & Uwe, welcome back
hi Christy,going to barrowland gig on sat 29th april,just got engaged to anne mccrea,my name is neil forrester,we run the grapes bar on the island of bute,and are having black is the colour for our wedding song! I was hoping you could give us a we rendition of this on the nite and a we name check !it would be a great surprise for anne many thanks neil forrester
Christy's reply
Sat Night in Barrowland…ye cannae get mair romantic then that ( excuse my false dialect )
We have managed to get a float into the Letterkenny St Patricks Day Parade celebrating all things Irish & Palestinian…..We walk to the powerful sound of Christ Moore & Damien Dempsey on the day…..Could you post a good luck message to our page….Cheers and best of luck from us all.
Fupin fup Christy! The Home Counties. I had to wikipedia that and get out the old atlas. I’m going to check my diction and roll my arrs. Looking forward to it muchly. xx PS We’re off to Damo in Camden on Friday. Lethal.
Our friend bought my husband The Humours of Planxty by Leagues (great name) O’Toole over 10 years ago. He inscribed it: To Kevin on your big 50. Fond memories of many nights with Christie and the Boys! They were with us again at the Tar Isteach gig. I’ve started re-reading it again and it really is a great read. Well done Leagues ‘The result is the compulsive and fast-paced story of how four talented musicians became an abiding musical phenomenon.’ There you go! Andy that’s a cracking story about your Grandmother…Nancy Spain! Regards to all Mary
Leagues O’Toole made a doc about Planxty that was shown on RTE in 2003..it resulted in our coming together in 2004-5 for 25 concerts. He put a lot of work into both the Documentary and subsequent book….he now works as a Music Curator with Aiken Promotions
My Grand Mother’s name was Nancy Spain, Born in 1910 Lived at Stoney Island, Portumna, Ireland…Sarah Ann Spain A.K.A Nancy Spain….Left Ireland at the age of 18 yrs with her Sister Nell to come on a 10 Pound steerage ticket to New Zealand in 1928…..She had Pale Blue eyes and left behind a Fiance’ who pined for her they would go sailing on the Lough Derg and the River Shannon…..Could this be the story of Nancy Spain that inspired the song?…..She left in secret, organised by the Mother Superior at Longford Convent who wanted the young girls to escape their Father, who was taking their wages every month from working in the Laundry at the convent. A lot of Irish Folk songs start out as Stories retold at the local Pub and later some Musician hears it and thinks it would make a great song….Sarah Ann (Nancy) White nee(Spain)died October 1987 aged 77 yrs in Coventry, Warwickshire England.
Thanks for sharing Andy…..the song was written by Barney Rush of Sallynoggin,Co Dublin.I learned it from Barney in Jersey, The Channel Islands, back in 1969. I sing it at almost every performance….and each time I think of my own Mother,Nancy Power from Yellow Furze, nr Navan Co.Meath (1919-1992).
Whatever might have inspired Barney we will never know….but whatever emerges in the mind of the listener, whatever it stirs in our hearts…thats what matters….Nancy Spain might be sung tonight to a thousand listeners, each and every one will have different interpretations….next time I sing it I will remember Sarah Ann…..
Just home from listening to the Dawn Chrous, one of Mother Nature’s beautiful gifts ?
Looking forward to hearing you again in Roscommon in about 3 weeks. Be delighted if you would kindly play This is the Day, please. I like the slow Box Set version but have an even greater fondness for the Album title track.
Warm Regards
Jim
where the rain puts a shine on the chestnut spikes
Hey , hey, hey, CHRISTY!
I lied, another discussion to be had here.
On Saint Patrick’s day.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8WO-xyHSDRo
HI CHRISTY, HAD A CALL LAST NITE FROM NEWBRIDGE BUDDY WHO ATTENDED YOUR MILLTOWN GIG.NO SURPRISE TO LEARN THAT THE EVENT WAS PURE MAGIC GIVEN THAT YOU WERE REALLY AT HOME IN THE AREA AND THE LOCATION (CHURCH) SIMPLY ENSURED A HUGE SUCCESS. WAS MYSELF UNABLE TO ATTEND BUT CAN IMAGINE IT SO WELL. CONGRATS AGAIN, LONG MAY YOU CONTINUE TO DELIGHT YOUR FANS, REGARDS AND BEST WISHES TO YOU AND FAMILY. TANGO SENDS REGARDS!!!!!!!!
CHEERS,
BILL BRADY, CORK AND PAIRC MHUIRE
it was a very special night in a place where I have always wanted to sing..there were many there who remembered the Dowling family all long since gone from Barronstown…..my Father’s Mother was Bridie Dowling of that parish…Bridie ,Frank and Nan are mentioned in the song “Bogman”….as were Gary,Jimmy and Neddy Slattery..Neddy’s two sons were in the audience too as were many from Barronstown and all the surrounding Townlands
Hi Christy, It was great to see you again after so many years! I was amazed at how well you still look, like you have hardly changed a day! You looked and sounded great! Strong as ever! It was a truly great show you put on on Clonmel, Tipperary, it was a great time had by all who attended and the audience all had a brilliant time including me. I particularly was impressed with your rendition of Magdalen Laundries, I prefer your version! I got some videos of the show that captured the great atmosphere I will try to get them to you.
I am in Ireland since March 8th and go back on Tuesday March 21st. I am getting back into the music myself as my youngest is now 15 and nearly a man (lol) Your show was not only an experience of musical delight with ballads that transport a person through time, but also great comic relief in your gift for making people laugh. I am staying in Glenageary for the next couple of days, if you have a spare minute, my email is philomenadoran@yahoo.com. If you drop me a line I can email you the videos. Thank you for the inspiration and the great encouragement in the past. God bless and stay strong! xxx 🙂 Philomena Daly
still on the road here and enjoying the gigs..glad to read that you are having a good trip…thanks for the feedback and wish you a safe journey back to Canadayio
Just passing along, trying to change my password in my profile but the 3rd box where i am to repeat my new password won’t allow the procedure. 3rd box Empties the 1st box etc. Thanks so much.
have to check it out and get that sorted…thank you
Mamaí was delighted to see you last night (so was I). It was a truly wonderful evening, go raibh míle maith agat for your support for Tar Isteach Christy. I’ve a couple of lovely photos of you two, I’ll email them to you.
Best wishes
Trish x
hope ye danced around The Conway Mill ? great to see ye at “the tar Isteach” Annie looked like she was ready for a a twirl around the floor…thanks for the photos
Thanks for a great night on the Falls Christy. It was a pleasure to hear your voice ring out across St. Mary’s College… assembly was never like that! Loved all the songs in particular Luka’s ‘I’m a Bogman’ just love it. Not sure of the name of the song under Black Mountain… but what a beautiful and poignant song. I have just dug out my Gordon Lighfoot LP as result of your reference to McIlhatton. It was great to meet you after the concert and thank you for the photo! Shine on Christy, shine on! Mary
sound Mary…..Great to meet, now I have a face to go with the posts! I love singin the Bogman…its always transports me back to the Dowling home in Barronstown where my Grandmother Brigid Dowling was born, reared,lived and died…I’ll be singing it tonight in the Old Church in Miltown where all the family are buried…a lovely peaceful spot near the Old Canal not far from The Hill of Allen
it was a real privilege to be in the audience tonight, at your show in St Mary’s. there were times the hairs on the hairs on the back of my neck were standing.Well done.
Just back home now …it was a joy to play on “The Road” again……First solo gig for a long time …happy that it was so well recieved
I am really enjoying Planxty ‘Between the Jigs and the Reels’, what a great reminder of how fabulous Planxty was in all its lineups.
As I listen to ‘The Pursuit of Farmer Michael Hayes’ (on heavy rotation), and particularly the break, it seems to me the genesis of the Moving Hearts sound, something that didn’t transpire until some years later.
Such a brilliant performance. Thanks for all that listening pleasure over the years
Sound Tony….its now 45 years since we played our first gig…1972 we kicked off playing a residency every Monday night at The Mugs Gig in Capel Street, Dublin…. that first line-up reconvened back in 2004 for approx 20 gigs…..the recent retro album you mention has been well recieved..it was carefully and tastefully assembled and the band were consulted at every stage…..
attending the gig tonight in st.marys college, many years ago my uncle John put my daddy on to your music, who has then passed the faith on to us. my uncle John was murdered in milltown cemetery 29 years ago, come tomorrow. If you could play the time has come and give him a wee mention that would be great, many thanks ciara.
thanks Ciara..looking forward to tonight’s concert for “Tar Isteach”
After a great night on Sat last in The Punchbowl, we now look forward to hosting Peter Byrne and Conor Mahony on Sat, 25th March..they’re first CD has beautiful versions of many well known songs and they’ll perform them on the night.
Thanks to those who came and supported, means a lot to us.
Tickets at 0868659814
Thanks
great news…the brother-in-law, Peter Byrne, is one of my favourite singers and Conor O’Mahoney’s accompaniments are highly accomplished, subtle and very very tasty…unfortunateley cant make it that night as I’ll be slaving over a hot guitar in Tullamore….keep it up Lar
When is the gig list for the second half of the year released? Heading to Ireland in October with a life-long CM fan to whom I promised gig tickets for his birthday (last year)!!
Hi Aingeal
we are scheduled to play in the Northern Counties in early Oct…Belfast and Derry soon to be listed…confirmed are Buncrana Oct 20th and Ballina Oct 21st
other dates will be posted on gig page asap
We must admit that one year has passed since we last visited Ireland, have been there in spirit many times though … But it won’t be long now: Uwe and I are looking forward to be at your next gigs, dear Christy – booked tickets for Carrickmacross, Tullamore and Kilkenny. Sweet music roll on!
Yipee! The Germans are coming !! Petra & Uwe, welcome back
hi Christy,going to barrowland gig on sat 29th april,just got engaged to anne mccrea,my name is neil forrester,we run the grapes bar on the island of bute,and are having black is the colour for our wedding song! I was hoping you could give us a we rendition of this on the nite and a we name check !it would be a great surprise for anne many thanks neil forrester
Sat Night in Barrowland…ye cannae get mair romantic then that ( excuse my false dialect )
RIP
http://www.thejournal.ie/bishop-casey-rip-3285411-Mar2017/?utm_source=facebook_short
Heaven Limbo Purgatory Hell…take your pick..I lay 6/4 the field
we would be https://www.facebook.com/DonegalAwarenessForPalestine/
We have managed to get a float into the Letterkenny St Patricks Day Parade celebrating all things Irish & Palestinian…..We walk to the powerful sound of Christ Moore & Damien Dempsey on the day…..Could you post a good luck message to our page….Cheers and best of luck from us all.
Rock On
Fupin fup Christy! The Home Counties. I had to wikipedia that and get out the old atlas. I’m going to check my diction and roll my arrs. Looking forward to it muchly. xx PS We’re off to Damo in Camden on Friday. Lethal.
tune into the Home Service