Christy – Eight of us, all huge fans of yours, will be in Clare, Mayo and Sligo in late August. Is there are possibility you will have any additional gigs in Ireland this summer after the 17 Aug date in Galway? Hope to hear you live soon. – Peter
Christy's reply
Nothing at the moment Peter….your visit coincides with our downtime….there is a gig on Sept 1st in Enfield on the border of Kildare and Meath ….check gig page..hope ye have a good trip
Wanted to post a belated appreciation for the gig in Birr on May 26th.
I have been living in USA for 20 years and figured you are probably not going to be playing here any time soon so I came over to you.
Getting from Texas to Ireland was easy but I was staying over in County Clare and I misunderestimated how long it takes to get from one place to another in Ireland, (didn’t help that I got to the bridge at Portumna just as they were opening it). Got to the gig 30 seconds before you came on stage.
Anyway, it was all worth it. Listening to recorded music is good but your songs take on a whole new life delivered live. (I hadn’t really taken much notice of the Amsterdam song before but, next time I fly through Schipol I am going to book the city tour).
Anyway, thank you for all the years of entertainment and a great night on May 26th.
Michael
Christy's reply
It once took me 6 days to get from Doolin to Dublin and I was in a hurry….the top shelf got the better of me in Tipperary, I got hemmed in adin in Roscrea, I took a wrong turn in Mountrath and,God only knows how ,but I, ended up in Portarlington and me with engagements to fulfil in The Hitchin Post Leixlip, The Embankment Tallaght, O’Mara’s on The Quay and The Old Sheiling in Raheny…but back in them days there would be so many Balladeers on the bill that one would not be missed…I once played 4 gigs one Friday night in Dublin….started in Slattery’s Capel St, then over The Bridge to O’Mara’s, out to the Embankment and then a dash back to town for a late night set in Gerry O’Gradys great club The Auld Triangle….heady days and we all batin around the place tryin to rattle out a few shillins…I’m talkin circa 66/67 time when everyone was singin Sam Hall and High Germany….Trevor Crozier had Chicken on a Raft and the pinta stout would set you back half a dollar….
Hi Christy,
Hope you have a 2 wonderful gigs in the Royal County……..they will be raring to go seeing as they are taking on the Lilly’s next in the championship, with the ultimate goal of meeting ourselves in the Leinster Final….that’s after we have beaten Offaly & the Dubs !!!!!!!!!!…… We are allowed to Dream.
Looking forward to the new live Album…. Don’t envy yourself and the Boys trying to select 20 Songs….so many great songs, from so many great Gigs in all the different locations. I sense there may be a difficult process of elimination.
Ride On
Patsy
Christy's reply
the pending release has been a lengthy process,… most of the heavy lifting has been done my David Meade and Jimmy Higgins. They extracted the various recordings from gigs going back 3 years..they did rough mixes of many tracks before bringing me in to cast an “elderly ear” over proceedings, so far we have versions lined up from;
Vicar St
Pettigo,
Kilkenny,
Killarney
Marquee
Barrowland
Derry
Belfast
Letterkenny
Enniskillen
London
Lisdoonvarna..
………………looks like its gonna be 22 tracks
Lookin forward to returning to An Úaimh tomorrow night…..Nancy Power, my Mother, grew up in nearby Ardmulachan…she instilled the love of songs in all six of us….. as a young woman she sang a lot around Navan…Choirs, Navan Music Society and Feis Ceoils were all part of her Musical upbringing…I have always held a deep affection and connection with that country between Navan and Slane…where the Powers, Sheerans and Gibneys dwell and once dwelt
” all along the valley of The Boyne and on to Tara Hill
I know that it always was and I know that it always will”
“When I get an encore I go home feeling like a King’ you certainly were a king tonight Christy. A wonderful night of songs and to have your son on stage with you, the icing on the cake. Many thanks for a great night, looking forward to seeing you again the week after next , same time same place,
Christy's reply
Thanks for feedback…love that Pavilion..great to have such a venue on our doorstep
I wasn’t sure the best way to get in contact with you so im sorry for putting this on the public forum as I cant seem to locate the private message function on your facebook page!
I am getting in contact with you from the Longford Primary Health Care Project for Travellers. Last November you met with Longford man, Joe Reilly, at the launch of the Traveller Men’s Health event at Pavee Point in Dublin. Joe gave you a copy of his CD which contained two songs he wrote and recorded with local musician and producer Paul Gurney. Here is a link to the first song which is about a music group Joe is involved with here in Longford https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=007ySvhCM7I&index=5&list=PLPueAd-awQp6W5-pLgNh5ND_uZJoKII1W. Joe joined the music group as a way to help him deal with the passing of his 15 year old son through suicide.
Later this year we are hoping to launch this CD. The main aim of the launch is to raise the awareness of mental health & suicide and in particular raise the issue amongst the travelling community where suicide prevalence is over 6 times greater than their settled counterparts. Planning is at the very early stages but we are hoping to go ahead in September/October time. I think you will agree the singing and songwriting is at a very high quality and my goal is to organize an event that will match this quality. I think also the issues Joe is raising in his music are themes that are so topical & relevant for all sectors of modern day society.
I am sure you get requests like this all the time and I know you have an extremely busy schedule but would you be interested in getting involved on the night? I obviously don’t have dates yet but if you were able to swing something in September/October I think it would be the real ‘icing on the cake’ for the event.
How’s things? I hope you’re keeping well! It’s my birthday today and the only thing I could wish for is for your to come to play in America soon. I’m planning on coming home to Galway next years time, but sure, life gets in the way at times…All my best to you and yours! Sláinte ???
Christy's reply
Hope all is well is St Louis this fine June Morning…maybe see you on The Claddagh next year,
its unlikely that I will tour America again, (I struggle with the word “never”)..
hope you are having a happy Birth Day..
good luck to you…
any connection to Ed Reavey,renowned Fiddle player or John Reavey,singer from Newcastle-Upon-Tyne
Hi Christy
Seamus Noone here. In regard to my previous question regarding a song honouring you, I completely understand. It was only a thought. I just wanted to run the idea with you first. I suppose that words like icon and legend are too over used, but then there’s no supposing in that.
Hi Christy
Seamus Noone here.
Hope all is well.
Out of curiosity, how would you feel about a song being written honouring you? You are a legend, an icon ,and an inspiration.
All the best!
Christy's reply
I would feel embarrassed….fearful at the very prospect….
Words like “icon” and “legend” have lost all value and meaning through being over-used..scattered like confetti at a wedding, handed out like snuff at a wake….
I would cover my ears and run away as fast as my poor old legs could carry me….
Dear Christy,
Eventually I have the opportunity to write a few lines to thank you for the fabulous gigs we enjoyed so much during our stay.
Leaving Erin’s Green Isle was again a sad thing … On our last afternoon we walked the streets of Wexford town and saw a busker singing pretty good some of your songs – at “Ride On” I hardly couldn’t hold back my tears. Now we’re back home and the last days were a bit hectic, but I’m keeping the wonderful time in mind.
After our marvellous holiday in West Cork we criss-crossed the Island to see you in concert and we were spoilt with four incredible gigs in Letterkenny, Birr and Cavan – each one a unique experience! It was great to see you with different bands and to hear so many very special, seldom played songs. The sound and the lights were brilliant and we liked the fantastic audience in every venue. Also a pleasure to sit beside some lovely 4711ers and our one and only Hilary. If we should choose our favourite gig maybe it would be Birr – there was magic in the air! I was wondering if you were inspired by the beautiful walled garden at County Arms Hotel to sing the magnificent song “The Gardener”.
MÍLE MAITH AGAT to you, Declan, Jimmy, Cathal, Paddy and all the Crew!
Best wishes, Traudel
Christy's reply
I love to sing Paul Doran’s beautiful song “The Gardener”. It is not always possible to include it in the set…….some songs can fly in any circumstance but “The Gardener” requires certain conditions….the right atmosphere, confidence of the singer,receptive audience..
its what I consider to be a “fragile” song….certain of its music notes are at the top end of my vocal capacity…I find it an emotional song to sing for it reminds me of the old ones long since gone….Bridie Dowling, Jack Power, Frank and Kathleen Sheeran, Annie and Jem Gibney,Jimmy Slattery, some of the gardeners who occupied my early boyhood days…not to forget my dear friend, the late John Bowen, laid to rest last year in Schull County Cork..a true gardener…like no other encountered in my life’s experience
Hi Christy,
my name is Sanae and I’m an Australian living in a little country town near Canberra with my Irish Boyfriend Derry (yes, that’s really his name!). He is obsessed with your music and always plays it if he’s cooking dinner, singing along with you very passionately! Needless to say I’ve grown quite fond of your work as well :). We’re coming to Ireland at the end of the year for Christmas with Derry’s family in Cork and he is desperate to know if you will be playing any gigs during this time? We REALLY want to see you while we’re back! We’ll be in the country from the 12th of Dec to the 5th of Jan.
Thanks, Sanae 🙂
Christy's reply
There are gigs scheduled in Dublin for December…keep an eye on the gig page or sign up for the Newsletter ( a bit infrequent these days !)…we usually play Vicar St at that time of year…you might consider a trip to the capitol…Cork has that in common with Canberra, some people maintain its the real capitol..played The Labour Club Canberra a few times back in the day, some interesting memories
Evening Christy. Hope all the recent shows are going well. Tonight I’m watching your RTE documentary ‘Journey’. What a great collection of songs and the stories behind them. How lucky are all of we here to exist in the same time and place as you and your music. Thank you for all you do for Irish music and Irish people (and people all over the world), especially the forgotten and marginalised members of society. Tonight I raise my glass to you. Sláinte.
Christy's reply
gigs have been hoppin Barbara….recent weeks in Letterkenny, Cavan, Birr, Westport, Carrick-on-Shannon and before that Glasgow,Edinburgh and Hamilton..Declan,Jimmy, Cathal, Mick, Paddy,Davey, Johnny, Dikon, Geoff, Miss Daisy,Trevor, Paddy C,Robbie,Breda and Myself have all been lashin them out..givin it the two barrels, the full monty,new songs settling in, old songs re-arranged, long haul songsters joined by hordes of fresh eared listeners comin along to hear the songs..we got 8 year olds and 80 year olds, we got witches and nuns, pagans and worshippers, he-males and she-males,biddys in burkas, voss-in-Doolins and Walloons, we got a Rose of Tralee and some rattlin-fine-fellows from Tandaragee…we’re all in this together, we all sup from the same well of Spring Water..thank you for the raising of your glass
Well didn’t I make a balls of it…the Waldo is off in the hacienda in Europe and not back until later in the month….
So, apologies, no Wally gig Friday next, but I hear there’s a right one in Navan
Christy's reply
ah for jasus sake Rocky
mind you every cloud etc ..maybe I’ll be free for the rescheduled Waldo gig..keep us posted but check the feckin diary next time !!!
My partner and I have just seen you perform at the Slieve Russell where my partner decided he would not propose, as he could not top your gig. He made me wait two more days!
I can now happily marry knowing we have mutual priorities. Thank you for a fantastic gig with a great atmosphere and I will always admire you for so passionately telling the story of those perhaps otherwise lost in time.
I hope you enjoyed the venue and the good weather to boot!
All the best,
Lil
Christy's reply
Better late then never Lil
I very much enjoyed my trip across County Cavan on the road to Slieve Russell….those lush rolling hills, those Lakes and Drumlins always take my breath away….then arriving into Ballyconnell to find that Los-Vegas-Like-Mirage thronged with listeners beneath those crystal chandeliers…I’ve always loved playing that room….
I hope you are happy in your Village (Blink ‘n Miss) this grand Summer’s morn in this crazy old world
‘and then we’ll see just what was done….when blooms of every colour, blossom in the sun…’ my current fav from Lily. I’ve been listening to ‘Burning Times’ since my wee road trip to Letterkenny, what a really great album that is.
Wally Page plays next week in The Annesley House Friday 9th…and a couple gigs lined up for The Seaview Sessions in Booterstown Mick Hanly is back in five weeks, July 7th and Freddie White plays on Thurs 3rd August, maybe I can remind here closer to the time?
Hope all is great and thnks for this opp.L
Christy's reply
Morra Lar, thats good news….Wally Page live in Dublin next Friday….
“O The Holy Ground,
Céad Míle Failte
There’s Saints & Scholars to see
O The Holy Ground
Far away Hills
aint as Green as they once used to be”
The 5 Lamps will resound with chorus from the maestro of song….Thanks too Lar for bringing your Seaview Sessions to our attention…..Gigs north and south of the River…you are doing great work…
Burning Times is resounding in the work room these days as I prepare for a month of Solo gigs…its almost 20 years since I played a run of solo gigs…its quite a challenge as I nervously anticipate the outcome…..but I am thoroughly enjoying the preparation
Mixing a live album at the moment….David Meade has been recording all the gigs these past years…himself and Jim Higgins have trawled the archive to find best versions of the most popular songs…it has been quite a journey from Pettigo to London, Kilkenny to Killarney, Thomas Street to The Gallowgate from which we have chosen 22 tracks to release come The Autumn
Heard from various people how much they enjoyed your show in Birr on friday last. Thank you for remembering us and disappointed not to have made it.
Look forward to catching up soon.
Best Wishes,
Tom and Lucy.
Christy's reply
Morra Tom & Lucy….
We had a good time in Birr…I said to Declan after that it had the feel of a Folk Club…there was a grand vibe in the room…first time we have done a two hand gig for about 18 months…some good requests from the room too….
Hope all is good with ye…that our paths cross along the way…keep it old-time- -funky-trad-folky-roots-country with a bit o’ garage-grunge -handbag on the side
Hi Christy,
We wanted to say a big thank you for Saturday night. You made very special for us by mentioning us. We had our baby there and he slept through the whole concert until the encore, glad we didn’t have to miss a second of it as the whole concert was awesome. Its been a huge trip for us from Australia to France then leaving our 2 older boys to travel to Ireland with the baby, but worth every minute of it to see you. Thanks again so much, from Michael and Rebecca HEDGES
Christy's reply
Thanks for feedback…glad you had a good visit, that the infant listener lay in the arms of Morpheus until feeding time….
With a “few” concerts attended over recent months my father has given me the ultimatum…either sell the house and buy a caravan or ask Christy to just move in at this rate of going. Would you have a preference?
Joking aside, the Barrowlands was the last gig we’d been at until Birr on Friday night and I have to say no better man to know his audience. The Barrowlands was an experience that I’ll never ever forget, the atmosphere was just incredible but there is also something special about having it small and intimate, just yourself and Deckie, jammin’ away, having the craic. Thanks a million Christy!
Truly unique.
Christy's reply
Barrowlands to Birr
and we lived to tell the tale
Dont sell the house
Keep coming back
A very late decision on sat afternoon turned out to be one of the best ideas as the gig in the Slieve Russell was worth every km and mile through Pettigo ,Enniskillen, Derrylin into Ballyconnell and into one of the biggest “function rooms” I’ve ever seen and it filled with the best sounds and music you could ever wish to hear.
Poor auld Guns and Roses and them out in the lashing rain….and then you introduced yourself as Axl…… some were wondering where was the Kilt ??
Solo ,duet ,three piece or quartet , every gig is special and exceptional.
Duffys Cut, City of Chicago, Natves blending into the Enniskillen Dragoon, the Well….and Allende with Spancil Hill in the encore…if I was gonna write a setlist…….Maithu Criostor.
Christy's reply
You remind me of a Saturday when I too made a “late decision”…..
around 40 years ago I travelled to Carrick-On-Shannon to play a gig. I was a solo singer back then, driving my van with PA system, guitar and sleeping bag in the back…our dog Gypsy was my travelling companion ….
I pulled into a venue in County Leitrim to find out there was no gig, no poster, no promoter… ( I had a very dodgy agent at the time), the lady in reception knew nothing of me, a gig or the “promoter”… I was downcast,
Then I remembered…..
” The Bothy Band are playing in The Merriman Inn, Scariff, County Clare Tonight”
I got back into the trusty Peugeot 404 diesel (5118 IP) and mapped a route from Leitrim to East Clare…..4 hours later Gypsy and I arrived into Aidan & Sheila O’Beirne’s class venue just as The Bothy Band hit the stage ( back then The Merriman Tavern was the best gig in Ireland)
Paddy Keenan, Kevin Burke, Matt Molloy, Donal Lunny,Michéal and Tríona ní Dhonaill set the night on fire……definitely in my Top Ten gigs of all time…
Gypsy and I slept in the back of the van,parked behind the Hand Ball Alley in Ogonolloe….took a quick dip in The Shannon by the Bridge of Killaloe and struck out for The Castlecomer Plateau…
just like yourself last Saturday.. spontaneous reaction can sometimes yield joyful outcome
Christy – Eight of us, all huge fans of yours, will be in Clare, Mayo and Sligo in late August. Is there are possibility you will have any additional gigs in Ireland this summer after the 17 Aug date in Galway? Hope to hear you live soon. – Peter
Nothing at the moment Peter….your visit coincides with our downtime….there is a gig on Sept 1st in Enfield on the border of Kildare and Meath ….check gig page..hope ye have a good trip
Christy,
Wanted to post a belated appreciation for the gig in Birr on May 26th.
I have been living in USA for 20 years and figured you are probably not going to be playing here any time soon so I came over to you.
Getting from Texas to Ireland was easy but I was staying over in County Clare and I misunderestimated how long it takes to get from one place to another in Ireland, (didn’t help that I got to the bridge at Portumna just as they were opening it). Got to the gig 30 seconds before you came on stage.
Anyway, it was all worth it. Listening to recorded music is good but your songs take on a whole new life delivered live. (I hadn’t really taken much notice of the Amsterdam song before but, next time I fly through Schipol I am going to book the city tour).
Anyway, thank you for all the years of entertainment and a great night on May 26th.
Michael
It once took me 6 days to get from Doolin to Dublin and I was in a hurry….the top shelf got the better of me in Tipperary, I got hemmed in adin in Roscrea, I took a wrong turn in Mountrath and,God only knows how ,but I, ended up in Portarlington and me with engagements to fulfil in The Hitchin Post Leixlip, The Embankment Tallaght, O’Mara’s on The Quay and The Old Sheiling in Raheny…but back in them days there would be so many Balladeers on the bill that one would not be missed…I once played 4 gigs one Friday night in Dublin….started in Slattery’s Capel St, then over The Bridge to O’Mara’s, out to the Embankment and then a dash back to town for a late night set in Gerry O’Gradys great club The Auld Triangle….heady days and we all batin around the place tryin to rattle out a few shillins…I’m talkin circa 66/67 time when everyone was singin Sam Hall and High Germany….Trevor Crozier had Chicken on a Raft and the pinta stout would set you back half a dollar….
Hi Christy,
Hope you have a 2 wonderful gigs in the Royal County……..they will be raring to go seeing as they are taking on the Lilly’s next in the championship, with the ultimate goal of meeting ourselves in the Leinster Final….that’s after we have beaten Offaly & the Dubs !!!!!!!!!!…… We are allowed to Dream.
Looking forward to the new live Album…. Don’t envy yourself and the Boys trying to select 20 Songs….so many great songs, from so many great Gigs in all the different locations. I sense there may be a difficult process of elimination.
Ride On
Patsy
the pending release has been a lengthy process,… most of the heavy lifting has been done my David Meade and Jimmy Higgins. They extracted the various recordings from gigs going back 3 years..they did rough mixes of many tracks before bringing me in to cast an “elderly ear” over proceedings, so far we have versions lined up from;
Vicar St
Pettigo,
Kilkenny,
Killarney
Marquee
Barrowland
Derry
Belfast
Letterkenny
Enniskillen
London
Lisdoonvarna..
………………looks like its gonna be 22 tracks
Lookin forward to returning to An Úaimh tomorrow night…..Nancy Power, my Mother, grew up in nearby Ardmulachan…she instilled the love of songs in all six of us….. as a young woman she sang a lot around Navan…Choirs, Navan Music Society and Feis Ceoils were all part of her Musical upbringing…I have always held a deep affection and connection with that country between Navan and Slane…where the Powers, Sheerans and Gibneys dwell and once dwelt
” all along the valley of The Boyne and on to Tara Hill
I know that it always was and I know that it always will”
“When I get an encore I go home feeling like a King’ you certainly were a king tonight Christy. A wonderful night of songs and to have your son on stage with you, the icing on the cake. Many thanks for a great night, looking forward to seeing you again the week after next , same time same place,
Thanks for feedback…love that Pavilion..great to have such a venue on our doorstep
No relation that I know of, Christy…
Thanks a million for the birthday wishes!! My best tobyou and yours ?
hup
Hi Christy
I wasn’t sure the best way to get in contact with you so im sorry for putting this on the public forum as I cant seem to locate the private message function on your facebook page!
I am getting in contact with you from the Longford Primary Health Care Project for Travellers. Last November you met with Longford man, Joe Reilly, at the launch of the Traveller Men’s Health event at Pavee Point in Dublin. Joe gave you a copy of his CD which contained two songs he wrote and recorded with local musician and producer Paul Gurney. Here is a link to the first song which is about a music group Joe is involved with here in Longford https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=007ySvhCM7I&index=5&list=PLPueAd-awQp6W5-pLgNh5ND_uZJoKII1W. Joe joined the music group as a way to help him deal with the passing of his 15 year old son through suicide.
Later this year we are hoping to launch this CD. The main aim of the launch is to raise the awareness of mental health & suicide and in particular raise the issue amongst the travelling community where suicide prevalence is over 6 times greater than their settled counterparts. Planning is at the very early stages but we are hoping to go ahead in September/October time. I think you will agree the singing and songwriting is at a very high quality and my goal is to organize an event that will match this quality. I think also the issues Joe is raising in his music are themes that are so topical & relevant for all sectors of modern day society.
I am sure you get requests like this all the time and I know you have an extremely busy schedule but would you be interested in getting involved on the night? I obviously don’t have dates yet but if you were able to swing something in September/October I think it would be the real ‘icing on the cake’ for the event.
I look forward to hearing from you
John O’Brien
Thanks John…I have emailed you
Hiya Christy!
How’s things? I hope you’re keeping well! It’s my birthday today and the only thing I could wish for is for your to come to play in America soon. I’m planning on coming home to Galway next years time, but sure, life gets in the way at times…All my best to you and yours! Sláinte ???
Hope all is well is St Louis this fine June Morning…maybe see you on The Claddagh next year,
its unlikely that I will tour America again, (I struggle with the word “never”)..
hope you are having a happy Birth Day..
good luck to you…
any connection to Ed Reavey,renowned Fiddle player or John Reavey,singer from Newcastle-Upon-Tyne
Hi Christy
Seamus Noone here. In regard to my previous question regarding a song honouring you, I completely understand. It was only a thought. I just wanted to run the idea with you first. I suppose that words like icon and legend are too over used, but then there’s no supposing in that.
Hi Christy
Seamus Noone here.
Hope all is well.
Out of curiosity, how would you feel about a song being written honouring you? You are a legend, an icon ,and an inspiration.
All the best!
I would feel embarrassed….fearful at the very prospect….
Words like “icon” and “legend” have lost all value and meaning through being over-used..scattered like confetti at a wedding, handed out like snuff at a wake….
I would cover my ears and run away as fast as my poor old legs could carry me….
Dear Christy,
Eventually I have the opportunity to write a few lines to thank you for the fabulous gigs we enjoyed so much during our stay.
Leaving Erin’s Green Isle was again a sad thing … On our last afternoon we walked the streets of Wexford town and saw a busker singing pretty good some of your songs – at “Ride On” I hardly couldn’t hold back my tears. Now we’re back home and the last days were a bit hectic, but I’m keeping the wonderful time in mind.
After our marvellous holiday in West Cork we criss-crossed the Island to see you in concert and we were spoilt with four incredible gigs in Letterkenny, Birr and Cavan – each one a unique experience! It was great to see you with different bands and to hear so many very special, seldom played songs. The sound and the lights were brilliant and we liked the fantastic audience in every venue. Also a pleasure to sit beside some lovely 4711ers and our one and only Hilary. If we should choose our favourite gig maybe it would be Birr – there was magic in the air! I was wondering if you were inspired by the beautiful walled garden at County Arms Hotel to sing the magnificent song “The Gardener”.
MÍLE MAITH AGAT to you, Declan, Jimmy, Cathal, Paddy and all the Crew!
Best wishes, Traudel
I love to sing Paul Doran’s beautiful song “The Gardener”. It is not always possible to include it in the set…….some songs can fly in any circumstance but “The Gardener” requires certain conditions….the right atmosphere, confidence of the singer,receptive audience..
its what I consider to be a “fragile” song….certain of its music notes are at the top end of my vocal capacity…I find it an emotional song to sing for it reminds me of the old ones long since gone….Bridie Dowling, Jack Power, Frank and Kathleen Sheeran, Annie and Jem Gibney,Jimmy Slattery, some of the gardeners who occupied my early boyhood days…not to forget my dear friend, the late John Bowen, laid to rest last year in Schull County Cork..a true gardener…like no other encountered in my life’s experience
Hi Christy,
my name is Sanae and I’m an Australian living in a little country town near Canberra with my Irish Boyfriend Derry (yes, that’s really his name!). He is obsessed with your music and always plays it if he’s cooking dinner, singing along with you very passionately! Needless to say I’ve grown quite fond of your work as well :). We’re coming to Ireland at the end of the year for Christmas with Derry’s family in Cork and he is desperate to know if you will be playing any gigs during this time? We REALLY want to see you while we’re back! We’ll be in the country from the 12th of Dec to the 5th of Jan.
Thanks, Sanae 🙂
There are gigs scheduled in Dublin for December…keep an eye on the gig page or sign up for the Newsletter ( a bit infrequent these days !)…we usually play Vicar St at that time of year…you might consider a trip to the capitol…Cork has that in common with Canberra, some people maintain its the real capitol..played The Labour Club Canberra a few times back in the day, some interesting memories
We need cheering up from all the Trump nonsense here is the US. When is Christy planning to perform this side of the pond?
that time has passed Ed…..
Evening Christy. Hope all the recent shows are going well. Tonight I’m watching your RTE documentary ‘Journey’. What a great collection of songs and the stories behind them. How lucky are all of we here to exist in the same time and place as you and your music. Thank you for all you do for Irish music and Irish people (and people all over the world), especially the forgotten and marginalised members of society. Tonight I raise my glass to you. Sláinte.
gigs have been hoppin Barbara….recent weeks in Letterkenny, Cavan, Birr, Westport, Carrick-on-Shannon and before that Glasgow,Edinburgh and Hamilton..Declan,Jimmy, Cathal, Mick, Paddy,Davey, Johnny, Dikon, Geoff, Miss Daisy,Trevor, Paddy C,Robbie,Breda and Myself have all been lashin them out..givin it the two barrels, the full monty,new songs settling in, old songs re-arranged, long haul songsters joined by hordes of fresh eared listeners comin along to hear the songs..we got 8 year olds and 80 year olds, we got witches and nuns, pagans and worshippers, he-males and she-males,biddys in burkas, voss-in-Doolins and Walloons, we got a Rose of Tralee and some rattlin-fine-fellows from Tandaragee…we’re all in this together, we all sup from the same well of Spring Water..thank you for the raising of your glass
Well didn’t I make a balls of it…the Waldo is off in the hacienda in Europe and not back until later in the month….
So, apologies, no Wally gig Friday next, but I hear there’s a right one in Navan
ah for jasus sake Rocky
mind you every cloud etc ..maybe I’ll be free for the rescheduled Waldo gig..keep us posted but check the feckin diary next time !!!
Dear Mr Moore,
My partner and I have just seen you perform at the Slieve Russell where my partner decided he would not propose, as he could not top your gig. He made me wait two more days!
I can now happily marry knowing we have mutual priorities. Thank you for a fantastic gig with a great atmosphere and I will always admire you for so passionately telling the story of those perhaps otherwise lost in time.
I hope you enjoyed the venue and the good weather to boot!
All the best,
Lil
Better late then never Lil
I very much enjoyed my trip across County Cavan on the road to Slieve Russell….those lush rolling hills, those Lakes and Drumlins always take my breath away….then arriving into Ballyconnell to find that Los-Vegas-Like-Mirage thronged with listeners beneath those crystal chandeliers…I’ve always loved playing that room….
I hope you are happy in your Village (Blink ‘n Miss) this grand Summer’s morn in this crazy old world
‘and then we’ll see just what was done….when blooms of every colour, blossom in the sun…’ my current fav from Lily. I’ve been listening to ‘Burning Times’ since my wee road trip to Letterkenny, what a really great album that is.
Wally Page plays next week in The Annesley House Friday 9th…and a couple gigs lined up for The Seaview Sessions in Booterstown Mick Hanly is back in five weeks, July 7th and Freddie White plays on Thurs 3rd August, maybe I can remind here closer to the time?
Hope all is great and thnks for this opp.L
Morra Lar, thats good news….Wally Page live in Dublin next Friday….
“O The Holy Ground,
Céad Míle Failte
There’s Saints & Scholars to see
O The Holy Ground
Far away Hills
aint as Green as they once used to be”
The 5 Lamps will resound with chorus from the maestro of song….Thanks too Lar for bringing your Seaview Sessions to our attention…..Gigs north and south of the River…you are doing great work…
Burning Times is resounding in the work room these days as I prepare for a month of Solo gigs…its almost 20 years since I played a run of solo gigs…its quite a challenge as I nervously anticipate the outcome…..but I am thoroughly enjoying the preparation
Mixing a live album at the moment….David Meade has been recording all the gigs these past years…himself and Jim Higgins have trawled the archive to find best versions of the most popular songs…it has been quite a journey from Pettigo to London, Kilkenny to Killarney, Thomas Street to The Gallowgate from which we have chosen 22 tracks to release come The Autumn
Lorry on the Factor 50 …catch you soon
Hello Christy,
Heard from various people how much they enjoyed your show in Birr on friday last. Thank you for remembering us and disappointed not to have made it.
Look forward to catching up soon.
Best Wishes,
Tom and Lucy.
Morra Tom & Lucy….
We had a good time in Birr…I said to Declan after that it had the feel of a Folk Club…there was a grand vibe in the room…first time we have done a two hand gig for about 18 months…some good requests from the room too….
Hope all is good with ye…that our paths cross along the way…keep it old-time- -funky-trad-folky-roots-country with a bit o’ garage-grunge -handbag on the side
Hi Christy,
We wanted to say a big thank you for Saturday night. You made very special for us by mentioning us. We had our baby there and he slept through the whole concert until the encore, glad we didn’t have to miss a second of it as the whole concert was awesome. Its been a huge trip for us from Australia to France then leaving our 2 older boys to travel to Ireland with the baby, but worth every minute of it to see you. Thanks again so much, from Michael and Rebecca HEDGES
Thanks for feedback…glad you had a good visit, that the infant listener lay in the arms of Morpheus until feeding time….
With a “few” concerts attended over recent months my father has given me the ultimatum…either sell the house and buy a caravan or ask Christy to just move in at this rate of going. Would you have a preference?
Joking aside, the Barrowlands was the last gig we’d been at until Birr on Friday night and I have to say no better man to know his audience. The Barrowlands was an experience that I’ll never ever forget, the atmosphere was just incredible but there is also something special about having it small and intimate, just yourself and Deckie, jammin’ away, having the craic. Thanks a million Christy!
Truly unique.
Barrowlands to Birr
and we lived to tell the tale
Dont sell the house
Keep coming back
A very late decision on sat afternoon turned out to be one of the best ideas as the gig in the Slieve Russell was worth every km and mile through Pettigo ,Enniskillen, Derrylin into Ballyconnell and into one of the biggest “function rooms” I’ve ever seen and it filled with the best sounds and music you could ever wish to hear.
Poor auld Guns and Roses and them out in the lashing rain….and then you introduced yourself as Axl…… some were wondering where was the Kilt ??
Solo ,duet ,three piece or quartet , every gig is special and exceptional.
Duffys Cut, City of Chicago, Natves blending into the Enniskillen Dragoon, the Well….and Allende with Spancil Hill in the encore…if I was gonna write a setlist…….Maithu Criostor.
You remind me of a Saturday when I too made a “late decision”…..
around 40 years ago I travelled to Carrick-On-Shannon to play a gig. I was a solo singer back then, driving my van with PA system, guitar and sleeping bag in the back…our dog Gypsy was my travelling companion ….
I pulled into a venue in County Leitrim to find out there was no gig, no poster, no promoter… ( I had a very dodgy agent at the time), the lady in reception knew nothing of me, a gig or the “promoter”… I was downcast,
Then I remembered…..
” The Bothy Band are playing in The Merriman Inn, Scariff, County Clare Tonight”
I got back into the trusty Peugeot 404 diesel (5118 IP) and mapped a route from Leitrim to East Clare…..4 hours later Gypsy and I arrived into Aidan & Sheila O’Beirne’s class venue just as The Bothy Band hit the stage ( back then The Merriman Tavern was the best gig in Ireland)
Paddy Keenan, Kevin Burke, Matt Molloy, Donal Lunny,Michéal and Tríona ní Dhonaill set the night on fire……definitely in my Top Ten gigs of all time…
Gypsy and I slept in the back of the van,parked behind the Hand Ball Alley in Ogonolloe….took a quick dip in The Shannon by the Bridge of Killaloe and struck out for The Castlecomer Plateau…
just like yourself last Saturday.. spontaneous reaction can sometimes yield joyful outcome
(I got rid of that dodgy agent)