Dear Christy, Thank you so much for a wonderful time last Friday. We weren’t expecting a shout out or a song, but it was very meaningful to us and made our night to hear you say our names! “Black Is the Color” is a song I have sung many times and dedicated to Tiffany when performing. We were all aglow from that experience for the next couple of days. We are back in Carp now but we had such a wonderful time in Ireland. This was our first international trip together, and my first as a visually impaired person without any “sighted” people to guide me/us. The people of Ireland were so courteous and helpful, which made our travels fun and easy. We wound up going out to Roundstone and I was delightfully seduced by Malaky to purchase a bodhran. He wished to send you a kiss, and he said if you’re good, you might get it on the cheek! He has a deep and warm presence and I’m inspired to have met him.
I really enjoyed the song you sang about the persecution of women during the inquisition. What was the name of that one? Thanks again for the great craic, I hope we cross paths again sometime!
Christy's reply
Dear Beau,
Happy to know you both had a good visit….
that great song you mention is “Burning Times”….it was written by my late friend Charlie Murphy from your own State of California…I had the great pleasure of meeting Charlie and his Partner in London some years ago…
Hi Christy,
Another Year, and the January Man is just settling in………. thanks for another Magic Night in Vicar St…… I know I am repeating myself but us the listeners are indeed a privelaged group, who can collect in such a wonderful setting to be entertained and taken on different journeys by you and the “orchestra”. Some fantastic Song selections tonight, and Vickie was perfect on the harmonies. As you would yourself “The place was Lepping”. Met my Niece and her partner. They said it was the perfect “tonic” as they return to Aussie land on Thursday.
Ill be back for more next Monday.
Best Regards,
Patsy
Christy's reply
such kind words always bear repetition Patsy…..8 down in Vicar,two to go…then its back to the country….back to the Highways & Byways….across the Shortgrass to The Model…thru The Premier down to the Rebel…over The Wee and into The Orchard….and lest I forget…over Ladies View on down into The Kingdom
Hi Christy
We came from Belgium (Antwerp) to see you perform tonight at Vicar Street.
You made us feel happy amongst the Irish.
Please, do come to Belgium again. We know you love the Roma venue so much.
Don’t spend the weekend in Amsterdam.
Thanks for an incredible night
Paul Catteeuw
Christy's reply
Thanks Paul….catch you later….Roma sounds good….Luka loves it too
Long time no speak. Hope you’re well and having a ball with all the touring. Will be travelling home to Salthill in August for the gig. Cannot wait to get home and see ya live again. I reckon it’s 17 or 18 times now.
Thanks again for the letters to my Dad Christy when he was ill. I’m sure he really appreciated them. I came across them the last day and showed them to my daughters. “Oh Daddy, that’s the guy who songs your song Lisdoonvarna” 😅. Sorry Christy, they think it’s Daddy who wrote it. I set them straight and can’t wait to enjoy the gig.
Mind the blindside, he’s a bad fecker
Kenny
Christy's reply
Good Man Kenny…..my year with Corinthians remains forever in my memory….alongside nights in O’Connors in the 6o’s, The Hanger in the 70s, CJ’s in the 80s …..on and on it goes, Thanks Be….see you in August
Hi Christy, hope you had a nice Christmas and new Year. I was wondering how would I get an autograph it’s for my sister it’s her 30th birthday this year and she has seen you loads of times. She’s such a fan X
Christy's reply
Wish her a Happy 30th from me…. I failed to get Ronnie Delaney’s autograph on the bridge in Newbridge back in 1956….. but I got a grand squeeze in the throng of admirers as our hero displayed his Olympic Gold Medal and him on the way home from Melbourne
Happy new year from chocolate Belgium Christy ( and all the rest ) !
You’ve already made me laugh with your comments about your granny and the 2 sec video attempt!
We returned from Argentina in December and I’ve discovered that the Argentinians are the Irish Men from South America. Boy do they love to sing!
We have a folk singer here ( Bart Peeters) who is also very popular and last week I went to his gig and that was very impressive. He had a choir of 500 people to sing with him. He used to sing in English but now he only sings in Dutch.
I guess its easier to sing your one language when its about emotions.
Anyway we hope to see you again this year sometime in June.
Chris
Happy new year Christie! Your Fairytale of New York was belted out from or living room about 1000 times over the festive season. The wee man has now now passed it over to being the daughters song and says baby’s song when it comes on! Magical stuff. Hope you and yours had a good Christmas! See you in bundoran again in October.
Christy's reply
I wish to declare this great song to be a 24/365 classic….everyday is xmas eve in the drunk tank….I simply cannot place “Fairytale of New York” in the same box as Jingle Bells and White Christmas…..lets give it a lash in beautiful Bundoran, come October
Christy, long time fan and have been to many of your shows!! I just got the album Magic Nights and as an Irish speaker I was delighted with the lovely sprinkling of our language throughout many of the songs! I have a fair amount of your back catalogue and think “The two Connellys” is the only other song I heard w/ verses Irish. Is there any others I’ve missed in my listening?
GRMA agus feicfidh mé thú i mí Iúil!
Christy's reply
fáilte romhat mo cara….níl ach beagán agam ….do bhi an fáinne óir agam uair amháin ….le chónaimh Dé beidh an blas thar nais liom síos an mbóthair…márcaidh ar aghaidh
Arra best for the year from Scotland Christy,
The guestbook has been buzzing this year so far, from both sides, the craic seems to have been even mightier than before in Vicar street ,with 2020 vision , and am delighted to note that yer granny is still gigging ,all power to her elbow.
Anyway on a quiet train south today i had time to listen to the pink disc and the blue disc.
It got me wondering about what might have happened to the stories and truths of those in the songs ,over yer granny’s lifetime.
Is Dolly’s small child still playing down by the Liffey or grown up and singing songs in the clubs nearby?
Has John Hanrahan’s homestead returned to it’s prime or is it rewilding with irish elk roaming Tipp?
Has Johnny Connor’s wife and bairns found peace away from the Gardes ,in a halting site out yonder?
And finally did Joxer and the German’s daughter make it through the next world cup with babies on the mat in a smallholding on the banks of the river Rhine?
Keep telling the stories, for your granny and for all of us too.
Regards
Rory
Christy's reply
Rory….always a joy when your letter comes thru the letter box….your train trips remind me of my own time on British Rail….in 1969 I was forced to abandon road trips and spent a wonderful year traversing the UK by train…at the same time I discovered the consequence of ingesting small crumbs of black Pakistani Hashish an hour before climbing aboard….British Rail would then ferry me from Cleator Moor to Beverly….from Blyth to Exeter….all I had to do was lie back and dream, and remember where and when to change….( this reminds me of a great story about the two Folksingers who met at Crewe Station but its too long to share here )
Dolly’s bairn is currently CEO of a Haulage firm in Wexford….that Farm in Tipperary is under tillage awaiting seed….Joxer and Gudrun run an authentic Irisch pub in Gooter Strasse where Johnny Conners is head barman…
Vicar Street is leppin this year..7 down and 3 to go…. some old gems re-emerging….last night “Los Desaperacidos” appeared as did “Lily”…last week “Strangeways” and “Away You Broken Heart”….a new song finding its way “Clock Winds Down to Zero” from the pen of our Seattle Comrade Jim Page….
Happy and Safe travels Rory….
Hi Christy,
Really looking forward to Tuesday night.
Diane, a special friend comes over each year from Sheffield, and we centre her trip on our night at your concert in Vicar St.
Last year’s concert missed out Beeswing, her favourite, so would be lovely if you fit it in on Tuesday 7th… thanks, Ray, Dublin
Christy's reply
“I’ve been thru Sheffield lanes at night ‘t were just like bein’ in Hell
The furnaces thrust out tongues of flame that roared like wind o’er the Fell
I’ve sammed up coal in Barnsley pit with muck up to my knee
from Hull & Halifax & Hell good lord deliver me”
…..derived from an old Yorkshire dialect poem which I first heard from different Yorkshire singers…. Alastair Cameron, Denis Sabey, Dave Burland, Tony Capstick…
….I believe that Hull and Halifax were two towns where begging was a hanging offence
Hi Christy,
I wish you a very Happy New Year, and all your wishes come true
I’m going to your gig tomorrow night at Vicar Street
I bought your last cd, and I would like to get an autograph…. may be
All the best,
David
Christy's reply
Hey Davey…no bother… its 46 years since I played in Vannes….did you ever hear “Trip To Roscoff”?…. I toured Brittany many times .. the Bombardes got too much for me in the end.. I ran out of Rennes and arrived into Brest at feeding time
Hi Christy my husband and son are going to your concert tomorrow night 7th. It’s my husband’s birthday – any chance you’d give him a shout out ? His name is David Curtis. Thabks a mil.
Christy's reply
anything can happen Alemass…but my granny is coming in tomorrow night..she’ll be 136 next birthday….I’ve asked them not to serve her any sherry before the gig but with Harry behind the bar anything could happen….last year she created havoc and had to be removed..it took 4 Russian Bouncers to get her out into the lane and two of them gave in their notice…..when the Granny is about I have to go easy on the shout-outs for she can get fierce jealous…. she bet the head off a Yank last years who asked for Danny Boy….”thats my feckin Grandson up there” she roared “dont you be tellin him what to sing”…”and whats more”, sez she,..”when you get home you can give Trump a good kick up in the hole from me”…needless to say Alemass, I was mortified but there is no stopping her….she was in the G.P.O……she has history
Hi Christy,
Amazing gig on Friday last in Vicar Street. We love seeing you play there as its an amazing venue. Myself and my friend were talking also about how great it is to see a lot more people our age (early twenties) at your gigs. It really says a lot about your music and how you portray it as well as the message behind the songs. Looking forward to seeing you again in the Opera House in Wexford later in the year.
Thanks for being an inspiration to us young people.
Kind regards,
Jack Ronan.
Christy's reply
I know what you mean Jack….we congregate at the gigs in all shapes and sizes,… and still a good few of my own age group braving the elements….there were 4 Nuns home from the Foreign Missions last week and them hangin out with 4 spoiled priests..they all headed up to Coppers after where they got a lock in and were not released until noon the following day….the auld nuns do have a terrible thirst on them after the Missions and ,needless to say, some of the spoiled priests run amok when they get out of the habit….we’re expecting the Taoiseach in any night now….theres talk of Richard Bruton turning up with the ViaGoGo Boss but I would’nt bet on it..they go way back .. and I hear that John Delaney and Shane Ross might make up a four ball but we’ll have to run the VR over that one
Thanks for your feedback Jack…keep coming back
I hope this message finds you well and the very best wishes for this new year ahead. I went to see you in the Marquee 2 summers ago which was an absolutely amazing gig.
My best friend recently got engaged and I have been given the absolutely terrifying honour of being her Maid of Honour.
They are absolutely obsessed with you, Christy and they fell in love to the song Beeswing. They are getting married this November in Cork. It is stupid to even think about asking for any part of you to be present at the wedding, even though I feel it will be one, not to be missed!
I am making a video to be played at their wedding which will include snippets from their family near and far. I am wondering if there would be any possible way to get even a 2 second video of you saying hello to Sarah & Chris. I know it would ABSOLUTELY make their day and mean the world to them.
I hope that even if there is no possible way of this happening, I hope this message has put a smile on your face.
Yours faithfully,
Kate O’ Callaghan (A determined/stressed M.O.H.)
Christy's reply
ah jasus Kate…no wonder you’re stressed…I’m nearly freaked out myself here reading your mail….between ” absolutely terrifying honor” ” “absolutely amazing gig” “absolute obsession”
…for the life of me I cant figure out how to make a two second video…I tried 7 times last night..I switch the device on …but the 2 seconds were over before I remembered what (in the name of the sweet divine) I’m supposed to be doing….
my heart rate, my state of mind , my very will to live falling into absolute disarray as I seek to make a two second video that would absolutely make the day for two young lovers about to set off on their trail of wedded bliss..
then as I ponder your stress (and my dilemna) I hear a terrible roar from out-the-back…” quick, there ‘s a fuckin fox in the hen run”……our watch dog is hiding under the wheelbarrow shaking with fright….there is a woman at the hall door from the Jehovah Witnesses’…. the shaggin soup is overflowing on the Aga…the grandchildren are fighting over the remote….AND I have to practice a new song for tomorrow night, then do a skype with the New York Times who want to know why I sing anti-American songs….
I cant find my glasses, the batteries are running out in my hearing aid, I’ve a slow puncture and buckin Eastenders is starting in 3 minutes
I hope you are keeping well? Eric here, the son of the late Terry Scanlon, who I think you’ll remember. Unfortunately Terry tragically passed away in 2009. He introduced me to your music when I was a child and I have been a life long since.
I contacted you before your 19 December 2017 gig in Vicar Street, which I attended, and you very kindly dedicated Ordinary Man for him that night. It was a very moving and emotionally night, so thanks again.
I will be attending the gig this Wednesday (8 January) with my brother Mark and we would love if you were able to dedicate Ordinary Man to him.
Best wishes and see you Wednesday! Eric
Christy's reply
Lots of requests for call outs and dedications…lets see what happens…so much to try and do in a two hour performance…so many songs to choose from, trying to figure out the flow of the night…what key, what pitch, which octave. …..find the right atmos before commencing…keep in touch with the band..try and evaluate the audience as a single entity made up of 1100 individuals… so many calling out for favourites..the need to introduce fresh songs gradually….most importantly I gotta try and be true to the work…to honour the writers who have gifted me permission to sing their songs..
Dear Christy, a huge thanks to you for that fantastic and inspiring gig on Thursday from Claus & Dietmar, the two long-haulers from Germany (now even part of “Lisdoonvarna” 🙃). What a great and encouraging start into 2020! Unpacking all my Irish I’ve learned over the years, let me just say: Go raibh maith agat to all five of you! And to the sound engineer and crew who did a brilliant job again… Among other gems, we never heard such an intimate and powerful rendition of “First Time Ever” (thanks also for the story behind) … Cathals “The Rock” rocking the audience instrumentally (more of that!!), Declan and Jimmy at their best creeping into the songs, and Vicky giving a very special colour singing harmony… Beeswing, Ordinary Man and The Voyage topped it all in the encore: one for the left, one for the right, one for the road.
Truly a magic night we’ll never forget.
Christy's reply
Hey there you two Deutchlanders….ye were in flying form the other night…thanks for your feedback ….see ye back in the “authentic Irisch pub down Gooter Strasse”
Christy, Jimmy, Declan and assembled musicians. My heavily pregnant girlfriend gifted me with the boxset Magic Nights. Haven’t seen you live since we met in the freezing cold of the Wexford Opera House. The album is nothing short of spectacular. Waves, troughs, laughter, tears, anger, hope but most of all an awareness. An awareness of music. Of lyrics. Of tunes. Of eager ears listening in anticipation of what’s next. A sublime listen. Been in the car as we travel up and down the road gigging ourselves. Hope to catch you again this year Christy. Keep on keeping on. See ya down the road…. Pancho
Christy's reply
Wishing you both the very best in the times ahead…may your precious gift arrive safe and sound..
thank you for your feedback on “Magic Nights”….Declan and I hoping to return to thon Opera House when the weather improves…its always special to play in his Home Town..
hope your own gigs are going well…where you gigging these times ?
Me and my mate tried you in Liverpool this year but my mates mum took ill and we had to give our tickets away
We rebooked and should of been seeing you in Dublin this Wednesday coming , unfortunately his mum is really poorly and we have had to cancel our travel plans yesterday as the good lord as other plans for his mum.
Just got us tickets for Galway in August
By hook or by crook we are going to see you.
Never been to Galway before and can’t wait to see you there, I’ve been a life long fan and have seen you countless times
It’s my mates first time tho.
Enjoy the tour and see you in Galway
Christy's reply
We’ll cross the Claddagh once again, marvel at its perpetual brown torrent, face the wind on the trip to Salthill, we’ll remember Mickey Finn, Corky, Pete Galligan, Alec Finn,Tony Small, Des Kelly…..we’ll sing our Hearts out in The Hanger and watch the Sun go down on Galway Bay
Dear Christy, Thank you so much for a wonderful time last Friday. We weren’t expecting a shout out or a song, but it was very meaningful to us and made our night to hear you say our names! “Black Is the Color” is a song I have sung many times and dedicated to Tiffany when performing. We were all aglow from that experience for the next couple of days. We are back in Carp now but we had such a wonderful time in Ireland. This was our first international trip together, and my first as a visually impaired person without any “sighted” people to guide me/us. The people of Ireland were so courteous and helpful, which made our travels fun and easy. We wound up going out to Roundstone and I was delightfully seduced by Malaky to purchase a bodhran. He wished to send you a kiss, and he said if you’re good, you might get it on the cheek! He has a deep and warm presence and I’m inspired to have met him.
I really enjoyed the song you sang about the persecution of women during the inquisition. What was the name of that one? Thanks again for the great craic, I hope we cross paths again sometime!
Dear Beau,
Happy to know you both had a good visit….
that great song you mention is “Burning Times”….it was written by my late friend Charlie Murphy from your own State of California…I had the great pleasure of meeting Charlie and his Partner in London some years ago…
Oh! how I would love to meet your Granny……xx
she’ll be coming to Mullingar
Hi Christy,
Another Year, and the January Man is just settling in………. thanks for another Magic Night in Vicar St…… I know I am repeating myself but us the listeners are indeed a privelaged group, who can collect in such a wonderful setting to be entertained and taken on different journeys by you and the “orchestra”. Some fantastic Song selections tonight, and Vickie was perfect on the harmonies. As you would yourself “The place was Lepping”. Met my Niece and her partner. They said it was the perfect “tonic” as they return to Aussie land on Thursday.
Ill be back for more next Monday.
Best Regards,
Patsy
such kind words always bear repetition Patsy…..8 down in Vicar,two to go…then its back to the country….back to the Highways & Byways….across the Shortgrass to The Model…thru The Premier down to the Rebel…over The Wee and into The Orchard….and lest I forget…over Ladies View on down into The Kingdom
Hi Christy
We came from Belgium (Antwerp) to see you perform tonight at Vicar Street.
You made us feel happy amongst the Irish.
Please, do come to Belgium again. We know you love the Roma venue so much.
Don’t spend the weekend in Amsterdam.
Thanks for an incredible night
Paul Catteeuw
Thanks Paul….catch you later….Roma sounds good….Luka loves it too
Hi Christy
Long time no speak. Hope you’re well and having a ball with all the touring. Will be travelling home to Salthill in August for the gig. Cannot wait to get home and see ya live again. I reckon it’s 17 or 18 times now.
Thanks again for the letters to my Dad Christy when he was ill. I’m sure he really appreciated them. I came across them the last day and showed them to my daughters. “Oh Daddy, that’s the guy who songs your song Lisdoonvarna” 😅. Sorry Christy, they think it’s Daddy who wrote it. I set them straight and can’t wait to enjoy the gig.
Mind the blindside, he’s a bad fecker
Kenny
Good Man Kenny…..my year with Corinthians remains forever in my memory….alongside nights in O’Connors in the 6o’s, The Hanger in the 70s, CJ’s in the 80s …..on and on it goes, Thanks Be….see you in August
Hi Christy, hope you had a nice Christmas and new Year. I was wondering how would I get an autograph it’s for my sister it’s her 30th birthday this year and she has seen you loads of times. She’s such a fan X
Wish her a Happy 30th from me…. I failed to get Ronnie Delaney’s autograph on the bridge in Newbridge back in 1956….. but I got a grand squeeze in the throng of admirers as our hero displayed his Olympic Gold Medal and him on the way home from Melbourne
Happy new year from chocolate Belgium Christy ( and all the rest ) !
You’ve already made me laugh with your comments about your granny and the 2 sec video attempt!
We returned from Argentina in December and I’ve discovered that the Argentinians are the Irish Men from South America. Boy do they love to sing!
We have a folk singer here ( Bart Peeters) who is also very popular and last week I went to his gig and that was very impressive. He had a choir of 500 people to sing with him. He used to sing in English but now he only sings in Dutch.
I guess its easier to sing your one language when its about emotions.
Anyway we hope to see you again this year sometime in June.
Chris
I just love the sound of the name…..Argentina
Happy new year Christie! Your Fairytale of New York was belted out from or living room about 1000 times over the festive season. The wee man has now now passed it over to being the daughters song and says baby’s song when it comes on! Magical stuff. Hope you and yours had a good Christmas! See you in bundoran again in October.
I wish to declare this great song to be a 24/365 classic….everyday is xmas eve in the drunk tank….I simply cannot place “Fairytale of New York” in the same box as Jingle Bells and White Christmas…..lets give it a lash in beautiful Bundoran, come October
Christy, long time fan and have been to many of your shows!! I just got the album Magic Nights and as an Irish speaker I was delighted with the lovely sprinkling of our language throughout many of the songs! I have a fair amount of your back catalogue and think “The two Connellys” is the only other song I heard w/ verses Irish. Is there any others I’ve missed in my listening?
GRMA agus feicfidh mé thú i mí Iúil!
fáilte romhat mo cara….níl ach beagán agam ….do bhi an fáinne óir agam uair amháin ….le chónaimh Dé beidh an blas thar nais liom síos an mbóthair…márcaidh ar aghaidh
Arra best for the year from Scotland Christy,
The guestbook has been buzzing this year so far, from both sides, the craic seems to have been even mightier than before in Vicar street ,with 2020 vision , and am delighted to note that yer granny is still gigging ,all power to her elbow.
Anyway on a quiet train south today i had time to listen to the pink disc and the blue disc.
It got me wondering about what might have happened to the stories and truths of those in the songs ,over yer granny’s lifetime.
Is Dolly’s small child still playing down by the Liffey or grown up and singing songs in the clubs nearby?
Has John Hanrahan’s homestead returned to it’s prime or is it rewilding with irish elk roaming Tipp?
Has Johnny Connor’s wife and bairns found peace away from the Gardes ,in a halting site out yonder?
And finally did Joxer and the German’s daughter make it through the next world cup with babies on the mat in a smallholding on the banks of the river Rhine?
Keep telling the stories, for your granny and for all of us too.
Regards
Rory
Rory….always a joy when your letter comes thru the letter box….your train trips remind me of my own time on British Rail….in 1969 I was forced to abandon road trips and spent a wonderful year traversing the UK by train…at the same time I discovered the consequence of ingesting small crumbs of black Pakistani Hashish an hour before climbing aboard….British Rail would then ferry me from Cleator Moor to Beverly….from Blyth to Exeter….all I had to do was lie back and dream, and remember where and when to change….( this reminds me of a great story about the two Folksingers who met at Crewe Station but its too long to share here )
Dolly’s bairn is currently CEO of a Haulage firm in Wexford….that Farm in Tipperary is under tillage awaiting seed….Joxer and Gudrun run an authentic Irisch pub in Gooter Strasse where Johnny Conners is head barman…
Vicar Street is leppin this year..7 down and 3 to go…. some old gems re-emerging….last night “Los Desaperacidos” appeared as did “Lily”…last week “Strangeways” and “Away You Broken Heart”….a new song finding its way “Clock Winds Down to Zero” from the pen of our Seattle Comrade Jim Page….
Happy and Safe travels Rory….
Hi Christy,
Really looking forward to Tuesday night.
Diane, a special friend comes over each year from Sheffield, and we centre her trip on our night at your concert in Vicar St.
Last year’s concert missed out Beeswing, her favourite, so would be lovely if you fit it in on Tuesday 7th… thanks, Ray, Dublin
“I’ve been thru Sheffield lanes at night ‘t were just like bein’ in Hell
The furnaces thrust out tongues of flame that roared like wind o’er the Fell
I’ve sammed up coal in Barnsley pit with muck up to my knee
from Hull & Halifax & Hell good lord deliver me”
…..derived from an old Yorkshire dialect poem which I first heard from different Yorkshire singers…. Alastair Cameron, Denis Sabey, Dave Burland, Tony Capstick…
….I believe that Hull and Halifax were two towns where begging was a hanging offence
Hi Christy,
I wish you a very Happy New Year, and all your wishes come true
I’m going to your gig tomorrow night at Vicar Street
I bought your last cd, and I would like to get an autograph…. may be
All the best,
David
Hey Davey…no bother… its 46 years since I played in Vannes….did you ever hear “Trip To Roscoff”?…. I toured Brittany many times .. the Bombardes got too much for me in the end.. I ran out of Rennes and arrived into Brest at feeding time
Hi Christy my husband and son are going to your concert tomorrow night 7th. It’s my husband’s birthday – any chance you’d give him a shout out ? His name is David Curtis. Thabks a mil.
anything can happen Alemass…but my granny is coming in tomorrow night..she’ll be 136 next birthday….I’ve asked them not to serve her any sherry before the gig but with Harry behind the bar anything could happen….last year she created havoc and had to be removed..it took 4 Russian Bouncers to get her out into the lane and two of them gave in their notice…..when the Granny is about I have to go easy on the shout-outs for she can get fierce jealous…. she bet the head off a Yank last years who asked for Danny Boy….”thats my feckin Grandson up there” she roared “dont you be tellin him what to sing”…”and whats more”, sez she,..”when you get home you can give Trump a good kick up in the hole from me”…needless to say Alemass, I was mortified but there is no stopping her….she was in the G.P.O……she has history
Hi Christy,
Amazing gig on Friday last in Vicar Street. We love seeing you play there as its an amazing venue. Myself and my friend were talking also about how great it is to see a lot more people our age (early twenties) at your gigs. It really says a lot about your music and how you portray it as well as the message behind the songs. Looking forward to seeing you again in the Opera House in Wexford later in the year.
Thanks for being an inspiration to us young people.
Kind regards,
Jack Ronan.
I know what you mean Jack….we congregate at the gigs in all shapes and sizes,… and still a good few of my own age group braving the elements….there were 4 Nuns home from the Foreign Missions last week and them hangin out with 4 spoiled priests..they all headed up to Coppers after where they got a lock in and were not released until noon the following day….the auld nuns do have a terrible thirst on them after the Missions and ,needless to say, some of the spoiled priests run amok when they get out of the habit….we’re expecting the Taoiseach in any night now….theres talk of Richard Bruton turning up with the ViaGoGo Boss but I would’nt bet on it..they go way back .. and I hear that John Delaney and Shane Ross might make up a four ball but we’ll have to run the VR over that one
Thanks for your feedback Jack…keep coming back
Dear Christy,
I hope this message finds you well and the very best wishes for this new year ahead. I went to see you in the Marquee 2 summers ago which was an absolutely amazing gig.
My best friend recently got engaged and I have been given the absolutely terrifying honour of being her Maid of Honour.
They are absolutely obsessed with you, Christy and they fell in love to the song Beeswing. They are getting married this November in Cork. It is stupid to even think about asking for any part of you to be present at the wedding, even though I feel it will be one, not to be missed!
I am making a video to be played at their wedding which will include snippets from their family near and far. I am wondering if there would be any possible way to get even a 2 second video of you saying hello to Sarah & Chris. I know it would ABSOLUTELY make their day and mean the world to them.
I hope that even if there is no possible way of this happening, I hope this message has put a smile on your face.
Yours faithfully,
Kate O’ Callaghan (A determined/stressed M.O.H.)
ah jasus Kate…no wonder you’re stressed…I’m nearly freaked out myself here reading your mail….between ” absolutely terrifying honor” ” “absolutely amazing gig” “absolute obsession”
…for the life of me I cant figure out how to make a two second video…I tried 7 times last night..I switch the device on …but the 2 seconds were over before I remembered what (in the name of the sweet divine) I’m supposed to be doing….
my heart rate, my state of mind , my very will to live falling into absolute disarray as I seek to make a two second video that would absolutely make the day for two young lovers about to set off on their trail of wedded bliss..
then as I ponder your stress (and my dilemna) I hear a terrible roar from out-the-back…” quick, there ‘s a fuckin fox in the hen run”……our watch dog is hiding under the wheelbarrow shaking with fright….there is a woman at the hall door from the Jehovah Witnesses’…. the shaggin soup is overflowing on the Aga…the grandchildren are fighting over the remote….AND I have to practice a new song for tomorrow night, then do a skype with the New York Times who want to know why I sing anti-American songs….
I cant find my glasses, the batteries are running out in my hearing aid, I’ve a slow puncture and buckin Eastenders is starting in 3 minutes
Hi Christy,
I hope you are keeping well? Eric here, the son of the late Terry Scanlon, who I think you’ll remember. Unfortunately Terry tragically passed away in 2009. He introduced me to your music when I was a child and I have been a life long since.
I contacted you before your 19 December 2017 gig in Vicar Street, which I attended, and you very kindly dedicated Ordinary Man for him that night. It was a very moving and emotionally night, so thanks again.
I will be attending the gig this Wednesday (8 January) with my brother Mark and we would love if you were able to dedicate Ordinary Man to him.
Best wishes and see you Wednesday! Eric
Lots of requests for call outs and dedications…lets see what happens…so much to try and do in a two hour performance…so many songs to choose from, trying to figure out the flow of the night…what key, what pitch, which octave. …..find the right atmos before commencing…keep in touch with the band..try and evaluate the audience as a single entity made up of 1100 individuals… so many calling out for favourites..the need to introduce fresh songs gradually….most importantly I gotta try and be true to the work…to honour the writers who have gifted me permission to sing their songs..
Dear Christy, a huge thanks to you for that fantastic and inspiring gig on Thursday from Claus & Dietmar, the two long-haulers from Germany (now even part of “Lisdoonvarna” 🙃). What a great and encouraging start into 2020! Unpacking all my Irish I’ve learned over the years, let me just say: Go raibh maith agat to all five of you! And to the sound engineer and crew who did a brilliant job again… Among other gems, we never heard such an intimate and powerful rendition of “First Time Ever” (thanks also for the story behind) … Cathals “The Rock” rocking the audience instrumentally (more of that!!), Declan and Jimmy at their best creeping into the songs, and Vicky giving a very special colour singing harmony… Beeswing, Ordinary Man and The Voyage topped it all in the encore: one for the left, one for the right, one for the road.
Truly a magic night we’ll never forget.
Hey there you two Deutchlanders….ye were in flying form the other night…thanks for your feedback ….see ye back in the “authentic Irisch pub down Gooter Strasse”
Christy, Jimmy, Declan and assembled musicians. My heavily pregnant girlfriend gifted me with the boxset Magic Nights. Haven’t seen you live since we met in the freezing cold of the Wexford Opera House. The album is nothing short of spectacular. Waves, troughs, laughter, tears, anger, hope but most of all an awareness. An awareness of music. Of lyrics. Of tunes. Of eager ears listening in anticipation of what’s next. A sublime listen. Been in the car as we travel up and down the road gigging ourselves. Hope to catch you again this year Christy. Keep on keeping on. See ya down the road…. Pancho
Wishing you both the very best in the times ahead…may your precious gift arrive safe and sound..
thank you for your feedback on “Magic Nights”….Declan and I hoping to return to thon Opera House when the weather improves…its always special to play in his Home Town..
hope your own gigs are going well…where you gigging these times ?
Sorry Christy
My previous message should of started than me and my mate tried to see you 🙈🙈🙈
Morning Christy
Me and my mate tried you in Liverpool this year but my mates mum took ill and we had to give our tickets away
We rebooked and should of been seeing you in Dublin this Wednesday coming , unfortunately his mum is really poorly and we have had to cancel our travel plans yesterday as the good lord as other plans for his mum.
Just got us tickets for Galway in August
By hook or by crook we are going to see you.
Never been to Galway before and can’t wait to see you there, I’ve been a life long fan and have seen you countless times
It’s my mates first time tho.
Enjoy the tour and see you in Galway
We’ll cross the Claddagh once again, marvel at its perpetual brown torrent, face the wind on the trip to Salthill, we’ll remember Mickey Finn, Corky, Pete Galligan, Alec Finn,Tony Small, Des Kelly…..we’ll sing our Hearts out in The Hanger and watch the Sun go down on Galway Bay