Will be very happy to come over tomorrow…. and then to see you on Wednesday… seem s to be a magnetic point as I read here… lots of people heading for your gig…I also think it s a magic place and a magic man and a magic gig and I feel honoured to be part of it… in between I ll spend a little time at the seaside… my favourite place … and so I ll have wonderful days which will give me much strength.
So looking forward that much to see you at Vicar street …
thanks that you give us such a great thing
Ursula
Christy's reply
lets call upon the ancient Goddess that we may have some good weather for our long haul travellers..as well as the long- suffering sodden natives of Paddy’s Green Shamrock Shore
of course Patrick will soon be paddling his currach in our direction as Diageo and a thousand holy Vintners prepare for the annual St Patrick’s week of red beards and leprecháun hats ….with God’s help maybe Donald’s shamrock will convert into Japanese knotweed,jump out of the bowl and strangle the narcissistic, misogynistic, perverted, lying buddy of Epstein…..
Hi C. I think this is a different performance by Aidan Dooley, originally from Galway who left his pensionable job in the bank to pursue an acting career. He acted out the part of Tom Crean as part of an exhibition in the Maritime Museum in Greenwich and it proved so popular that Aidan expanded it into this one man show https://youtu.be/0GzahX1lBR8?si=GkZZucsM-z-NoHBu
Christy's reply
its all along time ago..I had a night off in Perth and the Abbey Theatre were touring a play with Donal O’Kelly,,,
I sang a song of Donal’s… “The two McGuires & McBrearty”…its included in the book “One Voice”….in error I failed to credit Donal as the author… he was most gracious when my mistake emerged
Hi Christy. I am super excited to be coming from Australia with my Irish partner and family from Mullingar to see you in Dublin on 30 May 2026. I am bringing a belated birthday present from down under. Love your music. Thanks so much.
Christy's reply
Mudgee to Mullingar…
I’m hopin be in a Woolloomooloo frame of mind
Hi Christy – looking forward to your gig in Vicar Street on the 18th! Our first trip to see you in Vicar St was on the 17th February 2002 to celebrate my husband Fintan’s 40th Birthday and that concert was just pure magic – somehow 24 years have suddenly rolled past and what better way to mark another birthday by joining you in Vicar Street once again! We have enjoyed many great performances since then in the Riverside in Enniscorthy, The National Opera House in Wexford and the Theatre Royal in Waterford and not forgetting the Lockdown Gig from the National Concert Hall & all of your home recordings during Covid. If “Quiet Desperation” is still in your repertoire, we would love to hear it and another song that still echoes strongly is “Veronica”, still remembering the shock of hearing how her life had ended on that day almost 30 years ago. No worries if the “Jukebox” can’t churn out these songs however as we will no doubt enjoy whatever is on the playlist. Until next week. Regards, Marie Kinsella.
Christy's reply
gone in the blink of an eye
time quickly gets the better of us
safe journey from model to black lagoon
“when I’m 64” for Fintan
take the high road round ‘Scorthy
Christy will you be touring in England any time soon? Or are you going to force us to travel to Dublin again. We are at fiddlers green festival in July but Limerick is too far away. Thanks Kevin Glaze.
Christy's reply
its starting to look more unlikely Kevin..each passing year makes the journey seem unassailable….but now a day passes without me remembering times past…up and down, over and back, all those remarkable Folk Clubs so fondly recalled…MSG, Black Lion, RAOBs, Digbeth, Singin Jenny,Mucky Byre, Troubadour, Union Tavern, Old Contemptible, Congleton,Prudhoe, Cockermouth,Jacqui & Bridie’s,Redcar, Eston, Cofas Tree, Grimsby, Caithness, RAF Sealand ( still got the scars) Nottingham…. then came the bigger Halls, Bridgwater, Albert, Barrowland, RFH, Sage…..on and on it went….great listeners to welcome the roving songsters ….such an array of resident bands and singers…High Level Ranters, Spinners, Ian Cambell Band, Union Folk, Ewan & Peggy, Capstick, Jack & Mavis, Pennine Folk, Watersons, Mike Harding, Danny Kyle, The Fettllers, Marsden Rattlers, The Taverners, Oldham Tinkers. Munstermen, Michael Hipkiss, John Swift & Tommy Dempsey, The Doonans,
seldom a night off , shift halves, newky brown,the odd scrumpy…such a mishmash of experience, hallucination, reality, cells,
Also for the Day that’s in it https://youtu.be/ELL2vuq5tgE?si=0BLjZgAS47UMAwiG I know there are other versions but I do like this one, it’s hard to believe the LIve is Dublin Album is now 48 years old !! Beir bua agus beannacht. H
Christy's reply
such a time it was …with Donal Lunny, Jimmy Faulkner and Nicky Ryan… we did 7 gigs and the finishing touches in Nicky Ryan’s frnt room before he built his studio….two albums that year..the aforementioned and “The Iron Behind The Velvet”…..John Cook at Tara Records was leading the pack back then…the Tara label were lashing out albums…mostly good stuff still remembered and cherished …Prosperous was their launch album….originally released on Bill Leader’s label in London ,Tara Records bought the album to tie in with the emerging Planxty who were taking off in Ireland but had no product at the time ( apart for singles on Des Kelly’s Ruby label…. 3 Drunk Maids, Cliffs of Dooneen and Yarmouth Town) then Phil Coulter signed Planxty and rented us out to Polydor in London..the rest is geography
Travelling west listening to radio reports of today’s remembrance event for the 48..
Have we forgotten the suffering and pain
The survivors and victims of the fire in Artane
The mothers and fathers forever to mourn
The 48 children who never came home
Hello Christy,
Starting to gear up for our next Ireland adventure. It’s snowing gently here but, all being well, we’ll be setting off for Holyhead on Monday. We hope to be at your next three gigs, all bright eyed and bushy tailed. Once were there we’ve got a couple of nights on Francis Street and the first gig. Then we’ll be off up the road to Drogheda for a week in a lovely cottage. I’m so looking forward to the whole thing!!! Then one night in Dublin, after the second gig we’re up to Skerries for a couple of nights. We end up in Dublin for two more nights, and you first gig of March. Hoping for a kind and prevailing wind for the trip and wishing all other travellers well. My heart feels happy in Ireland.
Rebecca
Christy's reply
How fortunate we are that two such music lovers and practitioners choose Ireland as a holiday destination…thank you Rebecca & Steve for your ongoing support and for all that you share….may you find relish in your travels from Yorkshire
Hi All. I’ m just jumping on here to concur with Lar / Elvis !! I’ve seen that Aidan Dooley gig in various locations, over 20 years ago I saw in the pub that Tom Crean once had in Annascaul. Like Lar people that have seen it have been bowled over. The almost nationwide 12 gig tour continues until 1st March. In other news all roads lead to Vicar St next Weds, safe travelling all. Beir bua agus beannacht. H
Christy's reply
I’m thinking I saw this play in Perth WA some years back…it Donal O’Kelly performed it ..or am I getting my plays mixed up
In case it ever comes to a theatre near anyone reading here, it is worth catching Tom Crean Antarctic Explorer, the one man show with Aidan Dooley. I saw it tonight in The Pavilion Theatre in Dun Laoghaire, a lovely spot..lot’s happening there too… It’s outstanding and a great tribute to an amazing man.
Christy's reply
it was in Tom Crean’s pub in Annascaul that I first heard Martin A. Egan sing
“Casey! Casey! you’re the devil
when you get behind the wheel
’twas a sad day for Kerry Sheepdogs
when your Firestones they did feel”
This may have been posted before but I just got a notifaction about a week ago about the passing of Ray Lynch in December last. Probably know to us readers and listeners here as the composer of ‘Celestial Soda Pop’ (the walk on music from CM concerts in the 80′ and into the 90’s.) A tiny bit can be heard at the start of Live At The Point album. From Ray’s ‘Deep Breakfast’ album, I had been in contact with him and his wife Kathleen about getting permission to use a minute or so of Celestial as an intro to a podcast or radio show I had in mind about 6 or 7 years ago. They were both very supportive of the idea, loved the connection and agreed to let me use it…I find their letters here occasionally and remember their generosity and interest…he was born in Salt Lake City in 1943.
Christy's reply
do do do do do do do do du dom de doo
lights go down…..final moments..check keks ..and away we go
Hi Christy.
We had the Furey’s in Athlone last week as part of their final year of gigs. I first encountered them like I did yourself in the early 70’s, when we were all young and innocent !!!!!. Eddie still banging out the songs and giving the Bodhran a lash. I was wondering to myself had you ever gone on stage with them ?
Took a trip to Vicar Street on Monday night to hear Imelda May. One of the Doormen said to me “ sure Christy is not here tonight”. Can’t figure out why he would say that to me !!!!!!.
She put on a wonderful show of Songs and stories, and a great insight into the origin of some of her songs.……..it seemed like all of her neighbours and friends were in the room.
Roll on next week , when normal service resumes back in HQ.
I’m sure you are already busy in the workroom.
Ride on.
Patsy
Christy's reply
hard at it here Patsy
remind me to tell you a story when we next meet
its to do with the keks I’m wearing on the back of the Prosperous sleeve
its vaguely related to your post but not entirely suitable for publication
Will be very happy to come over tomorrow…. and then to see you on Wednesday… seem s to be a magnetic point as I read here… lots of people heading for your gig…I also think it s a magic place and a magic man and a magic gig and I feel honoured to be part of it… in between I ll spend a little time at the seaside… my favourite place … and so I ll have wonderful days which will give me much strength.
So looking forward that much to see you at Vicar street …
thanks that you give us such a great thing
Ursula
lets call upon the ancient Goddess that we may have some good weather for our long haul travellers..as well as the long- suffering sodden natives of Paddy’s Green Shamrock Shore
of course Patrick will soon be paddling his currach in our direction as Diageo and a thousand holy Vintners prepare for the annual St Patrick’s week of red beards and leprecháun hats ….with God’s help maybe Donald’s shamrock will convert into Japanese knotweed,jump out of the bowl and strangle the narcissistic, misogynistic, perverted, lying buddy of Epstein…..
Hi C. I think this is a different performance by Aidan Dooley, originally from Galway who left his pensionable job in the bank to pursue an acting career. He acted out the part of Tom Crean as part of an exhibition in the Maritime Museum in Greenwich and it proved so popular that Aidan expanded it into this one man show
https://youtu.be/0GzahX1lBR8?si=GkZZucsM-z-NoHBu
its all along time ago..I had a night off in Perth and the Abbey Theatre were touring a play with Donal O’Kelly,,,
I sang a song of Donal’s… “The two McGuires & McBrearty”…its included in the book “One Voice”….in error I failed to credit Donal as the author… he was most gracious when my mistake emerged
Hi Christy. I am super excited to be coming from Australia with my Irish partner and family from Mullingar to see you in Dublin on 30 May 2026. I am bringing a belated birthday present from down under. Love your music. Thanks so much.
Mudgee to Mullingar…
I’m hopin be in a Woolloomooloo frame of mind
Hi Christy – looking forward to your gig in Vicar Street on the 18th! Our first trip to see you in Vicar St was on the 17th February 2002 to celebrate my husband Fintan’s 40th Birthday and that concert was just pure magic – somehow 24 years have suddenly rolled past and what better way to mark another birthday by joining you in Vicar Street once again! We have enjoyed many great performances since then in the Riverside in Enniscorthy, The National Opera House in Wexford and the Theatre Royal in Waterford and not forgetting the Lockdown Gig from the National Concert Hall & all of your home recordings during Covid. If “Quiet Desperation” is still in your repertoire, we would love to hear it and another song that still echoes strongly is “Veronica”, still remembering the shock of hearing how her life had ended on that day almost 30 years ago. No worries if the “Jukebox” can’t churn out these songs however as we will no doubt enjoy whatever is on the playlist. Until next week. Regards, Marie Kinsella.
gone in the blink of an eye
time quickly gets the better of us
safe journey from model to black lagoon
“when I’m 64” for Fintan
take the high road round ‘Scorthy
Christy will you be touring in England any time soon? Or are you going to force us to travel to Dublin again. We are at fiddlers green festival in July but Limerick is too far away. Thanks Kevin Glaze.
its starting to look more unlikely Kevin..each passing year makes the journey seem unassailable….but now a day passes without me remembering times past…up and down, over and back, all those remarkable Folk Clubs so fondly recalled…MSG, Black Lion, RAOBs, Digbeth, Singin Jenny,Mucky Byre, Troubadour, Union Tavern, Old Contemptible, Congleton,Prudhoe, Cockermouth,Jacqui & Bridie’s,Redcar, Eston, Cofas Tree, Grimsby, Caithness, RAF Sealand ( still got the scars) Nottingham…. then came the bigger Halls, Bridgwater, Albert, Barrowland, RFH, Sage…..on and on it went….great listeners to welcome the roving songsters ….such an array of resident bands and singers…High Level Ranters, Spinners, Ian Cambell Band, Union Folk, Ewan & Peggy, Capstick, Jack & Mavis, Pennine Folk, Watersons, Mike Harding, Danny Kyle, The Fettllers, Marsden Rattlers, The Taverners, Oldham Tinkers. Munstermen, Michael Hipkiss, John Swift & Tommy Dempsey, The Doonans,
seldom a night off , shift halves, newky brown,the odd scrumpy…such a mishmash of experience, hallucination, reality, cells,
Also for the Day that’s in it https://youtu.be/ELL2vuq5tgE?si=0BLjZgAS47UMAwiG I know there are other versions but I do like this one, it’s hard to believe the LIve is Dublin Album is now 48 years old !! Beir bua agus beannacht. H
such a time it was …with Donal Lunny, Jimmy Faulkner and Nicky Ryan… we did 7 gigs and the finishing touches in Nicky Ryan’s frnt room before he built his studio….two albums that year..the aforementioned and “The Iron Behind The Velvet”…..John Cook at Tara Records was leading the pack back then…the Tara label were lashing out albums…mostly good stuff still remembered and cherished …Prosperous was their launch album….originally released on Bill Leader’s label in London ,Tara Records bought the album to tie in with the emerging Planxty who were taking off in Ireland but had no product at the time ( apart for singles on Des Kelly’s Ruby label…. 3 Drunk Maids, Cliffs of Dooneen and Yarmouth Town) then Phil Coulter signed Planxty and rented us out to Polydor in London..the rest is geography
Travelling west listening to radio reports of today’s remembrance event for the 48..
Have we forgotten the suffering and pain
The survivors and victims of the fire in Artane
The mothers and fathers forever to mourn
The 48 children who never came home
they dont change their spots
Hello Christy,
Starting to gear up for our next Ireland adventure. It’s snowing gently here but, all being well, we’ll be setting off for Holyhead on Monday. We hope to be at your next three gigs, all bright eyed and bushy tailed. Once were there we’ve got a couple of nights on Francis Street and the first gig. Then we’ll be off up the road to Drogheda for a week in a lovely cottage. I’m so looking forward to the whole thing!!! Then one night in Dublin, after the second gig we’re up to Skerries for a couple of nights. We end up in Dublin for two more nights, and you first gig of March. Hoping for a kind and prevailing wind for the trip and wishing all other travellers well. My heart feels happy in Ireland.
Rebecca
How fortunate we are that two such music lovers and practitioners choose Ireland as a holiday destination…thank you Rebecca & Steve for your ongoing support and for all that you share….may you find relish in your travels from Yorkshire
Hi All. I’ m just jumping on here to concur with Lar / Elvis !! I’ve seen that Aidan Dooley gig in various locations, over 20 years ago I saw in the pub that Tom Crean once had in Annascaul. Like Lar people that have seen it have been bowled over. The almost nationwide 12 gig tour continues until 1st March. In other news all roads lead to Vicar St next Weds, safe travelling all. Beir bua agus beannacht. H
I’m thinking I saw this play in Perth WA some years back…it Donal O’Kelly performed it ..or am I getting my plays mixed up
In case it ever comes to a theatre near anyone reading here, it is worth catching Tom Crean Antarctic Explorer, the one man show with Aidan Dooley. I saw it tonight in The Pavilion Theatre in Dun Laoghaire, a lovely spot..lot’s happening there too… It’s outstanding and a great tribute to an amazing man.
it was in Tom Crean’s pub in Annascaul that I first heard Martin A. Egan sing
“Casey! Casey! you’re the devil
when you get behind the wheel
’twas a sad day for Kerry Sheepdogs
when your Firestones they did feel”
Another of the good uns gone up to Willie’s House.
Andrew from The Pogues passed on.
RIP Cobbler
RIP Andrew Rankin
This may have been posted before but I just got a notifaction about a week ago about the passing of Ray Lynch in December last. Probably know to us readers and listeners here as the composer of ‘Celestial Soda Pop’ (the walk on music from CM concerts in the 80′ and into the 90’s.) A tiny bit can be heard at the start of Live At The Point album. From Ray’s ‘Deep Breakfast’ album, I had been in contact with him and his wife Kathleen about getting permission to use a minute or so of Celestial as an intro to a podcast or radio show I had in mind about 6 or 7 years ago. They were both very supportive of the idea, loved the connection and agreed to let me use it…I find their letters here occasionally and remember their generosity and interest…he was born in Salt Lake City in 1943.
do do do do do do do do du dom de doo
lights go down…..final moments..check keks ..and away we go
Hi Christy.
We had the Furey’s in Athlone last week as part of their final year of gigs. I first encountered them like I did yourself in the early 70’s, when we were all young and innocent !!!!!. Eddie still banging out the songs and giving the Bodhran a lash. I was wondering to myself had you ever gone on stage with them ?
Took a trip to Vicar Street on Monday night to hear Imelda May. One of the Doormen said to me “ sure Christy is not here tonight”. Can’t figure out why he would say that to me !!!!!!.
She put on a wonderful show of Songs and stories, and a great insight into the origin of some of her songs.……..it seemed like all of her neighbours and friends were in the room.
Roll on next week , when normal service resumes back in HQ.
I’m sure you are already busy in the workroom.
Ride on.
Patsy
hard at it here Patsy
remind me to tell you a story when we next meet
its to do with the keks I’m wearing on the back of the Prosperous sleeve
its vaguely related to your post but not entirely suitable for publication
Hey Christy
My sister died on the 20th Jan, she was 77 and a massive fan of yours. She was born in ballylinen, co laois not far from your good self
RIP