I love your reply…. reminiscing about pubs and the past. Mr Fletcher apparently had ‘no gra’ at all for fellas with beards and guitars and playing music in his pub and as far as he was concerned it was his name over the door and that was it. The Stones got no recognition as to who they were.
Christy's reply
Who knows what went down…stories grow wings….I was talking to a friend in New South Wales yesterday….apparently I sang at a session in Sydney last month…
Hi Christy. I wrote a song that I think is made for you. It’s about the forgotten – survivors of clerical child abuse. I finally recorded it in a local studio with some friends last week. Can I email you the MP3 so you can give it a listen? Just need to know where to send it – I think it is special – would love to know what you think. Thanks a million, Ger
I see a few posters mention pubs.
1) Someone says in an earlier post that he’s connected to the original owners of the Meeting Pace and you reminisce on those days, I joined the ‘club’ there in the summer of ’79, having finally left Athlone and found a great scene going on, folk and ballads galore upstairs in the Meeting Place, I used to have to leave and run to get a last bus home. That’s 40 (!) years ago. Jayney.
2) One of your posters, ‘Una’ mentions a place in Naas,’ Fletchers’ and she mentions about the ‘heat’. Is that the place where a man never turned on the heat? And one night he refused the Rolling Stones who’d come in as one of them owns a big house in Kildare and he wouldnt serve them!
Christy's reply
Yes indeed, that correspondant is the Son of Skinnier & Hanne who, along with his Uncles Badger & Paddy, ran The Meeting Place in Dorset Street….for a decade or so it was the centre of many mis-spent lives…a haven of good music for many, a centre of decadence and good fun for others….
Tommy Fletcher ran a “real and proper” public house for all of his working life… a recent post from New Zealand told me that he retired and sold the pub of late…I drank there a few times in the 60s with my late friend, Dr.Billy Parkinson. Tommy ran “Fletcher’s” by the book. Rumour has it that he refused to serve Ronnie Wood …Tommy had no meas on celebrity or flamboyance…his primary purpose was to maintain a dignified atmosphere for his regular imbibers…
I was there one evening when a Nun, home from the foreign missions, fully rigged out in her habit, lowered pints and smoked Majors…Tommy never batted an eyelid for he understood the needs of “persons of the cloth”
I later discovered that the Nun in question was a hard chaw out for the crack with a bunch of dissidents….while on Tommy’s premises they drank with decorum and respect for the atmosphere that prevailed and were served ’til closing time..
I dont recall ever feeling the cold in Fletcher’s
Hello Christy,
I’m really enjoying your album ‘On the Road’. At the end part of the McIlhatton track is the instrumental on fiddle and accordion a separate tune or was it composed specifically for McIlhatton? If it’s a separate tune what is it’s title. All the best from another Kildare man.
Christy's reply
that tune is called “Far from Home” It came from the repertoire of either Cathal Hayden or Mairtín O Connor……sometimes the flow of a song will suggest a follow on tune….first experienced this when we were getting the Planxty Music together almost 50 years ago….
Ciao Christy
Ti seguo da molti anni dal mio Paese, l’Italia e finalmente il 16 aprile verro ad assistere il tuo concerto di Edinburgo.
Per me un sogno che si realizza a 64 anni.
Non vedo l’ora di ascoltare dal vivo brani che fanno parte della mia vita.
Mi piacerebbe molto incontrarti e ringraziarti di persona per tutte le emozioni che ho provato in questi anni di ascolto. Un abbraccio Claudio
Well Christy that was a fine gig,
The report is…
Rob Corcoran and his six necessary evils were braw.
They crammed onto a stage made for 3.
Raised the tiny roof for all 54 of us penned into a venue fit for 40.
Ringing the bell performed as a powerful solo.
A run through with the band of many of his most favoured songs.
A 7 foot hairy lyricist from dublin as support.
And your granny on the merch stall.
What more could a bloke from the sticks and his city living wee daughter ask for on a thursday night in Camden.
Cheers
Rory
Christy's reply
Thanks Rory,
Good to read that Rob is ringing the bell in Camden Town
that you are out gigging with your daughter
going out to a session ourselves tonight
enjoying some listening time.
Well Christy. Just a note to say thanks very much for the shout out at the vicar st gig for the crew heading back down to Perth. They got a great buzz from it. The gig itself was hopping. Great atmosphere. Just a note, you may be interested..a well known publican in the town Con Cummins has released his first album. It’s on spotify called Ballymany. Happy listening 👍
Christy's reply
Fair play….I have been listening to Con’s Ballymany
Seeing you in Edinburgh Usher Hall this April! Will you take a request for my Late Granny Forde (born Prospect Hill, Co. Galway) buried in the Silvermines, Co. Tipp Monday morning alongside Storm Brendan. Galway Shawl was her song and we sang it until the early hours in the Half Door pub, Nenagh. If not then ‘Black is the colour’. I am loving Magic nights! ‘Magic Nights in the Lobby Bar’ can take me back to the warmth of my Grannys house and ‘The Two Conneeleys’ can remind me of the heartache.
best,
Eóghan
Christy's reply
Morra Eoghan,
May your Granny Forde rest in peace in Tippereary….such a beautiful song you sang for her in Nenagh….young Daoiri Farrell has recorded a beautiful version as did our precious Dolores Keane a few years back….
the warmth of your “Granny’s House” reminds me of both my own grans
….Elly Sheeran and Brigid Dowling were of different species….one from The Cotton Mills on the Banks of The Boyne, the other born at the foot of Allen Hill beside the Bog of Allen….
I always cherish visits to Reekie…I loitered there frequently in the 60s/70s….nothing but sweet memories
62 songs – that’s only another 40-odd for me to learn then… 🙂
This music seems to turn us all into mystics.
By the way, Halifax used to behead (yes, really!) any poor soul who stole goods worth more than 13 pence. They had a contraption called a gibbet. If you could get over the town boundary you were safe. The Running Man pub is named after this. “From Hull, Halifax and Hell, good Lord deliver me”.
Rebecca
Christy's reply
Rebecca,
We too know about the Gibbet.
The Gibbet Rath mentioned below is 3 miles from my birth place.
( see Gibbet Rath Massacre Kildare)
To stand upon the Gibbet Rath I walked along the Plains
By Donnelly’s Hollow heard the keening of the Curragh Wrens
Black & Tans in The Barracks as young rebels crossed the fields
From the back lanes and the boreens came The Sheahans and O’Neills
Hi Christy .. that was some gig last night in vicars street .. it was high energy from start to finish .. it is really a great venue.. we wish you all and all the crew the very best in 2020 .. and see you in the kingdom in March until then safe travels..tony and Fiona …
Christy's reply
We enjoyed our 10 nights in Vicar Street….each gig had its own unique audience…over the run we played 62 different songs….only 4 were played every night… 20 songs that featured but once ….62 songs covered over the 10 nights….
excuse all this unasked for info….I’m always personally intrigued by these random sets..cant find rhyme nor reason as to how or why they emerge thus…deep down I suspect its down to collective decisions…
I agree ,,it makes everything more difficult,, how your doing it is perfect, no B’s, your blessed with an attentive audience that love what you do. “”.keep kicking out the footlights.”
Christy's reply
the wind is howling here this morning…glad to have a few quiet Winter weeks as we prepare to go to the country
Hi Christy,
the excitement here is reaching fever pitch in the capital of bonnie Teviotdale, for tomorrow I step aboard a train for Madchester and then, after work, on to the big smoke.
My Brixton based daughter and I are going to see Rob Corcoran in a tiny venue called Green Note in Camden, on Thursday night. We will be girding our loins, battening down the hatches and holding tight to the thistle in anticipation of the gig.
I am going to resist the temptation of your Pakistani concoction before boarding each train , but with a tin of Hawick balls in my bag I expect to be lifted higher than one of Jackson Browne’s 747s on the mint aroma and the euphoria of seeing Rob and the Necessary Evils.
We shall pass gently by the memorial to JC de Menezes ,think of Giuseppi Conlon, and watch the sweet Thames flow softly, before I head north once more to feast on a vegetarian haggis.
The show will be great, the tip of his music has been a fine gift from you.
regards
Rory
ps gig review to follow on Friday , hope to see your Granny there
Christy's reply
Mention of Teviotdale reminds me that I once played a Club in Hawick….probably 68-69 time. Back then there was a circuit north and west of Newcastle…I think the fulcrum may have been Jim Sharp’s club in (I think) Ponteland. Alnwick and Blythe spring to mind.
Hope the Bell was ringing in The Big Smoke last night….
I got to see you live for the first time last night. It really was a dream come true and a real privilege to be able to share in a few songs with you, Declan and the rest of your musical clan.
My dad absolutely loved music. And your voice rang out from the small radio in our kitchen like that of a familiar friend. It was only when I got older and after he passed that I rediscovered you and your work. Your version of Fairy Tale of New York (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FwXBtmRTsFs) would take me home each Christmas while I was living in London. I honestly couldn’t believe my luck when you decided to take it out for a spin in the middle of January.
You were one of the main inspirations for me to learn the guitar and write music. You have brought so many songs forward and made them your own. You have kept the musical tradition of this land alive and carried the torch of all those who’ve come before you. I hope to continue in your tradition in whatever way I can.
Our relationship may be only a one way street, but I love you Christy. Thank you for all you have done and continue to do.
Donncha
Christy's reply
Sound Donncha…..my earliest memories are all steeped in Song….sounds like your early times were similar….
Living in London in 1966-67 the old songs began to dig deeper….I wish you well up there in Skerries
Hi Christy,
Just wanted to say a big thank you for mentioning myself and Michael ( Mick) who were home from New Zealand at your night in Vicar Street on December 16th.The Voyage will always be very special to us and you made it even more so that night. Words can’t say how happy and proud I felt xx
It meant so much to both of us. We told everyone about it while we were home and also irish frnds since we arrived back here to NZ.
We really enjoyed your show. We had just arrived back after that awful 35 hour journey the day before so understandably were alittle tired. You kept us wide awake and at times brought tears to my eyes with renditions of songs we both so love. Was a lovely start to a great two and half weeks back in Ireland. Met a real character from Enfield in bar before who travels all over Ireland to see you.
Michael is orginally from Moorefield Road and a Sarsfields man😊He was in the Defence Forces before he left to come to NZ with me just over 8 years ago.
We noticed alot of changes when home.
Traffic particularly around Dublin has gone mad! Naas not so good also. Went to Galway and took us 80 minutes from when we reached Galway to get out to Barna mad !
Naas town centre sad to see aot of shops gone but hopefully with new Dunnes etc will get trade back.
Tommy as you know sold Fletchers earlier last year but Michael was there for a pint and says hasn’t changed bar heating on 😉
I was in Lawlors for a drink and nice atmosphere .
Michael was in Newbridge but not out in pubs. He visited his parents grave and caught up with a few friends in their houses especially Kavanaghs in Hawkfield.
It was lovely to be back and see all the lights and experience Christmas again in Ireland. Last time I was home was Oct 2018 when my 54 year old brother died suddently in London so was lovely to be home for happy times. Christmas in the sun never seems the same.
Back in NZ so home visit to Ireland a distant but happy memory.
Again so much thanks Slan go foill xx
Christy's reply
Una & Mick…glad to know that ye had a good visit …..
” from Hawkfield & Kilbelin,Chinatown & Rosy’s Lane,
scattered round the World we dreamt of coming home again.
From the Rocks of Sydney Harbour,The Bronx & Birmingham
to The Sandy Hills, The Seven Springs,the waters of The Fen”…..
Just wanted to say a big thank you for your gig on the 14th. It was my first time seeing you live, having been brought up on your music from the records (including prosperous) right through to the CDs and the present days of Spotify. Brilliant gig and thank you so much for the night itself, as well as for the many happy memories with my family throughout the years. Long may we dance.. to the reel in the flickering light.
Regards,
CT
Christy's reply
Thanks CT
Sez He….
“Does she come from another planet?
Does she have a bee in her bonnet?
Does she do her daily duties?
You never know we might be suited”
And the rats and the worms began to laugh
some of them started shufflin’ off.
We’re goin’ to have some fun tonight
gettin’ ready for the reel in the flickering light………(Colm Gallagher)
Great concert tonight. Thanks for the shout-out, an unexpected surprise. I stood up and waved but since I’m only 5 foot you didn’t see me! You had me at City of Chicago. I moved to WA state 42 years ago. Chicago is where my GM O’Brien and GD O’Mahony immigrated to. Rick and I celebrated our 40th anniversary in Dec and I sang him THE VOYAGE at our family party. Thanks for a great night. Kathleen and Rick.
Christy's reply
Well done Caitlín….Thanks be that the O’Briens and O’Mahoneys hooked up in The Windy City…..we celebrated our Ruby a few years back…
“Life is an Ocean, Love is a boat”
I nearly sang it last night ….started the chords but Nancy Spain and Sonny came out instead
Hi Christy….just wondering if you ever contiplated a opening act on your show.someone that would do an hour or original stuff…I know you like to keep it simple.
Christy's reply
Hey Marty,
Hi Marty…That dont work for us
we need to do (at least) two hour sets to get it all out
our listeners show up on time and want us to get down to business asap
we are always in the venue 4 hours before showtime and everything is geared towards 8pm…we rehearse, soundcheck, snack, peruse and then start warm-up from 7.30….we are aging creatures of schedule and habit….had we to wait until 9pm everything would fall into utter chaos…Dikon asleep at the monitor desk…Davey awol on his tablet…Geoff’s lights on the blink..Johnny wondering whats going on….Mick getting more restless by the minute and Paddys catering schedule falling asunder
Heyup Christy and Happy hogmanay to you and yours.
Finally saw you in Barrowland last year with my auld man and my best pal, a magic night indeed. (I’ve grown up around your music and it’s helped me through the good and the bad) My dad’s been fishing and trying to play the guitar for 40 years all around Scotland and Ireland and he’s particularly fond of Oughterard, Lough Corrib. For the last ten years i’ve been playing Guitar and trying to fish! Anyway, your music as well as Hamish Imlach, Dick Gaughan and Matt McGinns has always kept me right and I’m always bringin’ my mates doon to the Scotia to show them about.
My girlfriend Megan graduates as a Marine Scientist this year and is coming with me to your gig at Barrowland, she’ll just have submitted her dissertation the week before the show! I’d love if you could give her a wee shout on the night before beeswing or nancy spain if they’re on the set, it would mean the world to me!
hope this message finds you well and all the best for 2020, can’t get enough of the version of Matty on the new record – on repeat since release!
all the best and roch the wind in the clear day’s dawnin!
Andrew Swan.
Christy's reply
Sounds good Andrew…Beeswing for Megan marine and Matty for her suitor…no guarantees here… Barrowland gigs are beyond planning..there is no way of knowing what way the set will go…Ghosts of The Gay Birds, Mags McIvor, Jinky, Hamish, Fidel, The Big Yin, The Clutha,Mick Broderick,Danny Kyle, Bairds, all mingling with the East End Choir…mad hoors from Rutherglen, spoiled brats from Paisley, Thirsty Ducks from Donegal, shoulder to shoulder with Porter Sharks from Stirling….I’m getting palpitations just thinking about it
I really want to say thank you for all of the music and tunes over the years, how they have really illustrated a tapestry of life. Those songs have given me insight into so many historical and political stories that I would not have had cause to come across otherwise. It really has been an education listening to your music.
I struggle for a favourite because there are so many, but when a song hits with a particular issue or subject that I have to deal with it just flows.
So both me and my mother will be coming over to Dublin to see you play at Vicar Street on Tuesday from Wales and Yorkshire to se you preform. It won’t be the first time and I hope not the last time. For both of us just thinking about Barrowlands last year was magical.
We are both looking forward to a memorable night.
Jonny
Christy's reply
Hope Yourself and Herself have a smooth crossing….its a toss-up between Stena and Irish Ferries..its such a short hop new compared to the early 60s when I made my first crossing..on the old cattle boat from North Wall to Liverpool…came back Holyhead to Dún Laoghaire….rem crossing on the MV Leinster..some great music …
catch you later Jonny..you never mentioned your Mother’s name
Hi Christy
Any plans to play the Royal Festival Hall or The Anvil this Year (or in south east England). Don’t like to miss a year of seeing your show!
Nothing this year Mandy…..if all goes well, we hope to return to London in 2021
I love your reply…. reminiscing about pubs and the past. Mr Fletcher apparently had ‘no gra’ at all for fellas with beards and guitars and playing music in his pub and as far as he was concerned it was his name over the door and that was it. The Stones got no recognition as to who they were.
Who knows what went down…stories grow wings….I was talking to a friend in New South Wales yesterday….apparently I sang at a session in Sydney last month…
Hi Christy. I wrote a song that I think is made for you. It’s about the forgotten – survivors of clerical child abuse. I finally recorded it in a local studio with some friends last week. Can I email you the MP3 so you can give it a listen? Just need to know where to send it – I think it is special – would love to know what you think. Thanks a million, Ger
if you wish Ger you can post it here….
I see a few posters mention pubs.
1) Someone says in an earlier post that he’s connected to the original owners of the Meeting Pace and you reminisce on those days, I joined the ‘club’ there in the summer of ’79, having finally left Athlone and found a great scene going on, folk and ballads galore upstairs in the Meeting Place, I used to have to leave and run to get a last bus home. That’s 40 (!) years ago. Jayney.
2) One of your posters, ‘Una’ mentions a place in Naas,’ Fletchers’ and she mentions about the ‘heat’. Is that the place where a man never turned on the heat? And one night he refused the Rolling Stones who’d come in as one of them owns a big house in Kildare and he wouldnt serve them!
Yes indeed, that correspondant is the Son of Skinnier & Hanne who, along with his Uncles Badger & Paddy, ran The Meeting Place in Dorset Street….for a decade or so it was the centre of many mis-spent lives…a haven of good music for many, a centre of decadence and good fun for others….
Tommy Fletcher ran a “real and proper” public house for all of his working life… a recent post from New Zealand told me that he retired and sold the pub of late…I drank there a few times in the 60s with my late friend, Dr.Billy Parkinson. Tommy ran “Fletcher’s” by the book. Rumour has it that he refused to serve Ronnie Wood …Tommy had no meas on celebrity or flamboyance…his primary purpose was to maintain a dignified atmosphere for his regular imbibers…
I was there one evening when a Nun, home from the foreign missions, fully rigged out in her habit, lowered pints and smoked Majors…Tommy never batted an eyelid for he understood the needs of “persons of the cloth”
I later discovered that the Nun in question was a hard chaw out for the crack with a bunch of dissidents….while on Tommy’s premises they drank with decorum and respect for the atmosphere that prevailed and were served ’til closing time..
I dont recall ever feeling the cold in Fletcher’s
Hello Christy,
I’m really enjoying your album ‘On the Road’. At the end part of the McIlhatton track is the instrumental on fiddle and accordion a separate tune or was it composed specifically for McIlhatton? If it’s a separate tune what is it’s title. All the best from another Kildare man.
that tune is called “Far from Home” It came from the repertoire of either Cathal Hayden or Mairtín O Connor……sometimes the flow of a song will suggest a follow on tune….first experienced this when we were getting the Planxty Music together almost 50 years ago….
Ciao Christy
Ti seguo da molti anni dal mio Paese, l’Italia e finalmente il 16 aprile verro ad assistere il tuo concerto di Edinburgo.
Per me un sogno che si realizza a 64 anni.
Non vedo l’ora di ascoltare dal vivo brani che fanno parte della mia vita.
Mi piacerebbe molto incontrarti e ringraziarti di persona per tutte le emozioni che ho provato in questi anni di ascolto. Un abbraccio Claudio
“agus mise mé féin” adeir Cúnla
Well Christy that was a fine gig,
The report is…
Rob Corcoran and his six necessary evils were braw.
They crammed onto a stage made for 3.
Raised the tiny roof for all 54 of us penned into a venue fit for 40.
Ringing the bell performed as a powerful solo.
A run through with the band of many of his most favoured songs.
A 7 foot hairy lyricist from dublin as support.
And your granny on the merch stall.
What more could a bloke from the sticks and his city living wee daughter ask for on a thursday night in Camden.
Cheers
Rory
Thanks Rory,
Good to read that Rob is ringing the bell in Camden Town
that you are out gigging with your daughter
going out to a session ourselves tonight
enjoying some listening time.
Well Christy. Just a note to say thanks very much for the shout out at the vicar st gig for the crew heading back down to Perth. They got a great buzz from it. The gig itself was hopping. Great atmosphere. Just a note, you may be interested..a well known publican in the town Con Cummins has released his first album. It’s on spotify called Ballymany. Happy listening 👍
Fair play….I have been listening to Con’s Ballymany
Hello Christy!
Seeing you in Edinburgh Usher Hall this April! Will you take a request for my Late Granny Forde (born Prospect Hill, Co. Galway) buried in the Silvermines, Co. Tipp Monday morning alongside Storm Brendan. Galway Shawl was her song and we sang it until the early hours in the Half Door pub, Nenagh. If not then ‘Black is the colour’. I am loving Magic nights! ‘Magic Nights in the Lobby Bar’ can take me back to the warmth of my Grannys house and ‘The Two Conneeleys’ can remind me of the heartache.
best,
Eóghan
Morra Eoghan,
May your Granny Forde rest in peace in Tippereary….such a beautiful song you sang for her in Nenagh….young Daoiri Farrell has recorded a beautiful version as did our precious Dolores Keane a few years back….
the warmth of your “Granny’s House” reminds me of both my own grans
….Elly Sheeran and Brigid Dowling were of different species….one from The Cotton Mills on the Banks of The Boyne, the other born at the foot of Allen Hill beside the Bog of Allen….
I always cherish visits to Reekie…I loitered there frequently in the 60s/70s….nothing but sweet memories
62 songs – that’s only another 40-odd for me to learn then… 🙂
This music seems to turn us all into mystics.
By the way, Halifax used to behead (yes, really!) any poor soul who stole goods worth more than 13 pence. They had a contraption called a gibbet. If you could get over the town boundary you were safe. The Running Man pub is named after this. “From Hull, Halifax and Hell, good Lord deliver me”.
Rebecca
Rebecca,
We too know about the Gibbet.
The Gibbet Rath mentioned below is 3 miles from my birth place.
( see Gibbet Rath Massacre Kildare)
To stand upon the Gibbet Rath I walked along the Plains
By Donnelly’s Hollow heard the keening of the Curragh Wrens
Black & Tans in The Barracks as young rebels crossed the fields
From the back lanes and the boreens came The Sheahans and O’Neills
Hi Christy .. that was some gig last night in vicars street .. it was high energy from start to finish .. it is really a great venue.. we wish you all and all the crew the very best in 2020 .. and see you in the kingdom in March until then safe travels..tony and Fiona …
We enjoyed our 10 nights in Vicar Street….each gig had its own unique audience…over the run we played 62 different songs….only 4 were played every night… 20 songs that featured but once ….62 songs covered over the 10 nights….
excuse all this unasked for info….I’m always personally intrigued by these random sets..cant find rhyme nor reason as to how or why they emerge thus…deep down I suspect its down to collective decisions…
I agree ,,it makes everything more difficult,, how your doing it is perfect, no B’s, your blessed with an attentive audience that love what you do. “”.keep kicking out the footlights.”
the wind is howling here this morning…glad to have a few quiet Winter weeks as we prepare to go to the country
Hi Christy,
the excitement here is reaching fever pitch in the capital of bonnie Teviotdale, for tomorrow I step aboard a train for Madchester and then, after work, on to the big smoke.
My Brixton based daughter and I are going to see Rob Corcoran in a tiny venue called Green Note in Camden, on Thursday night. We will be girding our loins, battening down the hatches and holding tight to the thistle in anticipation of the gig.
I am going to resist the temptation of your Pakistani concoction before boarding each train , but with a tin of Hawick balls in my bag I expect to be lifted higher than one of Jackson Browne’s 747s on the mint aroma and the euphoria of seeing Rob and the Necessary Evils.
We shall pass gently by the memorial to JC de Menezes ,think of Giuseppi Conlon, and watch the sweet Thames flow softly, before I head north once more to feast on a vegetarian haggis.
The show will be great, the tip of his music has been a fine gift from you.
regards
Rory
ps gig review to follow on Friday , hope to see your Granny there
Mention of Teviotdale reminds me that I once played a Club in Hawick….probably 68-69 time. Back then there was a circuit north and west of Newcastle…I think the fulcrum may have been Jim Sharp’s club in (I think) Ponteland. Alnwick and Blythe spring to mind.
Hope the Bell was ringing in The Big Smoke last night….
Hi Chirsty
I got to see you live for the first time last night. It really was a dream come true and a real privilege to be able to share in a few songs with you, Declan and the rest of your musical clan.
My dad absolutely loved music. And your voice rang out from the small radio in our kitchen like that of a familiar friend. It was only when I got older and after he passed that I rediscovered you and your work. Your version of Fairy Tale of New York (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FwXBtmRTsFs) would take me home each Christmas while I was living in London. I honestly couldn’t believe my luck when you decided to take it out for a spin in the middle of January.
You were one of the main inspirations for me to learn the guitar and write music. You have brought so many songs forward and made them your own. You have kept the musical tradition of this land alive and carried the torch of all those who’ve come before you. I hope to continue in your tradition in whatever way I can.
Our relationship may be only a one way street, but I love you Christy. Thank you for all you have done and continue to do.
Donncha
Sound Donncha…..my earliest memories are all steeped in Song….sounds like your early times were similar….
Living in London in 1966-67 the old songs began to dig deeper….I wish you well up there in Skerries
Hi Christy,
Just wanted to say a big thank you for mentioning myself and Michael ( Mick) who were home from New Zealand at your night in Vicar Street on December 16th.The Voyage will always be very special to us and you made it even more so that night. Words can’t say how happy and proud I felt xx
It meant so much to both of us. We told everyone about it while we were home and also irish frnds since we arrived back here to NZ.
We really enjoyed your show. We had just arrived back after that awful 35 hour journey the day before so understandably were alittle tired. You kept us wide awake and at times brought tears to my eyes with renditions of songs we both so love. Was a lovely start to a great two and half weeks back in Ireland. Met a real character from Enfield in bar before who travels all over Ireland to see you.
Michael is orginally from Moorefield Road and a Sarsfields man😊He was in the Defence Forces before he left to come to NZ with me just over 8 years ago.
We noticed alot of changes when home.
Traffic particularly around Dublin has gone mad! Naas not so good also. Went to Galway and took us 80 minutes from when we reached Galway to get out to Barna mad !
Naas town centre sad to see aot of shops gone but hopefully with new Dunnes etc will get trade back.
Tommy as you know sold Fletchers earlier last year but Michael was there for a pint and says hasn’t changed bar heating on 😉
I was in Lawlors for a drink and nice atmosphere .
Michael was in Newbridge but not out in pubs. He visited his parents grave and caught up with a few friends in their houses especially Kavanaghs in Hawkfield.
It was lovely to be back and see all the lights and experience Christmas again in Ireland. Last time I was home was Oct 2018 when my 54 year old brother died suddently in London so was lovely to be home for happy times. Christmas in the sun never seems the same.
Back in NZ so home visit to Ireland a distant but happy memory.
Again so much thanks Slan go foill xx
Una & Mick…glad to know that ye had a good visit …..
” from Hawkfield & Kilbelin,Chinatown & Rosy’s Lane,
scattered round the World we dreamt of coming home again.
From the Rocks of Sydney Harbour,The Bronx & Birmingham
to The Sandy Hills, The Seven Springs,the waters of The Fen”…..
Hi Christy,
Just wanted to say a big thank you for your gig on the 14th. It was my first time seeing you live, having been brought up on your music from the records (including prosperous) right through to the CDs and the present days of Spotify. Brilliant gig and thank you so much for the night itself, as well as for the many happy memories with my family throughout the years. Long may we dance.. to the reel in the flickering light.
Regards,
CT
Thanks CT
Sez He….
“Does she come from another planet?
Does she have a bee in her bonnet?
Does she do her daily duties?
You never know we might be suited”
And the rats and the worms began to laugh
some of them started shufflin’ off.
We’re goin’ to have some fun tonight
gettin’ ready for the reel in the flickering light………(Colm Gallagher)
Great concert tonight. Thanks for the shout-out, an unexpected surprise. I stood up and waved but since I’m only 5 foot you didn’t see me! You had me at City of Chicago. I moved to WA state 42 years ago. Chicago is where my GM O’Brien and GD O’Mahony immigrated to. Rick and I celebrated our 40th anniversary in Dec and I sang him THE VOYAGE at our family party. Thanks for a great night. Kathleen and Rick.
Well done Caitlín….Thanks be that the O’Briens and O’Mahoneys hooked up in The Windy City…..we celebrated our Ruby a few years back…
“Life is an Ocean, Love is a boat”
I nearly sang it last night ….started the chords but Nancy Spain and Sonny came out instead
Hi Christy….just wondering if you ever contiplated a opening act on your show.someone that would do an hour or original stuff…I know you like to keep it simple.
Hey Marty,
Hi Marty…That dont work for us
we need to do (at least) two hour sets to get it all out
our listeners show up on time and want us to get down to business asap
we are always in the venue 4 hours before showtime and everything is geared towards 8pm…we rehearse, soundcheck, snack, peruse and then start warm-up from 7.30….we are aging creatures of schedule and habit….had we to wait until 9pm everything would fall into utter chaos…Dikon asleep at the monitor desk…Davey awol on his tablet…Geoff’s lights on the blink..Johnny wondering whats going on….Mick getting more restless by the minute and Paddys catering schedule falling asunder
Heyup Christy and Happy hogmanay to you and yours.
Finally saw you in Barrowland last year with my auld man and my best pal, a magic night indeed. (I’ve grown up around your music and it’s helped me through the good and the bad) My dad’s been fishing and trying to play the guitar for 40 years all around Scotland and Ireland and he’s particularly fond of Oughterard, Lough Corrib. For the last ten years i’ve been playing Guitar and trying to fish! Anyway, your music as well as Hamish Imlach, Dick Gaughan and Matt McGinns has always kept me right and I’m always bringin’ my mates doon to the Scotia to show them about.
My girlfriend Megan graduates as a Marine Scientist this year and is coming with me to your gig at Barrowland, she’ll just have submitted her dissertation the week before the show! I’d love if you could give her a wee shout on the night before beeswing or nancy spain if they’re on the set, it would mean the world to me!
hope this message finds you well and all the best for 2020, can’t get enough of the version of Matty on the new record – on repeat since release!
all the best and roch the wind in the clear day’s dawnin!
Andrew Swan.
Sounds good Andrew…Beeswing for Megan marine and Matty for her suitor…no guarantees here… Barrowland gigs are beyond planning..there is no way of knowing what way the set will go…Ghosts of The Gay Birds, Mags McIvor, Jinky, Hamish, Fidel, The Big Yin, The Clutha,Mick Broderick,Danny Kyle, Bairds, all mingling with the East End Choir…mad hoors from Rutherglen, spoiled brats from Paisley, Thirsty Ducks from Donegal, shoulder to shoulder with Porter Sharks from Stirling….I’m getting palpitations just thinking about it
Dear Christy,
I really want to say thank you for all of the music and tunes over the years, how they have really illustrated a tapestry of life. Those songs have given me insight into so many historical and political stories that I would not have had cause to come across otherwise. It really has been an education listening to your music.
I struggle for a favourite because there are so many, but when a song hits with a particular issue or subject that I have to deal with it just flows.
So both me and my mother will be coming over to Dublin to see you play at Vicar Street on Tuesday from Wales and Yorkshire to se you preform. It won’t be the first time and I hope not the last time. For both of us just thinking about Barrowlands last year was magical.
We are both looking forward to a memorable night.
Jonny
Hope Yourself and Herself have a smooth crossing….its a toss-up between Stena and Irish Ferries..its such a short hop new compared to the early 60s when I made my first crossing..on the old cattle boat from North Wall to Liverpool…came back Holyhead to Dún Laoghaire….rem crossing on the MV Leinster..some great music …
catch you later Jonny..you never mentioned your Mother’s name