Hello Christy,
Looking forward to hearing your new album. Are there any details yet?
Also watching out for gigs appearing for after 18th October. That’s the date I retire. I’ll be 55 and it’s time for me to do some silly things with my life. I’ve worked and worked. Now for some playing! We’ll be buzzing across the water to the land of green magic to celebrate and hopefully catch one or two of your gigs as you mosey on round the country.
Talking of moseying, I’m taking Billy Gray and Aengus to the folk club tonight. Steve will play the guitar. The tall man from the badlands wasn’t the only one to give Billy a good murdering yesterday. Thank goodness it’s impossible to sound bad on the harp! I’m working out an accompaniment for the May Morning Dew.
Rebecca
Christy's reply
the recent recording has been towards Claddagh’s plan to release an extended version of “A Terrible Beauty” in the Autumn….there will be four extra tracks…
beyond that I have various ideas that might lead to a new album, nothing definite yet…
Hi Christy,
We are planning a trip from Newfoundland, Canada to see you in concert. We would like to travel in September 2026. When will you post your gigs for that time period?
Annette
Hi Christy.
Just been listening to “Masters of their Craft”…Beautiful rendition of “Boy in the Wild”, with fabulous accompaniment by Gavin. The album is really one for the ages.
Ride on.
Patsy
Hi Christy,
I’m currently reading “The Connelly Column,” having been inspired to buy it by “viva La Quinta Brigada”, one of my favourite songs ever! It’s a great read, not just for the accounts of the Spanish Civil War, but it’s also full of interesting information about Irish history in the early 20th century. Thank you for that.
Is there any chance of you playing a gig in Glasgow at any time in the near future?
Christy's reply
if ever I go out foreign again…Barrowland will be top of the list
Just arrived here and I read about Pat Dowling’s of Prosperous! RIP Pat was a great Irish trad music supporter. We are now living in Clare 48 years. Hard to believe!!
Christy's reply
BE THE HONEY Dabra , never read a more welcome post than yours….we sure lived our early years at a great time…such great memories….Jack & Myra, Pat’s generosity to us all, Paddy Kenny fancying Emmet Spiceland, Jim Casey and The Roadstone Cowboy, Mickey Carroll’s masterful whistle playing, young lovers on The Mailboat…Stephen’s Cheeseget shortshrift froma mucksavage balladeer, Muskets on the train, The Grehan’s in Willesden Junction, wrestling in the gravel,Jake’s at Dawn,PuckFair, Boyle, dossin in your caravan in The Haggert,The Bagnall Brothers sunning turf into the City…the laughs,Andrew on The Vespa, Duchess on the back,Mick Curran’s Bedford, Frank Lunny’s Clarke’s whistle, Pat chasing bouncey cheques in Tulsk,….I’d better stall the digger
Got another jewel for my June trip to Ireland with a ticket to Kilmainham. I celebrated with an Irish friend over a couple Kilkenny. His is filling me with all the places to see I have not yet been to. He(Richard Meagher) always mentions you with the names of Liam Flynn, Georgie Mazor and Wednesdays at Dowlings, I think it was around ’66 ’67. I look forward to my trip and see you in Castlebar.
Take care Brendan
Christy's reply
Liam Óg O’Flynn sadly departed 5 years back….
those Wednesday nights in Pat Dowlings still ring out in distant memory…
very few left from those days of simple pleasure
Christy i was singing in the rain this morning when mucking out the fellas’ stables, great to see the splashing puddles back.
Anyway i adore ‘where i come from’ both your brother’s song and your album.
I have also been listening a lot to Seamus Heaney read his poetry, beautiful.
What symmetry between ‘once i carried him milk in a bottle, corked sloppily with paper’ to run with ‘bridie’s coming down the meadow with the billy-cans of tea’.
Rory
Christy's reply
I met the good man 3 times…in 1972 when he read at a concert in St.Columbs Hall, Derry..Planxty also played….later at a gathering for Lester Conner in Dalkey, and finally at the IMC Cinema in Dun laoghaire not long before he died….a great man of our times….always engaging and enlightening….a true Son of Bellaghy, of Ireland, of Mother Earth….he always had a beautiful smile
It was such a great evening of music song and laughter in the Slieve Russell on Thursday….. privileged to be in that room , to hear you sing Black is the Colour for the Imlach clan ….
Thanks also to the “Crew ” who made the whole experience so special. The Brady Slieve Russell is one of the magical venues for your shows.
May is a month of big birthdays…… thanks again for all that you do.
Marty and Ger
…….. Life is an Ocean…..
Christy's reply
I swear…I saw Seanie’s Chandeliers swaying on Thu night….POOR man has departed in ignominy but, thankfully, the Bradys have kept the room open for Ballad Sessions…the staff there are always accomodating and welcoming….I got a Birthday fruit platter that will last me til next year….it was a great night…thanks to You, Ger, Hilary ,Kevin and all the good 4711ers for the great atmosphere you help nourish as we all travel around the Island….having The Imlach’s in from Scotland (and Norway) made it very special for me….its 58 years since Hamish invited me into their home in Lanarkshire….
Many Congratulations Christy and the team behind the Boy in the Wild video on winning the Shark Awards in London. So well deserved, maybe you need to make more videos?? Only 2 in your long career !! https://www.facebook.com/share/1Bb5NK8XTU/
The song carries such an important message, it was a great gift to you from Wally. GRMMA, beir bua agus beannacht. H
Christy's reply
Great recognition for Ellius Grace who directed and created, for Mark Richardson of Claddagh who brought it together, for (the late) Wally Page who wrote and shared this beautiful song….I’ve been gifted it to sing, (I did add a few lines)….its pure privilege to be part of this collective…How Wally would have enjoyed the splendour of it all….I feel him close by these nights… when “Boy in The Wild”, “Smoke & Strong Whiskey” are resounding, I sense the warmth of his smile…..
A room full of good singers of a Thursday night, where would you get it!? Always a joy to watch how you weave through the songs, carrying the room as you go. Thanks for another great gig..
Christy's reply
The Grassy Hill….
has always been a great location ….going back across the years…never had a bad night…Tierworker, Dún an Rí, Lavey, Belturbet,Cootehill,Ballinagh, Cavan Town, Virginia,never a bad night…my Bodhrán disappeared one night up there… but a week later I acquired a vastly superior drum…twas a blessing in disguise….
The version from “Live in Dublin” ’78 Christy, with Donal and Jimmy running amok up the dusty end. I suppose it’s like a lot of songs, you’re favourite version can end up being the one you hear 1st and it just strikes a chord with you! I’d heard the version on “Whatever Tickles Your Fancy” 1st and for that reason when I hear any version of it “Trip to Roscoff” always kick in in my mind at the end! Gas the way certain songs / tunes can stay indelibly imprinted in your brain.
Out of interest from the “Live in Dublin” album Christy, all the songs were recorded from gigs in The Meeting Place, Pat Dowlings, Trinity College, and The Grapevine Arts Centre. I don’t suppose those amazing powers of recall of yours can put a venue to each song on that album? Probably a question too far!
Christy's reply
Back then we moved around in a fog…hard to know where we were or what we were doing…Jimmy no longer with us,Donal recovering from illness, Nicky out there somewhere weaving the magic sounds, I was up on the grassy hill last night, big ballad lounge at Brady’s Slieve Russell…..
everything clearer since we left the fog
Evening Christy
Last friday and saturday the Borders Clan had fabulous times against our friends Sundays Well Rebels on Musgrave Park.
Today i was listening to the Where i come from and heard the line again about Musgrave Park hospital ( in the North of Ireland)…..like a fox he went to ground and kept the dogs of war at bay.
Rory
Christy's reply
“here comes Don O’Leary, on the road to Sunday’s Well
Up to The Cork Life Centre, to ring the morning bell”
I see Paul Weller has a new album coming out Christy, all covers of some of his all time favourite songs. “One Last Cold Kiss” has made the cut and he says his version is based on your version! Looking forward to that!
Mrs Gipp is particularly excited, she’s always been a huge fan of his since Jam days, and always been a bit of a fan meself. Says she! “Me most favourite Christy song ever being covered by Paul Weller, jaysus!, I hope he does it justice, it’s a big call, Christys version is a hard act to follow!”
Christy's reply
which version does Mrs Gipp favour…I think Ive recorded it a few times
And so another trip to hear the songs and music under the chandeliers beckons once again.
We might have to suss out the Cavan lads training while we’re in the vicinity since they turned over Mayo in fine style last weekend…. we will be looking for a good tree to climb !!!
I see too that a new bridge over the Shannon opens today from Killaloe to Ballina…. Tipp to Clare…. bringing back great memories of your show there a few years back and thinking too of the Scarriff Martyrs and their murder on the old bridge.
Christy's reply
“they hackled them both hands and feet
with twines they could not break
and brought them down to Killaloe
by steamer on the lake
without clergy judge or jury
on the Bridge they shot them down
and their blood flowed with The Shannon
convenient to the town”
By Manchester Cathedral…a silence in ‘The Glade of Light ‘ memorial…remembering the 22 people killed and many others scarred by the Arena bomb…this day in 2017.
A sea of flowers and family groups…sobering sights.
Hello Christy,
Looking forward to hearing your new album. Are there any details yet?
Also watching out for gigs appearing for after 18th October. That’s the date I retire. I’ll be 55 and it’s time for me to do some silly things with my life. I’ve worked and worked. Now for some playing! We’ll be buzzing across the water to the land of green magic to celebrate and hopefully catch one or two of your gigs as you mosey on round the country.
Talking of moseying, I’m taking Billy Gray and Aengus to the folk club tonight. Steve will play the guitar. The tall man from the badlands wasn’t the only one to give Billy a good murdering yesterday. Thank goodness it’s impossible to sound bad on the harp! I’m working out an accompaniment for the May Morning Dew.
Rebecca
the recent recording has been towards Claddagh’s plan to release an extended version of “A Terrible Beauty” in the Autumn….there will be four extra tracks…
beyond that I have various ideas that might lead to a new album, nothing definite yet…
good luck with Billy and Aengus tonight
Hi Christy,
We are planning a trip from Newfoundland, Canada to see you in concert. We would like to travel in September 2026. When will you post your gigs for that time period?
Annette
sorry Annette….we are not planning that far ahead
lá breithe shona duit
Hi Christy.
Just been listening to “Masters of their Craft”…Beautiful rendition of “Boy in the Wild”, with fabulous accompaniment by Gavin. The album is really one for the ages.
Ride on.
Patsy
keep coming back Patsy
As I’ve said before Christy, if it’s Barrowlands I’ll drive you there myself, and then off to paradise to see the Bhoys.
dont forget the Ghirls
Hi Christy,
I’m currently reading “The Connelly Column,” having been inspired to buy it by “viva La Quinta Brigada”, one of my favourite songs ever! It’s a great read, not just for the accounts of the Spanish Civil War, but it’s also full of interesting information about Irish history in the early 20th century. Thank you for that.
Is there any chance of you playing a gig in Glasgow at any time in the near future?
if ever I go out foreign again…Barrowland will be top of the list
I see Mr Wotton has called it a day with B Sky B…word has it he is going to study history in Trinity.. old chap..
we’ll have to watch out for him..I have spies in Trinity
Just arrived here and I read about Pat Dowling’s of Prosperous! RIP Pat was a great Irish trad music supporter. We are now living in Clare 48 years. Hard to believe!!
BE THE HONEY Dabra , never read a more welcome post than yours….we sure lived our early years at a great time…such great memories….Jack & Myra, Pat’s generosity to us all, Paddy Kenny fancying Emmet Spiceland, Jim Casey and The Roadstone Cowboy, Mickey Carroll’s masterful whistle playing, young lovers on The Mailboat…Stephen’s Cheeseget shortshrift froma mucksavage balladeer, Muskets on the train, The Grehan’s in Willesden Junction, wrestling in the gravel,Jake’s at Dawn,PuckFair, Boyle, dossin in your caravan in The Haggert,The Bagnall Brothers sunning turf into the City…the laughs,Andrew on The Vespa, Duchess on the back,Mick Curran’s Bedford, Frank Lunny’s Clarke’s whistle, Pat chasing bouncey cheques in Tulsk,….I’d better stall the digger
Got another jewel for my June trip to Ireland with a ticket to Kilmainham. I celebrated with an Irish friend over a couple Kilkenny. His is filling me with all the places to see I have not yet been to. He(Richard Meagher) always mentions you with the names of Liam Flynn, Georgie Mazor and Wednesdays at Dowlings, I think it was around ’66 ’67. I look forward to my trip and see you in Castlebar.
Take care Brendan
Liam Óg O’Flynn sadly departed 5 years back….
those Wednesday nights in Pat Dowlings still ring out in distant memory…
very few left from those days of simple pleasure
Christy i was singing in the rain this morning when mucking out the fellas’ stables, great to see the splashing puddles back.
Anyway i adore ‘where i come from’ both your brother’s song and your album.
I have also been listening a lot to Seamus Heaney read his poetry, beautiful.
What symmetry between ‘once i carried him milk in a bottle, corked sloppily with paper’ to run with ‘bridie’s coming down the meadow with the billy-cans of tea’.
Rory
I met the good man 3 times…in 1972 when he read at a concert in St.Columbs Hall, Derry..Planxty also played….later at a gathering for Lester Conner in Dalkey, and finally at the IMC Cinema in Dun laoghaire not long before he died….a great man of our times….always engaging and enlightening….a true Son of Bellaghy, of Ireland, of Mother Earth….he always had a beautiful smile
It was such a great evening of music song and laughter in the Slieve Russell on Thursday….. privileged to be in that room , to hear you sing Black is the Colour for the Imlach clan ….
Thanks also to the “Crew ” who made the whole experience so special. The Brady Slieve Russell is one of the magical venues for your shows.
May is a month of big birthdays…… thanks again for all that you do.
Marty and Ger
…….. Life is an Ocean…..
I swear…I saw Seanie’s Chandeliers swaying on Thu night….POOR man has departed in ignominy but, thankfully, the Bradys have kept the room open for Ballad Sessions…the staff there are always accomodating and welcoming….I got a Birthday fruit platter that will last me til next year….it was a great night…thanks to You, Ger, Hilary ,Kevin and all the good 4711ers for the great atmosphere you help nourish as we all travel around the Island….having The Imlach’s in from Scotland (and Norway) made it very special for me….its 58 years since Hamish invited me into their home in Lanarkshire….
Accompanying the tango on the spoons…?
time for a slow air on the Bodhrán
Many Congratulations Christy and the team behind the Boy in the Wild video on winning the Shark Awards in London. So well deserved, maybe you need to make more videos?? Only 2 in your long career !! https://www.facebook.com/share/1Bb5NK8XTU/
The song carries such an important message, it was a great gift to you from Wally. GRMMA, beir bua agus beannacht. H
Great recognition for Ellius Grace who directed and created, for Mark Richardson of Claddagh who brought it together, for (the late) Wally Page who wrote and shared this beautiful song….I’ve been gifted it to sing, (I did add a few lines)….its pure privilege to be part of this collective…How Wally would have enjoyed the splendour of it all….I feel him close by these nights… when “Boy in The Wild”, “Smoke & Strong Whiskey” are resounding, I sense the warmth of his smile…..
I hope the mucker who had/has it played/plays it! Getting very tense here.. pardon the pun..
last I heard she was playing slow airs on it at the Ulster fleadh
A room full of good singers of a Thursday night, where would you get it!? Always a joy to watch how you weave through the songs, carrying the room as you go. Thanks for another great gig..
The Grassy Hill….
has always been a great location ….going back across the years…never had a bad night…Tierworker, Dún an Rí, Lavey, Belturbet,Cootehill,Ballinagh, Cavan Town, Virginia,never a bad night…my Bodhrán disappeared one night up there… but a week later I acquired a vastly superior drum…twas a blessing in disguise….
The version from “Live in Dublin” ’78 Christy, with Donal and Jimmy running amok up the dusty end. I suppose it’s like a lot of songs, you’re favourite version can end up being the one you hear 1st and it just strikes a chord with you! I’d heard the version on “Whatever Tickles Your Fancy” 1st and for that reason when I hear any version of it “Trip to Roscoff” always kick in in my mind at the end! Gas the way certain songs / tunes can stay indelibly imprinted in your brain.
Out of interest from the “Live in Dublin” album Christy, all the songs were recorded from gigs in The Meeting Place, Pat Dowlings, Trinity College, and The Grapevine Arts Centre. I don’t suppose those amazing powers of recall of yours can put a venue to each song on that album? Probably a question too far!
Back then we moved around in a fog…hard to know where we were or what we were doing…Jimmy no longer with us,Donal recovering from illness, Nicky out there somewhere weaving the magic sounds, I was up on the grassy hill last night, big ballad lounge at Brady’s Slieve Russell…..
everything clearer since we left the fog
Evening Christy
Last friday and saturday the Borders Clan had fabulous times against our friends Sundays Well Rebels on Musgrave Park.
Today i was listening to the Where i come from and heard the line again about Musgrave Park hospital ( in the North of Ireland)…..like a fox he went to ground and kept the dogs of war at bay.
Rory
“here comes Don O’Leary, on the road to Sunday’s Well
Up to The Cork Life Centre, to ring the morning bell”
I see Paul Weller has a new album coming out Christy, all covers of some of his all time favourite songs. “One Last Cold Kiss” has made the cut and he says his version is based on your version! Looking forward to that!
Mrs Gipp is particularly excited, she’s always been a huge fan of his since Jam days, and always been a bit of a fan meself. Says she! “Me most favourite Christy song ever being covered by Paul Weller, jaysus!, I hope he does it justice, it’s a big call, Christys version is a hard act to follow!”
which version does Mrs Gipp favour…I think Ive recorded it a few times
And so another trip to hear the songs and music under the chandeliers beckons once again.
We might have to suss out the Cavan lads training while we’re in the vicinity since they turned over Mayo in fine style last weekend…. we will be looking for a good tree to climb !!!
I see too that a new bridge over the Shannon opens today from Killaloe to Ballina…. Tipp to Clare…. bringing back great memories of your show there a few years back and thinking too of the Scarriff Martyrs and their murder on the old bridge.
“they hackled them both hands and feet
with twines they could not break
and brought them down to Killaloe
by steamer on the lake
without clergy judge or jury
on the Bridge they shot them down
and their blood flowed with The Shannon
convenient to the town”
Young McMahon and Rogers, Brave Egan and Kildea….
Hi Christy
By Manchester Cathedral…a silence in ‘The Glade of Light ‘ memorial…remembering the 22 people killed and many others scarred by the Arena bomb…this day in 2017.
A sea of flowers and family groups…sobering sights.
RIP
Dave.
Thanks for sharing Dave….