Well Christy, you were just magnificent from the moment you walked on the stage in NCH the room light up. I thought they were never going to let you leave the stage to finish, and why not if was a magic night, thank you. Lucky enough to be going again tonight so can’t wait, great stuff. JD
Christy's reply
What a great audience ye were last night.. I could not have hoped for better….
CM (73) go néiri leat sa concert hall anocht.you’ll be grand.I saw some photos of the crowd what a beautiful place and excited looking crowd.It reminded me of a cartoon I saw one time but when I went looking I can’t find it.I think someone belonging to you drew it. it was of the crowd and you on stage . where the heck was that.? was it on a cd cover or a book? or did I dream it?I am pretty sure it exists.
PS …RS has her last leaving cert exam ..ceol tomorrow. She has a piece about you ready to write. It will be great when it’s over there’s notes all over the house.no room is safe anymore!!
Christy's reply
I think you might be referring to a cartoon from the book “One Voice”…it was created by my nephew Turlough Rynne…. in his earlier years he was a brilliant cartoonist …..it was in the hard back edition..I dont know if it survived into the paper back edition… by then I had relinquised power of veto
I hope Roisin’s “leaving” goes well ( mine did’nt back in 1963) and that life returns to “normal”, whatever that is !!!
Hi Christy,
Myself and the wife are heading over to catch your gig at the Marquee next week. This will be our second time watching you there. We are looking forward to getting over to gods country once again. Thanks for keeping the music and stories alive!
Cheers
Mike
Christy's reply
Come on over Mike… we’ll be here awaiting your second coming…up de banks
I kinda know what it’s like when your packing up the gear rearing to go home and someone comes up and wants to hear your life story..it’s a privilege to shoot the breeze with the bauld Christ moore and I don’t want to abuse it by wandering on about myself..my name is martin kenny born and buttered in rathlee .easkey.sligo.ive been in the US since 86,worked for the city of NY for 20 years,retired then moved to Florida. ( because as Seinfeld said ” its the law”..played in every rat hole bar in and around ny. Always throwing a few originals in along the way….I now come home once a year for two months .hop into my camper and hit the road.writing as I go…I suppose if I didn’t get off the beer 9 years ago none of this would be possible. …. I’ve pitched a bunch of stuff to a few of the country singers here but I suppose it didn’t suit them,,it’s a tough circut to break into.. I listen to some of the country acts here ,they rehash the same old cover material over and over….if I hear the fecking wagion wheel ill jump off a pier…i would love to hear about your exploits in easkey…was Kieran Kavanagh involved.??. . If you ever hear of someone looking for original stuff ,steer them to mkenny5509@gmail.com..thank you christy.slan.martin.
Christy's reply
Martin, thanks for giving us a bit of the picture….would like to hear some your experiences in “every rat hole bar in NYC”. ( there gotta be a song there)…..I played in some quare spots myself over the years…. Ballaghadereen, Bremen and Ballyraggett spring to mind ….Thankfully such experiences now loiter in the distant past…but I know there are many rat holes still operating….many kips still abusing their musicians and staff…..but what goes around comes around
re Easkey…..early Planxty days 1972…. we were finding it very difficult to get a start…Andy Irvine knew Des Kelly from Sweeney’s Men days…Des had managed the Band….He agreed to help Planxty …he gave us a van and small PA and got us some gigs….one of these early gigs was the Ballroom in Easkey where we were booked to play “relief” for a showband “Sean Thompson & The Everglades”. A Sunday night in Easkey we went on to total indifference….the lads and lassies were there to dance and to pull…they did not give a shite about four hairy,unheard-of scallywag balladeers “down from Dublin”…the total lack of interest was bad enough but there worse to come ! About 5 minutes into the set a row broke out in the middle of the Hall….it spread rapidly and within minutes there was skin and hair and broken chairs flying….halfway through our set we abandoned the stage (no one noticed !)….I thought that would mark the end of Planxty.. we were utterly demoralised….
However, we gathered ourselves together and the following week recorded our first single “Three Drunken Maidens” c/w “Sí Bheag Sí Mhór” then we got a spot with Gaybo on the Late Late….. we were on the road again
Looking forward to hearing you sing some of your great songs tonight at NCH,………excitement, it’s like Christmas Eve. JD
Christy's reply
45 mins to go…almost 30 years since I last played here…been in the audience a hundred times since…a bit nervous now but that is the norm…NCH or Shelton Abbey, every gig the same….heres hoping it all goes well…..
Did someone say Apple Tart ? will there be one in the NCH ? The Boss is 70 this year , not 68, but sure who cares, who can tell…I’m POTR vintage in 2019 myself and looking forward to the gig tonight in the NCH…long time since saw ye there, it’ll be a cracker…good luck..we’ve a full house here tomorrow night for Eleanor Shanley & Mike Hanrahan…Apple tart best served with few glasses of cold
milk..
Christy's reply
Tart is currently OFF the menu…so dont talk to me about tarts!…
the belly sagging a bit more of late so time for reappraisal..I often wonder what it must be like to enjoy the concept of moderation…like having one cream bun off the platter in ( the old) Bewleys..like having one or two choclates when alone with a Black Belgian Selection..like having one or two sandwiches after a funeral…its similar to how things were with the gargle…maybe two Milk-Choc Wholemeal Biscuits with a cuppa after the dinner….
no way Lar,
I’d have to finish the packet, ate the whole tart, chomp chocs until bloated and depressed, dont talk to me about Bewleys cream buns…
I’m on the crackers now,
Please give my best wishes to Eleanor Shanley..she is a great trouper..loved her version of “In The Ghetto” when we toured together in the 90s….I’d be there if I was’nt gigging mysel…Hi to Mike too..we toured Australia together many years ago when he was with Stockton’s Wing
Good luck to you and The SeaSide Sessions in Booterstown
Hi Christy – Looking forward to seeing you in the Riverside Park Hotel next week! Iv’e been tempted to comment here many times but never followed through and now I’m thinking – why not! As a “young one” in the mid to late 80’s a friend & I did a couple of cycling & camping holidays around Clare & West Cork with a cassette player strapped to the bicycle carrier “belting out Christy Moore songs” – oh the memories! We got to one of your gigs in Caeser’s Palace in Bunclody on a hot Summers evening around that era too! In recent years my hubby and I have enjoyed many of your gigs in Enniscorthy & Wexford but perhaps the most memorable one for us was in Vicar Street on the 17th February, 2002 when I managed to get tickets for the day of his 40th Birthday –
I still have those ticket stubs as memorabilia!! Your songs & music have always been well voiced when there’s an auld family “sesh” or get together and now I’m happy to say our two children (18 & almost 16) having grown up with Christy Moore ever present in their home, will be coming to your Enniscorthy gig with us along with several family members – their first of many to experience I hope! There’ s way too many favourite songs to name but if you happen to be in the mood on the night “Bright Blue Rose” is still the one I shout out when your’e in “juke box mode” and look for requests! Hope you enjoy Enniscorthy and the lovely surrounds of the River Slaney. Regards, Marie Kinsella.
Christy's reply
What a great post you have shared Marie…
I used to love playing Caesar’s Palace in Bunclody….fair play to Danny Doyle who named the old Ballroom thus.. the dressing room was tiny and the only access was across the stage…last played there over 30 years ago….my gig was always followed by a showband, the chairs removed, the dancing would begin..
Danny once booked Planxty to play in a Marquee in Adamstown back in 1972…the catering was outstanding..I recall bringing an apple tart home with me..Yes, an apple tart
I have always loved County Wexford…from when I was a boy
I will do my best to sing that (Jimmy Mack) song for you…its a classic
Not sure where he taped it.think it’s castlebar.. he done a nice job on the tune..fair play..I recorded it in 2004 , wrote the song for a friend of mine trying to cope with being illegal in NY and couldn’t come home for her dad’s funeral..she had a good cry when she heard it…think it helped her in some small way.she still shows up at my gigs in NY. .AND has a bit of a cry all over again…. there’s a story behing every song…sorry don’t mean to bore you with my bs. All the best..
Christy's reply
A couple of things I’d like to say,
first of all, you are not boring me,
secondly,it aint no bullshit (excuse my attempt at american)
have you always described yourself as Easkey?
did you ever correspond here under another name ?
are you on the run?
tell us a bit about your gigs
I’m having a bit of a contemplative lie-in this morn…returning to The National Concert Hall tonight after a 30 year gap…in one way its simply another gig, but in another way its a lot more….been thinking for days of how I might open tonight (its a solo gig)..just got the answer while listening to Radio 4 from London…gonna make a fresh start, one I’ve never tried before…the second song will be one I’ve not played for about 5 years…gonna go out on the edge…
That lad did a nice job of your song…good voice too and VERY well turned out..shoes polished, the feckin lot….
After 6 years I got myself a fresh pair of stage slippers..you shoulda heard some of the abuse I got from the regulars…one remarked that they looked like something a pope might wear….
Did I ever tell you about the night I played in Easkey ?
Hi Christy ( aged 73) saw you at the Phil a few months back, have just been to see Billy Joel (69) and have tickets for Paul Simon (76) & Van (72) in July. I am going to call it my ‘R’octogenarian concert year. When you think of Paul MaCartney (75) Springsteen (68) Stevie Wonder (68) Dylan (77) Neil Young (72) and Elton John (71) and you were all born within 9 years of each other (and still giging), what a generation of singer/song writer/performers. Wouldn’t mind being at the next birthday party if you all decide to get together for a sing along. Don’t know how you auld fellas keep going (I’m knackered and I’m only 61) but long may it last.
Christy's reply
speaking personally..the songs keep me going..the great crew I have around me keep me going, the musicians who share with me keep me going…the audience that gather to hear the songs keep me going…
Heard Van and Joan Baez recently..gonna hear P.Simon soon…
but its even more important to get out and hear the younger ones…they also keep me going
Hi Christy
I will see you on Wednesday in the NCH. I’d be delighted to hear you play Shane’s ‘Aisling’ if you could.My daughter of the same name would have been 5 on the 27th. I last spoke to you at the Gloaming’s first album launch at the same venue shortly after she needlessly passed. We spoke of Mickey’s ‘Only our rivers’ and ‘Peter Pan and me’ which you sang in the Gate the night after Loughinisland when 6 of us drove from Belfast for the Big Issue launch with no where to stay. Chuckled at the ‘Aldi Lidl’ song. I hadn’t been out in a while hiding in misery. Then ‘Song 44’ rang out….the first words broke my heart with joy. Can’t wait to see you again. I laugh a lot less…
Sorry for asking
Eamonn
Christy's reply
no need to be sorry Eamonn..no harm in askin
coming up your way later in the year
thanks for sharing
Hi Christy…..been a long while since I posted. In fact, it was probably on the day of my brother Denis’s funeral back in August 2016. I was driving my parents back home, and “Ride On” came on the Player. That song, at that moment, touched a nerve. Hey ho. Life goes on. Won;t ever forget your kindness when Louise and I made the trip to Cardiff in May 2015 to see you…….which ultimately resulted in a special visit to the Sage in Gateshead later that year. Keep the music alive…..and hope you return to the North-East soon…….Steven
Christy's reply
good to hear from you Steven..your monniker is memorable!
I also hope to return to the canny NE
Good morning Christy from across the pond (I suppose it’s early evening for you). I just wanted to let you know I’m a huge fan. The wife and I visited Ireland several years back and at a pub one night she struck up a conversation with a man playing guitar and once he heard we were from Chicago he decided to play City of Chicago. On our return I played the video over and over to find some lyrics so I could find the origin of the song. The rest is history I suppose. Love the old stuff and love the new stuff. If you EVER make it out to Chicago I can guarantee I will be in the front row singing along. That’s all, just wanted to say hello and thank you for all you do!
Christy's reply
greetings to Chicago…
wont make it back across the pond
only road work these past two decades
gave up the long haul gigging
but I enjoyed it for the first 3 decades
( unlike the rosary)
If your getting a camper.dont get her too big.. better to have a permanent bed not a pull out couch….then get lost in the many small roads that wind up at the ocean.you could be dead a week in some of those place before someone finds ya…the freedom is amazing…this bird iim on is taking off.next thing I see is small green fields…home here I come..slan
Christy's reply
in the last camper I had a couple of mattresses that clipped up to the wall…permanent bed seems like a waste of space unless its a mega camper
I used to use it as a dressing room for gigs and the after the gig head off to some beach river or lake ..
Cassette toilet is nothing more that a sealed self contained box that everything goes into..great job…the Alvarez my ex bought for two dollars at a house sale..the bridge and neck were a mess..I build the odd guitar every now and then.so I pieced it together..it 3/4 size with steel strings.perfect for the overhead when travelling….I tune it down to take the weight off the neck and use the capo on the second fret…
A young country singer called Stuart moyles from mayo released one of my tunes…”richest man” it seems to be doing ok..in the old days I would see a few pounds from something like that now you get nothing…someone is screwing someone..best of luck christy , dont ever stop what your doing you make a whole lot of people happy. Slan.martin
Christy's reply
thats a fine song…good singer too..are they the streets of castlebar in the video?
Hello Christy
Hope you are well and happy. I dont usually write to folk about this kind of stuff.. but today..for the second time in his life my 6 year old son Seamus heard the song Little Musgrave. The version with Planxty.. and yet again..he wept and wept. He is one little special soul but his heart broke so much ..the words story expression and music within it sent him somewhere deep in Bucklesford Berry with them all. We have talked about how the two lovers are together forever..wrapped in loves embrace. Liam’s notes when Lord Barnards wife is struck are enough to flatten a body…We decided to draw it and see the story. And we had a magical afternoon doing the same with Raggle Taggle Gypsy, and well, all of those ballads. Laughing and crying together at the highs and lows. My daughter was in the background giving some well thought out social commentary on it all (she is 4). Any how tonight I’m sitting bringing colour to the drawings..feeling the emotions too and just wanted to thank you for it all. A soul touched in a timeless embrace of story. Fabulous. You’re some man for one man! Joan ???
Christy's reply
Joan,Thanks for sharing such an intimate picture.Its a great gift you have given…to hear how certain songs resound deep and reach into hidden corners….I perform Musgrave maybe 10 times a year…whether it be solo or ensemble, Liam’s playing always echoes in my mind when I come to that verse….most of Liam’s contributions to the Planxty sound remain fixed in my recall….
Please tell Seamus that I am very happy that he likes that recording…songs we hear at such tender years stay with us throughout our lives….I still remember songs I heard as a small boy..Thank You
Old memories are great christy.they take up no space and you can visit them any time…I have a 1999 fat ducato.2.5 diesel, I took the table and couch out in the back and built in a queen sized bed..I installed a 2500w inverter to run the tv. That runs off the second battery…cassette type toilet..double ring has cooker.and gas heater . Keeps me toasty when I’m tramping a long the wild Atlantic wsy…..I pull in to a camper ground every two or three nights to charge up…sitting on a rock with the sun going down playing my old Alvarez and throwing a few words together till they fit is an amazing feeling…
Walking on a lovely summer’s day
Skipping stones upon your doolan shore
The cresting waved give up their power too soon
And I’m happy in my hideaway.
Lovers holding hands, kids dancing on the sand
Seagulls crying while there in the wing,
Seasons come and go
Like old memories I used to know.
Doolan is always in my dreams.
I come here when the world has let me down
When everything I love just can’t be found
I guess I’ll sleep forever here it seems,
And always keep doolan in my dreams.
Amen.
Christy's reply
Sounds like a nice wagon….cassette toilet..thats a new one on me..I need to get up to date on whats available….when I was campering the WC facilites were very basic… ( torch and toilet roll)…
not seen an Alvarez for a while….keep writing the poetry and the ballads… I wrote “Joxer” in the back of a camper..also “St Brendan’s Voyage”..
Hello dear Christy,
Hope you’re enjoying your stay between Knocknarea and Benbulben. Fortunately I had the pleasure to listen to your gig of last Friday (thanks to Hil’s generosity) and I must say it was INCREDIBLE!!!
Maybe you can imagine how much I regret that we aren’t able to come to your solo shows at Hawk’s Well Theatre as this is a special place for us – we saw you there for the very first time 35 years ago!
You definitely spoilt your enthusiastic audience with a collection of most beautiful songs … Gortatagort, Wandering Aongus, The Well … just awesome! Very good you also sang The Time Has Come again, it was a new song for us in those days and I loved it at once! After the gig we went to the record shop in Sligo town and got the brandnew LP which we still cherish.
Best of Luck for tonight!
Traudel
Christy's reply
I agree with you Traudel…Hilary’s recordings travel all over the world as she shares the gigs with many listeners..Her great spirit of generosity sends verses to many distant corners…I marvel when I hear of gigs resounding in far off lands within hours of a performance…its awesome to get feedback for Irish Gigs from Germany, Chile, Australia, Brazil, Japan et al …and its all through Hilary sharing her ” secret” recordings !
I too recall that gig in Hawkswell back in 1983….it was when Rhoda McManus was steering the Sligo Ship of Art…first met Rhoda in the original Project Arts Centre Dublin, later in the Wexford Arts centre….I send her best wishes wherever she may be..
that old Vinyl album went very well for me..many of the songs still appear in the set…I recorded it in the old Lombard St studio with Donal Lunny
Cryptic kinda sums it up christy..I’m leaving nyc aboard a norwegan dream tomorrow…I plan to kiss the ground when I’m travelling across the curlew mountains sat morning…hop into my auld motor home and tramp right down to doolin..sit in with chrisyy barry in o connors..thats the plan. But ..if you want to make god laugh tell him your plans… theres no place like home..
Christy's reply
your note brings me right back to a different world….my first time in West Clare was in 1964…a 19 year old junior bank clerk in the (now defunct) National Bank I was posted to Ennistymon…back then there was a weekly sub-office in Lisdoonvarna…while serving there a man presented me with a creamery cheque saying “I want that pult”…..
Fisher St bore no resemblance to what has emerged as Doolin today…back in that old world it was turf smoke and the odd horse and cart,Micho,Gus and Packie carried the music, Seamus Ennis and Ciaran MacMathúna occasional visitors….
I’ll bet there is an aura of excitement building there this morning as crowds gather for the weekend’s Doolin Folk Festival. Many members of my own extended Family will be in attendence, Gunther will be playing on the comb, there will be slow airs on the bodhrán, Lankum and Paul Brady, Ye Vagabonds and Luka to mention but a few of the Balladeers resounding thru the West Clare Air….there will be powder in the chowder and a bit of order over there…
Up here we are preparing to withdraw from the Blue Stacks and motor towards Ben Bulben….another jaunt to the Hawk’s Well… I’ve been polishing up a few lost ballads in anticipation..
what make is your camper?is it well sprung ? indoor or outdoor faciliites ?
I had a couple of home made campers in the 70s & 80s…two great old machines…they saw me thru Ballisodare, Carnsore, Lisdoonvarna and other great gatherings….the first was most basic,a small PA system,guitar,bodhran,mattress and a few Flagons.. the second van had a gas ring, sink and fridge (the career was gathering momentum) good sound system…I still harbour the possibility of another van (one for the road !)
Well Christy, you were just magnificent from the moment you walked on the stage in NCH the room light up. I thought they were never going to let you leave the stage to finish, and why not if was a magic night, thank you. Lucky enough to be going again tonight so can’t wait, great stuff. JD
What a great audience ye were last night.. I could not have hoped for better….
Hiya Christy!
Love the new album! Do you know any of your tour dates, yet, for 2018? I’m planning to be back in Galway around the beginning of the year.
Best!!
Marnie
dont have that yet Marnie…soon as I know they’ll be posted here on the gig section
CM (73) go néiri leat sa concert hall anocht.you’ll be grand.I saw some photos of the crowd what a beautiful place and excited looking crowd.It reminded me of a cartoon I saw one time but when I went looking I can’t find it.I think someone belonging to you drew it. it was of the crowd and you on stage . where the heck was that.? was it on a cd cover or a book? or did I dream it?I am pretty sure it exists.
PS …RS has her last leaving cert exam ..ceol tomorrow. She has a piece about you ready to write. It will be great when it’s over there’s notes all over the house.no room is safe anymore!!
I think you might be referring to a cartoon from the book “One Voice”…it was created by my nephew Turlough Rynne…. in his earlier years he was a brilliant cartoonist …..it was in the hard back edition..I dont know if it survived into the paper back edition… by then I had relinquised power of veto
I hope Roisin’s “leaving” goes well ( mine did’nt back in 1963) and that life returns to “normal”, whatever that is !!!
Hi Christy,
Myself and the wife are heading over to catch your gig at the Marquee next week. This will be our second time watching you there. We are looking forward to getting over to gods country once again. Thanks for keeping the music and stories alive!
Cheers
Mike
Come on over Mike… we’ll be here awaiting your second coming…up de banks
I kinda know what it’s like when your packing up the gear rearing to go home and someone comes up and wants to hear your life story..it’s a privilege to shoot the breeze with the bauld Christ moore and I don’t want to abuse it by wandering on about myself..my name is martin kenny born and buttered in rathlee .easkey.sligo.ive been in the US since 86,worked for the city of NY for 20 years,retired then moved to Florida. ( because as Seinfeld said ” its the law”..played in every rat hole bar in and around ny. Always throwing a few originals in along the way….I now come home once a year for two months .hop into my camper and hit the road.writing as I go…I suppose if I didn’t get off the beer 9 years ago none of this would be possible. …. I’ve pitched a bunch of stuff to a few of the country singers here but I suppose it didn’t suit them,,it’s a tough circut to break into.. I listen to some of the country acts here ,they rehash the same old cover material over and over….if I hear the fecking wagion wheel ill jump off a pier…i would love to hear about your exploits in easkey…was Kieran Kavanagh involved.??. . If you ever hear of someone looking for original stuff ,steer them to mkenny5509@gmail.com..thank you christy.slan.martin.
Martin, thanks for giving us a bit of the picture….would like to hear some your experiences in “every rat hole bar in NYC”. ( there gotta be a song there)…..I played in some quare spots myself over the years…. Ballaghadereen, Bremen and Ballyraggett spring to mind ….Thankfully such experiences now loiter in the distant past…but I know there are many rat holes still operating….many kips still abusing their musicians and staff…..but what goes around comes around
re Easkey…..early Planxty days 1972…. we were finding it very difficult to get a start…Andy Irvine knew Des Kelly from Sweeney’s Men days…Des had managed the Band….He agreed to help Planxty …he gave us a van and small PA and got us some gigs….one of these early gigs was the Ballroom in Easkey where we were booked to play “relief” for a showband “Sean Thompson & The Everglades”. A Sunday night in Easkey we went on to total indifference….the lads and lassies were there to dance and to pull…they did not give a shite about four hairy,unheard-of scallywag balladeers “down from Dublin”…the total lack of interest was bad enough but there worse to come ! About 5 minutes into the set a row broke out in the middle of the Hall….it spread rapidly and within minutes there was skin and hair and broken chairs flying….halfway through our set we abandoned the stage (no one noticed !)….I thought that would mark the end of Planxty.. we were utterly demoralised….
However, we gathered ourselves together and the following week recorded our first single “Three Drunken Maidens” c/w “Sí Bheag Sí Mhór” then we got a spot with Gaybo on the Late Late….. we were on the road again
Looking forward to hearing you sing some of your great songs tonight at NCH,………excitement, it’s like Christmas Eve. JD
45 mins to go…almost 30 years since I last played here…been in the audience a hundred times since…a bit nervous now but that is the norm…NCH or Shelton Abbey, every gig the same….heres hoping it all goes well…..
Did someone say Apple Tart ? will there be one in the NCH ? The Boss is 70 this year , not 68, but sure who cares, who can tell…I’m POTR vintage in 2019 myself and looking forward to the gig tonight in the NCH…long time since saw ye there, it’ll be a cracker…good luck..we’ve a full house here tomorrow night for Eleanor Shanley & Mike Hanrahan…Apple tart best served with few glasses of cold
milk..
Tart is currently OFF the menu…so dont talk to me about tarts!…
the belly sagging a bit more of late so time for reappraisal..I often wonder what it must be like to enjoy the concept of moderation…like having one cream bun off the platter in ( the old) Bewleys..like having one or two choclates when alone with a Black Belgian Selection..like having one or two sandwiches after a funeral…its similar to how things were with the gargle…maybe two Milk-Choc Wholemeal Biscuits with a cuppa after the dinner….
no way Lar,
I’d have to finish the packet, ate the whole tart, chomp chocs until bloated and depressed, dont talk to me about Bewleys cream buns…
I’m on the crackers now,
Please give my best wishes to Eleanor Shanley..she is a great trouper..loved her version of “In The Ghetto” when we toured together in the 90s….I’d be there if I was’nt gigging mysel…Hi to Mike too..we toured Australia together many years ago when he was with Stockton’s Wing
Good luck to you and The SeaSide Sessions in Booterstown
Hi Christy – Looking forward to seeing you in the Riverside Park Hotel next week! Iv’e been tempted to comment here many times but never followed through and now I’m thinking – why not! As a “young one” in the mid to late 80’s a friend & I did a couple of cycling & camping holidays around Clare & West Cork with a cassette player strapped to the bicycle carrier “belting out Christy Moore songs” – oh the memories! We got to one of your gigs in Caeser’s Palace in Bunclody on a hot Summers evening around that era too! In recent years my hubby and I have enjoyed many of your gigs in Enniscorthy & Wexford but perhaps the most memorable one for us was in Vicar Street on the 17th February, 2002 when I managed to get tickets for the day of his 40th Birthday –
I still have those ticket stubs as memorabilia!! Your songs & music have always been well voiced when there’s an auld family “sesh” or get together and now I’m happy to say our two children (18 & almost 16) having grown up with Christy Moore ever present in their home, will be coming to your Enniscorthy gig with us along with several family members – their first of many to experience I hope! There’ s way too many favourite songs to name but if you happen to be in the mood on the night “Bright Blue Rose” is still the one I shout out when your’e in “juke box mode” and look for requests! Hope you enjoy Enniscorthy and the lovely surrounds of the River Slaney. Regards, Marie Kinsella.
What a great post you have shared Marie…
I used to love playing Caesar’s Palace in Bunclody….fair play to Danny Doyle who named the old Ballroom thus.. the dressing room was tiny and the only access was across the stage…last played there over 30 years ago….my gig was always followed by a showband, the chairs removed, the dancing would begin..
Danny once booked Planxty to play in a Marquee in Adamstown back in 1972…the catering was outstanding..I recall bringing an apple tart home with me..Yes, an apple tart
I have always loved County Wexford…from when I was a boy
I will do my best to sing that (Jimmy Mack) song for you…its a classic
Not sure where he taped it.think it’s castlebar.. he done a nice job on the tune..fair play..I recorded it in 2004 , wrote the song for a friend of mine trying to cope with being illegal in NY and couldn’t come home for her dad’s funeral..she had a good cry when she heard it…think it helped her in some small way.she still shows up at my gigs in NY. .AND has a bit of a cry all over again…. there’s a story behing every song…sorry don’t mean to bore you with my bs. All the best..
A couple of things I’d like to say,
first of all, you are not boring me,
secondly,it aint no bullshit (excuse my attempt at american)
have you always described yourself as Easkey?
did you ever correspond here under another name ?
are you on the run?
tell us a bit about your gigs
I’m having a bit of a contemplative lie-in this morn…returning to The National Concert Hall tonight after a 30 year gap…in one way its simply another gig, but in another way its a lot more….been thinking for days of how I might open tonight (its a solo gig)..just got the answer while listening to Radio 4 from London…gonna make a fresh start, one I’ve never tried before…the second song will be one I’ve not played for about 5 years…gonna go out on the edge…
That lad did a nice job of your song…good voice too and VERY well turned out..shoes polished, the feckin lot….
After 6 years I got myself a fresh pair of stage slippers..you shoulda heard some of the abuse I got from the regulars…one remarked that they looked like something a pope might wear….
Did I ever tell you about the night I played in Easkey ?
Hi Christy ( aged 73) saw you at the Phil a few months back, have just been to see Billy Joel (69) and have tickets for Paul Simon (76) & Van (72) in July. I am going to call it my ‘R’octogenarian concert year. When you think of Paul MaCartney (75) Springsteen (68) Stevie Wonder (68) Dylan (77) Neil Young (72) and Elton John (71) and you were all born within 9 years of each other (and still giging), what a generation of singer/song writer/performers. Wouldn’t mind being at the next birthday party if you all decide to get together for a sing along. Don’t know how you auld fellas keep going (I’m knackered and I’m only 61) but long may it last.
speaking personally..the songs keep me going..the great crew I have around me keep me going, the musicians who share with me keep me going…the audience that gather to hear the songs keep me going…
Heard Van and Joan Baez recently..gonna hear P.Simon soon…
but its even more important to get out and hear the younger ones…they also keep me going
Hi Christy
I will see you on Wednesday in the NCH. I’d be delighted to hear you play Shane’s ‘Aisling’ if you could.My daughter of the same name would have been 5 on the 27th. I last spoke to you at the Gloaming’s first album launch at the same venue shortly after she needlessly passed. We spoke of Mickey’s ‘Only our rivers’ and ‘Peter Pan and me’ which you sang in the Gate the night after Loughinisland when 6 of us drove from Belfast for the Big Issue launch with no where to stay. Chuckled at the ‘Aldi Lidl’ song. I hadn’t been out in a while hiding in misery. Then ‘Song 44’ rang out….the first words broke my heart with joy. Can’t wait to see you again. I laugh a lot less…
Sorry for asking
Eamonn
no need to be sorry Eamonn..no harm in askin
coming up your way later in the year
thanks for sharing
It’s only me Irish bones Christy, I am just speaking me frickin mind, under the influence of course. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=64oZkrAciZI
Irish Bones me Bollix…hope you are well…
Hi Christy…..been a long while since I posted. In fact, it was probably on the day of my brother Denis’s funeral back in August 2016. I was driving my parents back home, and “Ride On” came on the Player. That song, at that moment, touched a nerve. Hey ho. Life goes on. Won;t ever forget your kindness when Louise and I made the trip to Cardiff in May 2015 to see you…….which ultimately resulted in a special visit to the Sage in Gateshead later that year. Keep the music alive…..and hope you return to the North-East soon…….Steven
good to hear from you Steven..your monniker is memorable!
I also hope to return to the canny NE
Good morning Christy from across the pond (I suppose it’s early evening for you). I just wanted to let you know I’m a huge fan. The wife and I visited Ireland several years back and at a pub one night she struck up a conversation with a man playing guitar and once he heard we were from Chicago he decided to play City of Chicago. On our return I played the video over and over to find some lyrics so I could find the origin of the song. The rest is history I suppose. Love the old stuff and love the new stuff. If you EVER make it out to Chicago I can guarantee I will be in the front row singing along. That’s all, just wanted to say hello and thank you for all you do!
greetings to Chicago…
wont make it back across the pond
only road work these past two decades
gave up the long haul gigging
but I enjoyed it for the first 3 decades
( unlike the rosary)
If your getting a camper.dont get her too big.. better to have a permanent bed not a pull out couch….then get lost in the many small roads that wind up at the ocean.you could be dead a week in some of those place before someone finds ya…the freedom is amazing…this bird iim on is taking off.next thing I see is small green fields…home here I come..slan
in the last camper I had a couple of mattresses that clipped up to the wall…permanent bed seems like a waste of space unless its a mega camper
I used to use it as a dressing room for gigs and the after the gig head off to some beach river or lake ..
Cassette toilet is nothing more that a sealed self contained box that everything goes into..great job…the Alvarez my ex bought for two dollars at a house sale..the bridge and neck were a mess..I build the odd guitar every now and then.so I pieced it together..it 3/4 size with steel strings.perfect for the overhead when travelling….I tune it down to take the weight off the neck and use the capo on the second fret…
A young country singer called Stuart moyles from mayo released one of my tunes…”richest man” it seems to be doing ok..in the old days I would see a few pounds from something like that now you get nothing…someone is screwing someone..best of luck christy , dont ever stop what your doing you make a whole lot of people happy. Slan.martin
thats a fine song…good singer too..are they the streets of castlebar in the video?
Hello Christy
Hope you are well and happy. I dont usually write to folk about this kind of stuff.. but today..for the second time in his life my 6 year old son Seamus heard the song Little Musgrave. The version with Planxty.. and yet again..he wept and wept. He is one little special soul but his heart broke so much ..the words story expression and music within it sent him somewhere deep in Bucklesford Berry with them all. We have talked about how the two lovers are together forever..wrapped in loves embrace. Liam’s notes when Lord Barnards wife is struck are enough to flatten a body…We decided to draw it and see the story. And we had a magical afternoon doing the same with Raggle Taggle Gypsy, and well, all of those ballads. Laughing and crying together at the highs and lows. My daughter was in the background giving some well thought out social commentary on it all (she is 4). Any how tonight I’m sitting bringing colour to the drawings..feeling the emotions too and just wanted to thank you for it all. A soul touched in a timeless embrace of story. Fabulous. You’re some man for one man! Joan ???
Joan,Thanks for sharing such an intimate picture.Its a great gift you have given…to hear how certain songs resound deep and reach into hidden corners….I perform Musgrave maybe 10 times a year…whether it be solo or ensemble, Liam’s playing always echoes in my mind when I come to that verse….most of Liam’s contributions to the Planxty sound remain fixed in my recall….
Please tell Seamus that I am very happy that he likes that recording…songs we hear at such tender years stay with us throughout our lives….I still remember songs I heard as a small boy..Thank You
Old memories are great christy.they take up no space and you can visit them any time…I have a 1999 fat ducato.2.5 diesel, I took the table and couch out in the back and built in a queen sized bed..I installed a 2500w inverter to run the tv. That runs off the second battery…cassette type toilet..double ring has cooker.and gas heater . Keeps me toasty when I’m tramping a long the wild Atlantic wsy…..I pull in to a camper ground every two or three nights to charge up…sitting on a rock with the sun going down playing my old Alvarez and throwing a few words together till they fit is an amazing feeling…
Walking on a lovely summer’s day
Skipping stones upon your doolan shore
The cresting waved give up their power too soon
And I’m happy in my hideaway.
Lovers holding hands, kids dancing on the sand
Seagulls crying while there in the wing,
Seasons come and go
Like old memories I used to know.
Doolan is always in my dreams.
I come here when the world has let me down
When everything I love just can’t be found
I guess I’ll sleep forever here it seems,
And always keep doolan in my dreams.
Amen.
Sounds like a nice wagon….cassette toilet..thats a new one on me..I need to get up to date on whats available….when I was campering the WC facilites were very basic… ( torch and toilet roll)…
not seen an Alvarez for a while….keep writing the poetry and the ballads… I wrote “Joxer” in the back of a camper..also “St Brendan’s Voyage”..
maybe thats what I’m missing !
Hello dear Christy,
Hope you’re enjoying your stay between Knocknarea and Benbulben. Fortunately I had the pleasure to listen to your gig of last Friday (thanks to Hil’s generosity) and I must say it was INCREDIBLE!!!
Maybe you can imagine how much I regret that we aren’t able to come to your solo shows at Hawk’s Well Theatre as this is a special place for us – we saw you there for the very first time 35 years ago!
You definitely spoilt your enthusiastic audience with a collection of most beautiful songs … Gortatagort, Wandering Aongus, The Well … just awesome! Very good you also sang The Time Has Come again, it was a new song for us in those days and I loved it at once! After the gig we went to the record shop in Sligo town and got the brandnew LP which we still cherish.
Best of Luck for tonight!
Traudel
I agree with you Traudel…Hilary’s recordings travel all over the world as she shares the gigs with many listeners..Her great spirit of generosity sends verses to many distant corners…I marvel when I hear of gigs resounding in far off lands within hours of a performance…its awesome to get feedback for Irish Gigs from Germany, Chile, Australia, Brazil, Japan et al …and its all through Hilary sharing her ” secret” recordings !
I too recall that gig in Hawkswell back in 1983….it was when Rhoda McManus was steering the Sligo Ship of Art…first met Rhoda in the original Project Arts Centre Dublin, later in the Wexford Arts centre….I send her best wishes wherever she may be..
that old Vinyl album went very well for me..many of the songs still appear in the set…I recorded it in the old Lombard St studio with Donal Lunny
Cryptic kinda sums it up christy..I’m leaving nyc aboard a norwegan dream tomorrow…I plan to kiss the ground when I’m travelling across the curlew mountains sat morning…hop into my auld motor home and tramp right down to doolin..sit in with chrisyy barry in o connors..thats the plan. But ..if you want to make god laugh tell him your plans… theres no place like home..
your note brings me right back to a different world….my first time in West Clare was in 1964…a 19 year old junior bank clerk in the (now defunct) National Bank I was posted to Ennistymon…back then there was a weekly sub-office in Lisdoonvarna…while serving there a man presented me with a creamery cheque saying “I want that pult”…..
Fisher St bore no resemblance to what has emerged as Doolin today…back in that old world it was turf smoke and the odd horse and cart,Micho,Gus and Packie carried the music, Seamus Ennis and Ciaran MacMathúna occasional visitors….
I’ll bet there is an aura of excitement building there this morning as crowds gather for the weekend’s Doolin Folk Festival. Many members of my own extended Family will be in attendence, Gunther will be playing on the comb, there will be slow airs on the bodhrán, Lankum and Paul Brady, Ye Vagabonds and Luka to mention but a few of the Balladeers resounding thru the West Clare Air….there will be powder in the chowder and a bit of order over there…
Up here we are preparing to withdraw from the Blue Stacks and motor towards Ben Bulben….another jaunt to the Hawk’s Well… I’ve been polishing up a few lost ballads in anticipation..
what make is your camper?is it well sprung ? indoor or outdoor faciliites ?
I had a couple of home made campers in the 70s & 80s…two great old machines…they saw me thru Ballisodare, Carnsore, Lisdoonvarna and other great gatherings….the first was most basic,a small PA system,guitar,bodhran,mattress and a few Flagons.. the second van had a gas ring, sink and fridge (the career was gathering momentum) good sound system…I still harbour the possibility of another van (one for the road !)