I’m a Mayo woman living in York, UK, and I had the absolute privilege of seeing you perform live in the marquee in Cork at the weekend. I just wanted to say how special it was – your beautiful voice still sounds as strong and moving as ever.
I’ve been hoping to see you live for many years. I had the opportunity a few years back, but Covid hit, so this recent concert was extra meaningful. I still remember, as a young child, saving my pocket money to buy my parents tickets to see you play in Claremorris, Co. Mayo. That memory has always stayed with me.
Your music is a constant presence in our home here in York. My little girl, Saibh, sings along to your songs, and my partner—who’s from the UK—has learned several of your songs on guitar. We often have little sing-songs together, and your music is always at the heart of it.
Thank you for your songs, your stories, and your voice. They bring a deep sense of home, no matter where we are.
Cheers,
Lisa
Christy's reply
Lisa…good to read that your visit to Cork went well for you…over recent years The Marquee in Cork has become an outstanding gig…myself and the team always get a great sense of satisfaction when we work there….the avenue from the City to the site is tree lined, the site has been perfected by Peter Aiken and his family,
when you mention that gig in Claremorris I’m wondering what era you recall….my earliest memories are playing in Andy Creighton’s venue in the early 1970s…we arrived one Summer’s Day in the Planxty Van…we were just starting out…there was a long queue outside Andy’s…we thought we’d made it big…..
turned out the queue was for (the late) Finbar Nolan…he was the Seventh Son of a Seventh Son and hundreds had queued to have his hands laid upon them….the good man laid hands on Liam Og’s Uileann Pipes and within a month we were in the charts and playing Gay Byrne’s Late Late Show….Finbar had the power in his hands
I lived in Yorkshire for almost 3 years in the late 1960s….served my time there as a Folk Singer… met great people, heard beautiful music and songs..came back in 1972 to form Planxty
I have had the pleasure of seeing you in various theatres and places across Ireland, never a disappointment. Was wondering if you would ever come to the Isle of Man, I am sure that you have heard that the Craic is 90!
Christy's reply
never made it to The Isle….when Barney Rush wrote the song it was correctly titled “The Crack was 90 in The isle Of Man” and I recorded it thus…..then came the Crack epidemic and poltical correctness came to play…..
I see the Isle of Man ferry sailing thru Dublin Bay most days…maybe I’ll stow-away on it one of the days for a hairy Manx session….are you in or out of Europe….aint Farage some wanker…him and Tommy Robinson are right pair of go-boys with Boris dribbling behind them….bring back (cont P92)
I’ve remembered a couple
In the town of Athy, young Jeremy Lanighan
batted away till he hadn’t a shilling
Glastonbury’s Chapelizod gate
She sang of the halting site way out beyond clondalkin
Where Anne Maughan froze to death between the dump and the railway line
Christy's reply
you are covering some good ground there…and you brought the Sunshine with you….
Christy a Chara … I’m delighted to be heading for Drogheda on Friday for an evening of Soul Ceol with yourself.
I always start me own humble gigs with a reasonable version of Ordinary Man and if I could I’d like to request it for an Extraordinary Woman … me Ma Máiréad O’Brien.
Also, a sincere thanks for all your words of encouragement over the last few years.
Go raibh míle maith agat.
Ride On a Chara 💪
Dan O’Brien
Christy's reply
let every one of your gigs be special….every rendition of Ordinary Man as worthy as the next..
hope You and Máiréad have a good night over The Boyne
Hi Christy,
Unusual question from An Riocht… I think they are getting the whiff of Sam’s return 😀😀…Dangerous to underestimate the Royals !!!. I’m sure Joe Duffy still runs the “Complaints” department.
Ride on
Patsy.
Christy's reply
I’ve asked Joe would he fill in until we find a suitable replacement….do you think herself might be interested..its important to have a well run and orderly complaints department..you are well situated yourself there slap bang in the middle of the 32….and Donie out the road if things got tricky
Dear Christy, for the third time in Ireland, we’ll be enjoying your singing and your stories this Friday. Drogheda here we come.
On the day my Charlotte and me are together for 42 years. You cannot imagine the pleasure we find in immersing in your songs and your people singing along.
Cheers, Charlotte & Johan Moens
A quick question C I know there are only 3 gigs left before the Summer break, nice that you finish the season san Riocht. If people are upset at your song choice or something at your gigs who should they ring now ? ? Beir bua agus beannacht. H
Hello Christy,
Here we are safe and sound in Dublin. Francis Street, I like this area. Some neck guitars is moving. From number 67 to number 97. Maybe the new place is bigger. More room to stack the treasure! Driving up from Cork, we sang the songs of the places we passed.
Woke up in the Metropole
Carrigaline
Can’t remember
Can’t remember
Half a mile the far side of Naas
Twas the first time Whacker put his foot outside of Inchicore
Chase the hearse Whelan, Inchicore gets two!
The autobahn was like the long mile road
Now thinking about somewhere nice to eat. The place is rammed with them. Looks like a couple of little Italian places just round the corner. Lovely.
Hugs to all here.
Rebecca
Hi Christopher,
Hope you are the burning light still burning bright brave and true in these darkest of days. 80 and still not out – incredible! Hugs.
—
🕯️ *Echoes Don’t Die in Exile*
You tried to name me in your image—
trimmed my flame, filed down my howl,
painted me in your palette of silence
then blamed me for not shining loud enough.
But I was not born of your approval.
I rose from deeper places—
from ancestral marrow and marrowless ache,
from the ache of watching the world
pretend it isn’t burning.
You stamped me mad
for dancing where the ground cracked,
for laughing when the sky closed its eye,
for loving too wildly
to fit inside your prescriptions.
But I kept my name stitched
beneath my skin,
in the hollow behind the ribs
where grief prays and rage dreams.
And no,
it was never yours
to erase
or disown.
I am built of contradictions
and older songs,
of red balls and gallows jokes,
of lullabies sung in static,
and whispered truths etched
on the walls of rooms
you dare not enter.
You cast me out
thinking that exile was punishment.
But isolation is sacred to those
who know how to speak with storms.
Now I return—not humbled,
but expanded.
Carrying poems like blades,
smiling with my teeth out,
mirroring the wild in others
and the falseness in masks.
To those who drove me
into the burning pits of Hell,
I say to you:
**Cleanse your body in the coldest Well.**
My name?
Still mine.
Still burning.
My voice?
No longer an echo—
but the mountain it bounced from.
Second time to hear mention of Wally’s great song “So Do I” in recent times here. It’s a masterpiece. Hope you don’t mind me asking, are you playing a mix of rhythm (strumming chords) and lead (finger picking)? I enjoy playing along to it, though my playing is fairly basic, so I strum the A chord at the point of the song you mention..
Hi Christy
great to hear that Cork was a triumph.
Anyway have had a day listening to Guy Clark and his songs, while driving.
It came to my attention that the first song that Guy Clark ever wrote is his gorgeous ‘step inside this house’, probably best known for Lyle Lovett’s version.
I wondered then, what was the first song that you ever wrote?
rory
Christy's reply
the first full song was …”90 Miles to Dublin”……prior to that it was parodies of (and extra verses to) older songs
Hi Christy, Been a long time since I was on here. When I last complained about your Lack of Chords Info, and said I was old, you chided me gently and pointed out that your sister did not start playing till she was 60 and now had a record out.
I am 75 now and nearly ready to Try out Grafton Street.
I am struggling a bit with your nice rendition of Walley Pages “So Do I”
Haunting — After the line “This is the day the fisherman likes – Dec plays his lead – Do do do Di Da – Its a lovely line YET I CANT WORK IT OUT. Go Wan – Give us a little help :))))))))
Shame you don’t get over to the UK. I guess time catches up with us all. Haven’t posted on here for ages. Doesn’t mean I don’t follow what you are doing. Yer a good man Mr. Moore. I can’t forget May 16th 2015 at Cardiff St Davids Hall. My wife Louise and I travelled all the way down the M6 to see you because it didn’t appear that you would be playing the North Of England that year. I was so wrong……turned out you were playing the Sage in Gateshead in the October. The night in Cardiff was magical. You acknowledged our presence and played us a request……but what made it extra special was your private email inviting us to the concert at the Sage. God bless you Christy……keep the faith. Steven
Christy's reply
10 years flash by in an inst…
where does time go …
St David’s, The Sage,
such great welcoming rooms..
both sparking stirring memories..
thankfully we’re still treading the boards here in Bognia
sadly no longer able for airports or ferryports, its all down the blue tar road these times but you have me ruminating this morning…. Ray Gravell, Cerys Matthews, The Rattlers, The Ranters, Hedgehog Pie
Dear Christy,
I’m a Mayo woman living in York, UK, and I had the absolute privilege of seeing you perform live in the marquee in Cork at the weekend. I just wanted to say how special it was – your beautiful voice still sounds as strong and moving as ever.
I’ve been hoping to see you live for many years. I had the opportunity a few years back, but Covid hit, so this recent concert was extra meaningful. I still remember, as a young child, saving my pocket money to buy my parents tickets to see you play in Claremorris, Co. Mayo. That memory has always stayed with me.
Your music is a constant presence in our home here in York. My little girl, Saibh, sings along to your songs, and my partner—who’s from the UK—has learned several of your songs on guitar. We often have little sing-songs together, and your music is always at the heart of it.
Thank you for your songs, your stories, and your voice. They bring a deep sense of home, no matter where we are.
Cheers,
Lisa
Lisa…good to read that your visit to Cork went well for you…over recent years The Marquee in Cork has become an outstanding gig…myself and the team always get a great sense of satisfaction when we work there….the avenue from the City to the site is tree lined, the site has been perfected by Peter Aiken and his family,
when you mention that gig in Claremorris I’m wondering what era you recall….my earliest memories are playing in Andy Creighton’s venue in the early 1970s…we arrived one Summer’s Day in the Planxty Van…we were just starting out…there was a long queue outside Andy’s…we thought we’d made it big…..
turned out the queue was for (the late) Finbar Nolan…he was the Seventh Son of a Seventh Son and hundreds had queued to have his hands laid upon them….the good man laid hands on Liam Og’s Uileann Pipes and within a month we were in the charts and playing Gay Byrne’s Late Late Show….Finbar had the power in his hands
I lived in Yorkshire for almost 3 years in the late 1960s….served my time there as a Folk Singer… met great people, heard beautiful music and songs..came back in 1972 to form Planxty
Hi Christy,
I have had the pleasure of seeing you in various theatres and places across Ireland, never a disappointment. Was wondering if you would ever come to the Isle of Man, I am sure that you have heard that the Craic is 90!
never made it to The Isle….when Barney Rush wrote the song it was correctly titled “The Crack was 90 in The isle Of Man” and I recorded it thus…..then came the Crack epidemic and poltical correctness came to play…..
I see the Isle of Man ferry sailing thru Dublin Bay most days…maybe I’ll stow-away on it one of the days for a hairy Manx session….are you in or out of Europe….aint Farage some wanker…him and Tommy Robinson are right pair of go-boys with Boris dribbling behind them….bring back (cont P92)
I’ve remembered a couple
In the town of Athy, young Jeremy Lanighan
batted away till he hadn’t a shilling
Glastonbury’s Chapelizod gate
She sang of the halting site way out beyond clondalkin
Where Anne Maughan froze to death between the dump and the railway line
you are covering some good ground there…and you brought the Sunshine with you….
Christy a Chara … I’m delighted to be heading for Drogheda on Friday for an evening of Soul Ceol with yourself.
I always start me own humble gigs with a reasonable version of Ordinary Man and if I could I’d like to request it for an Extraordinary Woman … me Ma Máiréad O’Brien.
Also, a sincere thanks for all your words of encouragement over the last few years.
Go raibh míle maith agat.
Ride On a Chara 💪
Dan O’Brien
let every one of your gigs be special….every rendition of Ordinary Man as worthy as the next..
hope You and Máiréad have a good night over The Boyne
Hi Christy,
Unusual question from An Riocht… I think they are getting the whiff of Sam’s return 😀😀…Dangerous to underestimate the Royals !!!. I’m sure Joe Duffy still runs the “Complaints” department.
Ride on
Patsy.
I’ve asked Joe would he fill in until we find a suitable replacement….do you think herself might be interested..its important to have a well run and orderly complaints department..you are well situated yourself there slap bang in the middle of the 32….and Donie out the road if things got tricky
Dear Christy, for the third time in Ireland, we’ll be enjoying your singing and your stories this Friday. Drogheda here we come.
On the day my Charlotte and me are together for 42 years. You cannot imagine the pleasure we find in immersing in your songs and your people singing along.
Cheers, Charlotte & Johan Moens
you will be very welcome…
A quick question C I know there are only 3 gigs left before the Summer break, nice that you finish the season san Riocht. If people are upset at your song choice or something at your gigs who should they ring now ? ? Beir bua agus beannacht. H
Jenny Karl McKneel
Hello Christy,
Here we are safe and sound in Dublin. Francis Street, I like this area. Some neck guitars is moving. From number 67 to number 97. Maybe the new place is bigger. More room to stack the treasure! Driving up from Cork, we sang the songs of the places we passed.
Woke up in the Metropole
Carrigaline
Can’t remember
Can’t remember
Half a mile the far side of Naas
Twas the first time Whacker put his foot outside of Inchicore
Chase the hearse Whelan, Inchicore gets two!
The autobahn was like the long mile road
Now thinking about somewhere nice to eat. The place is rammed with them. Looks like a couple of little Italian places just round the corner. Lovely.
Hugs to all here.
Rebecca
Hi Christopher,
Hope you are the burning light still burning bright brave and true in these darkest of days. 80 and still not out – incredible! Hugs.
—
🕯️ *Echoes Don’t Die in Exile*
You tried to name me in your image—
trimmed my flame, filed down my howl,
painted me in your palette of silence
then blamed me for not shining loud enough.
But I was not born of your approval.
I rose from deeper places—
from ancestral marrow and marrowless ache,
from the ache of watching the world
pretend it isn’t burning.
You stamped me mad
for dancing where the ground cracked,
for laughing when the sky closed its eye,
for loving too wildly
to fit inside your prescriptions.
But I kept my name stitched
beneath my skin,
in the hollow behind the ribs
where grief prays and rage dreams.
And no,
it was never yours
to erase
or disown.
I am built of contradictions
and older songs,
of red balls and gallows jokes,
of lullabies sung in static,
and whispered truths etched
on the walls of rooms
you dare not enter.
You cast me out
thinking that exile was punishment.
But isolation is sacred to those
who know how to speak with storms.
Now I return—not humbled,
but expanded.
Carrying poems like blades,
smiling with my teeth out,
mirroring the wild in others
and the falseness in masks.
To those who drove me
into the burning pits of Hell,
I say to you:
**Cleanse your body in the coldest Well.**
My name?
Still mine.
Still burning.
My voice?
No longer an echo—
but the mountain it bounced from.
Thanks Kevin.
Hi Frankie,
Second time to hear mention of Wally’s great song “So Do I” in recent times here. It’s a masterpiece. Hope you don’t mind me asking, are you playing a mix of rhythm (strumming chords) and lead (finger picking)? I enjoy playing along to it, though my playing is fairly basic, so I strum the A chord at the point of the song you mention..
Hope this helps.. good luck on Grafton St..
Thanks a million Christy, will do.
Playing Leon Payne’s “Lost Highway” recently and love the lyric;
“I was just a lad, nearly 22
Neither good nor bad, just a kid like you”
Some lyric.
All the best,
Nollaig
Hi Christy
great to hear that Cork was a triumph.
Anyway have had a day listening to Guy Clark and his songs, while driving.
It came to my attention that the first song that Guy Clark ever wrote is his gorgeous ‘step inside this house’, probably best known for Lyle Lovett’s version.
I wondered then, what was the first song that you ever wrote?
rory
the first full song was …”90 Miles to Dublin”……prior to that it was parodies of (and extra verses to) older songs
Hi Christy, Been a long time since I was on here. When I last complained about your Lack of Chords Info, and said I was old, you chided me gently and pointed out that your sister did not start playing till she was 60 and now had a record out.
I am 75 now and nearly ready to Try out Grafton Street.
I am struggling a bit with your nice rendition of Walley Pages “So Do I”
Haunting — After the line “This is the day the fisherman likes – Dec plays his lead – Do do do Di Da – Its a lovely line YET I CANT WORK IT OUT. Go Wan – Give us a little help :))))))))
Frankie Becker –
Frankie…see Kevins post re chords
Shame you don’t get over to the UK. I guess time catches up with us all. Haven’t posted on here for ages. Doesn’t mean I don’t follow what you are doing. Yer a good man Mr. Moore. I can’t forget May 16th 2015 at Cardiff St Davids Hall. My wife Louise and I travelled all the way down the M6 to see you because it didn’t appear that you would be playing the North Of England that year. I was so wrong……turned out you were playing the Sage in Gateshead in the October. The night in Cardiff was magical. You acknowledged our presence and played us a request……but what made it extra special was your private email inviting us to the concert at the Sage. God bless you Christy……keep the faith. Steven
10 years flash by in an inst…
where does time go …
St David’s, The Sage,
such great welcoming rooms..
both sparking stirring memories..
thankfully we’re still treading the boards here in Bognia
sadly no longer able for airports or ferryports, its all down the blue tar road these times but you have me ruminating this morning…. Ray Gravell, Cerys Matthews, The Rattlers, The Ranters, Hedgehog Pie