Ah Liam Óg…. I happened to be in Lorient at the inter Celtic festival in 1982, and stumbled across a fantastic event, the premiere of The Brendan Voyage, with full orchestra and Liam, what a fantastic night that was.
As I potter around doing this and that today, spuds had to be rescued after yesterday’s deluge, I had some inside work to do, and stuck in the Barrowlands DVD to help me along. Funny how every hearing throws up different moments… this time the beautiful silence during Declans song, the crowd singing Black is the colour, Natives, and your gentle banter with the crowd ‘shut your hole!’ 😊😊 A great concert.
Christy's reply
There’s an easy place down Gallowgate
to the East End of Glasgow
its a Ballroom of Remembrance
its a Disco
where the shooting stars light up the fresco
where the lost ones and the lovers go
to carry on
Christy, what a lovely image Brendipoo created, Eddie Keher belting balls left and right in Gaelic Park. Eddie played with Kilkenny for 18 years and won six All Irelands, he was on the team of the century. In 1972 Muhammad Ali was in Ireland and Eddie was showing him how to hurl,some funny photos and videos of them. I had forgotton Seán Clohessy worked in the Town, my Mother (a proud Kilkenny woman) was friendly with Seáns wife. The Ma use to have a newspaper photo of Seáns wedding in the big family dictionary, where we looked up “dirty words”. Growing up in Kildare you would not meet All Ireland winners very often, Mick Buckley in the Barracks had two, its his old house that “Newbridge or Nowhere” mural is.
Christy's reply
and Maguire’s house was next door at the entrance to The Barracks….The Hackney and Greengrocer…
I never knew that Mr Buckley had 3 All-Irelands….the next generation brought us Pat and Michael both of whom I saw wear The Sash
then came Nuxer….a class footballer
I think Eddie O’Connor “married in” to the Buckley Family but being from the “far end “of the town I cant be sure
“Rasher” Conlon was our newsagent
Hello Christy,
Oh its great to see all these Northerners round here. Pam, please no talk of rocks. I’m from Brighouse, just over the hill and loving your comments.
The bridgewater is a glorious venue, but I’m not sure. The space can make the audience well behaved? There’s nothing like cutting loose. I will get to barrowland one day I hope.
I’ve done so few gigs. Can’t think what I wouldn’t give for one now. Even background music from the balcony in Halifax Town Hall. At least with singing you can be reasonably self sufficient I started on percussion. Not great without a group. Loud though 🙂
Rebecca
just looking at their upcoming schedule..an amazing array of acts in the pipeline..they have a very eclectic booking policy…I hope it all happens….
O for a sound check…for that exciting air of expectation..to pause behind the PA and wait for those lights to go down
Always good to know of your affection/recall of your days here in ‘The North’ (or THE North as aghast London BBC newsreaders say)..Certainly,heartwarming for many…and good to read of Pam’s memories too.
The demise of Bury FC was a scandal and gave the town a knock back …but,Bury town centre is also the home of an excellent venue for folk and diverse gigs… http://www.themet.co.uk The theatre builds on the great folk club tradition in the Lancashire/Yorkshire area.Many of which you’ll have played…and a few still soldier on.
Good luck with physio for the bodhran injury (eating a good breakfast sounds like a plan)…great that it doesn’t prevent the Atkin ringing via cyberspace…and in a studio soon!
Dave
Christy's reply
would we swap The Met and Bridgewater for the Blue Bell and MSG ?
(if youth was included as part of the deal ?)
Another comment and then I’ll crawl back under my rock, the contributors to your guestbook are fascinating, a good read.
But had to comment because was so chuffed you had an association with Bury. When I was a teenager in the mid-late sixties there was a lively folk scene in Bury/Bolton area. I lived between the two and so started my love for this music.
Gigg Lane of course is desolate now, my father would have been distraught that one of England’s oldest football teams was no more. However, a consolation to some! The smell of black puddings being cooked on the open market still drifts around the town. Pam
Christy's reply
Sure was lively…..I played in The Blue Bell in Bury with The Valley Folk…..in Bolton a gig with Bernard Wrigley…in Blakeley with Mike Harding…Rochdale with Jack& Mavis….
Hi C, you mentioned Leonard Cohen’s version of Kevin Barry here recently, I know it’s an old favourite of yours, I think the first time I heard you sing it was the solo gig on the Fri night of the gaggle in Lisdoon in 2010 and then again when the Barrowlands choir joined in that night in 2014,,,, here is LC singing it,,,https://youtu.be/dJ4INuSYr28.. beir bua agus beannacht go deo. H
Christy's reply
Hey H
always good to hear from you
thank you for this,
I think Paul Robeson covered it too
its the very first song I learned
our Mother was devoted to the memory of Kevin Barry
named one of her Sons after him
I’ll tell a quick story then leave you alone. I was reading paper on near-goal bleachers at NY’s Gaelic Park one Sunday morning early 80’s waiting for a football semi. I looked up to see who was smashing the shlither, making noise like the top baseball hitters. It was a Kilkenny forward over 40. I kept watching as he scorched points and a goal or more the Cork keeper had no chance on (I learned he was one of the best, too).
I went to the top of the bleachers where I drew applause for acrobatic grabs of his points, each following similar arc high over back of bleachers. I was running and jumping basketball hoop height to snare, tossing back first but then to kidgers. A familiar face advised me to hold on to one. “That’s Eddie Keher”. Hadn’t heard of him, but was in awe.
He wasn’t too mobile, but when he got the puck. His marker was a 6’4″ rock who kept social distancing. There would be a scrum and out Keher would come with it – and score.
He was parking his points I walled area outside dressing rooms, so last snare I made left me in difficult spot coming down. I was lucky not to get hurt. Then “Kerry” O’Donnell grabbed for slither, which I tossed against goal line fence toward youngest children. Young McElligott squatted, picked it up and ran off with his pals, with older boys chasing. The crowd laughed and clapped and players too. Brian’s father took him over to field gate at full time and Eddie autographed the ball. I’d fired up players with high grabs (not first time catching small ball) but when the children had fun we all understood. So, I was privileged to help facilitate a momentary understanding of the circle. I thank you Christy Moore for doing same. I hope I haven’t intruded on your cloud. It’s back to America now.
Christy's reply
Not at all Brendi…we love catching dreams here
Eddie could fire them over from all angles
and a hardy Cat too
when I was a lad the Black&Amber ruled Leinster
Sean Clohessy worked in my home town
he lodged in digs with the Miss Moloneys
I’d see him every day and he knew my name !!!
and him an All-Ireland winning Hurler
Aisy on the Porter and the liquid f**ts… On this strange Bloomsday I am toasting Leopold with a can of the blackstuff at home…. Loved your quote.
The mention of One Night in Bremen and the Blazing Bodhrán sent me drift netting again… A fellow called Kidman, in folkradio.uk praised your opening song,
“Every track’s a winner. Vocal highlights include Christy’s take on The Pursuit Of Farmer Michael Hayes (a storming choice for opening number!”. He then went on to talk about “the fire and the fury” of the live performance! Was he there? Did he set fire to your bodhrán? I also saw Matt Molloy was on that tour. Did he play with yous in the Town Hall Dundalk that year? Maybe you remember that performance? Memorable for two things. In the middle of some rousing number the sound system packed up! Yis all left the stage. After an age you came out, alone, and started to sing for us… the first example of unplugged world wide! The other memorable moment was when a grand fella in the hall decided to play along with yous, on his spoons…. terrible he was. You asked him if he could maybe practice a bit… Have a peaceful rest of Bloomsday fella.
Christy's reply
I do recall many Planxty nights during the Matt Molloy era but not the Dundalk gig you mention….( probably too much time in Mark McLoughlin’s across the street
When Liam Óg and Matt were firing on all cylinders our old Band fairly hopped along…..together,them lads had fire in their timber….
I still hear Matt,I will always miss Liam
Bloomsday greetings returned from the land of the suffragettes -and a footballer bamboozling a Government !D
Christy's reply
thats it then …another Bloomsday done and dusted…another plate of fried gizzards down the hatch…and now the whole bloody business starts all over again….
“they do though,don’t they?, in anyways but “( Tim Martin)
Tim is still missed..most of all by his wife,son and daughters…but also by all those singers,players,producers and film makers with whom he tirelessly worked…I just loved working with Tim….he never missed a note, nor a riff…he always caught the moment, he was always ready to roll,
Begobs Christo, now I had to cast out the great driftnet Google to see what was happening to you… Spluttering and farthing, sneezing and sharting, that’s a new one for me. Loved one definition, ‘when passing wind and a little bit comes out’!
Great setup you and Andy have, the phone and the voice. That is simple, but really great. Look forward to seeing the finished set. ‘Twill be magic. Tell me, on Tuesdays do you have a good sleep in, have the duck’s eggs for lunch, and think, god how many more lockdown sessions can I survive? Or do you have a grand sense of peace? A studio album in the head? No need. Just get Andy to produce your latest and greatest, called ‘The Lockdown Sessions’. No polishing or anything. Just as they are. Don’t forget the shovel…
Christy's reply
good man Pat…what a thought…I love the idea of averting a new album with a box of Lockdown Sessions….
a wheelbarrow man from up the country once described a “shart” as a “liquid fart”…….brings me back to the Porter years…too much info perhaps for some of our more refined correspondents
Your lockdown sessions are even more evocative because of the natural feel…monochrome is always a winner and the sound is crystal clear as well.
I’m guessing you won’t be adding a blazing bodhran to the mix,but I’m mightlly curious about the goings on in Bremen with Planxty!
I’m about to start work on a piece about my Grandfather in 1917 for the WW1 museum – http://www.passchendaele.be... looks like a brilliant set up-to be visited asap.Thoughts of your Great Uncle ,Francis Ledwidge and the Slane lads too.
Dave
Christy's reply
a long-head-bicep-rupture has put paid to bodhran bashing for the time being…
no much of an affliction when reminded of Passchendale, Ypres and all the killing fields our recent ancestors endured
Hi Christy.. I’m always impressed by your memory,recalling street names and house numbers, I struggle with my own song lyrics.
The auld memories sometime serves one well,especially when the future looks so unpromising,
My memories such as they are are fishing for wild Atlantic salmon and lobsters off the coast of Sligo,our old workhorse was a 22′ clinker built boat and an 8 hp Honda two stroke, I recall mountain s of waves ,no life jackets,couldn’t swim,tell me how crazy we were, now the Atlantic salmon is a memory, it’s demise brought on by pollution and the landlord draft fishermen at scooping them up at the river mouth, before they could even make it up stream.the lobsters and crabs are another story, when the government got involved with our trade, I knew it was over. Although it’s been 40 years I still remember the landmarks up and down the coast, you knew all the houses cause they were your marks, I go back now and dream about what was, and wonder if the souls of my fishing buddies still linger around pullaheaney harbour., Memories , I’m sure of, the future not so much. Slan .keep well, you’ll be back” kicking out the foot lights” before you know it.
Christy's reply
an old Uncle used to say…”I remember everything that happened 60 years ago but I cant find my shoes that I was wearing last night”
an ancient Mando cello player opines ” I wish someone would develop an app that would help me locate my glasses”
I tried a face mask in the shops yesterday..my glasses fogged up and I could not find anything..then when I took off the mask it pulled my hearing aids out..I have a beard growing out of each nostril, swathes of eyebrows and ear quiffs..not a blade on me pate..
our Darling mother used to say “old age is not to be recommended..until you consider the alternative”
Hello Christy,
I hope things are good with you.
So I’m still fighting the Musgrave dragon. I’ve had some time off work the last couple of weeks so I’ve got the courage up to get off the book with as many songs as I can. No idea why it’s so difficult, I don’t do too bad once the folder is shut, it’s the shutting of it I struggle with. Notes, no problem, words – who knows. The world is pretty strange round here. It looks like the ones that aren’t guarding statues are queued up outside Primark.
I hope things are clearer where you are.
I think it might be a gardening day for me.
Rebecca
Christy's reply
I spent a lot of time in Bucklesfordberry myself…first recoding was 1976..again in 1987…again in 2004…..I still find new passages along the way…who knows what might yet emerge
I read the Time’s Dylan interview last week and had thought to visit this cloud for unknown reason.
That writer asks pertinent questions to get more than a grunt out of Bubby.
Larry Campbell, who played guitar in his band for years, mentioned him during a show last year. However he put it, he intimated one needs thick skin, at least, to be around yer man. Who knows. I’ve been acquainted with or known big celebrities, but would probably tremble and stutter in Dylan’s company.
Unrelated question: What is etymology of ‘Hell’s Kitchen’? I heard Christy Ring, or another hurler, describe Munster finals as such and am wondering. I grew up in Bronx when it was Irish and this came up from time to time due to part of west side being known as HC. (incidentally, the five points intersection still exists – it’s South of Canal near East River, but there’s nothing to see).
Bless you for replying – your music was a very important part of our lives.
Sorry not too great with technology, hence my username being N!, only put my postcode in when joining your guestbook, I’m from the north west of England, just outside of Bury. When everything back to normal and now I’m feeling braver I hope to come and see you at the Bridgewater hall next time you’re there, so the lonely granny weeping in the cheap seats that’ll be me!! Won’t keep mithering you with comments, thank you again for your reply and I’ll keep checking your gigs. Take care. Pam
Christy's reply
Bury….. thats a Town that I used to know very well….I lived there for a while….up in the Hills near Jericho….up past the Mill in Birtle….a John Willie Lees House….the number still tattooed in my memory…7643620….I was standing at the bus stop bottom of Elbut Lane when I heard two nurses talk of JFK’s life ending…
I remember Gigg Lane, The Valley Folk,Black Pudding and,most of all, my Lancashire cousins
Christy how are you?
I feel i have to write about Ros Comain today. Their races were on the old box tonight, great wee track, tightest bends in christendom.
I was transported back 22 years to a holiday in Headford, where the 4 kids got dragged across to Roscommon races one evening. However every bairn backed a winner and there were apples and chocolate from the ladies selling from the pram on the way out.
Earlier this year, the weekend we came to see you play in February, myself and Cammy took a wide detour to visit the plaque to John Reilly in Boyle. He was clearly a huge inspiration to you. We wandered the town to try to find the bakers where sometimes he mended tin,luckless but we enjoyed the hunt.
Anyway Roscommon county may be landlocked but it has plenty to offer. I actually thought Athlone was in Roscommon, but i gather now that just some of it’s townlands were. Athlone used to be a station on my first dial radio i seem to recall.
Well there we go, my extraordinarily limited knowledge of the county, maybe i should stick to ramblings about Roxburghshire !
I feel a Ros Comain’s John Reilly song coming from the CM livingroom one week.
Cheers
Rory
Christy's reply
I concur…..its a lovely part of the Country….its landscape unique and its Tribe, The Rossies, as fine as I’ve ever met…..
the spirit of John visited the session last night….
I think its time I got up Rory….I fancy a duck egg and a few rounds of toast
Ah Liam Óg…. I happened to be in Lorient at the inter Celtic festival in 1982, and stumbled across a fantastic event, the premiere of The Brendan Voyage, with full orchestra and Liam, what a fantastic night that was.
As I potter around doing this and that today, spuds had to be rescued after yesterday’s deluge, I had some inside work to do, and stuck in the Barrowlands DVD to help me along. Funny how every hearing throws up different moments… this time the beautiful silence during Declans song, the crowd singing Black is the colour, Natives, and your gentle banter with the crowd ‘shut your hole!’ 😊😊 A great concert.
There’s an easy place down Gallowgate
to the East End of Glasgow
its a Ballroom of Remembrance
its a Disco
where the shooting stars light up the fresco
where the lost ones and the lovers go
to carry on
Christy, what a lovely image Brendipoo created, Eddie Keher belting balls left and right in Gaelic Park. Eddie played with Kilkenny for 18 years and won six All Irelands, he was on the team of the century. In 1972 Muhammad Ali was in Ireland and Eddie was showing him how to hurl,some funny photos and videos of them. I had forgotton Seán Clohessy worked in the Town, my Mother (a proud Kilkenny woman) was friendly with Seáns wife. The Ma use to have a newspaper photo of Seáns wedding in the big family dictionary, where we looked up “dirty words”. Growing up in Kildare you would not meet All Ireland winners very often, Mick Buckley in the Barracks had two, its his old house that “Newbridge or Nowhere” mural is.
and Maguire’s house was next door at the entrance to The Barracks….The Hackney and Greengrocer…
I never knew that Mr Buckley had 3 All-Irelands….the next generation brought us Pat and Michael both of whom I saw wear The Sash
then came Nuxer….a class footballer
I think Eddie O’Connor “married in” to the Buckley Family but being from the “far end “of the town I cant be sure
“Rasher” Conlon was our newsagent
Hello Christy,
Oh its great to see all these Northerners round here. Pam, please no talk of rocks. I’m from Brighouse, just over the hill and loving your comments.
The bridgewater is a glorious venue, but I’m not sure. The space can make the audience well behaved? There’s nothing like cutting loose. I will get to barrowland one day I hope.
I’ve done so few gigs. Can’t think what I wouldn’t give for one now. Even background music from the balcony in Halifax Town Hall. At least with singing you can be reasonably self sufficient I started on percussion. Not great without a group. Loud though 🙂
Rebecca
“The Harp that once thru Tara’a Hall”
http://www.themet.org.uk has gig info-hopefully reopening soon. D
just looking at their upcoming schedule..an amazing array of acts in the pipeline..they have a very eclectic booking policy…I hope it all happens….
O for a sound check…for that exciting air of expectation..to pause behind the PA and wait for those lights to go down
Hi Christy
Always good to know of your affection/recall of your days here in ‘The North’ (or THE North as aghast London BBC newsreaders say)..Certainly,heartwarming for many…and good to read of Pam’s memories too.
The demise of Bury FC was a scandal and gave the town a knock back …but,Bury town centre is also the home of an excellent venue for folk and diverse gigs… http://www.themet.co.uk The theatre builds on the great folk club tradition in the Lancashire/Yorkshire area.Many of which you’ll have played…and a few still soldier on.
Good luck with physio for the bodhran injury (eating a good breakfast sounds like a plan)…great that it doesn’t prevent the Atkin ringing via cyberspace…and in a studio soon!
Dave
would we swap The Met and Bridgewater for the Blue Bell and MSG ?
(if youth was included as part of the deal ?)
Another comment and then I’ll crawl back under my rock, the contributors to your guestbook are fascinating, a good read.
But had to comment because was so chuffed you had an association with Bury. When I was a teenager in the mid-late sixties there was a lively folk scene in Bury/Bolton area. I lived between the two and so started my love for this music.
Gigg Lane of course is desolate now, my father would have been distraught that one of England’s oldest football teams was no more. However, a consolation to some! The smell of black puddings being cooked on the open market still drifts around the town. Pam
Sure was lively…..I played in The Blue Bell in Bury with The Valley Folk…..in Bolton a gig with Bernard Wrigley…in Blakeley with Mike Harding…Rochdale with Jack& Mavis….
Hi C, you mentioned Leonard Cohen’s version of Kevin Barry here recently, I know it’s an old favourite of yours, I think the first time I heard you sing it was the solo gig on the Fri night of the gaggle in Lisdoon in 2010 and then again when the Barrowlands choir joined in that night in 2014,,,, here is LC singing it,,,https://youtu.be/dJ4INuSYr28.. beir bua agus beannacht go deo. H
Hey H
always good to hear from you
thank you for this,
I think Paul Robeson covered it too
its the very first song I learned
our Mother was devoted to the memory of Kevin Barry
named one of her Sons after him
10 years since The Lisdoon Gaggle !
I’ll tell a quick story then leave you alone. I was reading paper on near-goal bleachers at NY’s Gaelic Park one Sunday morning early 80’s waiting for a football semi. I looked up to see who was smashing the shlither, making noise like the top baseball hitters. It was a Kilkenny forward over 40. I kept watching as he scorched points and a goal or more the Cork keeper had no chance on (I learned he was one of the best, too).
I went to the top of the bleachers where I drew applause for acrobatic grabs of his points, each following similar arc high over back of bleachers. I was running and jumping basketball hoop height to snare, tossing back first but then to kidgers. A familiar face advised me to hold on to one. “That’s Eddie Keher”. Hadn’t heard of him, but was in awe.
He wasn’t too mobile, but when he got the puck. His marker was a 6’4″ rock who kept social distancing. There would be a scrum and out Keher would come with it – and score.
He was parking his points I walled area outside dressing rooms, so last snare I made left me in difficult spot coming down. I was lucky not to get hurt. Then “Kerry” O’Donnell grabbed for slither, which I tossed against goal line fence toward youngest children. Young McElligott squatted, picked it up and ran off with his pals, with older boys chasing. The crowd laughed and clapped and players too. Brian’s father took him over to field gate at full time and Eddie autographed the ball. I’d fired up players with high grabs (not first time catching small ball) but when the children had fun we all understood. So, I was privileged to help facilitate a momentary understanding of the circle. I thank you Christy Moore for doing same. I hope I haven’t intruded on your cloud. It’s back to America now.
Not at all Brendi…we love catching dreams here
Eddie could fire them over from all angles
and a hardy Cat too
when I was a lad the Black&Amber ruled Leinster
Sean Clohessy worked in my home town
he lodged in digs with the Miss Moloneys
I’d see him every day and he knew my name !!!
and him an All-Ireland winning Hurler
Aisy on the Porter and the liquid f**ts… On this strange Bloomsday I am toasting Leopold with a can of the blackstuff at home…. Loved your quote.
The mention of One Night in Bremen and the Blazing Bodhrán sent me drift netting again… A fellow called Kidman, in folkradio.uk praised your opening song,
“Every track’s a winner. Vocal highlights include Christy’s take on The Pursuit Of Farmer Michael Hayes (a storming choice for opening number!”. He then went on to talk about “the fire and the fury” of the live performance! Was he there? Did he set fire to your bodhrán? I also saw Matt Molloy was on that tour. Did he play with yous in the Town Hall Dundalk that year? Maybe you remember that performance? Memorable for two things. In the middle of some rousing number the sound system packed up! Yis all left the stage. After an age you came out, alone, and started to sing for us… the first example of unplugged world wide! The other memorable moment was when a grand fella in the hall decided to play along with yous, on his spoons…. terrible he was. You asked him if he could maybe practice a bit… Have a peaceful rest of Bloomsday fella.
I do recall many Planxty nights during the Matt Molloy era but not the Dundalk gig you mention….( probably too much time in Mark McLoughlin’s across the street
When Liam Óg and Matt were firing on all cylinders our old Band fairly hopped along…..together,them lads had fire in their timber….
I still hear Matt,I will always miss Liam
Bloomsday greetings returned from the land of the suffragettes -and a footballer bamboozling a Government !D
thats it then …another Bloomsday done and dusted…another plate of fried gizzards down the hatch…and now the whole bloody business starts all over again….
“they do though,don’t they?, in anyways but “( Tim Martin)
Tim is still missed..most of all by his wife,son and daughters…but also by all those singers,players,producers and film makers with whom he tirelessly worked…I just loved working with Tim….he never missed a note, nor a riff…he always caught the moment, he was always ready to roll,
Begobs Christo, now I had to cast out the great driftnet Google to see what was happening to you… Spluttering and farthing, sneezing and sharting, that’s a new one for me. Loved one definition, ‘when passing wind and a little bit comes out’!
Great setup you and Andy have, the phone and the voice. That is simple, but really great. Look forward to seeing the finished set. ‘Twill be magic. Tell me, on Tuesdays do you have a good sleep in, have the duck’s eggs for lunch, and think, god how many more lockdown sessions can I survive? Or do you have a grand sense of peace? A studio album in the head? No need. Just get Andy to produce your latest and greatest, called ‘The Lockdown Sessions’. No polishing or anything. Just as they are. Don’t forget the shovel…
good man Pat…what a thought…I love the idea of averting a new album with a box of Lockdown Sessions….
a wheelbarrow man from up the country once described a “shart” as a “liquid fart”…….brings me back to the Porter years…too much info perhaps for some of our more refined correspondents
ps http://www.passchendaele.be is the site for the excellent WW1 museum,not far from Ypres D
Mornin’ Christy
Your lockdown sessions are even more evocative because of the natural feel…monochrome is always a winner and the sound is crystal clear as well.
I’m guessing you won’t be adding a blazing bodhran to the mix,but I’m mightlly curious about the goings on in Bremen with Planxty!
I’m about to start work on a piece about my Grandfather in 1917 for the WW1 museum – http://www.passchendaele.be... looks like a brilliant set up-to be visited asap.Thoughts of your Great Uncle ,Francis Ledwidge and the Slane lads too.
Dave
a long-head-bicep-rupture has put paid to bodhran bashing for the time being…
no much of an affliction when reminded of Passchendale, Ypres and all the killing fields our recent ancestors endured
Hi Christy.. I’m always impressed by your memory,recalling street names and house numbers, I struggle with my own song lyrics.
The auld memories sometime serves one well,especially when the future looks so unpromising,
My memories such as they are are fishing for wild Atlantic salmon and lobsters off the coast of Sligo,our old workhorse was a 22′ clinker built boat and an 8 hp Honda two stroke, I recall mountain s of waves ,no life jackets,couldn’t swim,tell me how crazy we were, now the Atlantic salmon is a memory, it’s demise brought on by pollution and the landlord draft fishermen at scooping them up at the river mouth, before they could even make it up stream.the lobsters and crabs are another story, when the government got involved with our trade, I knew it was over. Although it’s been 40 years I still remember the landmarks up and down the coast, you knew all the houses cause they were your marks, I go back now and dream about what was, and wonder if the souls of my fishing buddies still linger around pullaheaney harbour., Memories , I’m sure of, the future not so much. Slan .keep well, you’ll be back” kicking out the foot lights” before you know it.
an old Uncle used to say…”I remember everything that happened 60 years ago but I cant find my shoes that I was wearing last night”
an ancient Mando cello player opines ” I wish someone would develop an app that would help me locate my glasses”
I tried a face mask in the shops yesterday..my glasses fogged up and I could not find anything..then when I took off the mask it pulled my hearing aids out..I have a beard growing out of each nostril, swathes of eyebrows and ear quiffs..not a blade on me pate..
our Darling mother used to say “old age is not to be recommended..until you consider the alternative”
Thankyou for correcting 🙂
Primark
sorted
Hello Christy,
I hope things are good with you.
So I’m still fighting the Musgrave dragon. I’ve had some time off work the last couple of weeks so I’ve got the courage up to get off the book with as many songs as I can. No idea why it’s so difficult, I don’t do too bad once the folder is shut, it’s the shutting of it I struggle with. Notes, no problem, words – who knows. The world is pretty strange round here. It looks like the ones that aren’t guarding statues are queued up outside Primark.
I hope things are clearer where you are.
I think it might be a gardening day for me.
Rebecca
I spent a lot of time in Bucklesfordberry myself…first recoding was 1976..again in 1987…again in 2004…..I still find new passages along the way…who knows what might yet emerge
I read the Time’s Dylan interview last week and had thought to visit this cloud for unknown reason.
That writer asks pertinent questions to get more than a grunt out of Bubby.
Larry Campbell, who played guitar in his band for years, mentioned him during a show last year. However he put it, he intimated one needs thick skin, at least, to be around yer man. Who knows. I’ve been acquainted with or known big celebrities, but would probably tremble and stutter in Dylan’s company.
Unrelated question: What is etymology of ‘Hell’s Kitchen’? I heard Christy Ring, or another hurler, describe Munster finals as such and am wondering. I grew up in Bronx when it was Irish and this came up from time to time due to part of west side being known as HC. (incidentally, the five points intersection still exists – it’s South of Canal near East River, but there’s nothing to see).
Bob Dylan and Christy Ring
Now you’re talkin Brendi Poo
we all got our own Hell’s Kitchen
Bless you for replying – your music was a very important part of our lives.
Sorry not too great with technology, hence my username being N!, only put my postcode in when joining your guestbook, I’m from the north west of England, just outside of Bury. When everything back to normal and now I’m feeling braver I hope to come and see you at the Bridgewater hall next time you’re there, so the lonely granny weeping in the cheap seats that’ll be me!! Won’t keep mithering you with comments, thank you again for your reply and I’ll keep checking your gigs. Take care. Pam
Bury….. thats a Town that I used to know very well….I lived there for a while….up in the Hills near Jericho….up past the Mill in Birtle….a John Willie Lees House….the number still tattooed in my memory…7643620….I was standing at the bus stop bottom of Elbut Lane when I heard two nurses talk of JFK’s life ending…
I remember Gigg Lane, The Valley Folk,Black Pudding and,most of all, my Lancashire cousins
Christy how are you?
I feel i have to write about Ros Comain today. Their races were on the old box tonight, great wee track, tightest bends in christendom.
I was transported back 22 years to a holiday in Headford, where the 4 kids got dragged across to Roscommon races one evening. However every bairn backed a winner and there were apples and chocolate from the ladies selling from the pram on the way out.
Earlier this year, the weekend we came to see you play in February, myself and Cammy took a wide detour to visit the plaque to John Reilly in Boyle. He was clearly a huge inspiration to you. We wandered the town to try to find the bakers where sometimes he mended tin,luckless but we enjoyed the hunt.
Anyway Roscommon county may be landlocked but it has plenty to offer. I actually thought Athlone was in Roscommon, but i gather now that just some of it’s townlands were. Athlone used to be a station on my first dial radio i seem to recall.
Well there we go, my extraordinarily limited knowledge of the county, maybe i should stick to ramblings about Roxburghshire !
I feel a Ros Comain’s John Reilly song coming from the CM livingroom one week.
Cheers
Rory
I concur…..its a lovely part of the Country….its landscape unique and its Tribe, The Rossies, as fine as I’ve ever met…..
the spirit of John visited the session last night….
I think its time I got up Rory….I fancy a duck egg and a few rounds of toast