CM (73)
Midges( Mìoltóga ) are the new hindrance of this area.
Aparently if you breathe out they detect carbon dioxide and that’s how they find you.!They are unwanted stalkers just like the sceartán.He waits on top of a stalk of grass and is able to detect body heat and jumps on the poor unfortunate passing heat source.Then he spits an anaesthetic into the skin so the host doesn’t know he’s there for a few days!
So now please explain to me why so many beautiful things such as the dodo bird and the great auk are extinct and even our screamer the corncrake is endangered. Why are midges and skirtáns multiplying in generations to torment all living things ?
CS (13)
PS curmudgeonly I never heard that word before enjoyed tom dunne show .He asked you different questions to the norm
Christy's reply
Dia dhuit Mhaicín,
them wee hoors would ate you alive….they dont like the citronella oil, a few drops rubbed into any exposed areas can keep them at bay….of course in certain counties they may have already developed a resistance to the wee bottle…
O The Yellow Bittern,
that bird of the long smoothe neck,
living like a hermit monk
in the quiet of a lone bog drain
Had I known your were so near to your death
with my breath held out I’d have run to you
til a crack in the ice, at your watering place
would have stirred your heart to life anew
(random lines from an unscholarly translation of “An Bunán Buídhe”)
a curmudgeon…sounds like a fish ….but I think it means a cranky auld galoot….
I grew up in No.2 Cotton Mills, where I was told your mother lived. I remember as a child meeting you outside one day. You were in a jeep and all my brothers and my sister were so excited to speak to you and hear about your mother. The Cotton Mills was a derelict place for many years with only my parents living in number 2. However it has recently been undergoing works and new families are filling it with beautiful energy once again. It is an amazing, magical place.
Sorry for the rambling, but I know part of that Boyne magic is within you. I love your voice and thank you for your kindness in talking to us all those years ago.
Michelle
Christy's reply
Dear Michelle,
My Grandmother Ellie Sheeran was born into one of those Cottonmills houses in 1882.As a young boy I spent a lot of time with her. She spoke constantly of childhood days by the River Boyne.Ellie married Jack Power from Hayestown. They lived in a tithe cottage in the back yard of Ardmulchan House. Jack worked there for absentee landlord Sir Alexander Maguire….my Mother Nancy was born there in 1920,my Uncle Jimmy two years later….my early days were filled with stories of Ardmulchan, Cotton Mills, Yellow Furze, Beauparc, Senchelstown so much so that I have always maintained an affinity with that old world…I still have cousins in Stackallen…their mother,Annie Power from Hayestown married Jem Gibney….
Thank you for sharing your Boyne side memories…
Hello Christy
Thanks for a lovely evening in Sligo.
There are singers who forget there lyrics and there are listeners who are not quick enough to give you chocolate! We are all getting older!
I’ll give it a go tomorrow evening!
Chris
Christy's reply
Saturday Morning in Sligo
voice is a wee bit husky from last nights warbling
strong sweet well-drawn tea will, hopfully, shift the husks
a pair of soft-boiled (Roscommon) duck eggs await my attention
starting to think about night 2 in Hawkswell
Lost your stetson..no frigging wonder.with the sheit that passes for country today…Nashville has turned into a 24 hour hen party.I recorded there in 87.top class session guys..32 track reel to reel.original Newman mics.and an old Avalon 737 pre amp..it was magic.now ..adat.all digita. Too Damn perfect.they even edit out the breaths you take..sorry christy for the rant… I’ll have to get a hobby.martin
Christy's reply
Some Producers and Studio engineers become hypnotized by screens as they mix music visually…..its not ALL bad but sometimes it makes me wonder….people trying to outdo each other as they prattle on endlessly about the latest gizmos…I made an album in 1971 on a Revox reel to reel with two stereo mikes ( with Bill Leader who had a great pair of ears) …it still sounds pretty good to me despite all the technology and equipment advances in the intervening years….
we recorded an album in 1985 on a really run down 8 track mobile ( only 5 tracks functioning) but the guys involved recorded an album that still resounds today..they captured the vibe of what we were playing….
we like a bit of a rant here..
Good interview tonight on Newstalk, most enjoyable and engaging.
Christy's reply
Hard to beat the Wireless, dialling the old Phillips or Pye….just been listening to Desert Island Discs….here comes Woman’s Hour….or Pat Kenny or Seán O’Rourke….just love being spoiled for choice…..
here is the link if any one else would like have a listen..I enjoyed talking with Tom..
its great that his band, “Something Happens”, are back doing some gigs over the Summer
Hi christy. I was just listening to a song from Willie Nelson ..yesterday’s wine..I think if you gave it a christy moor spin it would sound good. Not sure who wrote it .but if you ever felt you wanted to do a crossover song this may suit…heading home 16 june hope to catch one of the concerts..slan .martin
Christy's reply
I used to have a recording of Waylon singing this…back in the early 80s I usually travelled alone ,Waylon Jennings often helped to shorten the road, got into Country music for a few years, Waylon,Wille, Kris, Johnny, with a bit of George Jones, Merle, back to Hank and Louvain Bros….on and on down that road until Garth Brooks came along…. I lost my stetson
Morning Christy I am just back at work after a lovey long weekend that started with your gig in Athlone. I would like to thank you for singing the contender for me it was much appreciated. See you in Sligo kind Regards Stewart.
The night is not dark now in Iceland. Its past midnight and all is quiet and the rhubarb jam is cooking on the stove. Yesterday was the official sailors day in Iceland and to them we have a lot to be thankful for. Many songs are dedicated to these brave men of the past and present. Preparing for a studio session Monday night and end up listening to Christy Moore and getting to know new songs. All tell their own stories and have a meaning and I feel like I have a storyteller in my living room. Thanks for staying up with me Christy. Hope summer will be great in Ireland.
Christy's reply
hope you have a good studio session tonight..
I always find studio work challenging…
I like the spontaneity of the live performance.
not knowing, taking chances every time,
finding a new interpretation for a song I have sung 500 times..
thats what keeps the process in motion..
some old songs have spirit and energy and powers of meditation locked within..
but you only feel it when you feel it
Couldn’t agree more Christy, while the motorways are faster, they have made travelling across the Country very boring….. Drivers just dashing from one place to the next. Wasn’t it lucky the Motorways were not around in John Reilly’s time , his songs may have never be found by yourself, and lived on for ever more.
It’s well I remember your nights in the Auld Shebeen,packed to the Rafters……… alas it’s a different venue now, but we have the comfort of our lovely Theatre where Music and Drama is thriving again, thankfully.
Best Regards
Patsy
Christy's reply
tearing it.., breakfast in Ballycastle, dinner in Castletownbere….texting all the way
Looking forward to see you in Sligo Friday AND Saturday.
First time I ever saw you was also solo in Dranouter, a historic day for sure!
Since then my journey started trough Ireland and I’ve met some wonderful people and heard some great stories over the years.
I always tell everybody why I’m in Ireland and it always gives great stories because everybody knows you and has his own story. Remember last year when I met John Doyle in Castledermot?
With the World Cup coming up lots of people are saying football connects people, and in a way it does but for me music does the trick.
And when I read the guestbook it seems I’m not the only one.
A few weeks ago I saw Roger Waters in Antwerp but that was so much politics it was too much distraction. It dit not honor the music.
On the other hand you can reach many people at once.
So we see you and hopefully lots of our Irish friends next Friday.
Chris ( are you still in to chocolate?)
Christy's reply
Have a safe journey to Sligo..always a good town to visit…..still taking an occasional SMALL amount of chocolate !!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9-z674xDds
Being in the Dean Crowe Hall on thursday brought back many memories to me. The Planxty show in 73, the charity concerts we used to put on as teenagers, the annual Drama festival, Bannon`s pub , less than a stone`s throw away where my Dad would sing like a bird , after a few pints! Many of the songs you sang connect with roots or with social consciousness,which connect with people`s hearts and , for me that`s the highest thing an artist can do. In my own way I try to do the same and in Song for Patrick I try to show the heart of the man free of snakes and shamrocks or cogology theology and underline his relevance for today. I hope you can listen and give me some feedback.I would be very honored if you would consider recording it. I had hoped to meet face-to-face but when I got there and saw the reality I spoke to Paddy at the front door and gave him a DVD with a mix of original and covers for you to hear but not being sure if it`ll play because of format differences I`m taking the opportunity to send the link to the song above
I also gave Paddy 2 CDs from a prolific song writing friend of mine Bill Sherriff, songs about the World War. Thanks a lot and look forward to hearing from you
Christy's reply
Thanks for sharing Bernard…I will listen to the songs in due course but I do have a large backlog at the moment…I must prioritise my own work… but when the time is right I will start listening to the many cds that lie here in wait…
I have a couple of Patrick songs in the back repertoire…one of them “St Patrick’s Arrival” is a long ballad that fell from the set 40 years ago..the other “Patrick was gentleman” still gets an occasional March outing
This is a long shot and I wasn’t sure how best to make contact.
My name is Michael. My father, Michael (snr.), owns Coolera House pub in Sligo. You often played here in the 70s and my father often speaks with fond memories about gigs yourself or Thom Moore played here then.
Aug/Sept this year marks 50 years that my dad bought the business, and I want to organise something really special to mark the occasion. Nothing would be more special and memorable for da than a Christy Moore gig I’m sure.
I know you’ve certainly moved on to much bigger and better things since those times but wondered if you’d have any interest in playing a gig here around that time?
It would be a tremendous honor to host you and would make my fathers year and mark his 50th anniversary here in the best possible style.
I’m chancing my arm, but if you’d have any interest, we’d love to make it happen.
Thanks for your time and all the best.
Christy's reply
Michael…give my best wishes to your Father…your parents were great hosts back when I gigged in Coolera House…I recall one night driving for Coolera when the car seized up completely between Carrick and Boyle…I had Kevin Burke,Jimmy Faulkner and Declan McNelis playing with me…I hitched into Boyle and found a phone box to ring your Father…he collected us and brought us to Coolera where we had a good gig..we dossed in your house that night ..next day the 3 lads went back to Dublin on the train..I made my way back to Boyle where Brian O’Flaherty towed the old Datsun into his garage ….this would have been ’74-’75 time… Far as I can tell my last gig in Coolera was Sat 18th June 1977…I played Rakish Paddy’s in Lanesboro the night after…back then I was travelling solo in a Peugeot 404 Diesel with a box on the back,a small H/H PA, a mattress and a Yamaha FG180 guitar..twas thirsty work..
I regret to say that the 2018 diary is closed, I must limit the dates these times as the road rolls on..if I get a chance, I’ll drop by and see your Father ….
Great gig last night in the Dean Crowe Christy. Really enjoyed it. Great selection of songs and the stories and the chat between the songs were brilliant (I suppose when you are on your own up there and you know its going well you can relax a bit and chat a bit more – I always love to hear a bit about a song or a story about a place and time – Liam Clancy was a great man for that too). I’ve been going to your gigs for many years now but I find the older I get the more I appreciate your music and voice and rare nights out like last night. As a Cork man I know always says when you give him something for nothing, may the Lord spare your health (and your voice). Keep her lit……..
Christy's reply
Morra Tom…..twas a grand gathering last night by the broad majestic Shannon…I do like to reflect upon the songs..to remember the source singers…to give thanks
It was the second time for me to take the road from Estonia to Ireland only to see You, Christy Moore. Thank You so much for the great gig yesterday in Athlone. Playing solo brought lot of intense and even more personal approach than the concert with the band I saw year ago in Letterkenny. Anyway – just thank You and all best wishes.
Ole hoitud ja õnnistatud Sina, kes räägid jumala keeli (be taken care and blessed, You, who speaks with the tongue of God)
Christy's reply
in ainm Dé, fagaimíd siúd mar atá sé….
greetings to you Kaarel and to all Estonian songsters
thank you
I have to admit I’ve got to like the live shows with Dec and the ensemble accompanying you. They brought depth to your performance. I might have approached a “solo” show tonight with a degree of trepidation; Christy “solo” after all that time. I felt it was a “contemplative Christy” who began, How Long? and that song about the border, donated to you by Paul Hewson. Then two songs where Luka got mentioned, the second of these two, ‘City of Chicago’ we heard the “Dean Crowe choir” get into gear; to good effect. I think you got the vibe then and it got going. A mighty selection from the repertoire. Interestingly three of the songs which have occasionally met some opprobrium from a politically correct brigade all got airings. You acknowledged yourself tonight that the song on Magdalen Launderies is a tough one. Keep singing it; we’ve to hear those stories. Nice also we heard you mention the great Liam O’Flynn mentioned. Funnily you did mention yourself about wanting to play solo again and you said a word about ‘losing’ people. I think the audience in the Dean Crowe ‘folk club’ tonight showed it you’re not – along with the standing ovation at the end.
Christy's reply
Good Man Ed, I can always rely on you….I was nervous at the outset, but soon found a flow, its a lovely venue…. “independent”theatres are to be greatly admired…I love the ethos and individualism that keeps them afloat……
(the border song was not “donated” , it was the result of a most enjoyable and fruitful collaboration)…..
thanks for feedback
Thank you,……..Thank you Christy for a wonderful solo by the Shannon. You really gathered a receptive audience and held us in the Palm of your Hand throughout. Well done ?.
Best Regards
Patsy
Christy's reply
These new motorways remove some tedium from constant travel BUT I do miss the Towns…. I miss Moate and Leixlip, Maynooth and Kilcock, way back I used to do bits of shopping along the road, I got to know certain shops and petrol stations, I bought a Donkey Jacket in Cahir once and wore it for years, a Hillman Imp in Collooney, a Bodhrán from the Coal Quay in Cork (and dhrink everwhere) a green Báinín sweater in Glenties,a wood sculpture from a Victualler in Sligo, a John Coen sculpture in Galway….
these shaggin Motorway Service Slots are souless havens of crass commercialism, devoid of any personal touch or human interaction,
Yes Patsy, I miss Moate….I think its time to factor detours back into the schedule…. back in early Planxty days we used to allow 6 hours to get to Cork, 5 to Galway….
The Dean Crow was lovely last night….and I was home in 80 minutes !!
Morning Christy. I am heading up to the show tonight in Athlone with my aunt and uncle. I was chatting you here before myself and father in law are big fans he is the man in the wheelchair at the Carrick on Shannon gig. I cant wait to see you in the barrowlands in November I here its a great spot. I am just wondering would you play the contender for me tonight much appreciated. PS I would love to see you in Boyle singing John Reilly songs again some day. Kind regards Stewart.
Christy's reply
I’ll try and have a go at Jack Doyle tonight…thanks
The brilliant Wally Page , and his band will play in The Annesley House on North Strand Rd on Friday 8th June @ 9pm…good news is that he is mixing tracks for a CD release…
The monthly gig in Dublin 3 is always a great night,along with Johnny Mulhearn, thank you for allowing the post..And renegades sing all the renegade songs….
Christy's reply
O Saint Teresa of The Roses….I’m gonna chanting adup in Sligo
Hi christy I hope you know your a national treasure,. I have great memories cruising down to sligo from the airport with my then 15yr old daughter her head out the sun roof singing listoonvarna at the top of her lungs…she’s now 35 ,married,but she still talks about that summer… as an interainer myself I know how hard the road can be…I thank you for those beautiful memories of ireland in an inocent time…Martin kenny
Dear Christy,. This is a little belated, with apologies, but I posted a message at the end of April asking for a recording of your 10 June 2017 concert in Navan, and which you organised for me. I am ever so grateful for this, as was my husband, whose birthday I was trying to organise it for. He was ecstatic to hear that concert again, which was a special occasion for us both, and a fantastic performance from yourself, and the first time we’d seen you play solo. Thank you once again. It means so much to us that you arranged that for us.
Christy's reply
well remembered Liz,(delighted to share a wee bit of ecstacy with your lad ! )….all credit is due to Hilary who has generously shared her audience recordings with many listeners over the years…Its always a buzz to get feedback from listeners in far distant lands…one of the (few) advantages of this new age of destructive communication…
( that last sentence almost ran away with itself, almost turned into a rant !!!)
CM (73)
Midges( Mìoltóga ) are the new hindrance of this area.
Aparently if you breathe out they detect carbon dioxide and that’s how they find you.!They are unwanted stalkers just like the sceartán.He waits on top of a stalk of grass and is able to detect body heat and jumps on the poor unfortunate passing heat source.Then he spits an anaesthetic into the skin so the host doesn’t know he’s there for a few days!
So now please explain to me why so many beautiful things such as the dodo bird and the great auk are extinct and even our screamer the corncrake is endangered. Why are midges and skirtáns multiplying in generations to torment all living things ?
CS (13)
PS curmudgeonly I never heard that word before enjoyed tom dunne show .He asked you different questions to the norm
Dia dhuit Mhaicín,
them wee hoors would ate you alive….they dont like the citronella oil, a few drops rubbed into any exposed areas can keep them at bay….of course in certain counties they may have already developed a resistance to the wee bottle…
O The Yellow Bittern,
that bird of the long smoothe neck,
living like a hermit monk
in the quiet of a lone bog drain
Had I known your were so near to your death
with my breath held out I’d have run to you
til a crack in the ice, at your watering place
would have stirred your heart to life anew
(random lines from an unscholarly translation of “An Bunán Buídhe”)
a curmudgeon…sounds like a fish ….but I think it means a cranky auld galoot….
Dear Christy,
I grew up in No.2 Cotton Mills, where I was told your mother lived. I remember as a child meeting you outside one day. You were in a jeep and all my brothers and my sister were so excited to speak to you and hear about your mother. The Cotton Mills was a derelict place for many years with only my parents living in number 2. However it has recently been undergoing works and new families are filling it with beautiful energy once again. It is an amazing, magical place.
Sorry for the rambling, but I know part of that Boyne magic is within you. I love your voice and thank you for your kindness in talking to us all those years ago.
Michelle
Dear Michelle,
My Grandmother Ellie Sheeran was born into one of those Cottonmills houses in 1882.As a young boy I spent a lot of time with her. She spoke constantly of childhood days by the River Boyne.Ellie married Jack Power from Hayestown. They lived in a tithe cottage in the back yard of Ardmulchan House. Jack worked there for absentee landlord Sir Alexander Maguire….my Mother Nancy was born there in 1920,my Uncle Jimmy two years later….my early days were filled with stories of Ardmulchan, Cotton Mills, Yellow Furze, Beauparc, Senchelstown so much so that I have always maintained an affinity with that old world…I still have cousins in Stackallen…their mother,Annie Power from Hayestown married Jem Gibney….
Thank you for sharing your Boyne side memories…
Hello Christy
Thanks for a lovely evening in Sligo.
There are singers who forget there lyrics and there are listeners who are not quick enough to give you chocolate! We are all getting older!
I’ll give it a go tomorrow evening!
Chris
Saturday Morning in Sligo
voice is a wee bit husky from last nights warbling
strong sweet well-drawn tea will, hopfully, shift the husks
a pair of soft-boiled (Roscommon) duck eggs await my attention
starting to think about night 2 in Hawkswell
Lost your stetson..no frigging wonder.with the sheit that passes for country today…Nashville has turned into a 24 hour hen party.I recorded there in 87.top class session guys..32 track reel to reel.original Newman mics.and an old Avalon 737 pre amp..it was magic.now ..adat.all digita. Too Damn perfect.they even edit out the breaths you take..sorry christy for the rant… I’ll have to get a hobby.martin
Some Producers and Studio engineers become hypnotized by screens as they mix music visually…..its not ALL bad but sometimes it makes me wonder….people trying to outdo each other as they prattle on endlessly about the latest gizmos…I made an album in 1971 on a Revox reel to reel with two stereo mikes ( with Bill Leader who had a great pair of ears) …it still sounds pretty good to me despite all the technology and equipment advances in the intervening years….
we recorded an album in 1985 on a really run down 8 track mobile ( only 5 tracks functioning) but the guys involved recorded an album that still resounds today..they captured the vibe of what we were playing….
we like a bit of a rant here..
Good interview tonight on Newstalk, most enjoyable and engaging.
Hard to beat the Wireless, dialling the old Phillips or Pye….just been listening to Desert Island Discs….here comes Woman’s Hour….or Pat Kenny or Seán O’Rourke….just love being spoiled for choice…..
here is the link if any one else would like have a listen..I enjoyed talking with Tom..
its great that his band, “Something Happens”, are back doing some gigs over the Summer
https://www.newstalk.com/listen_back/6/45363/07th_June_2018_-_The_Tom_Dunne_Show_Part_1/
Hi christy. I was just listening to a song from Willie Nelson ..yesterday’s wine..I think if you gave it a christy moor spin it would sound good. Not sure who wrote it .but if you ever felt you wanted to do a crossover song this may suit…heading home 16 june hope to catch one of the concerts..slan .martin
I used to have a recording of Waylon singing this…back in the early 80s I usually travelled alone ,Waylon Jennings often helped to shorten the road, got into Country music for a few years, Waylon,Wille, Kris, Johnny, with a bit of George Jones, Merle, back to Hank and Louvain Bros….on and on down that road until Garth Brooks came along…. I lost my stetson
Morning Christy I am just back at work after a lovey long weekend that started with your gig in Athlone. I would like to thank you for singing the contender for me it was much appreciated. See you in Sligo kind Regards Stewart.
always good to hear from mainistir na búille
The night is not dark now in Iceland. Its past midnight and all is quiet and the rhubarb jam is cooking on the stove. Yesterday was the official sailors day in Iceland and to them we have a lot to be thankful for. Many songs are dedicated to these brave men of the past and present. Preparing for a studio session Monday night and end up listening to Christy Moore and getting to know new songs. All tell their own stories and have a meaning and I feel like I have a storyteller in my living room. Thanks for staying up with me Christy. Hope summer will be great in Ireland.
hope you have a good studio session tonight..
I always find studio work challenging…
I like the spontaneity of the live performance.
not knowing, taking chances every time,
finding a new interpretation for a song I have sung 500 times..
thats what keeps the process in motion..
some old songs have spirit and energy and powers of meditation locked within..
but you only feel it when you feel it
Couldn’t agree more Christy, while the motorways are faster, they have made travelling across the Country very boring….. Drivers just dashing from one place to the next. Wasn’t it lucky the Motorways were not around in John Reilly’s time , his songs may have never be found by yourself, and lived on for ever more.
It’s well I remember your nights in the Auld Shebeen,packed to the Rafters……… alas it’s a different venue now, but we have the comfort of our lovely Theatre where Music and Drama is thriving again, thankfully.
Best Regards
Patsy
tearing it.., breakfast in Ballycastle, dinner in Castletownbere….texting all the way
Hello Christy,
Looking forward to see you in Sligo Friday AND Saturday.
First time I ever saw you was also solo in Dranouter, a historic day for sure!
Since then my journey started trough Ireland and I’ve met some wonderful people and heard some great stories over the years.
I always tell everybody why I’m in Ireland and it always gives great stories because everybody knows you and has his own story. Remember last year when I met John Doyle in Castledermot?
With the World Cup coming up lots of people are saying football connects people, and in a way it does but for me music does the trick.
And when I read the guestbook it seems I’m not the only one.
A few weeks ago I saw Roger Waters in Antwerp but that was so much politics it was too much distraction. It dit not honor the music.
On the other hand you can reach many people at once.
So we see you and hopefully lots of our Irish friends next Friday.
Chris ( are you still in to chocolate?)
Have a safe journey to Sligo..always a good town to visit…..still taking an occasional SMALL amount of chocolate !!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9-z674xDds
Being in the Dean Crowe Hall on thursday brought back many memories to me. The Planxty show in 73, the charity concerts we used to put on as teenagers, the annual Drama festival, Bannon`s pub , less than a stone`s throw away where my Dad would sing like a bird , after a few pints! Many of the songs you sang connect with roots or with social consciousness,which connect with people`s hearts and , for me that`s the highest thing an artist can do. In my own way I try to do the same and in Song for Patrick I try to show the heart of the man free of snakes and shamrocks or cogology theology and underline his relevance for today. I hope you can listen and give me some feedback.I would be very honored if you would consider recording it. I had hoped to meet face-to-face but when I got there and saw the reality I spoke to Paddy at the front door and gave him a DVD with a mix of original and covers for you to hear but not being sure if it`ll play because of format differences I`m taking the opportunity to send the link to the song above
I also gave Paddy 2 CDs from a prolific song writing friend of mine Bill Sherriff, songs about the World War. Thanks a lot and look forward to hearing from you
Thanks for sharing Bernard…I will listen to the songs in due course but I do have a large backlog at the moment…I must prioritise my own work… but when the time is right I will start listening to the many cds that lie here in wait…
I have a couple of Patrick songs in the back repertoire…one of them “St Patrick’s Arrival” is a long ballad that fell from the set 40 years ago..the other “Patrick was gentleman” still gets an occasional March outing
Hello Christy.
This is a long shot and I wasn’t sure how best to make contact.
My name is Michael. My father, Michael (snr.), owns Coolera House pub in Sligo. You often played here in the 70s and my father often speaks with fond memories about gigs yourself or Thom Moore played here then.
Aug/Sept this year marks 50 years that my dad bought the business, and I want to organise something really special to mark the occasion. Nothing would be more special and memorable for da than a Christy Moore gig I’m sure.
I know you’ve certainly moved on to much bigger and better things since those times but wondered if you’d have any interest in playing a gig here around that time?
It would be a tremendous honor to host you and would make my fathers year and mark his 50th anniversary here in the best possible style.
I’m chancing my arm, but if you’d have any interest, we’d love to make it happen.
Thanks for your time and all the best.
Michael…give my best wishes to your Father…your parents were great hosts back when I gigged in Coolera House…I recall one night driving for Coolera when the car seized up completely between Carrick and Boyle…I had Kevin Burke,Jimmy Faulkner and Declan McNelis playing with me…I hitched into Boyle and found a phone box to ring your Father…he collected us and brought us to Coolera where we had a good gig..we dossed in your house that night ..next day the 3 lads went back to Dublin on the train..I made my way back to Boyle where Brian O’Flaherty towed the old Datsun into his garage ….this would have been ’74-’75 time… Far as I can tell my last gig in Coolera was Sat 18th June 1977…I played Rakish Paddy’s in Lanesboro the night after…back then I was travelling solo in a Peugeot 404 Diesel with a box on the back,a small H/H PA, a mattress and a Yamaha FG180 guitar..twas thirsty work..
I regret to say that the 2018 diary is closed, I must limit the dates these times as the road rolls on..if I get a chance, I’ll drop by and see your Father ….
Great gig last night in the Dean Crowe Christy. Really enjoyed it. Great selection of songs and the stories and the chat between the songs were brilliant (I suppose when you are on your own up there and you know its going well you can relax a bit and chat a bit more – I always love to hear a bit about a song or a story about a place and time – Liam Clancy was a great man for that too). I’ve been going to your gigs for many years now but I find the older I get the more I appreciate your music and voice and rare nights out like last night. As a Cork man I know always says when you give him something for nothing, may the Lord spare your health (and your voice). Keep her lit……..
Morra Tom…..twas a grand gathering last night by the broad majestic Shannon…I do like to reflect upon the songs..to remember the source singers…to give thanks
It was the second time for me to take the road from Estonia to Ireland only to see You, Christy Moore. Thank You so much for the great gig yesterday in Athlone. Playing solo brought lot of intense and even more personal approach than the concert with the band I saw year ago in Letterkenny. Anyway – just thank You and all best wishes.
Ole hoitud ja õnnistatud Sina, kes räägid jumala keeli (be taken care and blessed, You, who speaks with the tongue of God)
in ainm Dé, fagaimíd siúd mar atá sé….
greetings to you Kaarel and to all Estonian songsters
thank you
I have to admit I’ve got to like the live shows with Dec and the ensemble accompanying you. They brought depth to your performance. I might have approached a “solo” show tonight with a degree of trepidation; Christy “solo” after all that time. I felt it was a “contemplative Christy” who began, How Long? and that song about the border, donated to you by Paul Hewson. Then two songs where Luka got mentioned, the second of these two, ‘City of Chicago’ we heard the “Dean Crowe choir” get into gear; to good effect. I think you got the vibe then and it got going. A mighty selection from the repertoire. Interestingly three of the songs which have occasionally met some opprobrium from a politically correct brigade all got airings. You acknowledged yourself tonight that the song on Magdalen Launderies is a tough one. Keep singing it; we’ve to hear those stories. Nice also we heard you mention the great Liam O’Flynn mentioned. Funnily you did mention yourself about wanting to play solo again and you said a word about ‘losing’ people. I think the audience in the Dean Crowe ‘folk club’ tonight showed it you’re not – along with the standing ovation at the end.
Good Man Ed, I can always rely on you….I was nervous at the outset, but soon found a flow, its a lovely venue…. “independent”theatres are to be greatly admired…I love the ethos and individualism that keeps them afloat……
(the border song was not “donated” , it was the result of a most enjoyable and fruitful collaboration)…..
thanks for feedback
Thank you,……..Thank you Christy for a wonderful solo by the Shannon. You really gathered a receptive audience and held us in the Palm of your Hand throughout. Well done ?.
Best Regards
Patsy
These new motorways remove some tedium from constant travel BUT I do miss the Towns…. I miss Moate and Leixlip, Maynooth and Kilcock, way back I used to do bits of shopping along the road, I got to know certain shops and petrol stations, I bought a Donkey Jacket in Cahir once and wore it for years, a Hillman Imp in Collooney, a Bodhrán from the Coal Quay in Cork (and dhrink everwhere) a green Báinín sweater in Glenties,a wood sculpture from a Victualler in Sligo, a John Coen sculpture in Galway….
these shaggin Motorway Service Slots are souless havens of crass commercialism, devoid of any personal touch or human interaction,
Yes Patsy, I miss Moate….I think its time to factor detours back into the schedule…. back in early Planxty days we used to allow 6 hours to get to Cork, 5 to Galway….
The Dean Crow was lovely last night….and I was home in 80 minutes !!
Morning Christy. I am heading up to the show tonight in Athlone with my aunt and uncle. I was chatting you here before myself and father in law are big fans he is the man in the wheelchair at the Carrick on Shannon gig. I cant wait to see you in the barrowlands in November I here its a great spot. I am just wondering would you play the contender for me tonight much appreciated. PS I would love to see you in Boyle singing John Reilly songs again some day. Kind regards Stewart.
I’ll try and have a go at Jack Doyle tonight…thanks
The brilliant Wally Page , and his band will play in The Annesley House on North Strand Rd on Friday 8th June @ 9pm…good news is that he is mixing tracks for a CD release…
The monthly gig in Dublin 3 is always a great night,along with Johnny Mulhearn, thank you for allowing the post..And renegades sing all the renegade songs….
O Saint Teresa of The Roses….I’m gonna chanting adup in Sligo
Hi christy I hope you know your a national treasure,. I have great memories cruising down to sligo from the airport with my then 15yr old daughter her head out the sun roof singing listoonvarna at the top of her lungs…she’s now 35 ,married,but she still talks about that summer… as an interainer myself I know how hard the road can be…I thank you for those beautiful memories of ireland in an inocent time…Martin kenny
Happy days Martin
Dear Christy,. This is a little belated, with apologies, but I posted a message at the end of April asking for a recording of your 10 June 2017 concert in Navan, and which you organised for me. I am ever so grateful for this, as was my husband, whose birthday I was trying to organise it for. He was ecstatic to hear that concert again, which was a special occasion for us both, and a fantastic performance from yourself, and the first time we’d seen you play solo. Thank you once again. It means so much to us that you arranged that for us.
well remembered Liz,(delighted to share a wee bit of ecstacy with your lad ! )….all credit is due to Hilary who has generously shared her audience recordings with many listeners over the years…Its always a buzz to get feedback from listeners in far distant lands…one of the (few) advantages of this new age of destructive communication…
( that last sentence almost ran away with itself, almost turned into a rant !!!)