G’day all:
Andy Irvine is playing a gig here soon…worth a look see & listen?
Might be a good night out…
-seeing how the miles stretch between Oz & Eire…the closest thing to Ireland might be a travelling troubadour
Hope youse are all fine & dandy
Still love those playlists Christy
I’ll sneak in a song or two next week on air (wink wink nudge nudge)
Go well comrades
Danny Harris
Christy's reply
Andy Irvine’s gig always worth a visit….he has never faltered..a true Knight of The Road
Hi Christy,
Sounds like some gig on the Monday.
Some set list for sure.
Martin came down and whispered Spancil Hill,
Fairytale for Shane RIP
Little Musgrave, Companeros …
I’ll have to see if the lads selling bootlegs on the bridge
have a copy next time I’m in the capital.
Do you remember them ?
And Pat sitting on a crate in Westmoreland Street
selling his ould bukes.
His partner Vivienne put together a collection of
Pat’s poems which describe life on the streets of Dublin.
Out of the blue … pink it’s called.
And a fine collection it is.
I’ll leave you with this …
DUBLIN AS SHE EVER WAS
I was hauling my load home along Westmoreland Street
when a young guy in a builder’s hat came up alongside,
clutching a heavy bag of cement.
He cast an eye over my trolley.
“Are you going’ down as far as O’Connell Street Pah ?”
Two chances son.
Two chances.
Folks could a lot worse than open a copy this Christmas
Just saying like.
Tabhair Aire
Bourkey
Christy's reply
Indeed and I used to purchase the hot cassettes on O’Connell Bridge..loved the individual sleeves…. I have a nice wee collection somewhere..must dig them out and send them into the Archive….if memory serves they used to be a £1 out of a battered suitcase
on a separate issue…did ye have “Dannos” or “Sergeants” in Galway ? or did ye settle for the “Large Bottle” ?
Christy, I was at the Monday night gig and one of the big take away things for me was that very special version of Spancil hill. Heard the song at your gigs many times, but there was a beautiful connection with the crowd on Monday, GRMA
Christy's reply
I’ve been singing Spancilhill on and off for 60 years….written by Michael Considine of that parish…in 1873 he died tragically in California aged 23….but not before he sent this beautiful song back to his Family in East Clare…
my version is not complete..but some nights, when the air is right, Michael’s song will still the night….years back, in Barrowland ,Glasgow, It felt like Michael was in the room beside me….
I first heard Spancilhill at the foot of The Windy Hill in Tulla County Clare…One Sunday Night in 1964…a lock-in in John Minogue’s Hotel…the same week I heard “The Bridge of Killaloe” (AKA The Scariff Martyrs) in Teddy Murphy’s Kitchen…his Mother sang it for me.. as a young girl she had attended the Funerals of McMahon, Rogers, Egan and Kildea….no tape recorders then…I had to memorise her melody as best I could….Mrs Murphy wrote the verses for me
re Full Forward
I wore a number 14 jersey myself…way way back in 1959 … the Patrician Brothers NS team from Newbridge won the U14 Schools County Final… We beat Caragh NS in the final which was played in Naas….three players from that team went on to play Senior for Kildare….Tom “Rubber” Keogh, Shay “Quinner” Cash and Liam Casey….we were coached by Brother Alphonsus who was ably assisted by Brother Aiden…I did not score in the final but was described as “burly” in the following week’s Leinster Leader…my granny said to me ” Son, a paper will never refuse ink”..she’d never let you get ahead of yourself
Viva BBC recordings…in sessions and concert,Dick Gaughan never sounded better. http://www.dickgaughan.com is a site under development. It has lots of info about releases etc
After the stroke,Dick has impaired vision and can no longer play guitar…so.even more poignant and important that his recorded music is heard…’Raglan Road’ has been on repeat for several plays…
Many, many moons ago, I wrote to you as a child; I sent you a poem entitled “Shining Things” and sent you hand-written gig reviews, and in return you very kindly wrote back to me and even sent me a notebook as a birthday gift. You dedicated the song “The Reel in the Flickering Light” to me on more than one occasion when I came to see you play, and always something for my mother, Helen Buckley, too.
These are memories I will forever cherish! Since then, there have been many sequels written to the original ‘Shining Things’, and I have written and released songs of my own – I still have the same Tanglewood guitar as when I first wrote to you, and my fingers did indeed harden as I learnt to play as you said they would.
On Monday 15th, I am flying out to your Vicar Street gig, and I cannot wait to relive all these memories to the music that has soundtracked my life! Feicfidh mé go luath thú, mo chara 💓
I had the enormous pleasure last night of seeing you play at Vicar St. for the 5th time over the last few winters. Safe to say that Ireland’s sons and daughters came to sport and to kill…. Congratulations on a gig and setlist that absolutely raised the roof – so many seldom heard tracks for special reasons and guests. Absolutely a show for the books
Fair play to you,
Oscar
Christy's reply
it was a glorious gathering…it felt like all the elements aligned…the generous audience created a perfect atmosphere, the songs so well recieved, every chorus (and verses) sung with joy and gusto from the start, the silence that descended for certain songs was astonishing, betimes I felt that certain songs were singing themselves…Little Musgrave, Sweet Thames, Butterfly ( So Much Wine), Magdalen Laundry,Black & Amber come floating back as I recall the night we had…
Its been a long long tour… commenced in “The Old House at Home”, Blakeley, Manchester in the Autumn of 1966….last Monday night on Thomas Street was as good a gig as any ….maybe even better….I thank Ye, One & All
I am attending your show on the 15th of December. Wondering if you could possibly give Emily Noonan a shoutout if you are playing Beewing. She’s home from Sydney for Christmas always attends your show.
Thank you
Marie
Christy's reply
We’ll do our best…..
so many requests for next Monday,
Hello,
My name is Sean, I will be attending the gig on 15th Dec 2025 in Vicar Street with my friend Kevin and was wondering if I could please request a song?
We lost a good friend during the year, his name was Indian Joe Irvine from Belfast and he was a huge fan, we would always go to Joes house on Christmas morning and listen to the live at the point album to get the festivities started. Will miss it this year.
His favorite song was So Do I so could I please request this one?
It would mean a lot.
Thanks
Christy's reply
Thanks Sean…
Sorry to read about the loss of your good friend…
that lovely song has fallen from the working repertoire
last time I sang it was with the author, the late Wally Page, about 20 years ago,
I doubt that I’ll have time to revive it before next Monday…regrets
Hi Christy,
Thanks very much for playing bright blue rose last night. It was an unbelievable gig. Last night was my 35th gig of yours and I think it was the best of the lot! A real treat to hear little musgrave too, a great selection of songs the whole night. Looking forward already to another vicar st gig in the new year and then the concert hall in April.
Thanks again,
Patrick.
Christy's reply
Patrick..
Thanks for feed back
last night was the longest gig of the year ( with one left to go !)
we ran for I hour 55 minutes
I was ready for strong tea at the close of play
set:
Chicago
Quinte Brigada
How Long
Black & Amber
Lingo Politico
Shovel ( Segment)
Butterfly ( so much wine)
McIlhatton
Natives
Big Marquee
Johnny Boy
Ride On
Little Musgrave
Stitch in Time
DTs
Sweet Thames
Companeros
Magdalen laundry
Ringing The Bell
Bright Blue Rose
Lisdoonvarna
Lemon 7s
Smoke & Whiskey
Stardust
Fairy Tale New York
Spancilhill
Joxer
Beeswing
Back Home in Derry
for those interested … a variation of 9 songs on last weeks set
John o dreams packed in c five…he was sodden and windswept…
Fair play to you for the epic gig…from a sea away,the buzz is palpable.lucky are the punters who witness such duende’.
Yesterday’s,charity shop find was Cathie Ryan…a Shanachie gem…from the 1990s. I’m hoping that young Mr Gaughan hasn’t been washed away…he’s on his way here via BBC and a talking elephant.
Take it easy,today
Dave
Christy's reply
Morra Dave…please expand on the opening sentence…cant figure it out…
Hi Christy,
What a night in Vicar Street. You are the gift that keeps on giving. Massive atmosphere in the room with many highlights and surprises along what I think may have been the longest Gig in the run. To hear “ Little Musgrave” again was absolutely my highlight, brought me way back to those Planxty days.
Thank you Christy, roll on next week.
Best regards
Ride on.
Patsy.
Christy's reply
the auld head still buzzin Patsy
you’re right
twas the longest for yonks
Musgrave togged off and Butterfly flew in on the wynde
I had some in-ear issues towards the end
the sweat playin havoc with the hearing device
but fuck it.. we just kept goin,
that was an awesome singin audience last night
I’m a bit stiff and sore this morn
like as if I did 15 scrums against Cian Healy
but I’m still purrin from last nights fun
hope all well on the wide boulevard
Thank you so much for playing Bright Blue Rose for Patrick. It was fantastic. I have been enjoying your gigs since the late 70s and have to say tonight’s was special … probably the best ever. Thank you.
Christy's reply
such a precious song from Jimmy Mack
Bright blue Rose, The Contender, Ride On, Missing you, Ancient Rain, Néidín, Pyramids of Sneem, to name a few…
what a legacy of verse he has created
Hi Christy, I have seen recently the film”the voice of Hind Rajab”. It was a haunting experience! I think everyone should see this film to feel for themselves what it is like to be prevented by circumstances from helping a 6 years old child in need. You can hear the audio recording of Hind’s real voice, where the fear resonates. The film is nominated for a golden globe.
Christy, do you remember I mentioned the film “soundtrack to a coup d’etat”? That one has won la rose d’or,
Kind regards, Moeke
Christy's reply
I do remember the “Coup’ movie
I’ll be lookin out for Hind Rajab
Thank You Moeke
Christy ! Thank you for an amazing gig tonight! The set was amazing and to top it off the last song dedicated to us all the way from Perth heading up to Derry for Christmas! Loved it! The you lad and wife were over the moon ! Thanks again! Your a legend
Outstanding Performance again tonight Christy, fair play to you, two hours flew by, could’ve done with two more, but as the friendly fella selling the merch pointed out, even my tshirt was from a tour 30 years ago, we’re not getting any younger, despite the five hour flight delay from Liverpool this morning it was well worth it, can’t wait for Cork in June,
Christy's reply
5 hours from the John Lennon Andy, and the poor man 40 years gone…
“McKenzies Soul lies above the ground
in that Pyramid near Maryland”…………….( Prowsie)
G’day all:
Andy Irvine is playing a gig here soon…worth a look see & listen?
Might be a good night out…
-seeing how the miles stretch between Oz & Eire…the closest thing to Ireland might be a travelling troubadour
Hope youse are all fine & dandy
Still love those playlists Christy
I’ll sneak in a song or two next week on air (wink wink nudge nudge)
Go well comrades
Danny Harris
Andy Irvine’s gig always worth a visit….he has never faltered..a true Knight of The Road
Hi Christy,
Sounds like some gig on the Monday.
Some set list for sure.
Martin came down and whispered Spancil Hill,
Fairytale for Shane RIP
Little Musgrave, Companeros …
I’ll have to see if the lads selling bootlegs on the bridge
have a copy next time I’m in the capital.
Do you remember them ?
And Pat sitting on a crate in Westmoreland Street
selling his ould bukes.
His partner Vivienne put together a collection of
Pat’s poems which describe life on the streets of Dublin.
Out of the blue … pink it’s called.
And a fine collection it is.
I’ll leave you with this …
DUBLIN AS SHE EVER WAS
I was hauling my load home along Westmoreland Street
when a young guy in a builder’s hat came up alongside,
clutching a heavy bag of cement.
He cast an eye over my trolley.
“Are you going’ down as far as O’Connell Street Pah ?”
Two chances son.
Two chances.
Folks could a lot worse than open a copy this Christmas
Just saying like.
Tabhair Aire
Bourkey
Indeed and I used to purchase the hot cassettes on O’Connell Bridge..loved the individual sleeves…. I have a nice wee collection somewhere..must dig them out and send them into the Archive….if memory serves they used to be a £1 out of a battered suitcase
on a separate issue…did ye have “Dannos” or “Sergeants” in Galway ? or did ye settle for the “Large Bottle” ?
Christy, I was at the Monday night gig and one of the big take away things for me was that very special version of Spancil hill. Heard the song at your gigs many times, but there was a beautiful connection with the crowd on Monday, GRMA
I’ve been singing Spancilhill on and off for 60 years….written by Michael Considine of that parish…in 1873 he died tragically in California aged 23….but not before he sent this beautiful song back to his Family in East Clare…
my version is not complete..but some nights, when the air is right, Michael’s song will still the night….years back, in Barrowland ,Glasgow, It felt like Michael was in the room beside me….
I first heard Spancilhill at the foot of The Windy Hill in Tulla County Clare…One Sunday Night in 1964…a lock-in in John Minogue’s Hotel…the same week I heard “The Bridge of Killaloe” (AKA The Scariff Martyrs) in Teddy Murphy’s Kitchen…his Mother sang it for me.. as a young girl she had attended the Funerals of McMahon, Rogers, Egan and Kildea….no tape recorders then…I had to memorise her melody as best I could….Mrs Murphy wrote the verses for me
re Full Forward
I wore a number 14 jersey myself…way way back in 1959 … the Patrician Brothers NS team from Newbridge won the U14 Schools County Final… We beat Caragh NS in the final which was played in Naas….three players from that team went on to play Senior for Kildare….Tom “Rubber” Keogh, Shay “Quinner” Cash and Liam Casey….we were coached by Brother Alphonsus who was ably assisted by Brother Aiden…I did not score in the final but was described as “burly” in the following week’s Leinster Leader…my granny said to me ” Son, a paper will never refuse ink”..she’d never let you get ahead of yourself
Dave, taking about being glued to books I read a fascinating book once titled “The History Of Adhesives” Once I picked it up, I couldn’t put it down.
stick with the songs lads
Hi Christy
I’ve just been in a bookshop…stood by shelves,glued to a book…didn’t buy it,but it’s now on ‘the list’…
A terrific read,of interest to many here,I’m sure…
‘ The folk singers and the Bureau’…Guthrie,Seeger,Houston et al vs Uncle Sam’s persecutors…
Dave
“This Machine Kills Fascists”
Hi Christy
Viva BBC recordings…in sessions and concert,Dick Gaughan never sounded better.
http://www.dickgaughan.com is a site under development. It has lots of info about releases etc
After the stroke,Dick has impaired vision and can no longer play guitar…so.even more poignant and important that his recorded music is heard…’Raglan Road’ has been on repeat for several plays…
Dave
Dick’s songs are Love Songs
(You may have formerly known me by my full name, Tallulah!)
I remember Tallulah….I think it was in Brighton …
Christy,
Many, many moons ago, I wrote to you as a child; I sent you a poem entitled “Shining Things” and sent you hand-written gig reviews, and in return you very kindly wrote back to me and even sent me a notebook as a birthday gift. You dedicated the song “The Reel in the Flickering Light” to me on more than one occasion when I came to see you play, and always something for my mother, Helen Buckley, too.
These are memories I will forever cherish! Since then, there have been many sequels written to the original ‘Shining Things’, and I have written and released songs of my own – I still have the same Tanglewood guitar as when I first wrote to you, and my fingers did indeed harden as I learnt to play as you said they would.
On Monday 15th, I am flying out to your Vicar Street gig, and I cannot wait to relive all these memories to the music that has soundtracked my life! Feicfidh mé go luath thú, mo chara 💓
Safe travels Tallulah……
“Round We Go…Heel to Toe”
Hello Christy,
I had the enormous pleasure last night of seeing you play at Vicar St. for the 5th time over the last few winters. Safe to say that Ireland’s sons and daughters came to sport and to kill…. Congratulations on a gig and setlist that absolutely raised the roof – so many seldom heard tracks for special reasons and guests. Absolutely a show for the books
Fair play to you,
Oscar
it was a glorious gathering…it felt like all the elements aligned…the generous audience created a perfect atmosphere, the songs so well recieved, every chorus (and verses) sung with joy and gusto from the start, the silence that descended for certain songs was astonishing, betimes I felt that certain songs were singing themselves…Little Musgrave, Sweet Thames, Butterfly ( So Much Wine), Magdalen Laundry,Black & Amber come floating back as I recall the night we had…
Its been a long long tour… commenced in “The Old House at Home”, Blakeley, Manchester in the Autumn of 1966….last Monday night on Thomas Street was as good a gig as any ….maybe even better….I thank Ye, One & All
Hi Christy
it was breakfast time prattling here…I’d had an early start after a stormy night!
Hope you had a good day after an ace gig
Dave
Hi Christy
I am attending your show on the 15th of December. Wondering if you could possibly give Emily Noonan a shoutout if you are playing Beewing. She’s home from Sydney for Christmas always attends your show.
Thank you
Marie
We’ll do our best…..
so many requests for next Monday,
Hello,
My name is Sean, I will be attending the gig on 15th Dec 2025 in Vicar Street with my friend Kevin and was wondering if I could please request a song?
We lost a good friend during the year, his name was Indian Joe Irvine from Belfast and he was a huge fan, we would always go to Joes house on Christmas morning and listen to the live at the point album to get the festivities started. Will miss it this year.
His favorite song was So Do I so could I please request this one?
It would mean a lot.
Thanks
Thanks Sean…
Sorry to read about the loss of your good friend…
that lovely song has fallen from the working repertoire
last time I sang it was with the author, the late Wally Page, about 20 years ago,
I doubt that I’ll have time to revive it before next Monday…regrets
Hi Christy,
Thanks very much for playing bright blue rose last night. It was an unbelievable gig. Last night was my 35th gig of yours and I think it was the best of the lot! A real treat to hear little musgrave too, a great selection of songs the whole night. Looking forward already to another vicar st gig in the new year and then the concert hall in April.
Thanks again,
Patrick.
Patrick..
Thanks for feed back
last night was the longest gig of the year ( with one left to go !)
we ran for I hour 55 minutes
I was ready for strong tea at the close of play
set:
Chicago
Quinte Brigada
How Long
Black & Amber
Lingo Politico
Shovel ( Segment)
Butterfly ( so much wine)
McIlhatton
Natives
Big Marquee
Johnny Boy
Ride On
Little Musgrave
Stitch in Time
DTs
Sweet Thames
Companeros
Magdalen laundry
Ringing The Bell
Bright Blue Rose
Lisdoonvarna
Lemon 7s
Smoke & Whiskey
Stardust
Fairy Tale New York
Spancilhill
Joxer
Beeswing
Back Home in Derry
for those interested … a variation of 9 songs on last weeks set
Hi Christy
John o dreams packed in c five…he was sodden and windswept…
Fair play to you for the epic gig…from a sea away,the buzz is palpable.lucky are the punters who witness such duende’.
Yesterday’s,charity shop find was Cathie Ryan…a Shanachie gem…from the 1990s. I’m hoping that young Mr Gaughan hasn’t been washed away…he’s on his way here via BBC and a talking elephant.
Take it easy,today
Dave
Morra Dave…please expand on the opening sentence…cant figure it out…
Hi Christy,
What a night in Vicar Street. You are the gift that keeps on giving. Massive atmosphere in the room with many highlights and surprises along what I think may have been the longest Gig in the run. To hear “ Little Musgrave” again was absolutely my highlight, brought me way back to those Planxty days.
Thank you Christy, roll on next week.
Best regards
Ride on.
Patsy.
the auld head still buzzin Patsy
you’re right
twas the longest for yonks
Musgrave togged off and Butterfly flew in on the wynde
I had some in-ear issues towards the end
the sweat playin havoc with the hearing device
but fuck it.. we just kept goin,
that was an awesome singin audience last night
I’m a bit stiff and sore this morn
like as if I did 15 scrums against Cian Healy
but I’m still purrin from last nights fun
hope all well on the wide boulevard
Thank you so much for playing Bright Blue Rose for Patrick. It was fantastic. I have been enjoying your gigs since the late 70s and have to say tonight’s was special … probably the best ever. Thank you.
such a precious song from Jimmy Mack
Bright blue Rose, The Contender, Ride On, Missing you, Ancient Rain, Néidín, Pyramids of Sneem, to name a few…
what a legacy of verse he has created
Hi Christy, I have seen recently the film”the voice of Hind Rajab”. It was a haunting experience! I think everyone should see this film to feel for themselves what it is like to be prevented by circumstances from helping a 6 years old child in need. You can hear the audio recording of Hind’s real voice, where the fear resonates. The film is nominated for a golden globe.
Christy, do you remember I mentioned the film “soundtrack to a coup d’etat”? That one has won la rose d’or,
Kind regards, Moeke
I do remember the “Coup’ movie
I’ll be lookin out for Hind Rajab
Thank You Moeke
Christy ! Thank you for an amazing gig tonight! The set was amazing and to top it off the last song dedicated to us all the way from Perth heading up to Derry for Christmas! Loved it! The you lad and wife were over the moon ! Thanks again! Your a legend
Sound Bapski
Keep Comin Back
Outstanding Performance again tonight Christy, fair play to you, two hours flew by, could’ve done with two more, but as the friendly fella selling the merch pointed out, even my tshirt was from a tour 30 years ago, we’re not getting any younger, despite the five hour flight delay from Liverpool this morning it was well worth it, can’t wait for Cork in June,
5 hours from the John Lennon Andy, and the poor man 40 years gone…
“McKenzies Soul lies above the ground
in that Pyramid near Maryland”…………….( Prowsie)
Hi Christy,
John and Sally McNally from California are coming to your show tonight at the Vicar Street.
We’d love to hear, Michaelhatton!
GRMMA
You’ve come to the right gig Sally …welcome home