These treasure hunts lead to great places. I found myself watching Planxty performances from 1973 in the National Stadium. What a buzz that must have been. I’ll throw “Sweet Thames flow Softly” into the hat.. if you’re not in you can’t win..
Christy's reply
good try Kev….Gipp man buried it in the back of the net rapid
Hello, from a wet and windy middle of the Island. Maybe my hunch is wrong… is it “ only our rivers run free”.🤔.
Enjoy Limerick and have a lovely Easter.
Ride on.
Best regards
Patsy
I suppose it can only be one of three Christy? Out of those “Follow me up to Carlow” is the one I can hear most on “Prosperous”!
Christy's reply
Hey Gipp….you’re like a ferret down a rabbit hole… the competion is over , done and dusted, I’ll be in touch
I still recall the phone call from Bill telling me that Carlow had perished…
I had the choice of (a) meltdown or (b) make a joke of it …I chose the latter
Very sad to read of Bill Leader’s passing. A year ago,I had the good fortune to find- and photograph the exhibition about Bill. Central Library,Manchester. Expertly curated by Mike Butler,Bill’s biographer ..www.soundingthecentury.com. An ongoing epic about a man at the heart of social change,art and music.
The exhibition was huge…from Bill’s personal archive.i visited many times,became friendly with Mike and met many of Bill’s family and friends.
A highlight was a concert day and evening. In celebration of Bill .Finishing with a mighty session by musicians from the Manchester,Irish scene.My contribution was to read the words you’d kindly sent about the influence of Bill Leader on you and Planxty…here’s your conclusion…
‘on a personal level,Bill changed my life,when he agreed to travel to Ireland and record the ‘Prosperous’ album. Without him Planxty would not have emerged from the recordings he made in 1971.
A creator,an artist ..a sound man.’
Thanks for a life,well lived. RIP Bill Leader.
Dave
Christy's reply
“a stormy morning brings on a sunny day”
“wrapped up in white linen as cold as the day”
“yerra what do i care for your goose feather bed”
“my mind being bent on rambing”
” and I stood to listen,to hear what they might say”
” land with ambling kine”
“from boyhood I came to a man”
“your wife undressed must leave the nest”
Hi C the news of the passing of Bill Leader at the great age of 96 brought back a memory of that magic night on 8th Feb 2012, when you presented him with the Good Tradition Award at the BBC Folk Awards in Salford. I have been reading up on his life, dedicated to recording and preserving Folk Music, his contribution must surely be unparalleled. No doubt his involvement with you and the Prosperous album changed the trajectory of Irish Folk Music. It was a star studded night, I had never seen so many renowned Folkies gathered in the same place. You sang Morecambe Bay and presented The Dubliners with a Good Tradition Award, Barney Mc Kenna passed away some weeks later. Brendan Power and Tim Edey also won awards, I was thrilled to see the Kerry colours on Tims guitar, he mentioned how his music was influenced by his time in West Kerry. Here is some info on the night https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2012/folk-award-winners It was Adam Sherwood who noticed the late release of tickets, we flew over got the gig and back in less than 24 hours, on a lighter note Adam re introduced me to the joys of cider, which I had n’t drank since my student days !! Next up that great room in Limerick, safe travelling all, how Good Friday has changed ? although you have often gigged on the day. Beir bua agus beannacht H
Christy's reply
I’m remembering the recording sessions in Downings House in Prosperous, then the home of my Sister Anne and her husband Davoc Rynne….Bill Leader set up in the very bare dark basement with his assistant Dave Bland ( who played concertina on the album ) as we rehearsed Bill would figure out where best to position the 2 stereo mics for the different tracks…I still marvel at the mix he achieved on that very basic equipment…he was totally immersed in the sound of the different instruments…bear in mind that he was mixing as he recorded….
we had such a great time…if memory serves it all took about 4 days….Anne provided “the dinner” and evenings were spent in Pat Dowlings with large bottles and pints of loose porter…I went to Dublin one day to look for Pat Stokes the concertina player…failing to find him I returned with Clive Collins who played fiddle and Kevin Cunniffe who played Bodhrán…
one track got lost in the ensuing process….it re emerged subsequently on Planxty’s first album …. a spot prize for the first one to come up with this track
Evening Christy. Very sad to hear that Bill Leader died yesterday. What a boon he was to the young folk singers of the Sixties and Seventies giving many of them their first start in the recording business. I had vinyl albums by the Dransfields, Vin Garbutt, Blackpool Taverners, Boys of the Lough, Al O’Donnell, Dick Gaughan, High Level Ranters, amongst many others not forgetting “Prosperous”. We have so much to thank him for. RIP Bill
Christy's reply
Saddened to hear of Bill’s death..
Way back in 1967 I met Bill thru my old buddy Hamish Imlach..
Hamish had asked Nat Joseph of Transatlantic to have a listen to me singing
I did the audition with Bill Leader…. Nat was not interested,a lucky day for me…..
The following year Bill started his own label and made contact again…
We travelled back to Ireland in 1971 and he recorded the Prosperous album on a two track Revox reel to reel tape recorder, they were wonderful sessions, at the time we had no idea of what lay ahead, ….that album still resounds 55 years later
Without Bill Leader Planxty would never have come together….He helped so many young singers and players back in those early years of our lives
At the Reg Meuross Woody Guthrie linked gig last week,I had a great find at the half time merch stall…I’m now absorbed by his song cycle about the slave trade…’Stolen from God’…
Powerful songs and played by a fine ensemble. Reg Meuross might not be a household name,but what a balladeer. I hope many here will get to hear his skills.
Hi, there was some buzz at the gig in Mullingar !! starting with Joxer was a great choice!! Wishing Marty Mc C a speedy recovery, accidents happen, I ‘ m sure he’s getting the best of care. It should be a good game tomorrow and a busy & varied gig tomorrow night, seeking to right a 50 year old wrong !! Then that great room in Limerick on Good Friday. Beir bua agus beannacht. H
Christy's reply
Its all go H.
Yesterday we attended a small annual gathering to remember our good friend Liam Óg Ó’Flynn….its 8 years since…..three Pipers, three flute players, two fiddles and a concertina player….a grand smattering of Liam’s friends gathered around Jane…..his presence imagined, his music resounded….two of the pipers played instruments bequested them by Liam….
Tonight I hope to sing 3 songs calling Justice for The Sallins 3…..Tortured and Framed by The Heavy Gang half a century past…Oscar Breathnac, Nicky Kelly and Brian McNally still bear the mental and physical scars from the beatings administered them by Government, Secret Police and Legislature….
the feckin clocks just gone forward an hour in the 6 monthly debacle…I hope they get the throw-in right at Croker today…its the cows I feel sorry for..they’re just getting settled and it all goes awry again….all they want is grass and peace without this daylight saving nonsense
That was a corker in Mullingar….Joxser saved the night which featured 3 Jimmy Mack classics, great call outs for Flickering Light, Only Our Rivers and a reprieve for Tom Tuohy’s Honda 50…..
I hope Marty & Ger have their feet up for today’s tussle…wonder who will get to wear the Green & Gold….I’ll be on the hill wearing my flour bag ,forever dreaming of Sam in the Shortgrass
Hi
Matt McGinn’s latest collaboration is with ‘his’ band DEAD GOAT , new album just out.
If you ever thought there was no other use for a dead goat than a Jamaican stew, well think again.
Smells, tastes and sounds groovy.
Rb
That’s a mighty Mullingar setlist.. there was agony and ecstasy in the room at times no doubt (then again in Ruby Hold’ er back!) .. Wishing Marty a speedy recovery.. word from the hills is Jimmy McGuinness had him running Mt. Errigal in a bid to down the Kingdom come Summer.. so long as he don’t down our Cavan chandeliers..
Christy's reply
Joxer focused the gaggle away from Prague….Ray Houghton tore them away from their devices for the duration
Great gig again last night Christy- u hit the ground running with Joxer!!
Great buzz in the room and a deadly set list!
Thanks for doing Sail on Jimmy for Lucy- that was the first one of yours she ever sang, & the cause of her loving the gigs as much as we do!!
Until Newbridge in August, look after yourself
Noel, Sinead & Lucy
Christy's reply
Hey Lucy…good to see you again… thanks for getting Noel & Sinéad out for the night…thanks too for that request..I love singing Albert Niland’s great song..he called it Irish Pagan Ritual but as soon as I started singing it the listeners decided to call it “Sail On Jimmy”…this appealed to me as I had an Uncle Jimmy…our family is unique..we had one Uncle and no Aunts….
Joxer
Ride On
Palestine
How Long
Chicago
Lingo politico
Shovel
Magdalene Laundry
Voyage
Smoke &Strong Whiskey
Black & Amber
Delerium Tremens
Contender
Bright Blue Rose
Ruby Walshe
Lyra McKee
Stitch in Time
Lisdoonvarna
Only Our Rivers
Reel in Flickering Light
Honda 50
Lemon 7s
Ordinary Man
Sail On Jimmy
Remember Ben, Nigel, James, Nick Prender, Dave, Roger, Dick, Willy, Choking the Chicken, De-repression – Making the Unconscious – Conscious, Come By The Hills, Danny Boy, Gits, Flagellation, being a Truth-Teller – persecuted by the State!
Remember the brave ones – Remember co-Counselling & the SPGB. Remember the Changes. They will perish as cowards but not the likes of you and me!
We were sat watching the match last night but our hearts were in that room in Mullingar with them spiders and the rest…. unfortunately a broken foot encased in a Plaster cast has put paid to our ramblings for a while…. been keeping an eye on the gigs and the setlists …. Great variety of songs and some beauties popping up.
Hope to get back on the road come May and maybe the Cavan Chandeliers will be a goal to aim for.
Christy's reply
wishing you a full recovery..not sure who’s foot is broken but hope you are in good form this night
Hello Christy, I will be attending your concert in the National Concert Hall on Saturday 2nd May 2026, and would like to ask if you could sing the song you wrote for Veronica Guerin please? The is one of my favourite songs, and so important that Veronica’s memory is kept alive. Thank you Louise McDonald
Here’s the link to the radio station http://tempofm.co.uk/
The show is FAB Live with Uncle Tone at 9pm tonight.
It’s going to be archived as well. I want to save it. This is the bit I’m struggling to do. Maybe it will make more sense later…
Hello Christy,
Talking about crediting songs. I’ve learnt how important this is from you. I try to always do it, i just hope I’m accurate.
This week I went over to York to record a podcast with Tony Haynes. Do you know him? He’s a radio presenter now but I think he used to run a fok club over in York.
He asked me to pick 6 tracks for him to play. And to choose 5 songs to sing and he would record them.
I took the harp and sang 5 songs, including Little Musgrave. He’d never heard this version before! It’s the version you sing with Planxty. It took me months to learn it. I told him how you’d found the words at Reilly’s auction room on Francis Street in Dublin. How there was no tune with the words, so a tune from Nick Jones was married to the words. He said he’d never heard this version before, he’d heard the Steeleye span version he said. He really liked your version. I hope all this stuff makes it onto the radio show.
It’s going out tonight at 9pm. He couldn’t get it all into an hour so he’s going to use the rest on Good Friday.
I’ll try to post a link. I’m struggling to work out how to do it.
Here’s the two lists
Favourite tracks
Mcilhatton. Christy Moore
Easter Snow, Liam O’Flynn and Catherine Ennis
Hackensack. Wally Page
Inchicore Wake. Christy Moore
Caledonia. Dolores Keane
Aeongus. Christy Moore
Songs I sang
Scarborough Fair
Spancil Hill
Little Musgrave
May Morning Dew
Lemon Sevens
Good morning, Christy.
I’m also sure you had another great gig last night. But I’m sorry for the Irish football team. Great fight, but It’s always sad to lose a penalty shoot out.
A fine weekend to all
Günter
Christy's reply
We’ll still welcome them home and encourage them to prep for the next Euros….truth be told, the World Cup is already tarnished by Trump and his despicable cronies….the Berlin Olympics come to mind
These treasure hunts lead to great places. I found myself watching Planxty performances from 1973 in the National Stadium. What a buzz that must have been. I’ll throw “Sweet Thames flow Softly” into the hat.. if you’re not in you can’t win..
good try Kev….Gipp man buried it in the back of the net rapid
Hello, from a wet and windy middle of the Island. Maybe my hunch is wrong… is it “ only our rivers run free”.🤔.
Enjoy Limerick and have a lovely Easter.
Ride on.
Best regards
Patsy
good try Patsy
the Gipp was in like a shot
I suppose it can only be one of three Christy? Out of those “Follow me up to Carlow” is the one I can hear most on “Prosperous”!
Hey Gipp….you’re like a ferret down a rabbit hole… the competion is over , done and dusted, I’ll be in touch
I still recall the phone call from Bill telling me that Carlow had perished…
I had the choice of (a) meltdown or (b) make a joke of it …I chose the latter
Mornin’ Christy
Very sad to read of Bill Leader’s passing. A year ago,I had the good fortune to find- and photograph the exhibition about Bill. Central Library,Manchester. Expertly curated by Mike Butler,Bill’s biographer ..www.soundingthecentury.com. An ongoing epic about a man at the heart of social change,art and music.
The exhibition was huge…from Bill’s personal archive.i visited many times,became friendly with Mike and met many of Bill’s family and friends.
A highlight was a concert day and evening. In celebration of Bill .Finishing with a mighty session by musicians from the Manchester,Irish scene.My contribution was to read the words you’d kindly sent about the influence of Bill Leader on you and Planxty…here’s your conclusion…
‘on a personal level,Bill changed my life,when he agreed to travel to Ireland and record the ‘Prosperous’ album. Without him Planxty would not have emerged from the recordings he made in 1971.
A creator,an artist ..a sound man.’
Thanks for a life,well lived. RIP Bill Leader.
Dave
“a stormy morning brings on a sunny day”
“wrapped up in white linen as cold as the day”
“yerra what do i care for your goose feather bed”
“my mind being bent on rambing”
” and I stood to listen,to hear what they might say”
” land with ambling kine”
“from boyhood I came to a man”
“your wife undressed must leave the nest”
Hi C the news of the passing of Bill Leader at the great age of 96 brought back a memory of that magic night on 8th Feb 2012, when you presented him with the Good Tradition Award at the BBC Folk Awards in Salford. I have been reading up on his life, dedicated to recording and preserving Folk Music, his contribution must surely be unparalleled. No doubt his involvement with you and the Prosperous album changed the trajectory of Irish Folk Music. It was a star studded night, I had never seen so many renowned Folkies gathered in the same place. You sang Morecambe Bay and presented The Dubliners with a Good Tradition Award, Barney Mc Kenna passed away some weeks later. Brendan Power and Tim Edey also won awards, I was thrilled to see the Kerry colours on Tims guitar, he mentioned how his music was influenced by his time in West Kerry. Here is some info on the night https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2012/folk-award-winners It was Adam Sherwood who noticed the late release of tickets, we flew over got the gig and back in less than 24 hours, on a lighter note Adam re introduced me to the joys of cider, which I had n’t drank since my student days !! Next up that great room in Limerick, safe travelling all, how Good Friday has changed ? although you have often gigged on the day. Beir bua agus beannacht H
I’m remembering the recording sessions in Downings House in Prosperous, then the home of my Sister Anne and her husband Davoc Rynne….Bill Leader set up in the very bare dark basement with his assistant Dave Bland ( who played concertina on the album ) as we rehearsed Bill would figure out where best to position the 2 stereo mics for the different tracks…I still marvel at the mix he achieved on that very basic equipment…he was totally immersed in the sound of the different instruments…bear in mind that he was mixing as he recorded….
we had such a great time…if memory serves it all took about 4 days….Anne provided “the dinner” and evenings were spent in Pat Dowlings with large bottles and pints of loose porter…I went to Dublin one day to look for Pat Stokes the concertina player…failing to find him I returned with Clive Collins who played fiddle and Kevin Cunniffe who played Bodhrán…
one track got lost in the ensuing process….it re emerged subsequently on Planxty’s first album …. a spot prize for the first one to come up with this track
Evening Christy. Very sad to hear that Bill Leader died yesterday. What a boon he was to the young folk singers of the Sixties and Seventies giving many of them their first start in the recording business. I had vinyl albums by the Dransfields, Vin Garbutt, Blackpool Taverners, Boys of the Lough, Al O’Donnell, Dick Gaughan, High Level Ranters, amongst many others not forgetting “Prosperous”. We have so much to thank him for. RIP Bill
Saddened to hear of Bill’s death..
Way back in 1967 I met Bill thru my old buddy Hamish Imlach..
Hamish had asked Nat Joseph of Transatlantic to have a listen to me singing
I did the audition with Bill Leader…. Nat was not interested,a lucky day for me…..
The following year Bill started his own label and made contact again…
We travelled back to Ireland in 1971 and he recorded the Prosperous album on a two track Revox reel to reel tape recorder, they were wonderful sessions, at the time we had no idea of what lay ahead, ….that album still resounds 55 years later
Without Bill Leader Planxty would never have come together….He helped so many young singers and players back in those early years of our lives
Hi Christy
At the Reg Meuross Woody Guthrie linked gig last week,I had a great find at the half time merch stall…I’m now absorbed by his song cycle about the slave trade…’Stolen from God’…
Powerful songs and played by a fine ensemble. Reg Meuross might not be a household name,but what a balladeer. I hope many here will get to hear his skills.
All the best
Dave
Hello Christy,
Heres something beautiful
https://www.facebook.com/share/r/18KejTpTch/
Rebecca
Hi, there was some buzz at the gig in Mullingar !! starting with Joxer was a great choice!! Wishing Marty Mc C a speedy recovery, accidents happen, I ‘ m sure he’s getting the best of care. It should be a good game tomorrow and a busy & varied gig tomorrow night, seeking to right a 50 year old wrong !! Then that great room in Limerick on Good Friday. Beir bua agus beannacht. H
Its all go H.
Yesterday we attended a small annual gathering to remember our good friend Liam Óg Ó’Flynn….its 8 years since…..three Pipers, three flute players, two fiddles and a concertina player….a grand smattering of Liam’s friends gathered around Jane…..his presence imagined, his music resounded….two of the pipers played instruments bequested them by Liam….
Tonight I hope to sing 3 songs calling Justice for The Sallins 3…..Tortured and Framed by The Heavy Gang half a century past…Oscar Breathnac, Nicky Kelly and Brian McNally still bear the mental and physical scars from the beatings administered them by Government, Secret Police and Legislature….
the feckin clocks just gone forward an hour in the 6 monthly debacle…I hope they get the throw-in right at Croker today…its the cows I feel sorry for..they’re just getting settled and it all goes awry again….all they want is grass and peace without this daylight saving nonsense
That was a corker in Mullingar….Joxser saved the night which featured 3 Jimmy Mack classics, great call outs for Flickering Light, Only Our Rivers and a reprieve for Tom Tuohy’s Honda 50…..
I hope Marty & Ger have their feet up for today’s tussle…wonder who will get to wear the Green & Gold….I’ll be on the hill wearing my flour bag ,forever dreaming of Sam in the Shortgrass
Hi
Matt McGinn’s latest collaboration is with ‘his’ band DEAD GOAT , new album just out.
If you ever thought there was no other use for a dead goat than a Jamaican stew, well think again.
Smells, tastes and sounds groovy.
Rb
The man from Ballymountain rides again…Up Down
My Left Foot….
Ger is full time carer now for a spell…
It’s clear to me now that walking under a ladder is not as unlucky as falling off one !!!
Mc Guinness and the lads will have to manage without me this time.
I’m assuming you kick with the right
That’s a mighty Mullingar setlist.. there was agony and ecstasy in the room at times no doubt (then again in Ruby Hold’ er back!) .. Wishing Marty a speedy recovery.. word from the hills is Jimmy McGuinness had him running Mt. Errigal in a bid to down the Kingdom come Summer.. so long as he don’t down our Cavan chandeliers..
Joxer focused the gaggle away from Prague….Ray Houghton tore them away from their devices for the duration
Great gig again last night Christy- u hit the ground running with Joxer!!
Great buzz in the room and a deadly set list!
Thanks for doing Sail on Jimmy for Lucy- that was the first one of yours she ever sang, & the cause of her loving the gigs as much as we do!!
Until Newbridge in August, look after yourself
Noel, Sinead & Lucy
Hey Lucy…good to see you again… thanks for getting Noel & Sinéad out for the night…thanks too for that request..I love singing Albert Niland’s great song..he called it Irish Pagan Ritual but as soon as I started singing it the listeners decided to call it “Sail On Jimmy”…this appealed to me as I had an Uncle Jimmy…our family is unique..we had one Uncle and no Aunts….
Joxer
Ride On
Palestine
How Long
Chicago
Lingo politico
Shovel
Magdalene Laundry
Voyage
Smoke &Strong Whiskey
Black & Amber
Delerium Tremens
Contender
Bright Blue Rose
Ruby Walshe
Lyra McKee
Stitch in Time
Lisdoonvarna
Only Our Rivers
Reel in Flickering Light
Honda 50
Lemon 7s
Ordinary Man
Sail On Jimmy
encore
Cumann na Mná
Back Home in Derry
1 hour 51 minutes
Remember Ben, Nigel, James, Nick Prender, Dave, Roger, Dick, Willy, Choking the Chicken, De-repression – Making the Unconscious – Conscious, Come By The Hills, Danny Boy, Gits, Flagellation, being a Truth-Teller – persecuted by the State!
Remember the brave ones – Remember co-Counselling & the SPGB. Remember the Changes. They will perish as cowards but not the likes of you and me!
The Diazepam Withdrawals are getting tougher too!
Slainte!
stick with it Francis…
We were sat watching the match last night but our hearts were in that room in Mullingar with them spiders and the rest…. unfortunately a broken foot encased in a Plaster cast has put paid to our ramblings for a while…. been keeping an eye on the gigs and the setlists …. Great variety of songs and some beauties popping up.
Hope to get back on the road come May and maybe the Cavan Chandeliers will be a goal to aim for.
wishing you a full recovery..not sure who’s foot is broken but hope you are in good form this night
Hello Christy, I will be attending your concert in the National Concert Hall on Saturday 2nd May 2026, and would like to ask if you could sing the song you wrote for Veronica Guerin please? The is one of my favourite songs, and so important that Veronica’s memory is kept alive. Thank you Louise McDonald
let us all remember Veronica….
Here’s the link to the radio station
http://tempofm.co.uk/
The show is FAB Live with Uncle Tone at 9pm tonight.
It’s going to be archived as well. I want to save it. This is the bit I’m struggling to do. Maybe it will make more sense later…
I agree with you, Christy. I would say highly tarnished. ( after looking for the translation 🙂 Günter
Hello Christy,
Talking about crediting songs. I’ve learnt how important this is from you. I try to always do it, i just hope I’m accurate.
This week I went over to York to record a podcast with Tony Haynes. Do you know him? He’s a radio presenter now but I think he used to run a fok club over in York.
He asked me to pick 6 tracks for him to play. And to choose 5 songs to sing and he would record them.
I took the harp and sang 5 songs, including Little Musgrave. He’d never heard this version before! It’s the version you sing with Planxty. It took me months to learn it. I told him how you’d found the words at Reilly’s auction room on Francis Street in Dublin. How there was no tune with the words, so a tune from Nick Jones was married to the words. He said he’d never heard this version before, he’d heard the Steeleye span version he said. He really liked your version. I hope all this stuff makes it onto the radio show.
It’s going out tonight at 9pm. He couldn’t get it all into an hour so he’s going to use the rest on Good Friday.
I’ll try to post a link. I’m struggling to work out how to do it.
Here’s the two lists
Favourite tracks
Mcilhatton. Christy Moore
Easter Snow, Liam O’Flynn and Catherine Ennis
Hackensack. Wally Page
Inchicore Wake. Christy Moore
Caledonia. Dolores Keane
Aeongus. Christy Moore
Songs I sang
Scarborough Fair
Spancil Hill
Little Musgrave
May Morning Dew
Lemon Sevens
Rebecca
thats a beautiful set list Rebecca
Good morning, Christy.
I’m also sure you had another great gig last night. But I’m sorry for the Irish football team. Great fight, but It’s always sad to lose a penalty shoot out.
A fine weekend to all
Günter
We’ll still welcome them home and encourage them to prep for the next Euros….truth be told, the World Cup is already tarnished by Trump and his despicable cronies….the Berlin Olympics come to mind