Fair play C this is certainly a noble call to action https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1ZKXV1fuzK/ We often feel powerless but we can use our voice and our keyboards. Beir bua agus beannacht. H
Hey Christy
Hawick london glasgow aberdeen kilmarnock kirkaldy aberdeen( again) berwick hawick, i feel like i should’ve become a roadie over the last 10 days.
Anyway thanks for the reply about London.
It reminded me that my tattooist still says that ‘anyone for the last few choc ices’ is the strangest thing he has ever tattooed, sheltered life i say. Rory
Great to read about a new release by masters at work…Frank Harte RIP,produced by Donal Lunny.
Many thanks to Dearbhla for sharing her heartwarming personal news…and for the clip of Miceal’s music…wow….brilliant to sing unaccompanied before smoothly playing guitar as well…great work! A lovely guitar…if Dearbhla has chance,I’m very curious to know the make of the instrument.
Hi Christy,
One year today since my brain surgery, and tonight Míceál performed ‘the Boys of Mullaghbawn’ for a heritage evening in Forkhill Church – the very one Squire Jackson himself built. Your song suggestion to him all those years ago has brought him to many places, but that has to be the most special. I thought you’d like to know. Not sure if this link works but I’ll try it anyway. Hoping to see you again very soon.
Dearbhla. https://share.icloud.com/photos/0e6GdtHr40ytLOD3MsA6SPmVg
Christy's reply
Thanks Dearbhla..so good to hear that you are well recovered…..well done Miceál…..congrats on a beautiful performance of “The Boys of Mullaghbawn” …you have put a lot of work into your finger picking on the guitar…
…fair play to Squire Jackson……a decent Landlord by all accounts….but I wonder… how did he acquire the land ?
Comhghairdeas a Christy and to all at Féile for your gig in St. Comghalls, in generous support of the Shankill and Falls Women’s groups – so proud to be from West Belfast.
So you know I was very pleased to receive a message from Heba’s sister.
Heading to Kilkenny tomorrow, for a family wedding, where it is reported that it is in Erin. Go well!
i wonder has Yoursell and Martin Egan got together for a song about the resurrection of Casey Casey . Hope youre keeping well and all set for the Gigs coming up.
Christy's reply
Martin departed some time back
I often think of him
He was a real “One -Off”
with further revealations about Casey it became inappropriate to have a humorous song about him…
I do retain one verse for the occasional rendition…a verse I added to Martin’s original verses
“when the poor auld pope came to Ireland
way back in that holy time
Bishop Casey and Father Cleary
served the mass and poured the wine
two jockey boys, they’d ride for Ireland
while preaching us morality
ah god love them, they’re only human
Annie Murphy might not agree”
Seen this wonderful addition on your website, and had to leave a comment.
Myself and my partner are big fans. I had tried to get tickets for three years and could never manage it…that was until my now partner asked me on a date to come and see yourself in Vicar Street in November of last year.
Best first date of my life, 10/10 man, 10/10 music. Thank you for that lovely memory Christy, we look forward to coming to see you again soon.
Reb.
Christy's reply
Vicar St coming around again
whats another year sez Johnny
lets have a singer in the park
…been facing up to a challenge, the last few days…but, remembered an old friend singing, “…the fox is now chasing the hounds,” . ..and everything shifted in an instant… God bless you, Christy…much love from Mikey x
Hello Christy,
Here we are in Bantry for the Masters of Tradition festival. It’s a bit of a trek from Yorkshire and Steve doesnt enjoy driving. But five minutes into the first concert and you could see it was all worth while.
First there was a reception to open the festival. Simon Harris turned up but didn’t make a speech. We met some lovely people from Minnesota. Old hands. It was good to listen to some like minded souls. I told her about my fall in Cork, still not completely recovered. She said that when we are going down the stairs we should go down the stairs. Wise woman.
The opening concert was mesmerising.
Martin Hayes fiddle,
Brian Donnellan bouzouki and concertina
Kate Ellis cello
and Nada Ní Chuirrín sean nos dancer.
The hour and a half took about 10 minutes.
I recorded the port na bpucai set. Steve has it in his head to learn it and he wants me to read the given note with it. I will try my best to do it justice… … …
Here is the set https://youtu.be/_xE1rusGTGE?si=sVVtip3b6nMpEKnf
Rebecca
Hi Christy, just saw a few clips from your gig at St Comgalls, I was chuffed to see the great charity and cause you gave your support to up in Belfast. I’ll be on the big bird flying across the pond tomorrow evening, Taylor and her boyfriend Matt are coming with me which is a great buzz, it’ll be Taylor’s first time seeing me perform at home and it’s giving me a great feeling to have her with me . This will be my 3rd year performing for the Doolin Motorcycle Festival in aid of Ovarian Cancer Foundation of Ireland and Marie’s Foundation . I will be auctioning one of the t-shirts you signed for me last year after my performance in the evening. I have a birthday present for you Git , I land in the banner county 22nd and back on the green bird 30th , I’ll miss Galway and the hanger not to mention “The pursuit of Farmer Micheal Hayes”. I’ll give ye a bell or leave it with Paddy. I just headlined the John Boyle O Reilly Feile last weekend, only took me 30 years but I’ve enjoyed the journey. I’ve the guitar oiled and tuned , , I’ve retired one bodhran after 26 years and the new goat comes from “Coopermanns in Vermont of all places. I’m unsettled until I hit the stage this Saturday, in all honesty my guitar gives me great peace and comfort, the songs are everything. Taylor is 23 now and I still remember you calling me in New Jersey when she was born, they grow up so fast, “little fingers holding in time old hands”. I’m off to practice and sister up with the Honda 50, it’s pissin rain tonight, Taylor’s packing the kitchen sink, chat soon, love Fin 💚🤗🙏🎶
Hello Christy an all,
Sometimes in this crazy oul world,
you have to listen to a bit of Half Man Half Biscuit and smile.
From Grafting Haddock in the George …
I am the godfather of nothing whatsoever.
Our Martin on the other hand thought he was the town cheese.
Purported to deal in short-term solutions for long-legged men.
He also liked the sound of his own voice.
He was at the Knowsley Safari park one day.
Where he saw a monkey with a banana in one hand
and a tin-opener in the other and shouted over:
“Hey, you don’t need the tin-opener for that !”
To which the monkey replied:
“It’s for the custard dickhead”
It was loft ladders what killed our Martin.
In other news Pat Ingoldsby’s book got crowdsurfed
or kickstarted. Another man who put the words in the right
order to make the people smile.
And sure isn’t that what it’s all about at the end of the day.
A belated message following Saturday’s Opera House gig – delayed by the travel back across the water! – but sending you the warmest and most sincere thanks for not only singing Boy in the Wild and The Voyage for Kit and Ellie, but for the time you took to interact with them. They were floating and after 3.5 brilliant weeks at home, their highlight of the whole trip was you.
They’ve been writing songs since and Kit has had his bodhrán out, interest renewed after watching you! His favourite song of the night was Ordinary Man and he now sings the line about forgetting lyrics!!
I want to give a special mention to Hilary and the rest of your crew, there’s always a welcome for the kids and they’re looked after so well. A wonderful shout out you gave them yourself.
Take care from the 4 of us here in the Midlands, and hopefully be home to see you again soon!
Hi Christy, any plans for concerts in UK
Long overdue
Christy's reply
I’m here in Belfast tonight ….
(some claim its in the UK…..)
no plans at the mo….
I see the Holyhead ferry every day,
great memories of thon Ned Colston Hall
have they changed the name yet ?
no plans for Blighty but lotsa longings
Christy, video’s of Féile Women singers too large to send via email. If you’d like to, check out You Tube for Ticking Boxes (featuring Damien Dempsey & Gabor Maté. Hope you got to see the murals. Had a great night in the Opera House for Imelda May’s powerful portrayal of Kathleen Kearney Behan
The circus continues as Knee Cap’s Liam Óg’s appears in Court aris! Free Palestine.
We are hosting a demo looking for justice for Harvey Sherratt who sadly passed away two weeks ago. Our event takes place this Saturday from 2pm we are marching from Garden of Remembrance down to the Custom House on the quays where we will have speakers and hopefully some music. It might be of interest. Thanks for reading our message Christy.
John’s music collection,curated by his nearest and dearest…
I started with the Record Box Project and was with Joe Boyd/Nick Drake,for ages. Hopefully,there’s a heap of good things for you and muckers here..
When Anne has time,I’d love to hear more after the gig with Richard Thompson…
Safe travels,Birgit…your take on Shrewsbury and Oysterband adieu,eagerly awaited.
Loving the take on keys and changes,Christy.. hours of fun with six strings and a capo!
Hello Christy,
“Them feet-folks from York and Leeds that be always eatin’ cured herrin’s an’ drinkin’ tea an’ lookin’ out to buy cheap jet would creed aught…”
Bram Stoker
I’m sitting here thinking about what you said about mood and keys.
Swapping from standard tuning to dadgad has meant I’ve had to change some of the keys I sing songs in. Lots more in D now… anyway, yes, I’ve noticed changes in the colour of songs (not sure how else to describe it). The biggest one has been Ride On. Somehow I’ve always struggled to pitch it. And before, when it was in E, it felt a kind of earthy brown. Now, in D, the mood has changed, it’s kind of feeling like a very dark blue. The mood has gone “gothic?”. It feels a lot easier to sing. I sang it for the Topic Zoomers and got some comments back saying it sounded different to how they’d heard it before. So they noticed too. Interesting stuff.
A change of key, a change of mood. I hope I get to hear the newly coloured Beeswing in G.
Fair play C this is certainly a noble call to action https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1ZKXV1fuzK/ We often feel powerless but we can use our voice and our keyboards. Beir bua agus beannacht. H
not sure what this is….I dont visit facebook
Hey Christy
Hawick london glasgow aberdeen kilmarnock kirkaldy aberdeen( again) berwick hawick, i feel like i should’ve become a roadie over the last 10 days.
Anyway thanks for the reply about London.
It reminded me that my tattooist still says that ‘anyone for the last few choc ices’ is the strangest thing he has ever tattooed, sheltered life i say. Rory
I’d love to see a photo
Hi Christy
Great to read about a new release by masters at work…Frank Harte RIP,produced by Donal Lunny.
Many thanks to Dearbhla for sharing her heartwarming personal news…and for the clip of Miceal’s music…wow….brilliant to sing unaccompanied before smoothly playing guitar as well…great work! A lovely guitar…if Dearbhla has chance,I’m very curious to know the make of the instrument.
Have a good day
Dave
I look forward to the new Frank Harte
Hi Christy,
One year today since my brain surgery, and tonight Míceál performed ‘the Boys of Mullaghbawn’ for a heritage evening in Forkhill Church – the very one Squire Jackson himself built. Your song suggestion to him all those years ago has brought him to many places, but that has to be the most special. I thought you’d like to know. Not sure if this link works but I’ll try it anyway. Hoping to see you again very soon.
Dearbhla.
https://share.icloud.com/photos/0e6GdtHr40ytLOD3MsA6SPmVg
Thanks Dearbhla..so good to hear that you are well recovered…..well done Miceál…..congrats on a beautiful performance of “The Boys of Mullaghbawn” …you have put a lot of work into your finger picking on the guitar…
…fair play to Squire Jackson……a decent Landlord by all accounts….but I wonder… how did he acquire the land ?
Comhghairdeas a Christy and to all at Féile for your gig in St. Comghalls, in generous support of the Shankill and Falls Women’s groups – so proud to be from West Belfast.
So you know I was very pleased to receive a message from Heba’s sister.
Heading to Kilkenny tomorrow, for a family wedding, where it is reported that it is in Erin. Go well!
Black & Amber …. coal as black as ink
i wonder has Yoursell and Martin Egan got together for a song about the resurrection of Casey Casey . Hope youre keeping well and all set for the Gigs coming up.
Martin departed some time back
I often think of him
He was a real “One -Off”
with further revealations about Casey it became inappropriate to have a humorous song about him…
I do retain one verse for the occasional rendition…a verse I added to Martin’s original verses
“when the poor auld pope came to Ireland
way back in that holy time
Bishop Casey and Father Cleary
served the mass and poured the wine
two jockey boys, they’d ride for Ireland
while preaching us morality
ah god love them, they’re only human
Annie Murphy might not agree”
Hi Christy..
Seen this wonderful addition on your website, and had to leave a comment.
Myself and my partner are big fans. I had tried to get tickets for three years and could never manage it…that was until my now partner asked me on a date to come and see yourself in Vicar Street in November of last year.
Best first date of my life, 10/10 man, 10/10 music. Thank you for that lovely memory Christy, we look forward to coming to see you again soon.
Reb.
Vicar St coming around again
whats another year sez Johnny
lets have a singer in the park
…been facing up to a challenge, the last few days…but, remembered an old friend singing, “…the fox is now chasing the hounds,” . ..and everything shifted in an instant… God bless you, Christy…much love from Mikey x
I’m pretty sure Yorkshire isn’t in England.
Hello Christy,
Here we are in Bantry for the Masters of Tradition festival. It’s a bit of a trek from Yorkshire and Steve doesnt enjoy driving. But five minutes into the first concert and you could see it was all worth while.
First there was a reception to open the festival. Simon Harris turned up but didn’t make a speech. We met some lovely people from Minnesota. Old hands. It was good to listen to some like minded souls. I told her about my fall in Cork, still not completely recovered. She said that when we are going down the stairs we should go down the stairs. Wise woman.
The opening concert was mesmerising.
Martin Hayes fiddle,
Brian Donnellan bouzouki and concertina
Kate Ellis cello
and Nada Ní Chuirrín sean nos dancer.
The hour and a half took about 10 minutes.
I recorded the port na bpucai set. Steve has it in his head to learn it and he wants me to read the given note with it. I will try my best to do it justice… … …
Here is the set
https://youtu.be/_xE1rusGTGE?si=sVVtip3b6nMpEKnf
Rebecca
Hi Christy, just saw a few clips from your gig at St Comgalls, I was chuffed to see the great charity and cause you gave your support to up in Belfast. I’ll be on the big bird flying across the pond tomorrow evening, Taylor and her boyfriend Matt are coming with me which is a great buzz, it’ll be Taylor’s first time seeing me perform at home and it’s giving me a great feeling to have her with me . This will be my 3rd year performing for the Doolin Motorcycle Festival in aid of Ovarian Cancer Foundation of Ireland and Marie’s Foundation . I will be auctioning one of the t-shirts you signed for me last year after my performance in the evening. I have a birthday present for you Git , I land in the banner county 22nd and back on the green bird 30th , I’ll miss Galway and the hanger not to mention “The pursuit of Farmer Micheal Hayes”. I’ll give ye a bell or leave it with Paddy. I just headlined the John Boyle O Reilly Feile last weekend, only took me 30 years but I’ve enjoyed the journey. I’ve the guitar oiled and tuned , , I’ve retired one bodhran after 26 years and the new goat comes from “Coopermanns in Vermont of all places. I’m unsettled until I hit the stage this Saturday, in all honesty my guitar gives me great peace and comfort, the songs are everything. Taylor is 23 now and I still remember you calling me in New Jersey when she was born, they grow up so fast, “little fingers holding in time old hands”. I’m off to practice and sister up with the Honda 50, it’s pissin rain tonight, Taylor’s packing the kitchen sink, chat soon, love Fin 💚🤗🙏🎶
Hello Christy an all,
Sometimes in this crazy oul world,
you have to listen to a bit of Half Man Half Biscuit and smile.
From Grafting Haddock in the George …
I am the godfather of nothing whatsoever.
Our Martin on the other hand thought he was the town cheese.
Purported to deal in short-term solutions for long-legged men.
He also liked the sound of his own voice.
He was at the Knowsley Safari park one day.
Where he saw a monkey with a banana in one hand
and a tin-opener in the other and shouted over:
“Hey, you don’t need the tin-opener for that !”
To which the monkey replied:
“It’s for the custard dickhead”
It was loft ladders what killed our Martin.
In other news Pat Ingoldsby’s book got crowdsurfed
or kickstarted. Another man who put the words in the right
order to make the people smile.
And sure isn’t that what it’s all about at the end of the day.
Tabhair Aire
Bourkey
Hello again Christy,
A belated message following Saturday’s Opera House gig – delayed by the travel back across the water! – but sending you the warmest and most sincere thanks for not only singing Boy in the Wild and The Voyage for Kit and Ellie, but for the time you took to interact with them. They were floating and after 3.5 brilliant weeks at home, their highlight of the whole trip was you.
They’ve been writing songs since and Kit has had his bodhrán out, interest renewed after watching you! His favourite song of the night was Ordinary Man and he now sings the line about forgetting lyrics!!
I want to give a special mention to Hilary and the rest of your crew, there’s always a welcome for the kids and they’re looked after so well. A wonderful shout out you gave them yourself.
Take care from the 4 of us here in the Midlands, and hopefully be home to see you again soon!
Hi Christy, any plans for concerts in UK
Long overdue
I’m here in Belfast tonight ….
(some claim its in the UK…..)
no plans at the mo….
I see the Holyhead ferry every day,
great memories of thon Ned Colston Hall
have they changed the name yet ?
no plans for Blighty but lotsa longings
Great spot Christy.
Christy, video’s of Féile Women singers too large to send via email. If you’d like to, check out You Tube for Ticking Boxes (featuring Damien Dempsey & Gabor Maté. Hope you got to see the murals. Had a great night in the Opera House for Imelda May’s powerful portrayal of Kathleen Kearney Behan
The circus continues as Knee Cap’s Liam Óg’s appears in Court aris! Free Palestine.
Thanks Mary…on the Road now…. in St Comgall’s
Hi Christy, it’s the Access For All gang here.
We are hosting a demo looking for justice for Harvey Sherratt who sadly passed away two weeks ago. Our event takes place this Saturday from 2pm we are marching from Garden of Remembrance down to the Custom House on the quays where we will have speakers and hopefully some music. It might be of interest. Thanks for reading our message Christy.
regrets Bernard…away at that time
Hi C. What a wonderful venue the Wexford Opera House is ? And what a great gig you did there ? Thanks. I ‘m sure those 3 young people under 10 years of age were thrilled with their dedications, a memory they and their families will remember forever. It’s also wonderful to see this new release from Woodiy https://www.hotpress.com/music/album-review-woody-guthrie-woody-at-home-vols-1-2-23102879?fbclid=IwQ0xDSwMRKDZjbGNrAxEoHWV4dG4DYWVtAjExAAEerxFyqgeNlgQRvbyi1XvM6-Ozp_3yCWA90KIGrP_5-EVBrQD9a7w-RoeAvjU_aem_abmTlYtCMikEGn2WnDbc-g It’s just 13 years ago next month since Arlo played in Dolans in Limerick and played some audio of Woody singing as part of the gig. Great memories also. Beir bua agus beannacht. H
Hi Christy
Cooling off and down some great rabbit holes…via http://www.johnpeelarchive.com
John’s music collection,curated by his nearest and dearest…
I started with the Record Box Project and was with Joe Boyd/Nick Drake,for ages. Hopefully,there’s a heap of good things for you and muckers here..
When Anne has time,I’d love to hear more after the gig with Richard Thompson…
Safe travels,Birgit…your take on Shrewsbury and Oysterband adieu,eagerly awaited.
Loving the take on keys and changes,Christy.. hours of fun with six strings and a capo!
Have a good day
Dave
Hello Christy,
“Them feet-folks from York and Leeds that be always eatin’ cured herrin’s an’ drinkin’ tea an’ lookin’ out to buy cheap jet would creed aught…”
Bram Stoker
I’m sitting here thinking about what you said about mood and keys.
Swapping from standard tuning to dadgad has meant I’ve had to change some of the keys I sing songs in. Lots more in D now… anyway, yes, I’ve noticed changes in the colour of songs (not sure how else to describe it). The biggest one has been Ride On. Somehow I’ve always struggled to pitch it. And before, when it was in E, it felt a kind of earthy brown. Now, in D, the mood has changed, it’s kind of feeling like a very dark blue. The mood has gone “gothic?”. It feels a lot easier to sing. I sang it for the Topic Zoomers and got some comments back saying it sounded different to how they’d heard it before. So they noticed too. Interesting stuff.
A change of key, a change of mood. I hope I get to hear the newly coloured Beeswing in G.
Rebecca