A few weeks ago,I had a brilliant afternoon’s catch up with Bernard Wrigley at the Bill Leader exhibition.
Bernard doesn’t play many gigs these days,but said that several albums and books are available…listed,with other great info at http://www.bernardwrigley.com
The other day,I was in a record shop and found ‘Songs of the Seven Seas’ on CD…recorded in 2011,it’s Bernard Wrigley’s fab collection of well known and obscure sea songs and shanties. Some written by Bernard…he’s a multi instrumentalist as well…highly recommended to listeners with an ear for the nautical music! A great find…
Hi, Christy!
I’m from Norway, and my wife and I are visiting Dublin, our favourite town.
Tomorrow, on the norwegian national day, we’re seeing you live for our tenth time, the first time was in a big tent in Galway in the summer of 1990.
We really enjoy and appreciate what you’re doing, and look very much forward to the concert tomorrow.
All the best from Hakon and Goril
Great to read if the hometown gig, and all the various comments on here. It really is a wonderful community. Been an exciting week- Ulster final in Clones and the amazing scenes and atmosphere in Croke Park as the men from the Wee County proved to be giants. It was a real pleasure to watch the joy from players with new babies all the way through to grandparents. Waiting for Ralph to visit our town tomorrow. Like yourself, he seems to be in a good place these days and his mix of song and story are well worth hearing. Best wishes to you and the crew and looking forward to your visit- always welcome here.
Christy's reply
the GAA appears to be making its way back towards the great game we onceloved to watch….I’ve decided to wear skorts at all upcoming gigs id solidarity with which ever side I’ll be supporting…I recall a protest placard that read”down with this sort of thing”….or “end all Bossiness now”
looking forward to scaling the walls…hill climbing the streets…meeting old companeros…shine on John
Congrats Christy on the very extensive NY Times interview, with lovely photos, it covers the length and breadth of your career. It’s interesting the article opens with your appearance at Oxegen in 2011, if I recall correctly you played The Hall in the Royal Spa the night before ? great that they mention Mountmellick also. It finishes beautifully with “I’ve been very privileged in my life and my music. I’ve no regrets, no great ambitions to fulfill,” he said, smiling, “apart from making it home safe tonight.” What a happy place to be ? long may you feel that way. Beir bua agus beannacht. H
Christy's reply
Meath Chronicle…Ireland’s Own…New York Times…….
” We want to go to heaven
but we’re always diggin holes”
….(Christie Hennessy)
Thank you Rebeccah.
Your words tell me it is as I imagined.
Would love to see the bloke light up the place but miles & kilometres & trains & boats & planes are beyond me.
Insights like yourn tho’…they bring it to life if I close my eyes
Enjoy the ride for me too Rebeccah
Many thanx for the word pics
Love to youse all CM’ers
Hazzo
Christy,
Sorry to be awhile getting back to you. I’ve been on the road …
To answer your question, I had not heard Duffy’s Cut, but having just listened to it,
I can only surmise it is only one of the hundreds of stories that remain untold and unrecorded. . . . but for poets and songwriters who share the history, the stories of the immigrants who came to America and never found the “dream” they traveled so far to find . . . only a quiet piece of soil where the wind whispers …
Go mbeannaí Dia thú agus go raibh an tsíocháin leat agus tú ag scíth
Hi Christy,
Some weather. Hope you’re enjoying it.
Lucky enough to see Ralph McTell last Thursday.
All on his ownsome. Well him and The Crew.
He was in the finest of fine form as he moved
between keyboards, acoustic and 12 string guitars.
Entertaining us all with his songs and stories.
The song of the night for me was The Grande Affaire.
Eddie Furrey gave a stab at it long time ago. It starts …
Take a bus, who needs a car ?
We’ll eat here, take this seat near the door.
Well I’m not hungry much now, are you ?
Is it OK if I share yours with you ?
I’ve got no money and I think I believe that you knew.
Remember the moon on the wall,
Didn’t she shine ?
The taste of the sheets and the feel of the wine.
Wasn’t I glad that you was mine
In the Grande Affaire …
Like a movie in a song.
(Minded me of Liam Clancy singing The Dutchman)
I’ld say Ralph put the pen down after he finished
the writing of it and went for a walk maybe whistling.
Maybe not.
Tabhair Aire
Bourkey
Dear Christy,
I hope this message finds you well. I have written a song that I believe may resonate with you. I’d be honoured if you might consider having a look at the lryrics with a view to putting your amazing voice to it. The song is about Wicklow Gaol’s youngest prisoner, Thomas Pitt. Thomas was just 8 years old, and was put in gaol for stealing 2 shillings. I think the song will benefit from your voice and spirit as an artist.
I’m hesitant to share the song publicly and would appreciate a way to send it to you privately for your consideration.
With great respect for your work and legacy,
Aidan
Have to comment on what Danny said.
It’s an amazing thing to experience a Christy gig in person, to watch and feel him reading the room.
I’ve noticed his more recent setlists seem to feel more personal with more of the song choices coming from him. Good! He’s in the best place to feel the flow of it all. And after so long he deserves the luxury of choice.
I manage to get to gigs 3 or 4 times a year. More would be better. I’m guessing that saying I’m there to watch a master at work and feel the energy and magic at play might embarrass him.
Or he might dismiss all my thoughts with one sweep.
All this is ok. I know what I see, feel and hear.
Get to a gig or two if you can. And hope for a good audience, they bring so much to it, along with the crew who create the structure that allows all this stuff to happen.
Christy, the playlists you post are a real treat…
It must be difficult to juggle favourites & newbies & whims & requests..
-but they always come up – to me – evenhanded & balanced
I bet you close your eyes & take heed of the inner you before you launch into song..(I could be wrong)
Mix those trax CM ! They carry us away..
Best wishes,
Hazzo
Christy you gave an exhibition Sat night and we all thoroughly enjoyed your energy, passion and laughter.. thank you very much for making our chaps evening , Ruairi really was delighted when you kindly gave him your sheet, he was on cloud 9. All the very best to you and your family
Christy hi
As a former prop ( probably still a front row) you might be interested in our game on Saturday coming.
Have organised a fri-sun tour for our mixed ability team Borders Clan to come over to Cork’s Musgrave and play Sundays Well Rebels in a mixed ability game of 4x20mins on Saturday….we are even getting a wee 10m exhibition match at half time in Friday’s URC munster v treviso match in front of 8000 also on Musgrave!
I pair with Reece who is without sight, we have 2 try tony, little laura on the wing ( 1 of only 3 ladies playing in Scotland) ,the twins charging everywhere, Russell playing in very short spurts etc.
The whole squad of 18 players of various difficulties plus enablers plus parents/carers are up to 90 with excitement.
We ko saturday at 1.30 if any 4711er fancies coming to watch.
In the box set you sing ‘Hey Ronnie’ introducing it as one you performed during your ‘tour of the Munster parts’, so i might burst into a verse or two of that fantastic song in the Franciscan Well on saturday night after a pint of porter…..a tour of the Munster parts…..sounds fab. Rory
Christy's reply
Rory….”This is Murrayfield” landed safe and sound…Thank You….
that sounds like a great gathering in Musgrave Park…I will advise all Cork listeners to don their Skorts & Shorts and show a bit of leg….
selkie
May 12, 2025 at 6:42 pm
Location: Selkie, back again in Germany after wonderful days in Eire
Hi, Christy,
It was an overwhelming gig on Saturday….. I was so happy to be there to listen to this wonderful music… some old gems…some special loved songs…. just great !
And those touching moments when you met some of your old friends .
It was awesome to feel the warmth of you for your hometown and the people there. From the first minute I knew why I have to come over again and again…. It grounds me and gives me energy….I just feel happy .
So a big THANK you for all this
And please ride on
Hope we ll meet again in July
All the best
Ursula
Christy's reply
Thank You Ursula…. the Newbridge gig fulfilled all I’d hoped for….singing on the home turf with such a gathering of listeners ….
Thank you too for your feedback and confectionary…yum yum
before July, let me know if there are any particular songs you might like to hear
Newbridge Set May 10th..2025
City of Chicago
Quinte Brigada
Johnny Boy
Ride On
Cabaret
Curragh of Kildare
Newbridge or Nowhere
Black & Amber
Delerium Tremens
Smoke and Strong Whiskey
Amsterdam
Darkness before Dawn
Lisdoonvarna
Bright Blue Rose
Cumann na Mná
Back Home in Derry
Beeswing
Bogman
Ruby Walsh
Boy in The Wild
Voyage
Joxer
Black is the Colour
Nancy Spain
Sonny’s Dream
Lingo Politico
Hi Christy
A few weeks ago,I had a brilliant afternoon’s catch up with Bernard Wrigley at the Bill Leader exhibition.
Bernard doesn’t play many gigs these days,but said that several albums and books are available…listed,with other great info at http://www.bernardwrigley.com
The other day,I was in a record shop and found ‘Songs of the Seven Seas’ on CD…recorded in 2011,it’s Bernard Wrigley’s fab collection of well known and obscure sea songs and shanties. Some written by Bernard…he’s a multi instrumentalist as well…highly recommended to listeners with an ear for the nautical music! A great find…
Dave
Just wondering should we all wear Skorts tomorrow night?….. that would be a sight to behold 😂😂.
Ride on.
over our heads Patsy
Hi, Christy!
I’m from Norway, and my wife and I are visiting Dublin, our favourite town.
Tomorrow, on the norwegian national day, we’re seeing you live for our tenth time, the first time was in a big tent in Galway in the summer of 1990.
We really enjoy and appreciate what you’re doing, and look very much forward to the concert tomorrow.
All the best from Hakon and Goril
Well written article by Bob Mehr in the New York Times. I won’t quibble over author not mentioning you lined out for Kildare, and hit net, no less.
I gather yer man Jay Z’s gratuity made its way to event staff, and him hearing from you that there’s no dark side of the moon.
Having held the door I saw no need….holding a door for Beyonce is way above my pay grade
Great to read if the hometown gig, and all the various comments on here. It really is a wonderful community. Been an exciting week- Ulster final in Clones and the amazing scenes and atmosphere in Croke Park as the men from the Wee County proved to be giants. It was a real pleasure to watch the joy from players with new babies all the way through to grandparents. Waiting for Ralph to visit our town tomorrow. Like yourself, he seems to be in a good place these days and his mix of song and story are well worth hearing. Best wishes to you and the crew and looking forward to your visit- always welcome here.
the GAA appears to be making its way back towards the great game we onceloved to watch….I’ve decided to wear skorts at all upcoming gigs id solidarity with which ever side I’ll be supporting…I recall a protest placard that read”down with this sort of thing”….or “end all Bossiness now”
looking forward to scaling the walls…hill climbing the streets…meeting old companeros…shine on John
As mentioned in dispatches, hear the roar of welcome !! https://youtu.be/0Ci4vIV2944?si=O7jAQqN4e0L7c6_F Beir bua agus beannacht. H
Congrats Christy on the very extensive NY Times interview, with lovely photos, it covers the length and breadth of your career. It’s interesting the article opens with your appearance at Oxegen in 2011, if I recall correctly you played The Hall in the Royal Spa the night before ? great that they mention Mountmellick also. It finishes beautifully with “I’ve been very privileged in my life and my music. I’ve no regrets, no great ambitions to fulfill,” he said, smiling, “apart from making it home safe tonight.” What a happy place to be ? long may you feel that way. Beir bua agus beannacht. H
Meath Chronicle…Ireland’s Own…New York Times…….
” We want to go to heaven
but we’re always diggin holes”
….(Christie Hennessy)
Thank you Rebeccah.
Your words tell me it is as I imagined.
Would love to see the bloke light up the place but miles & kilometres & trains & boats & planes are beyond me.
Insights like yourn tho’…they bring it to life if I close my eyes
Enjoy the ride for me too Rebeccah
Many thanx for the word pics
Love to youse all CM’ers
Hazzo
Christy,
Sorry to be awhile getting back to you. I’ve been on the road …
To answer your question, I had not heard Duffy’s Cut, but having just listened to it,
I can only surmise it is only one of the hundreds of stories that remain untold and unrecorded. . . . but for poets and songwriters who share the history, the stories of the immigrants who came to America and never found the “dream” they traveled so far to find . . . only a quiet piece of soil where the wind whispers …
Go mbeannaí Dia thú agus go raibh an tsíocháin leat agus tú ag scíth
Thanks for writing their story.
Hi Christy,
Some weather. Hope you’re enjoying it.
Lucky enough to see Ralph McTell last Thursday.
All on his ownsome. Well him and The Crew.
He was in the finest of fine form as he moved
between keyboards, acoustic and 12 string guitars.
Entertaining us all with his songs and stories.
The song of the night for me was The Grande Affaire.
Eddie Furrey gave a stab at it long time ago. It starts …
Take a bus, who needs a car ?
We’ll eat here, take this seat near the door.
Well I’m not hungry much now, are you ?
Is it OK if I share yours with you ?
I’ve got no money and I think I believe that you knew.
Remember the moon on the wall,
Didn’t she shine ?
The taste of the sheets and the feel of the wine.
Wasn’t I glad that you was mine
In the Grande Affaire …
Like a movie in a song.
(Minded me of Liam Clancy singing The Dutchman)
I’ld say Ralph put the pen down after he finished
the writing of it and went for a walk maybe whistling.
Maybe not.
Tabhair Aire
Bourkey
Dear Christy,
I hope this message finds you well. I have written a song that I believe may resonate with you. I’d be honoured if you might consider having a look at the lryrics with a view to putting your amazing voice to it. The song is about Wicklow Gaol’s youngest prisoner, Thomas Pitt. Thomas was just 8 years old, and was put in gaol for stealing 2 shillings. I think the song will benefit from your voice and spirit as an artist.
I’m hesitant to share the song publicly and would appreciate a way to send it to you privately for your consideration.
With great respect for your work and legacy,
Aidan
Here’s a link that will work – poster only
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1YJMrSdJi8/
The other one was in a private group so it’s hidden
Hello Christy,
A poster for the Krumlin festival
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/16QgDx7YU3/
Lots of comments from people who were there too.
Have to comment on what Danny said.
It’s an amazing thing to experience a Christy gig in person, to watch and feel him reading the room.
I’ve noticed his more recent setlists seem to feel more personal with more of the song choices coming from him. Good! He’s in the best place to feel the flow of it all. And after so long he deserves the luxury of choice.
I manage to get to gigs 3 or 4 times a year. More would be better. I’m guessing that saying I’m there to watch a master at work and feel the energy and magic at play might embarrass him.
Or he might dismiss all my thoughts with one sweep.
All this is ok. I know what I see, feel and hear.
Get to a gig or two if you can. And hope for a good audience, they bring so much to it, along with the crew who create the structure that allows all this stuff to happen.
Rebecca
Christy, the playlists you post are a real treat…
It must be difficult to juggle favourites & newbies & whims & requests..
-but they always come up – to me – evenhanded & balanced
I bet you close your eyes & take heed of the inner you before you launch into song..(I could be wrong)
Mix those trax CM ! They carry us away..
Best wishes,
Hazzo
Evening Christy. Belated birthday greetings from Manchester. Here’s to the next eighty. Would you like to do it all again?
most of it John…thank you
Happy Birthday Christy !
Christy you gave an exhibition Sat night and we all thoroughly enjoyed your energy, passion and laughter.. thank you very much for making our chaps evening , Ruairi really was delighted when you kindly gave him your sheet, he was on cloud 9. All the very best to you and your family
Hey there Christy,
Big huge birthday greetings and love from us Dubliners over here in Wales. Looking forward to Kerry in July. Love ya!!
Karen x
Christy hi
As a former prop ( probably still a front row) you might be interested in our game on Saturday coming.
Have organised a fri-sun tour for our mixed ability team Borders Clan to come over to Cork’s Musgrave and play Sundays Well Rebels in a mixed ability game of 4x20mins on Saturday….we are even getting a wee 10m exhibition match at half time in Friday’s URC munster v treviso match in front of 8000 also on Musgrave!
I pair with Reece who is without sight, we have 2 try tony, little laura on the wing ( 1 of only 3 ladies playing in Scotland) ,the twins charging everywhere, Russell playing in very short spurts etc.
The whole squad of 18 players of various difficulties plus enablers plus parents/carers are up to 90 with excitement.
We ko saturday at 1.30 if any 4711er fancies coming to watch.
In the box set you sing ‘Hey Ronnie’ introducing it as one you performed during your ‘tour of the Munster parts’, so i might burst into a verse or two of that fantastic song in the Franciscan Well on saturday night after a pint of porter…..a tour of the Munster parts…..sounds fab. Rory
Rory….”This is Murrayfield” landed safe and sound…Thank You….
that sounds like a great gathering in Musgrave Park…I will advise all Cork listeners to don their Skorts & Shorts and show a bit of leg….
Hi, Christy,
It was an overwhelming gig on Saturday….. I was so happy to be there to listen to this wonderful music… some old gems…some special loved songs…. just great !
And those touching moments when you met some of your old friends .
It was awesome to feel the warmth of you for your hometown and the people there. From the first minute I knew why I have to come over again and again…. It grounds me and gives me energy….I just feel happy .
So a big THANK you for all this
And please ride on
Hope we ll meet again in July
All the best
Ursula
Thank You Ursula…. the Newbridge gig fulfilled all I’d hoped for….singing on the home turf with such a gathering of listeners ….
Thank you too for your feedback and confectionary…yum yum
before July, let me know if there are any particular songs you might like to hear
Newbridge Set May 10th..2025
City of Chicago
Quinte Brigada
Johnny Boy
Ride On
Cabaret
Curragh of Kildare
Newbridge or Nowhere
Black & Amber
Delerium Tremens
Smoke and Strong Whiskey
Amsterdam
Darkness before Dawn
Lisdoonvarna
Bright Blue Rose
Cumann na Mná
Back Home in Derry
Beeswing
Bogman
Ruby Walsh
Boy in The Wild
Voyage
Joxer
Black is the Colour
Nancy Spain
Sonny’s Dream
Lingo Politico
26 songs ..1 hour 50 minutes