Looking forward to the gig tonight Christy! I was very sad to hear of the passing of Liam Ó Flynn last year, but in Chapel Lane there’s a new Liam Óg, just one month old. Would love to get a photo with you and him before the gig if at all possible.
Ger
Christy's reply
regrets Ger…that just aint poss… we have a pre gig routine that commences at 5.oo…. maybe some day I’ll visit Chapel Lane and Liam Óg
Cammy Solley
February 9, 2019 at 12:29 pm
Location: Hawick a town where the rugby team play in the colours of the mighty Celtic
Hi Christy, Rory sorry to jump on the bandwagon of your conversation but already a year since Killashee? Time really does fly. A great night was had by all and a great weekend with friends on the Emerald Isle.
Christy we are coming to Tullamore this year on the 23rd of March so if you don’t mind I might request nearer the time Fairytale of NY again if you don’t mind. I wouldn’t be upset if you didn’t play it so please don’t think I would take it for granted!
Mike Gibson now there was a player. I remember him from my early days for me Mike and one of Hawick’s other sons Jim Renwick were the most underrated players ever to play centre for their countries and the Lions.
Christy's reply
come back to me before Tullamore and we’ll roll out the Fairytale Carpet….I never saw anyone to glide like Mike Gibson….
tight game in Murrayfield…a good prep (for me) for tonights gig..we had a good one here last night
Well here it is, the big game, perhaps the only event worth missing the killashee for.
I am heading up to auld reekie with my kids to watch the scots play the irish.
Its a strong visiting pack of dunne, spillane, moore, wolfe, barry, heaney, furey and brady sent to try to out-muscle a talented home back-line of imlach, connolly, williamson and browne, bogle, polwart and gaughan.
What a rugby and musical feast, well we shall sing both anthems, cheer all tries, adoring ireland and hoping for a draw, yet loving scotland and keeping fingers crossed for a hawick lad called Hogg to score the scots’ last minute winner.
Remember us tonight in the ballroom at the Cill na Si.
Regards Rory
Christy's reply
Good Man Rory…Hope ye all have a good day, that the Northern wind dont blow under your kilt…I wish ye a good open game with lots of tries, may the Flower of Scotland blossom upon the Fields of Athenry…may the Wigs Mulcahy out leap Mike Cambell-Lamberton and Mike Gibson run in the winning try on the stroke of time….
Hi Christy,
I know Mullingar Park is sold out but i know someone with 2 tickets who cant go and i can buy the tickets off her… I’d love to bring my son to his first Christy Gig but im worried he might be a little young.. hes only 5 but an avid music lover.. (already seen Nathan Carter & Derek Ryan live!) is learning the Bodhran, got a keyboard from Santy, has several guitars and loves The Tuam Beat and My Little Honda 50!! Your thoughts would be appreciated… many thanks, Aisling.
(Actually technically its not his first Christy gig.. i was at at Gig in Lough Rynn while i was pregnant 🙂 )
Christy's reply
whats this guys name Aisling..sounds like you got a talented young man there..
CM (73) The doldrums lasted quite a while perfect for fishing.
So myself anddad had a grand day .We steamed out great man’s bay (sometimes known as dead man’s bay) over “carraig béal an cuain”
Past ‘na shearra bháite” Agus “na foireann bháite” beyond Sceirde rocks.
Threw out my line and got a fine feed of fish .haddock and hake mostly.
But sure enough everyone was saying the calm weather is no good. What made an appearance soon after? The real Flue.I mean not a slaghdan but the real deal.I could see cups actually moving and sweating like a pig running after its tail in a sauna.!!
BTW croagh padraig is some mountain.The sun rolls down it at certain times of the year.Most amazing sight .It happens in April.
What are you up to these days anyhow?
CS (14)
PS I got ride on the lp at Christmas love playing the lakes of ponchatrain.Also I purachased myself a new guitar (takamine. )
Christy's reply
Morra CS (14)
Gotta keep it short,
I’m knee deep in prep for the start of the new season tomorrow..
thats some beast of a fish you hooked..
talk soon…
CM(73)
It’s taken years for me to understand your absence in America.
I turned Mom and Dad on to more of your artistry than available over Fordham Radio (purchased through CM.com). Others you spoke of in turn made their way to our ears.
Dad, a Carroll partly raised in Corofin, flew Secretariat via L1011 through his Triple Crown run. The horse was skittish after the Derby and wouldn’t board the plane. After much delay, it was Anne Carroll (ne Cormican) from Cloghan Four Roads Roscommon who walked up the ramp, smiled, waived and said, “C’mon Charlie” That woman passed away last month.
When the last of her generation is gone, the World won’t know their kind again.
The America she made her home 64 years ago is long gone. It’s heartbreaking, but your gift is more useful in the place you call home.
Christy's reply
Morra Bren,
I suffer a bit like Secretariat…I get skittish at the mere thought of climbing into the narrow steel tube..it became impossible for me to fly after my last trip over, no coaxing and cajoling, neither carrott nor H1 made any difference,…I did enjoy my 6 tours across America ….
I wish the best to all you Carrolls and Cormicans, long and happy days … the country I grew up in is long gone too…ne’re a remnant of it left except in some of our memories…I sometimes long for the good parts but never for the shite bits…hope you make it back to Cloghan Four Roads and Corofin (Clare or Galway) for a visit.
Its hard when the Mother leaves
Christy
I wouldn’t dream of naming and shaming the restaurant. There’s enough negativity in this world. But if you’re ever hungry and heading down the quay be sure to ask for a couple of dumplings at least on your stew. But I would highly recommend a little family restaurant we stopped off in Tulsk we stopped off for lunch at on the way to Westport. It was called DG’s..or The Friary depending which way your head was tilted. Steak the size of your head for same price as a saucer of stew. Staff were great. And they do doggy bags. Though there was no chance of me leaving any.
Regards
Frankie.
Christy's reply
Tulsk here we come ..thanks for the pointer…
I’ll have to try all the eating houses around Galway Harbour to find that 15euro stew….
we used to visit the Old Harbour Bar back in the 70s..back when Mickey Finn and Pete Galligan were in their prime…those days when it was harder to leave Galway then get into it…back then the dinner never came into the recogning..twas all loose porter and wee drops..the crack the gargle and the ganjee…..
thankfully, a few of of us made it to more peaceful quarters
Hi there Christy
Back home after 5 great days. What a pity they didn’t let you have a game on Saturday, the outcome could have been so different. A tough game to watch but there’s all to play for. Still, had a great night after the game. headed down to the Arlington to meet up with the wives who had spent the afternoon on a cultural trawl of Dublin’s gin bars.
Sunday drove over to Westport. What a fabulous place. never been before. What a great view of Croagh Patrick just outside our hotel door at the Westport Coast Hotel. Visited Matt Molloy’s, he was out minding sheep or something. Then next door into the Porter House. Great bar and the resident trio kindly allowed me to get up for a few tunes. Mind you, the words of Nancy Spain got a bit skewed after the rake of Guinness I’d had. Certainly one of the best nights I’ve had in ages. Next morning the lovely sunshine and sea inspired me to climb the mountain. But before I could get my boots off the wife inspired me to pull myself together and get her to the shops.
Then a leisurely drive down to Galway on the Monday afternoon. 15 euros for a bowl of stew. What is that all about? . had another great night but I’d have to say that I would be returning to Westport first.
All the very best
Frankie.
Christy's reply
That Croagh Patrick is the divil itself of a climb…I did it in me stockin feet there a few years back and had to spend the night up above, i woke up so stiff the followin mornin that I had to come back down backwards on my hands and knees.. I met a Nun who assured me that the plenary indulgences accrued by enduring such self flagellation would cancel out the most heinous of mortal sins…do you think I can trust this Nun….I feel she might have been a Dark Familiar sent by Nick himself …..
So Matt was out dippin sheep….
where in Galway did you get the 15 euro stew ? name and shame…was it any good itself….was it mutton dressed up as lamb… was it scrawny auld scrag end….
Hi Christy.
I hope you are well.
Christy looking forward to your show in Kilashee on Friday night.
I have to say they are always great shows on the home turf.
Is there any chance you could give us a few bars of the Bright Blue Rose?
Take care Christy and really looking forward to Friday night.
Christy's reply
lookin forward to it myself Martin….back on the home turf
Hello Christy
We’ve been listening to you and Declan’s version of ‘Shine on you crazy diamond’ for hours now. We were wondering if there is any chance that somewhere, deep inside a treasure box of recordings, a long version without fade out exit does exist and in that case, if there is a chance that it will reach other ears than those who played and recorded it?
Kind regards.
Yves
Christy's reply
Greetings to Yves and all Belgian songsters…there is no long version at this time…but recently we have returned to this beautiful song in rehearsal…we may introduce it back into our live perfomance…
Hi Christy I hope you are well. I’ve brought the girls to Santiago. It’s a marvellous country is Chile. The landscape is so incredible. Volcanoes and lakes and we had dinner with Maryline who is altogether also marvelous. Me and the girls spoke of Allende and Jara, the crimes of Pinochet, remembered your singing of those songs and listened again, visited the memorial and museum (bloody truth and reconciliation) .. Its really hard to explain to young people how awfully elders have behaved… But they’re watching with horror as brexit drags on in a deathly dirge. We left Mick to the rugby and to bemoan the Hammers trouncing out of the FA Cup by the Mighty Wombledon, and mind the dog. Its 35 degrees here so I’ll not mention cold as I tend to do. Keep well. Xx
Christy's reply
What a great experience to share with your daughters….its gratifying to know that the songs and gigs played a small part in linking it together..I’m sure you’ll had had some bitta craic with thon Maryline…
I thought of you as I watched Wimbledon on MOTD..great to see such euphoria on the Terraces
Hi Christy.
I’m going to your show in the Riverside Hotel in Enniscorthy in March. I was given an original Ordinary Man record with the song They Never Came Home on it. There is a special meaning to this record and it would mean so much to me if you could sign it on the night. Would that be possible?
Yours sincerely Eddie.
Christy's reply
No Problem,Check in with the crew on the stage beforehand and I’ll be happy to sign your album….
Hi there Christy
Getting giddy here. Over tomorrow on the start of 4 days fun and frolics. Tickets sourced the match. Sunday a drive over to Westport and Monday pop down to Galway for the night. Should be mighty fun. Are you at the game?
All the best
Frankie
Christy's reply
Hey Frankie….You gotta good plan laid out there…wish you happy travels East and West…
I’m all set to go to war tomorrow… boots dubbined, jock strap ironed,scrum cap packed and line-out strategy memorised…this could be the day…for 73 years now I’ve dreamt of propping for Ireland… Tadg Furlong got a kick from a Heifer last night and has a pain in his bollix …so this could the day…If i get half a chance, I’ll get in there tomorrow and grind that English loose head into the ground (and boot brexit back up Boris’s hole)…..
Hope you enjoy Westport… if you see Matt Molloy, tell him I’ve learnt a new slow air on the Bodhrán,….
if you have time in Galway take a look at the Harbour…there you’ll find an example of architectural planning like you’ve never seen before….how could it possibly have been achieved…( I could hazard a guess )
Saw “The Cripple of Inismaan” yesterday in The Gaitey Theatre….also saw Brian Eno at the Royal Hibernian Academy…..some of us just cant let go of the royal…had a right royal time in O’Donoghue’s the other day..dropped in for a toasted coddle sandwich (which dripped all over my crombie)….first time in there for 25 years…hard to believe its 50 years since poor Paddy had to bar some of us at Maureen’s behest…but we must let bygones be bygones… anyway Frankie, have a good visit and mind yourself on the road
It may be nearly 50 years ago and a perfect day for walking, but the memory of minds locked shut still remains . Thankfully remembered in song, thank you Christy.
Christy's reply
30th January 1972.
It happened on a Sunday afternoon.
Minds Locked Shut
Jackie Duddy
Willie Nash
Gerry Donaghy
Willie McKinney
Gerard McKinney
Jim Wray
Johnny Johnson
Barney McGuigan
Paddy Doherty
Kevin McIlhinney
John Young
Mickey Kelly
Hugh Gilmore
Michael McDaid
Christy,
It’s been too long and I see you are playing in London later this year. I have to come and see you! I don’t have a contact number for you but would love to catch up.
Love from
Sarah Dunne
Christy's reply
“Sullivan’s John to the road you’ve gone far away from your native home
gone with the Tinker’s daughter all along the road to roam
Sullivan’s John you wont stick it long ’til your belly will get slack
you’ll be goin the road with a mighty load,your tool box upon your back”
(Words and Music by The Pecker Dunne)
Pecker was born in Castlebar,Co Mayo in 1933 and spent his latter years in Killimer Co Clare until he died in 2012.We met across the years and shared a few songs along the way.Pecker and his wife Madeline asked me to be God-Father to their daughter Sarah,an honour for this auld sham buffer. Pecker gave his whole life buskin and giggin and hard travellin..a true Knight of The Road
“I never met Bob Dylan but I sang with Pecker Dunne
and when we drank Lough Éireann dry we went lookin for Lough Dann”
Apologies on that last post, it must have seemed random. It was supposed to be a rewrite of one of your classics. There’s a couple girls who changed the lyrics to ‘Ordinary Man’, it’s low-fi brilliance at its best, really is 😅. Couldn’t quite catch the right link. But the visual is used when they sing it…
Currently on tour in Europe with a Swedish Metal band and a Canadian Celtic Punk band. It’s a really tough tour. Out of my comfort zone (if there is such a thing). Really challenging myself. It’s an unfamiliar energy to throw myself into. But there are some real sweet moments. Hope all’s well with thee,
Swedish Metal, Canadian Celtic Punk and Dylan Walsh gives “Son House” an airing in Strasbourg….Go For It…..
Once songs gain a bit of traction and longevity there will be parodies …one of my faves was about 30 years ago when two young rapscallions parodied “Ride On” with a “Sign On” song….they continued on into “Lynched” which last year became Lankum…..the late Dermot Morgan did a deadly “ordinary man” while all sorts of tools have aped Lisdoonvarna…. does’nt bother me a bit…let them at it…and if a tribute act can knock living out of it, more power to them…everyone starts off doin covers…I’m still at it
Hi All. Even at the risk of exceeding my posting quota “your man that MC’s the Rose of Tralee ” would be Dáithí Ó Sé, son of noted muscian,poet and author Maidhc Dainnín Ó Sé (RIP ) and seen here stepping in to sing in pretty good muscial company… !! https://youtu.be/zAGhiW3qQvQ… only 11 more sleeps to Naas,,,, beir bua agus beanncht,,, H
I just came across a piece on Soundcloud that was broadcast yesterday. A nice 45 minute radio programme with John Spillane the Hit Factory like, as the artist this week. Here’s the wording that was attaached and the piece its self..I know there’s a few fans here..might be interested. Hope all is great of a bright Monday morning…and two days away from 2 statues of Luke Kelly in Dublin City..L
”A lively imagination that is deeply immersed in Cork City and County has helped him write over 200 songs.
He describes himself as a musician, songwriter, recording artist, story-teller, poet and dreamer. That’s a lot of character descriptions to have on your CV, but when it’s John Spillane you’re talking about, it’s not very surprising.
On this week’s edition of ‘Where the road takes me’, John Greene sits down with the Cork balladeer to hear his story and his songs.
After his father died in 1962, his mother was left to rear five young boys. However, the West Cork relatives stepped in to help, and during his many visits to Colomane, music became very much a part of his rearing. The rest, as they say, is history.
‘John Spillane – his songs and story on Where the road takes me – on C103.”
A welcome addition here Lar…always good to hear John speak about his life and work..he did a grand interview a while back on TG4 with Daithí Ó Sé.. Same man interviewed Ger Canning last week…
Lovely too to hear about Luke’s memorials…I look forward to seeing them both in due course..
“There were magic nights in the lobby bar when Brendan Ring played Madame Bonaparte
And every note that the piper would play would send me away send me away.
Away through the window away in the rain over the city away on the air
To a field by a river where the trees are so green the deepest of green that you’ve ever seen
Where once you have been you can go back again you can go anytime you can go anytime
Because it’s only in your mind”
Remembering today through the power of music.
Yellow triangle.
Thanks Christy
Christy's reply
Yellow Triangle ( after Pastor Niemoller)
When first they came for the criminals
I did not speak
Then they began to take the Jews
When they fetched the people who were members of trade unions
I did not speak
They took away the Bible students,
rounded up the homosexuals
Then they gathered up the immigrants and the gypsies
I did not speak, I did not speak
Eventually they came for me….
there was no one left to speak
Looking forward to the gig tonight Christy! I was very sad to hear of the passing of Liam Ó Flynn last year, but in Chapel Lane there’s a new Liam Óg, just one month old. Would love to get a photo with you and him before the gig if at all possible.
Ger
regrets Ger…that just aint poss… we have a pre gig routine that commences at 5.oo…. maybe some day I’ll visit Chapel Lane and Liam Óg
Hi Christy, Rory sorry to jump on the bandwagon of your conversation but already a year since Killashee? Time really does fly. A great night was had by all and a great weekend with friends on the Emerald Isle.
Christy we are coming to Tullamore this year on the 23rd of March so if you don’t mind I might request nearer the time Fairytale of NY again if you don’t mind. I wouldn’t be upset if you didn’t play it so please don’t think I would take it for granted!
Mike Gibson now there was a player. I remember him from my early days for me Mike and one of Hawick’s other sons Jim Renwick were the most underrated players ever to play centre for their countries and the Lions.
come back to me before Tullamore and we’ll roll out the Fairytale Carpet….I never saw anyone to glide like Mike Gibson….
tight game in Murrayfield…a good prep (for me) for tonights gig..we had a good one here last night
Well here it is, the big game, perhaps the only event worth missing the killashee for.
I am heading up to auld reekie with my kids to watch the scots play the irish.
Its a strong visiting pack of dunne, spillane, moore, wolfe, barry, heaney, furey and brady sent to try to out-muscle a talented home back-line of imlach, connolly, williamson and browne, bogle, polwart and gaughan.
What a rugby and musical feast, well we shall sing both anthems, cheer all tries, adoring ireland and hoping for a draw, yet loving scotland and keeping fingers crossed for a hawick lad called Hogg to score the scots’ last minute winner.
Remember us tonight in the ballroom at the Cill na Si.
Regards Rory
Good Man Rory…Hope ye all have a good day, that the Northern wind dont blow under your kilt…I wish ye a good open game with lots of tries, may the Flower of Scotland blossom upon the Fields of Athenry…may the Wigs Mulcahy out leap Mike Cambell-Lamberton and Mike Gibson run in the winning try on the stroke of time….
Hopefully at least one instrument will stick!! I’ll do my damdest that it does!!!
His name is MJ 🙂
Ride On Emjay…..
Hi Christy,
I know Mullingar Park is sold out but i know someone with 2 tickets who cant go and i can buy the tickets off her… I’d love to bring my son to his first Christy Gig but im worried he might be a little young.. hes only 5 but an avid music lover.. (already seen Nathan Carter & Derek Ryan live!) is learning the Bodhran, got a keyboard from Santy, has several guitars and loves The Tuam Beat and My Little Honda 50!! Your thoughts would be appreciated… many thanks, Aisling.
(Actually technically its not his first Christy gig.. i was at at Gig in Lough Rynn while i was pregnant 🙂 )
whats this guys name Aisling..sounds like you got a talented young man there..
CM (73) The doldrums lasted quite a while perfect for fishing.
So myself anddad had a grand day .We steamed out great man’s bay (sometimes known as dead man’s bay) over “carraig béal an cuain”
Past ‘na shearra bháite” Agus “na foireann bháite” beyond Sceirde rocks.
Threw out my line and got a fine feed of fish .haddock and hake mostly.
But sure enough everyone was saying the calm weather is no good. What made an appearance soon after? The real Flue.I mean not a slaghdan but the real deal.I could see cups actually moving and sweating like a pig running after its tail in a sauna.!!
BTW croagh padraig is some mountain.The sun rolls down it at certain times of the year.Most amazing sight .It happens in April.
What are you up to these days anyhow?
CS (14)
PS I got ride on the lp at Christmas love playing the lakes of ponchatrain.Also I purachased myself a new guitar (takamine. )
Morra CS (14)
Gotta keep it short,
I’m knee deep in prep for the start of the new season tomorrow..
thats some beast of a fish you hooked..
talk soon…
CM(73)
It’s taken years for me to understand your absence in America.
I turned Mom and Dad on to more of your artistry than available over Fordham Radio (purchased through CM.com). Others you spoke of in turn made their way to our ears.
Dad, a Carroll partly raised in Corofin, flew Secretariat via L1011 through his Triple Crown run. The horse was skittish after the Derby and wouldn’t board the plane. After much delay, it was Anne Carroll (ne Cormican) from Cloghan Four Roads Roscommon who walked up the ramp, smiled, waived and said, “C’mon Charlie” That woman passed away last month.
When the last of her generation is gone, the World won’t know their kind again.
The America she made her home 64 years ago is long gone. It’s heartbreaking, but your gift is more useful in the place you call home.
Morra Bren,
I suffer a bit like Secretariat…I get skittish at the mere thought of climbing into the narrow steel tube..it became impossible for me to fly after my last trip over, no coaxing and cajoling, neither carrott nor H1 made any difference,…I did enjoy my 6 tours across America ….
I wish the best to all you Carrolls and Cormicans, long and happy days … the country I grew up in is long gone too…ne’re a remnant of it left except in some of our memories…I sometimes long for the good parts but never for the shite bits…hope you make it back to Cloghan Four Roads and Corofin (Clare or Galway) for a visit.
Its hard when the Mother leaves
Christy
I wouldn’t dream of naming and shaming the restaurant. There’s enough negativity in this world. But if you’re ever hungry and heading down the quay be sure to ask for a couple of dumplings at least on your stew. But I would highly recommend a little family restaurant we stopped off in Tulsk we stopped off for lunch at on the way to Westport. It was called DG’s..or The Friary depending which way your head was tilted. Steak the size of your head for same price as a saucer of stew. Staff were great. And they do doggy bags. Though there was no chance of me leaving any.
Regards
Frankie.
Tulsk here we come ..thanks for the pointer…
I’ll have to try all the eating houses around Galway Harbour to find that 15euro stew….
we used to visit the Old Harbour Bar back in the 70s..back when Mickey Finn and Pete Galligan were in their prime…those days when it was harder to leave Galway then get into it…back then the dinner never came into the recogning..twas all loose porter and wee drops..the crack the gargle and the ganjee…..
thankfully, a few of of us made it to more peaceful quarters
Hi there Christy
Back home after 5 great days. What a pity they didn’t let you have a game on Saturday, the outcome could have been so different. A tough game to watch but there’s all to play for. Still, had a great night after the game. headed down to the Arlington to meet up with the wives who had spent the afternoon on a cultural trawl of Dublin’s gin bars.
Sunday drove over to Westport. What a fabulous place. never been before. What a great view of Croagh Patrick just outside our hotel door at the Westport Coast Hotel. Visited Matt Molloy’s, he was out minding sheep or something. Then next door into the Porter House. Great bar and the resident trio kindly allowed me to get up for a few tunes. Mind you, the words of Nancy Spain got a bit skewed after the rake of Guinness I’d had. Certainly one of the best nights I’ve had in ages. Next morning the lovely sunshine and sea inspired me to climb the mountain. But before I could get my boots off the wife inspired me to pull myself together and get her to the shops.
Then a leisurely drive down to Galway on the Monday afternoon. 15 euros for a bowl of stew. What is that all about? . had another great night but I’d have to say that I would be returning to Westport first.
All the very best
Frankie.
That Croagh Patrick is the divil itself of a climb…I did it in me stockin feet there a few years back and had to spend the night up above, i woke up so stiff the followin mornin that I had to come back down backwards on my hands and knees.. I met a Nun who assured me that the plenary indulgences accrued by enduring such self flagellation would cancel out the most heinous of mortal sins…do you think I can trust this Nun….I feel she might have been a Dark Familiar sent by Nick himself …..
So Matt was out dippin sheep….
where in Galway did you get the 15 euro stew ? name and shame…was it any good itself….was it mutton dressed up as lamb… was it scrawny auld scrag end….
Hi Christy.
I hope you are well.
Christy looking forward to your show in Kilashee on Friday night.
I have to say they are always great shows on the home turf.
Is there any chance you could give us a few bars of the Bright Blue Rose?
Take care Christy and really looking forward to Friday night.
lookin forward to it myself Martin….back on the home turf
Hello Christy
We’ve been listening to you and Declan’s version of ‘Shine on you crazy diamond’ for hours now. We were wondering if there is any chance that somewhere, deep inside a treasure box of recordings, a long version without fade out exit does exist and in that case, if there is a chance that it will reach other ears than those who played and recorded it?
Kind regards.
Yves
Greetings to Yves and all Belgian songsters…there is no long version at this time…but recently we have returned to this beautiful song in rehearsal…we may introduce it back into our live perfomance…
Hi Christy I hope you are well. I’ve brought the girls to Santiago. It’s a marvellous country is Chile. The landscape is so incredible. Volcanoes and lakes and we had dinner with Maryline who is altogether also marvelous. Me and the girls spoke of Allende and Jara, the crimes of Pinochet, remembered your singing of those songs and listened again, visited the memorial and museum (bloody truth and reconciliation) .. Its really hard to explain to young people how awfully elders have behaved… But they’re watching with horror as brexit drags on in a deathly dirge. We left Mick to the rugby and to bemoan the Hammers trouncing out of the FA Cup by the Mighty Wombledon, and mind the dog. Its 35 degrees here so I’ll not mention cold as I tend to do. Keep well. Xx
What a great experience to share with your daughters….its gratifying to know that the songs and gigs played a small part in linking it together..I’m sure you’ll had had some bitta craic with thon Maryline…
I thought of you as I watched Wimbledon on MOTD..great to see such euphoria on the Terraces
Hi Christy.
I’m going to your show in the Riverside Hotel in Enniscorthy in March. I was given an original Ordinary Man record with the song They Never Came Home on it. There is a special meaning to this record and it would mean so much to me if you could sign it on the night. Would that be possible?
Yours sincerely Eddie.
No Problem,Check in with the crew on the stage beforehand and I’ll be happy to sign your album….
Hi there Christy
Getting giddy here. Over tomorrow on the start of 4 days fun and frolics. Tickets sourced the match. Sunday a drive over to Westport and Monday pop down to Galway for the night. Should be mighty fun. Are you at the game?
All the best
Frankie
Hey Frankie….You gotta good plan laid out there…wish you happy travels East and West…
I’m all set to go to war tomorrow… boots dubbined, jock strap ironed,scrum cap packed and line-out strategy memorised…this could be the day…for 73 years now I’ve dreamt of propping for Ireland… Tadg Furlong got a kick from a Heifer last night and has a pain in his bollix …so this could the day…If i get half a chance, I’ll get in there tomorrow and grind that English loose head into the ground (and boot brexit back up Boris’s hole)…..
Hope you enjoy Westport… if you see Matt Molloy, tell him I’ve learnt a new slow air on the Bodhrán,….
if you have time in Galway take a look at the Harbour…there you’ll find an example of architectural planning like you’ve never seen before….how could it possibly have been achieved…( I could hazard a guess )
Saw “The Cripple of Inismaan” yesterday in The Gaitey Theatre….also saw Brian Eno at the Royal Hibernian Academy…..some of us just cant let go of the royal…had a right royal time in O’Donoghue’s the other day..dropped in for a toasted coddle sandwich (which dripped all over my crombie)….first time in there for 25 years…hard to believe its 50 years since poor Paddy had to bar some of us at Maureen’s behest…but we must let bygones be bygones… anyway Frankie, have a good visit and mind yourself on the road
It may be nearly 50 years ago and a perfect day for walking, but the memory of minds locked shut still remains . Thankfully remembered in song, thank you Christy.
30th January 1972.
It happened on a Sunday afternoon.
Minds Locked Shut
Jackie Duddy
Willie Nash
Gerry Donaghy
Willie McKinney
Gerard McKinney
Jim Wray
Johnny Johnson
Barney McGuigan
Paddy Doherty
Kevin McIlhinney
John Young
Mickey Kelly
Hugh Gilmore
Michael McDaid
Christy,
It’s been too long and I see you are playing in London later this year. I have to come and see you! I don’t have a contact number for you but would love to catch up.
Love from
Sarah Dunne
“Sullivan’s John to the road you’ve gone far away from your native home
gone with the Tinker’s daughter all along the road to roam
Sullivan’s John you wont stick it long ’til your belly will get slack
you’ll be goin the road with a mighty load,your tool box upon your back”
(Words and Music by The Pecker Dunne)
Pecker was born in Castlebar,Co Mayo in 1933 and spent his latter years in Killimer Co Clare until he died in 2012.We met across the years and shared a few songs along the way.Pecker and his wife Madeline asked me to be God-Father to their daughter Sarah,an honour for this auld sham buffer. Pecker gave his whole life buskin and giggin and hard travellin..a true Knight of The Road
“I never met Bob Dylan but I sang with Pecker Dunne
and when we drank Lough Éireann dry we went lookin for Lough Dann”
Apologies on that last post, it must have seemed random. It was supposed to be a rewrite of one of your classics. There’s a couple girls who changed the lyrics to ‘Ordinary Man’, it’s low-fi brilliance at its best, really is 😅. Couldn’t quite catch the right link. But the visual is used when they sing it…
Currently on tour in Europe with a Swedish Metal band and a Canadian Celtic Punk band. It’s a really tough tour. Out of my comfort zone (if there is such a thing). Really challenging myself. It’s an unfamiliar energy to throw myself into. But there are some real sweet moments. Hope all’s well with thee,
Dylan
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=mrf9ri_oWhU&feature=youtu.be
Swedish Metal, Canadian Celtic Punk and Dylan Walsh gives “Son House” an airing in Strasbourg….Go For It…..
Once songs gain a bit of traction and longevity there will be parodies …one of my faves was about 30 years ago when two young rapscallions parodied “Ride On” with a “Sign On” song….they continued on into “Lynched” which last year became Lankum…..the late Dermot Morgan did a deadly “ordinary man” while all sorts of tools have aped Lisdoonvarna…. does’nt bother me a bit…let them at it…and if a tribute act can knock living out of it, more power to them…everyone starts off doin covers…I’m still at it
Hi All. Even at the risk of exceeding my posting quota “your man that MC’s the Rose of Tralee ” would be Dáithí Ó Sé, son of noted muscian,poet and author Maidhc Dainnín Ó Sé (RIP ) and seen here stepping in to sing in pretty good muscial company… !! https://youtu.be/zAGhiW3qQvQ… only 11 more sleeps to Naas,,,, beir bua agus beanncht,,, H
a grand “Poc ar Buile” ansin gan dabt ar bith…
I just came across a piece on Soundcloud that was broadcast yesterday. A nice 45 minute radio programme with John Spillane the Hit Factory like, as the artist this week. Here’s the wording that was attaached and the piece its self..I know there’s a few fans here..might be interested. Hope all is great of a bright Monday morning…and two days away from 2 statues of Luke Kelly in Dublin City..L
”A lively imagination that is deeply immersed in Cork City and County has helped him write over 200 songs.
He describes himself as a musician, songwriter, recording artist, story-teller, poet and dreamer. That’s a lot of character descriptions to have on your CV, but when it’s John Spillane you’re talking about, it’s not very surprising.
On this week’s edition of ‘Where the road takes me’, John Greene sits down with the Cork balladeer to hear his story and his songs.
After his father died in 1962, his mother was left to rear five young boys. However, the West Cork relatives stepped in to help, and during his many visits to Colomane, music became very much a part of his rearing. The rest, as they say, is history.
‘John Spillane – his songs and story on Where the road takes me – on C103.”
https://soundcloud.com/cork103/wtrtm-sun-27th-jan-2019-john-spillane-his-songs-and-story?fbclid=IwAR1Q02y54MU3ZJlr9wV14nKdiozX_UaXzoHKySIeCLWExYgHJipqKkPMGf0
A welcome addition here Lar…always good to hear John speak about his life and work..he did a grand interview a while back on TG4 with Daithí Ó Sé.. Same man interviewed Ger Canning last week…
Lovely too to hear about Luke’s memorials…I look forward to seeing them both in due course..
“There were magic nights in the lobby bar when Brendan Ring played Madame Bonaparte
And every note that the piper would play would send me away send me away.
Away through the window away in the rain over the city away on the air
To a field by a river where the trees are so green the deepest of green that you’ve ever seen
Where once you have been you can go back again you can go anytime you can go anytime
Because it’s only in your mind”
Remembering today through the power of music.
Yellow triangle.
Thanks Christy
Yellow Triangle ( after Pastor Niemoller)
When first they came for the criminals
I did not speak
Then they began to take the Jews
When they fetched the people who were members of trade unions
I did not speak
They took away the Bible students,
rounded up the homosexuals
Then they gathered up the immigrants and the gypsies
I did not speak, I did not speak
Eventually they came for me….
there was no one left to speak