Thanks…Wally Page and Johnny Mulhearn play here next Sat 4th Nov in The Punchbowl pub in Booterstown ..also on the bill is Jimmy Crowley..both will do seperate acts…
25th Nov: John Spillane
2nd Dec: Luka Bloom
So some nice gigs coming up..all welcome..tickets available 0868659814
Thank you.
Christy's reply
You are playing a stormer Lar…. bringing such good music to the Borough
Re scilly888
Dont think prosperoues is avaiable anywere for download. Can be got at res price on amazon etc. If you haveing toruble send me a email adamswicklow@gmail.com iv a copy here.hope this helps
Adam
Christy's reply
Thanks Adam..fair play to you…I sometimes wonder if certain correspondants read the replies elicited by their posts….
your Barrowland shot for the next album sleeve is gaining lots of favourable attention. “On The Road” will be released on the Late Late Show on November 17th
Hi C,,, always a pleasure to welcome you back to An Riocht,,, there was some crowd there last night,,it was a lively gig with people from all over,,,and as much as it 2pierces my humble pride ” to admit it the INEC is not one of my favourite venues but it can cater for big numbers,,, these are exciting times,, with the new Album eagerly awaited, and a host of solo gigs on the horizon ,,,and a small gaggle in Derry,, Shine On,, haste ye back ….slan tamall… H
Christy's reply
next time we might head west to Kruger’s and douse the drought
Can you tell me why your album Prosperous is not available on iTunes? Please make it available!
Christy's reply
Scilly
Isle tell you the truth, I do not have the faintest idea…..this query may best be directed to Tara Records …..I find it impossible to engage with such matters when there are songs to keep me busy…always chasing the songs….I dont even know how iTunes work…. its the record companies that deal with all that stuff …..hope you get sorted…
had a great time making that album 47 years ago…I still cherish the memories…myself, Liam O’Flynn, Andy Irvine and Donal Lunny in a basement cellar with Bill Leader and his trusty Revox Tape Recorder…two microphones involved, no tricks nor computers nor apps nor digi mixes nor samples nor computer tuning and the old album still out there in the world reverberating…
“One sang high and the other sang low
and the Lady sang the Raggle-Taggle Gypsy O”
Lovely to read all the chat here on the guestbook, ”tis hoppin these days…
Going over a beautiful concert I saw last night in the DC club here in Dublin, where Peter Byrne & Conor Mahony sang for us..Peter has a way of putting across a song that is very special and I could easily sit and listen to his beautiful voice all night…and that’s not an exaggeration..he has a great charm and what makes the gig special is the interaction between Peter and audience..it’s up close and personal and could easily sit there dunkin bickies into tea such is the cosiness of the gig. Again lovely version of Lord Franklin, Little Engine Room??, the good ship Kangaroos, Nap Bon, Robin no more..just a fantastic evening. Met a fella that used to do sound at The Meeting place, Colm Flynn…nice gathering…could here a pin drop…I’d go again tonight if I could. Conor plays beautiful guitar pieces..their CD ‘Land & Sea’ is a cracker and hope people get to see one of their gigs soon…you will leave with a smile.
Hope all is well on TNET…year 51..L x
Christy's reply
yes indeed, Peter is a lovely chanter, unique style and presentation, since teaming up with Conor his singing has blossomed…I must confess bias as Peter is my Brother-in-Law, husband to my sister Eilish…he chooses his repertoire very carefully…
great to hear that Colm Flynn is back doing live sound again after his years in RTE. Colm did the sound 40 years ago for the Band I had with Kevin Burke, Jimmy Faulkner and Declan McNelis….we had some good times together ..we also worked together in RTE when I recorded a series there about 16 years ago
Keep us posted here about you sessions in Booterstown and Wally’s gigs in the 5 Lamps
What a gorgeous evening at the INEC. Oh to be you and to be able to listen to your voice every night! Thanks so much for singing The Contender. Looking forward to hearing you again soon.
Míle buíochas
Noreen
P.S. That invite to Abbeyfeale is always open. Killeenagh Well is a peaceful spot. There’s the makings of a song there.
Christy's reply
Noreen a stór…you make the barn at Killeenagh Well sound enticing…as we passed thru Abbeyfeale last night I was wondering about the source
Dear Christy,
Just back from your wonderful concert in the INEC in Killarney, haven’t enjoyed myself so much in a long time!
Had my 15 year old son with me he loved it also, thanks for a great night, ailsa
Christy's reply
Ailsa, its always enchanting to read of parents and offspring coming to hear the songs….its a priviledge I enjoyed with my own children but never experienced with my parents..it was a different time….not many gigs or concerts back in the 50s and 60s….my very first Concert was with The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem back in 1962…life has never been the same since…
in later years I loved going to gigs with our Sons and Daughter….The Prodigy, U2, Brian Wilson, Sinéad, Van,Nik Kershaw,Roger Waters,Bob Dylan,Bob Marley are a few that spring to mind,
going to hear Martin Hayes tonight with his new Quartet….like his music a lot….its a pleasure to sit and watch how others go about it,
Thank You for your feedback
Hi Christy
I’m a huge fan who has travelled all over the UK to watch your concerts and am also currently researching the history of Manchester music.
~ Can you remember how long you lived in the city for and whereabouts you resided?
~ Which songs from your songbook came out of that period, other than “Cricklewood”, “The Old Man’s Song”, “Cold Blow” and the Ewan MacColl covers?
~ I read that you were “terrified of mikes” back then. Having lived next door to Mike Harding myself for many years, I can understand why 🙂
~ I know that you were good friends with Tony Downes. Have you ever thought about covering “The Flowers Of Manchester”?
~ And, finally, maybe you could settle a burning question I have in my blurred memory: When I was a young boy, long before I knew your music, I was invited to the Manchester United players end of season party at at the Amblehurst Hotel in Altrincham, after the last game of the season in 1994, when they had just won the league. I think you turned up with Paddy Crerand and was singing “Roy Keane’s Fucking Magic…” to the annoyance of the owner Mike Proffit (a City fan). He repeatedly told you (or whoever it was I was told was you) to be quiet as you were waking the hotel guests. Needless to say, the songs continued and just got louder. Was that actually you or just somebody singing your songs?
Cheers mate
Neil
PrideOfManchester.com
Christy's reply
on different nights I laid my head in Moss Side, Didsbury, Cheetham Hill, Crumpsall, Bury and Rochdale before going o’er top to the hlls around Halifax…I still remember Tony Downes singing Los Gatos at Fr Fritz’s club which ran every Wed at St Clare’s…I heard The McPeake Family there in 66/67
never met Paddy Crerand…I’ve not heard the Flower of Manchester for 40 years .must check it out again
Hello Christy wrote this little memory down for you today
Was walking on the quiet little road which leads up to the ranges just down from orchard park .
The leaves were coming down in showers after being pummeled by last weeks storm which left them all hanging by a spiders thread a short gust bringing them down on top of me.I made my way up the stony military path the mother used to call the Burma road till I came to the “Butts” of the ranges. As you probably know the Butts is the bunker underneath the ranges where the soldiers would load the cardboard targets and propel them via a clockwork machine into the air for their comrades to fire at.
Many a time in the early eighties as an army apprentice I found myself there as ricochets zoomed past and buried themselves into the hill behind the Butts. Often I saw splinters flying as the incoming bullets would pierce the wooden frames surrounding the targets. This would bring a loud Yeah Hey ! from myself and the other lads.
I remember one time in the Autumn of 81 we route marched from Devoy barracks in Naas to the Curragh ranges and when we eventually arrived bolloxed the Army fed us with hard cheese Sangers and watery tea. The Sangers made you mad thirsty so the tea was greatly appreciated.
Then to our great disbelief ….instead of being able to have some fun firing on the ranges the bastards made us pick up sheep shite in our berets and empty the contents into the furze. Apparently the next day was the all Ireland army shooting competition and because we were mere 2 star apprentices from Naas we were deemed low enough to Warrant the task. On the way back to our barracks in Naas they stopped our truck on the Naas dual carraige way and made us march the last two miles to Devoy barracks. As I marched along the road Clay… deas… Clay …deas… Clay…deas…. Clay…. Clay ….Clay…Clay. I saw on the ground in front of me a fully loaded a Browing pistol. I picked it up and put it in my Combat Jacket . Minutes later they halted our march as our platoon Lieutenant who was a right bollox ran up and down the road. He had a frantic look on his face as a pale blue rope pistol lanyard lashed back and forward on his hip. His pistol missing. A few of the hard chaws who saw me pick up the Browning muttered “feck it in the ditch…feck it in the ditch.They all disliked the officer and would have been delighted to see him get in serious trouble . Losing your gun is taboo in the army. I admit I was tempted …dearly tempted to dispose of the weapon but when I saw how lost this young officer looked I knew I couldn’t do it.
Are you looking for this Sir I called out from the ranks and produced the Pistol. The Lieutenant snatched the pistol from my hand like it was the keys of Fort Knox.
Thanks Okeeffe !… he said …. I owe you one ! ……Two days later he charged me with not having a proper haircut and got me a weeks CB ( confined to barracks).
The Butts are run down now … no longer does the clockwork wheels turn for they are rusted and seized. The memories are still crisp in my mind and as I look around me here I still see the faces of the members of my platoon as if it were 36 years ago and I was still seventeen.
Your friend Barney
Christy's reply
Thanks for sharing Barney…when you talk about the Butts it brings back old memories…we used to head up there 20 years earlier…I remember old tracks and an “ammo” carriage we used to haul up and then jump aboard for the spin back down….your Curragh experiences are more extensive then mine but I have many different memories of the 50s and 60s that revolved around that unique and sacred pace…
If you met Lieut Bollox again would you still give him back his resolver? I did 2 years in the F.C.A. and we had a few rights shites there too…. ( I’m not for a moment comparing FCA to regular Army but there were certain similarities)
I knew a lot of Army folk growing up in Newbridge…..in early teens we used to cycle to the baths, I still remember the army men who ran the baths…Tommy Cullen , Pete Madden, Frank McNamara….back then there was a great swimming club there and many Curragh swimmers won national titles..Paul Hyland, Mary Flood, John McNamara, Frank Collins,the Douglas and Dillons all great swimmers
….sometimes we used to mitch up to the Curragh until they got a mitching guard in Newbridge ( Guard Enright) who soon put an end to our gallop…
when Newbridge lads got off with Curragh girls the love nests were often in the Furze Bushes..
when I was a boy soprano I sang in the old Sands picture house at a few Variety shows..Kevin Barry and Meeting of the Waters were my big songs back in 1957..
…..do you remember the tea rooms near the Post Office…used to go in there with Joe Redmond for tea and buns when out on deliveries.. ( my ma had a grocery shop in Newbridge and Joe and I did deliveries)
I had a lot of boyhood friends in The Camp back then….my Da died in “The Jockey Hospital”in 1956…. I still remember the Motor car Racing around The Curragh and also the great Motor Bike Scrambles near Donnollys Hollow…
later when I started hanging out with Porter Sharks I visited a few of the Wet Mess sessions, we had unmerciful crack and laughed our way home down The Green Road to Newbridge…
Used to go to Paddy Leahys in The Standhouse which was always a good hideaway for young rapscallions who were not supposed to be drinking….
Anyway Barney, I’m down here in Killarney for a gig tomorrow night and your Curragh ramble really set me off on a route march down memory lane !!
See you along the way…….
Hi Christy,
Will you be selling signed copies of your new CD ‘On The Road’ from your website and/or at your Vicar Street gigs January 2018 ?
Kind Regards,
Kevin.
Christy's reply
Yes Kevin….
if all goes well I’ll have tennis elbow from all the signing…
I have been a fan since before I could talk when my Dad played your music on all our car journeys (on tape not C.D) and holidays ‘down south’ as we in the North of Ireland would say. Myself and and few friends have been to see you twice now in the last 18 month, the last being in the Clanree where you forgot the words to Bright Blue Rose. Would love it if you could give it a go again next Friday 3rd Nov in Milennium Forum for us. Can’t wait to see you again always a pleasure.
Christy's reply
Jimmy MacCarthy’s Ballad is never far from our set….we will pull strings to include it in The Forum next friday…..part of me still longs to sing in the Old Rialto, probably before your time… back in the day it was the place to play….
This is a memory that has half haunted me for many years. I was working as a barman in the Red Cow Inn on the Naas Road back in 1991-92. This particular night I was working the public bar. My wife was pregnant at the time and I was working long hours so as to give the babby (now a twenty-five-year-old woman) a good landing and a bit of stability. It was a quiet night in the pub and I nipped outside for a smoke. It was a dark and freezing cold night outside as I lit up the fag and watched the cars and buses milling up and down the Naas Road. There wasn’t much else to look at to be honest. Between the lights of the traffic and the lights of the pub there was a pitch black, unlit stretch of maybe fifty yards or so where I could see nothing. So I’m standing outside the door of the pub having a smoke, slightly shivering in my light barman’s shirt when all of a sudden, I see this figure staggering slowly out of the darkness towards me. As she emerged from the shadows into the light coming from the pub, I could see she was gaunt and trembling and staring at me with vacant eyes like a rabbit caught in the headlights of the cars and buses on the Naas Road. I looked at her and said something like, “Are ya alright there?” She tried to speak, to say something, but her voice was weak and her words were slurred. She was young. Mid to late twenties at most. I wondered was she a smack-head, or an alcoholic, a glue-sniffer – we used to get all types coming in from Clondalkin and Neillstown. She was dirty and unhealthy looking and her attempts to speak, half drowned out by the traffic noise off the road, weren’t making much sense to me. She staggered a bit closer, a few feet away from me now, and as she was about to say something one of the bouncers came out to the door behind me and saw her. “Get the f*ck out of here ya knacker!” he yelled at her. “Go on! F*ck off or I’ll call the guards!” Like an animal that’s been startled, she turned and bolted off, back into the darkness as the cars and buses sped past. “F*ckin knackers!” said the bouncer and walked back inside. I looked, but couldn’t see her anywhere and could only hope that she’d stopped running before hitting the Naas Road. A few years later, having moved and started a new life away from Ireland, a friend of mine from Roscommon came to visit. He gave me a few tapes of music he thought I’d like. “King Puck! Jayziss!” sez I. “A new Christy Moore album! Mighty!” So a few nights later, when the kid and the wife were asleep, I make myself a cup of tea and stick the tape on in the kitchen. And it comes to the Yellow Furze Woman and that line hits me, “she sang of the halting site out beyond Clondalkin where Ann Maughan froze to death between the dump and the railway line”. Christy, I’m not exaggerating when I say it hit me like the number 51 bus speeding out the Naas Road. Blew me feckin head off, it did. Christ! I was immediately transported back to that freezing cold night standing outside the Red Cow and I could see her face. I’ll never know who she was. I can only hope to God that she somehow managed to find her way home. And out of whatever mess she was in. Was listening to a mix of songs in the car on the way home from work tonight and Yellow Furze came on. Every time I hear it I’m taken back to that night. A crystal clear memory that will never leave me. So I thought I’d share it with you. There y’are. She’ll be in my dreams again tonight.
Christy's reply
Morra Joe,
What a descriptive post…you had me right there beside you at The Red Cow 25 years ago….my first response was a desire to put sugar in that Bouncers petrol tank…
what you shared reads like a scene from a drama….
Nigel Rolfe sent me a lyric way back called “Outside herself” it was based on the story of a young life quenched on a halting site between “dump and railway line”..I was writing “Yellow Furze Woman” ( aka Wise and Holy Woman) sometime later and used the image …
I did a song project 40 years ago with young Travellers in Meath Street…we ended up with a cassette that had some good verses written by the participants…one of whom was called Anne Maughan…
that fuckin bouncer, what a crude brute of an inhuman, ….that end of the security business has improved greatly since…most ” crowd control engineers” these days are a lot more civiized then that wanker….
I’m curious as to why you’d “go out for a smoke in a light shirt” before the smoking ban came in…I’m not doubting it, just curious to know..
I have some Red Cow memories from an earlier time back in days of the “Bonafide”
We stopped there once coming back from a Kildare match in Croker…12 of us in Begs McCormacks Bedford Van…I remember going into the Red Cow…..
Another time ( circa 1963) myself and Billy Parkinson got off the Newbridge Bus and went into the Red Cow vowing to catch the last Bus…we missed that and set out hitching at closing time..we were well nourished….a Fiat 127 pulled up driven by a man we knew from The Curragh Camp…he too was “on the beer” and was carrying bottles.. we drank and sang our way home to Newbridge with not a care.
in the world
Hope you are having a good day in the Basque country…seems like its “hotting” up in Spain..recent events in Catalonia reminded me of Burntollet
Hi Christy,
Looking forward to hearing you in Killarney next Friday night. Last time I saw you was in Tralee. You asked for requests but I wasn’t brave enough to shout up “The Contender”. Would love to hear it at the INEC.
Probably my favourite concert of yours was the night you sang to us in the parish hall in Knocknagoshel. Words would never capture the intimacy and pureness of that evening.
I’d love to get you to Abbeyfeale. Not sure there’s a venue that would suit but if you ever felt like doing something totally mad, my brother in law has a fine shed on his sheep farm. It’s a really beautiful spot with views down the valley and a blessed well at the end. History says that St. Ita prayed there.
Anyway enough of my ramblings.
I just wanted to say thanks for all the wonderful songs. Your voice takes me to places deep within the soul. I’m currently reading your book “One voice” and enjoying the accounts accompanying each song. How do you remember so much ?
God bless you in all you do. “Ride on”
Míle buíochas,
Leeds gach dea ghuí,
Noreen
Christy's reply
The memory of Knocknagoshel still clear in my mind…there were many unique moments to cherish…
the very thought of that fine shed on on your brother’s sheep farm sends my mind racing….my colleagues, who organize all the concerts, are probably having caliptions at the very thought,
would the audience have to be dipped on the way in…would I need to go to the vet before or after, would I end up with a tag on my ear, shearing would not be a problem for me as I’m almost totally bald, would the Ram be on the loose…it the brother in law organic
I love the sound of “The Well”
Thanks for your feedback and invite to Abbeyfeale..
PS. Mickey McConnells “Tinkers Red Haired Daughter” is a classic ballad
My Father (44 years) and I (17 years) are both great fans of yours. We have seen you five years running at the Belfast Waterfront Hall, including on the 5th of October this year, 18 days before the passing of my 42 year old mother (Sharon Donnelly), after a five year brave battle with Cancer. You played a fantastic set that night which allowed my Dad (Kevin Snr) to take a well deserved step back from the reality which we were facing. One song which carries a lot of significance for my Father and is The Voyage, which you played that night – a song which frames the relationship between my mother, father and our crew quite well. My mother was never a big fan of yours however she was the one who bought us the tickets to see yourself each year as she understood how much we enjoyed your songs and concerts. On the day of your concert, my dad played your songs from early morning, excited for the concert later that night, in the Northern Ireland hospice with my Mum. After twenty-five years of being together my dad finally got my mum to sing along to the voyage, something of which took him back very much. My mother’s life will be celebrated at St. James’ chapel Aldergrove this Wednesday at 11:00 AM where the celebrations will continue at the Maldron Hotel Belfast International Airport. I know this is a long shot but I would be very grateful if you could make a short appearance at the Hotel to sing this beloved song and maybe even give us a chance to push a few more buttons on the Jukebox ;). If you’re able, I would appreciate if you could take a few moments to read the inspirational story which my mother decided to share with the rest of the North about her brave journey, one which I hope brought a lot of comfort to a lot of people: http://www.belfastlive.co.uk/news/belfast-news/mum-two-prepares-say-goodbye-13732258
Christy's reply
Thanks for sharing your Mother’s inspirational story Kevin…these will be hard days for you, your Brother and Father…..sorry to read of your courageous Mother’s passing
Dear Christy Moore.
Love your music for years. Was at a concert in Westport in 2016, while cycling along the westcoast of Ireland. Next year i’ll be in Ireland again in the month of may. Are you playing somewhere in Ireland ? We would love to come and enjoy an evening with your music. Love, Nora
Christy's reply
if all goes well there should be some Irish gigs next may….Pedal On Nora
Yesterday, I checked your quiz but got stumped with a number bearing the same name. Got the Green Briar…ní nach ionadh! Wandering through the counties was much more appealing than what I should have been focused on i.e. practicing irregular verbs for my Irish class tomorrow morning. That said I feel a song coming on…
An raibh tú ar an gCarraig?
nó and bhfaca tú féin mo ghrá?
agus chonaic me…
If only I could learn all eleven… present, past and future through song!
Ádh mór Mary
Christy's reply
Auld Sheebeen……………..Moate……………….Co. Westmeath.
Kon-Tiki……………………….Rooskey…………… Co. Leitrim
Rakish Paddy’s…………….Lanesboro………….Co Longford
Kate Reilly’s ………………..Tramore Rd ………..Co Waterford
Lansdowne Hotel…………..The Bronx……………New York
Merriman Tavern…………….Scariff…………………Co. Clare
Arkle Bar………………………..Gowran………………Co. Kilkenny
The West End Bar……………Ballyragget………….Co Kilkenny
Sviebel………………………….Hamburg………………Germany
Blue Lagoon…………………..Sligo……………………Co.Sligo
Green Briar…………………….Belfast…………………Co Antrim
Old House at Home………..Blakeley……………….Manchester
Cherry Tree…………………….Clogherhead………..Co Louth
Club Paradiso…………………Amsterdam………….Holland
Coffee Kitchen………………..Molesworth St………Dublin
An Béal Bocht………………..Charlemont St……….Dublin
McGanns………………………..Boston…………………Mass.
Flann O’Brien’s…………………Paris……………………France
The Basement…………………Mountjoy Prison…….Dublin
El Ruedo…………………………Carlow …………………Co. Carlow
Hi C,,, you have often said ” first up best dressed “,,,, so I propose you give the prize to CS,, save yourself a lot of hassle and the risk of nightmares,,,? / H
Hi CM whats in this goodie bag you write about ? a farrier voucher? a darning needle ?, toenail clippings,? a new album? malteasers,? hot tamales ,?tofu?poppy seeds ?
sheeps wool?
A goodie bag could be anything like.
There is an auld sheebeen in Ballina
There is one in Moate one in Dublin too
There is a Kontiki in Spain
Also a Kontiki florida but I reckon you mean the one in Sligo
Rakish Paddy’s is in Sligo
The Lansdowne is in Báile áth Cliath one in Kenmare also
The Merriman is in KinMhara- Kinvara that is ..
There is a westend theatre in London
Kate Reilly’s Kitchen in Ballyshannon theres O Reillys kitchen in Gaillimh or is it the one in Waterford
Coolreas house is in Sligo
Sviebel is in germany so is Musichalle or Markethalle or Faberge or Sviebel or Fasan’s Kneipe by the way!
The blue lagoon ..Sligo
green briar pub brighton Boston dad knows that one .
The Old House at Home,Burton UK
The Cherry Tree,WALKINSTOWN DUBLIN
Paradiso,cork
The Coffee Kitchen,Molesworth Street Dublin aparently its behind the mansion house where roisin was one time
The Béal Bocht Dublin
McGanns,Doolin
Flann O’Briens,Paris
The Basement do you mean the basement in the Old Triangle?
El Ruedo Carlow
Christy's reply
CS (13)
thats near enough for me…soon as I find a lucky bag I will be on to you…be patient
CM (73)
Just made ticket reservations for your concert at Westlodge hotel Bantry. Last time my children and I were there at the same venue. This time my wife and I , together with two of our closest friends already booked ourselves a little weekend holiday break in Cork months ago. And……..now you’re even playing in Bantry! What a great surprise! Fair play to your tourmanager 🙂
Anywayz, hope all is well. Looking forward to seeing you in concert again.
Thanks…Wally Page and Johnny Mulhearn play here next Sat 4th Nov in The Punchbowl pub in Booterstown ..also on the bill is Jimmy Crowley..both will do seperate acts…
25th Nov: John Spillane
2nd Dec: Luka Bloom
So some nice gigs coming up..all welcome..tickets available 0868659814
Thank you.
You are playing a stormer Lar…. bringing such good music to the Borough
Re scilly888
Dont think prosperoues is avaiable anywere for download. Can be got at res price on amazon etc. If you haveing toruble send me a email adamswicklow@gmail.com iv a copy here.hope this helps
Adam
Thanks Adam..fair play to you…I sometimes wonder if certain correspondants read the replies elicited by their posts….
your Barrowland shot for the next album sleeve is gaining lots of favourable attention. “On The Road” will be released on the Late Late Show on November 17th
Hi C,,, always a pleasure to welcome you back to An Riocht,,, there was some crowd there last night,,it was a lively gig with people from all over,,,and as much as it 2pierces my humble pride ” to admit it the INEC is not one of my favourite venues but it can cater for big numbers,,, these are exciting times,, with the new Album eagerly awaited, and a host of solo gigs on the horizon ,,,and a small gaggle in Derry,, Shine On,, haste ye back ….slan tamall… H
next time we might head west to Kruger’s and douse the drought
Can you tell me why your album Prosperous is not available on iTunes? Please make it available!
Scilly
Isle tell you the truth, I do not have the faintest idea…..this query may best be directed to Tara Records …..I find it impossible to engage with such matters when there are songs to keep me busy…always chasing the songs….I dont even know how iTunes work…. its the record companies that deal with all that stuff …..hope you get sorted…
had a great time making that album 47 years ago…I still cherish the memories…myself, Liam O’Flynn, Andy Irvine and Donal Lunny in a basement cellar with Bill Leader and his trusty Revox Tape Recorder…two microphones involved, no tricks nor computers nor apps nor digi mixes nor samples nor computer tuning and the old album still out there in the world reverberating…
“One sang high and the other sang low
and the Lady sang the Raggle-Taggle Gypsy O”
Lovely to read all the chat here on the guestbook, ”tis hoppin these days…
Going over a beautiful concert I saw last night in the DC club here in Dublin, where Peter Byrne & Conor Mahony sang for us..Peter has a way of putting across a song that is very special and I could easily sit and listen to his beautiful voice all night…and that’s not an exaggeration..he has a great charm and what makes the gig special is the interaction between Peter and audience..it’s up close and personal and could easily sit there dunkin bickies into tea such is the cosiness of the gig. Again lovely version of Lord Franklin, Little Engine Room??, the good ship Kangaroos, Nap Bon, Robin no more..just a fantastic evening. Met a fella that used to do sound at The Meeting place, Colm Flynn…nice gathering…could here a pin drop…I’d go again tonight if I could. Conor plays beautiful guitar pieces..their CD ‘Land & Sea’ is a cracker and hope people get to see one of their gigs soon…you will leave with a smile.
Hope all is well on TNET…year 51..L x
yes indeed, Peter is a lovely chanter, unique style and presentation, since teaming up with Conor his singing has blossomed…I must confess bias as Peter is my Brother-in-Law, husband to my sister Eilish…he chooses his repertoire very carefully…
great to hear that Colm Flynn is back doing live sound again after his years in RTE. Colm did the sound 40 years ago for the Band I had with Kevin Burke, Jimmy Faulkner and Declan McNelis….we had some good times together ..we also worked together in RTE when I recorded a series there about 16 years ago
Keep us posted here about you sessions in Booterstown and Wally’s gigs in the 5 Lamps
What a gorgeous evening at the INEC. Oh to be you and to be able to listen to your voice every night! Thanks so much for singing The Contender. Looking forward to hearing you again soon.
Míle buíochas
Noreen
P.S. That invite to Abbeyfeale is always open. Killeenagh Well is a peaceful spot. There’s the makings of a song there.
Noreen a stór…you make the barn at Killeenagh Well sound enticing…as we passed thru Abbeyfeale last night I was wondering about the source
Dear Christy,
Just back from your wonderful concert in the INEC in Killarney, haven’t enjoyed myself so much in a long time!
Had my 15 year old son with me he loved it also, thanks for a great night, ailsa
Ailsa, its always enchanting to read of parents and offspring coming to hear the songs….its a priviledge I enjoyed with my own children but never experienced with my parents..it was a different time….not many gigs or concerts back in the 50s and 60s….my very first Concert was with The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem back in 1962…life has never been the same since…
in later years I loved going to gigs with our Sons and Daughter….The Prodigy, U2, Brian Wilson, Sinéad, Van,Nik Kershaw,Roger Waters,Bob Dylan,Bob Marley are a few that spring to mind,
going to hear Martin Hayes tonight with his new Quartet….like his music a lot….its a pleasure to sit and watch how others go about it,
Thank You for your feedback
Hi Christy
I’m a huge fan who has travelled all over the UK to watch your concerts and am also currently researching the history of Manchester music.
~ Can you remember how long you lived in the city for and whereabouts you resided?
~ Which songs from your songbook came out of that period, other than “Cricklewood”, “The Old Man’s Song”, “Cold Blow” and the Ewan MacColl covers?
~ I read that you were “terrified of mikes” back then. Having lived next door to Mike Harding myself for many years, I can understand why 🙂
~ I know that you were good friends with Tony Downes. Have you ever thought about covering “The Flowers Of Manchester”?
~ And, finally, maybe you could settle a burning question I have in my blurred memory: When I was a young boy, long before I knew your music, I was invited to the Manchester United players end of season party at at the Amblehurst Hotel in Altrincham, after the last game of the season in 1994, when they had just won the league. I think you turned up with Paddy Crerand and was singing “Roy Keane’s Fucking Magic…” to the annoyance of the owner Mike Proffit (a City fan). He repeatedly told you (or whoever it was I was told was you) to be quiet as you were waking the hotel guests. Needless to say, the songs continued and just got louder. Was that actually you or just somebody singing your songs?
Cheers mate
Neil
PrideOfManchester.com
on different nights I laid my head in Moss Side, Didsbury, Cheetham Hill, Crumpsall, Bury and Rochdale before going o’er top to the hlls around Halifax…I still remember Tony Downes singing Los Gatos at Fr Fritz’s club which ran every Wed at St Clare’s…I heard The McPeake Family there in 66/67
never met Paddy Crerand…I’ve not heard the Flower of Manchester for 40 years .must check it out again
Sheep….Shite and Soldiers
Hello Christy wrote this little memory down for you today
Was walking on the quiet little road which leads up to the ranges just down from orchard park .
The leaves were coming down in showers after being pummeled by last weeks storm which left them all hanging by a spiders thread a short gust bringing them down on top of me.I made my way up the stony military path the mother used to call the Burma road till I came to the “Butts” of the ranges. As you probably know the Butts is the bunker underneath the ranges where the soldiers would load the cardboard targets and propel them via a clockwork machine into the air for their comrades to fire at.
Many a time in the early eighties as an army apprentice I found myself there as ricochets zoomed past and buried themselves into the hill behind the Butts. Often I saw splinters flying as the incoming bullets would pierce the wooden frames surrounding the targets. This would bring a loud Yeah Hey ! from myself and the other lads.
I remember one time in the Autumn of 81 we route marched from Devoy barracks in Naas to the Curragh ranges and when we eventually arrived bolloxed the Army fed us with hard cheese Sangers and watery tea. The Sangers made you mad thirsty so the tea was greatly appreciated.
Then to our great disbelief ….instead of being able to have some fun firing on the ranges the bastards made us pick up sheep shite in our berets and empty the contents into the furze. Apparently the next day was the all Ireland army shooting competition and because we were mere 2 star apprentices from Naas we were deemed low enough to Warrant the task. On the way back to our barracks in Naas they stopped our truck on the Naas dual carraige way and made us march the last two miles to Devoy barracks. As I marched along the road Clay… deas… Clay …deas… Clay…deas…. Clay…. Clay ….Clay…Clay. I saw on the ground in front of me a fully loaded a Browing pistol. I picked it up and put it in my Combat Jacket . Minutes later they halted our march as our platoon Lieutenant who was a right bollox ran up and down the road. He had a frantic look on his face as a pale blue rope pistol lanyard lashed back and forward on his hip. His pistol missing. A few of the hard chaws who saw me pick up the Browning muttered “feck it in the ditch…feck it in the ditch.They all disliked the officer and would have been delighted to see him get in serious trouble . Losing your gun is taboo in the army. I admit I was tempted …dearly tempted to dispose of the weapon but when I saw how lost this young officer looked I knew I couldn’t do it.
Are you looking for this Sir I called out from the ranks and produced the Pistol. The Lieutenant snatched the pistol from my hand like it was the keys of Fort Knox.
Thanks Okeeffe !… he said …. I owe you one ! ……Two days later he charged me with not having a proper haircut and got me a weeks CB ( confined to barracks).
The Butts are run down now … no longer does the clockwork wheels turn for they are rusted and seized. The memories are still crisp in my mind and as I look around me here I still see the faces of the members of my platoon as if it were 36 years ago and I was still seventeen.
Your friend Barney
Thanks for sharing Barney…when you talk about the Butts it brings back old memories…we used to head up there 20 years earlier…I remember old tracks and an “ammo” carriage we used to haul up and then jump aboard for the spin back down….your Curragh experiences are more extensive then mine but I have many different memories of the 50s and 60s that revolved around that unique and sacred pace…
If you met Lieut Bollox again would you still give him back his resolver? I did 2 years in the F.C.A. and we had a few rights shites there too…. ( I’m not for a moment comparing FCA to regular Army but there were certain similarities)
I knew a lot of Army folk growing up in Newbridge…..in early teens we used to cycle to the baths, I still remember the army men who ran the baths…Tommy Cullen , Pete Madden, Frank McNamara….back then there was a great swimming club there and many Curragh swimmers won national titles..Paul Hyland, Mary Flood, John McNamara, Frank Collins,the Douglas and Dillons all great swimmers
….sometimes we used to mitch up to the Curragh until they got a mitching guard in Newbridge ( Guard Enright) who soon put an end to our gallop…
when Newbridge lads got off with Curragh girls the love nests were often in the Furze Bushes..
when I was a boy soprano I sang in the old Sands picture house at a few Variety shows..Kevin Barry and Meeting of the Waters were my big songs back in 1957..
…..do you remember the tea rooms near the Post Office…used to go in there with Joe Redmond for tea and buns when out on deliveries.. ( my ma had a grocery shop in Newbridge and Joe and I did deliveries)
I had a lot of boyhood friends in The Camp back then….my Da died in “The Jockey Hospital”in 1956…. I still remember the Motor car Racing around The Curragh and also the great Motor Bike Scrambles near Donnollys Hollow…
later when I started hanging out with Porter Sharks I visited a few of the Wet Mess sessions, we had unmerciful crack and laughed our way home down The Green Road to Newbridge…
Used to go to Paddy Leahys in The Standhouse which was always a good hideaway for young rapscallions who were not supposed to be drinking….
Anyway Barney, I’m down here in Killarney for a gig tomorrow night and your Curragh ramble really set me off on a route march down memory lane !!
See you along the way…….
Hi Christy,
Will you be selling signed copies of your new CD ‘On The Road’ from your website and/or at your Vicar Street gigs January 2018 ?
Kind Regards,
Kevin.
Yes Kevin….
if all goes well I’ll have tennis elbow from all the signing…
I have been a fan since before I could talk when my Dad played your music on all our car journeys (on tape not C.D) and holidays ‘down south’ as we in the North of Ireland would say. Myself and and few friends have been to see you twice now in the last 18 month, the last being in the Clanree where you forgot the words to Bright Blue Rose. Would love it if you could give it a go again next Friday 3rd Nov in Milennium Forum for us. Can’t wait to see you again always a pleasure.
Jimmy MacCarthy’s Ballad is never far from our set….we will pull strings to include it in The Forum next friday…..part of me still longs to sing in the Old Rialto, probably before your time… back in the day it was the place to play….
This is a memory that has half haunted me for many years. I was working as a barman in the Red Cow Inn on the Naas Road back in 1991-92. This particular night I was working the public bar. My wife was pregnant at the time and I was working long hours so as to give the babby (now a twenty-five-year-old woman) a good landing and a bit of stability. It was a quiet night in the pub and I nipped outside for a smoke. It was a dark and freezing cold night outside as I lit up the fag and watched the cars and buses milling up and down the Naas Road. There wasn’t much else to look at to be honest. Between the lights of the traffic and the lights of the pub there was a pitch black, unlit stretch of maybe fifty yards or so where I could see nothing. So I’m standing outside the door of the pub having a smoke, slightly shivering in my light barman’s shirt when all of a sudden, I see this figure staggering slowly out of the darkness towards me. As she emerged from the shadows into the light coming from the pub, I could see she was gaunt and trembling and staring at me with vacant eyes like a rabbit caught in the headlights of the cars and buses on the Naas Road. I looked at her and said something like, “Are ya alright there?” She tried to speak, to say something, but her voice was weak and her words were slurred. She was young. Mid to late twenties at most. I wondered was she a smack-head, or an alcoholic, a glue-sniffer – we used to get all types coming in from Clondalkin and Neillstown. She was dirty and unhealthy looking and her attempts to speak, half drowned out by the traffic noise off the road, weren’t making much sense to me. She staggered a bit closer, a few feet away from me now, and as she was about to say something one of the bouncers came out to the door behind me and saw her. “Get the f*ck out of here ya knacker!” he yelled at her. “Go on! F*ck off or I’ll call the guards!” Like an animal that’s been startled, she turned and bolted off, back into the darkness as the cars and buses sped past. “F*ckin knackers!” said the bouncer and walked back inside. I looked, but couldn’t see her anywhere and could only hope that she’d stopped running before hitting the Naas Road. A few years later, having moved and started a new life away from Ireland, a friend of mine from Roscommon came to visit. He gave me a few tapes of music he thought I’d like. “King Puck! Jayziss!” sez I. “A new Christy Moore album! Mighty!” So a few nights later, when the kid and the wife were asleep, I make myself a cup of tea and stick the tape on in the kitchen. And it comes to the Yellow Furze Woman and that line hits me, “she sang of the halting site out beyond Clondalkin where Ann Maughan froze to death between the dump and the railway line”. Christy, I’m not exaggerating when I say it hit me like the number 51 bus speeding out the Naas Road. Blew me feckin head off, it did. Christ! I was immediately transported back to that freezing cold night standing outside the Red Cow and I could see her face. I’ll never know who she was. I can only hope to God that she somehow managed to find her way home. And out of whatever mess she was in. Was listening to a mix of songs in the car on the way home from work tonight and Yellow Furze came on. Every time I hear it I’m taken back to that night. A crystal clear memory that will never leave me. So I thought I’d share it with you. There y’are. She’ll be in my dreams again tonight.
Morra Joe,
What a descriptive post…you had me right there beside you at The Red Cow 25 years ago….my first response was a desire to put sugar in that Bouncers petrol tank…
what you shared reads like a scene from a drama….
Nigel Rolfe sent me a lyric way back called “Outside herself” it was based on the story of a young life quenched on a halting site between “dump and railway line”..I was writing “Yellow Furze Woman” ( aka Wise and Holy Woman) sometime later and used the image …
I did a song project 40 years ago with young Travellers in Meath Street…we ended up with a cassette that had some good verses written by the participants…one of whom was called Anne Maughan…
that fuckin bouncer, what a crude brute of an inhuman, ….that end of the security business has improved greatly since…most ” crowd control engineers” these days are a lot more civiized then that wanker….
I’m curious as to why you’d “go out for a smoke in a light shirt” before the smoking ban came in…I’m not doubting it, just curious to know..
I have some Red Cow memories from an earlier time back in days of the “Bonafide”
We stopped there once coming back from a Kildare match in Croker…12 of us in Begs McCormacks Bedford Van…I remember going into the Red Cow…..
Another time ( circa 1963) myself and Billy Parkinson got off the Newbridge Bus and went into the Red Cow vowing to catch the last Bus…we missed that and set out hitching at closing time..we were well nourished….a Fiat 127 pulled up driven by a man we knew from The Curragh Camp…he too was “on the beer” and was carrying bottles.. we drank and sang our way home to Newbridge with not a care.
in the world
Hope you are having a good day in the Basque country…seems like its “hotting” up in Spain..recent events in Catalonia reminded me of Burntollet
Hi Christy,
Looking forward to hearing you in Killarney next Friday night. Last time I saw you was in Tralee. You asked for requests but I wasn’t brave enough to shout up “The Contender”. Would love to hear it at the INEC.
Probably my favourite concert of yours was the night you sang to us in the parish hall in Knocknagoshel. Words would never capture the intimacy and pureness of that evening.
I’d love to get you to Abbeyfeale. Not sure there’s a venue that would suit but if you ever felt like doing something totally mad, my brother in law has a fine shed on his sheep farm. It’s a really beautiful spot with views down the valley and a blessed well at the end. History says that St. Ita prayed there.
Anyway enough of my ramblings.
I just wanted to say thanks for all the wonderful songs. Your voice takes me to places deep within the soul. I’m currently reading your book “One voice” and enjoying the accounts accompanying each song. How do you remember so much ?
God bless you in all you do. “Ride on”
Míle buíochas,
Leeds gach dea ghuí,
Noreen
The memory of Knocknagoshel still clear in my mind…there were many unique moments to cherish…
the very thought of that fine shed on on your brother’s sheep farm sends my mind racing….my colleagues, who organize all the concerts, are probably having caliptions at the very thought,
would the audience have to be dipped on the way in…would I need to go to the vet before or after, would I end up with a tag on my ear, shearing would not be a problem for me as I’m almost totally bald, would the Ram be on the loose…it the brother in law organic
I love the sound of “The Well”
Thanks for your feedback and invite to Abbeyfeale..
PS. Mickey McConnells “Tinkers Red Haired Daughter” is a classic ballad
Dear Christy,
My Father (44 years) and I (17 years) are both great fans of yours. We have seen you five years running at the Belfast Waterfront Hall, including on the 5th of October this year, 18 days before the passing of my 42 year old mother (Sharon Donnelly), after a five year brave battle with Cancer. You played a fantastic set that night which allowed my Dad (Kevin Snr) to take a well deserved step back from the reality which we were facing. One song which carries a lot of significance for my Father and is The Voyage, which you played that night – a song which frames the relationship between my mother, father and our crew quite well. My mother was never a big fan of yours however she was the one who bought us the tickets to see yourself each year as she understood how much we enjoyed your songs and concerts. On the day of your concert, my dad played your songs from early morning, excited for the concert later that night, in the Northern Ireland hospice with my Mum. After twenty-five years of being together my dad finally got my mum to sing along to the voyage, something of which took him back very much. My mother’s life will be celebrated at St. James’ chapel Aldergrove this Wednesday at 11:00 AM where the celebrations will continue at the Maldron Hotel Belfast International Airport. I know this is a long shot but I would be very grateful if you could make a short appearance at the Hotel to sing this beloved song and maybe even give us a chance to push a few more buttons on the Jukebox ;). If you’re able, I would appreciate if you could take a few moments to read the inspirational story which my mother decided to share with the rest of the North about her brave journey, one which I hope brought a lot of comfort to a lot of people:
http://www.belfastlive.co.uk/news/belfast-news/mum-two-prepares-say-goodbye-13732258
Thanks for sharing your Mother’s inspirational story Kevin…these will be hard days for you, your Brother and Father…..sorry to read of your courageous Mother’s passing
Dear Christy Moore.
Love your music for years. Was at a concert in Westport in 2016, while cycling along the westcoast of Ireland. Next year i’ll be in Ireland again in the month of may. Are you playing somewhere in Ireland ? We would love to come and enjoy an evening with your music. Love, Nora
if all goes well there should be some Irish gigs next may….Pedal On Nora
Yesterday, I checked your quiz but got stumped with a number bearing the same name. Got the Green Briar…ní nach ionadh! Wandering through the counties was much more appealing than what I should have been focused on i.e. practicing irregular verbs for my Irish class tomorrow morning. That said I feel a song coming on…
An raibh tú ar an gCarraig?
nó and bhfaca tú féin mo ghrá?
agus chonaic me…
If only I could learn all eleven… present, past and future through song!
Ádh mór Mary
Auld Sheebeen……………..Moate……………….Co. Westmeath.
Kon-Tiki……………………….Rooskey…………… Co. Leitrim
Rakish Paddy’s…………….Lanesboro………….Co Longford
Kate Reilly’s ………………..Tramore Rd ………..Co Waterford
Lansdowne Hotel…………..The Bronx……………New York
Merriman Tavern…………….Scariff…………………Co. Clare
Arkle Bar………………………..Gowran………………Co. Kilkenny
The West End Bar……………Ballyragget………….Co Kilkenny
Sviebel………………………….Hamburg………………Germany
Blue Lagoon…………………..Sligo……………………Co.Sligo
Green Briar…………………….Belfast…………………Co Antrim
Old House at Home………..Blakeley……………….Manchester
Cherry Tree…………………….Clogherhead………..Co Louth
Club Paradiso…………………Amsterdam………….Holland
Coffee Kitchen………………..Molesworth St………Dublin
An Béal Bocht………………..Charlemont St……….Dublin
McGanns………………………..Boston…………………Mass.
Flann O’Brien’s…………………Paris……………………France
The Basement…………………Mountjoy Prison…….Dublin
El Ruedo…………………………Carlow …………………Co. Carlow
Hi C,,, you have often said ” first up best dressed “,,,, so I propose you give the prize to CS,, save yourself a lot of hassle and the risk of nightmares,,,? / H
go raibh míle maith agat….
PS CS (13)
I mean a lucky bag
Hi CM whats in this goodie bag you write about ? a farrier voucher? a darning needle ?, toenail clippings,? a new album? malteasers,? hot tamales ,?tofu?poppy seeds ?
sheeps wool?
A goodie bag could be anything like.
There is an auld sheebeen in Ballina
There is one in Moate one in Dublin too
There is a Kontiki in Spain
Also a Kontiki florida but I reckon you mean the one in Sligo
Rakish Paddy’s is in Sligo
The Lansdowne is in Báile áth Cliath one in Kenmare also
The Merriman is in KinMhara- Kinvara that is ..
There is a westend theatre in London
Kate Reilly’s Kitchen in Ballyshannon theres O Reillys kitchen in Gaillimh or is it the one in Waterford
Coolreas house is in Sligo
Sviebel is in germany so is Musichalle or Markethalle or Faberge or Sviebel or Fasan’s Kneipe by the way!
The blue lagoon ..Sligo
green briar pub brighton Boston dad knows that one .
The Old House at Home,Burton UK
The Cherry Tree,WALKINSTOWN DUBLIN
Paradiso,cork
The Coffee Kitchen,Molesworth Street Dublin aparently its behind the mansion house where roisin was one time
The Béal Bocht Dublin
McGanns,Doolin
Flann O’Briens,Paris
The Basement do you mean the basement in the Old Triangle?
El Ruedo Carlow
CS (13)
thats near enough for me…soon as I find a lucky bag I will be on to you…be patient
CM (73)
Howya Christy,
Just made ticket reservations for your concert at Westlodge hotel Bantry. Last time my children and I were there at the same venue. This time my wife and I , together with two of our closest friends already booked ourselves a little weekend holiday break in Cork months ago. And……..now you’re even playing in Bantry! What a great surprise! Fair play to your tourmanager 🙂
Anywayz, hope all is well. Looking forward to seeing you in concert again.
All the best from the lowlands.
John
Home comes The Rover