Brilliant tribute from Newbridge (via Rory), Christy
The power of music…also, poignantly shown by Paul Simon playing ‘ Sound of Silence’ in New York last Saturday at the 9/11 commemoration – also on youtube…no words do justice…
Dear Christy
Just been sent the moving youtube video of the Newbridge Choir and various jockeys singing Stand By Me in memory of Pat Smullen.
Very moving tribute.
Some 4711ers may like to find it.
Great jockey, great man, sadly missed.
Regards
Rory
Hello Christy,
Ok, so iv got a gig and it’s the real deal. It’s all mine with my name on it.
Thursday 14th October, 2.30pm at Brighouse library. It’s part of the Brighouse Arts Festival. Tickets on sale, advertising, everything.
I’m such a beginner, I done even know if I’m getting paid. Business is a complete mystery to me.
I ran through an hours music yesterday. I’m going to have to take it easy. I’ve got 4 and a half weeks to build up stamina and work out what’s doable.
Thankyou for providing this space where I can talk.
Rebecca
Christy's reply
I was well down the road before I encountered the need to engage with “the business”…when the time came it was indeed hazardous and most of us learned the hard way..latterly, many musicians are so focused on the business that it encroaches upon the development of their practicen and their art…..there are hundreds of students in Ireland at 3rd level institutions receiving every kind of instruction imaginable in a huge variety of courses and then coming out with degrees…I would not swap my apprenticeship for any of it …nights in a thousand folk clubs, hard travelling, hearing and meeting hundreds of singers and players….I’m remembering now…my album “Prosperous” and the subsequent formation of Planxty happened with no involvement whatsoever from the music “business”…that all came later
Good on Ed for the youtube trawling… after watching the All Ireland final via SKY tv, it was great to read your recollections of Mayo ballrooms/gig venues.
As a veteran of ‘The Carousel’ here and ‘Beechmount’, Navan, I hit youtube for sights and sounds of showbands… some brilliant stuff is preserved – and a great BBC4 doc ‘When Ireland learned to dance’ – fronted by Ardal O’Hanlon,it features archive gems + recent interviews with musicians.Well worth a look…
We’ve done the investigating (the ‘investigations dept’).
I’ve gone listening and found the track, you tube.
It is indeed ‘thirty eight’, 38. There was I thinking I’d full qualifications to go walking the line tonight from Athlone complete with flashlight and me going Mayo-bound aged ’58 + 8′ to find this Mayo train.
Dear God.
On the right hand side of my You Tube page, a line, I looked: ‘The Broad Majestic Shannon’, Liam Clancy’s singing of the Shane McGowan song; great. I listened to it twice. The river we perhaps thought a winning Mayo side could have come crossing. But alas not to be.
D.
That’s great you got to see the game. Was it relayed online?
Was doing some detective work over weekend. Would we see a winning team from the west coming here by rail going west? All said ‘no’. Covid. No gatherings. Too afraid of public gatherings. I might lep off out along the line later with a flashlamp looking for a Mayo train taking the ‘poor vanquished children of Eve’ out west.
While mentioning going west….. C, are not those lyrics ‘at the early age of fifty eight…..’?
Christy's reply
Christ Almighty Ed but shure was’nt I only 38 when I wrote that old ditty…on the back of it I was invited to travel on the first flight into Knock Airport..that same night I was already booked to play in The Pound Loney in Belfast…twas a no brainer……
“Did NATO donate the dough me boys
Did NATO donate the dough” ?
Great to see the match on tv…so long since I saw an All Ireland final. To my inexperienced eye, it seemed to boil down to Tyrone making more of their opportunities than Mayo did of theirs… cool heads and determination certainly to the fore.
So sad that we talk of Amy Winehouse’s amazing legacy, not her continuing career… what a wonderful talent. Talking of talent..’Sweeney’s Men’ are rocking the turntable as I type – hooked on them since first hearing aeons back…rolling all night and day for sure!
Enjoy the day
Dave
Christy's reply
Morra Dave..good first half,almost level pegging…second half Tyrone were fired up, determined, ruthless and ran out fairly easy winners as Mayo seemed to fall asunder…
but Mayo is still a most beautiful County…has always been a great place for live music….The Travellers Friend, The Beaten Path,The Best in The West (thats) Pontoon, The Westenra, Andy Creightons in Claremorris, Matt Molloy’s in Westport, O’Hara’s in Foxford,…I could be listing them off half the night…..not forgetting The Midas Club in Ballyhaunis and The Devils Dancehall in Toureen overseen by FR Jim himself…. I used to count (weigh) his lodgements in The National Bank in Ballyhaunis in 1965…me feckin fingers would be worn to the bone after a big night with Brendan Bowyer and The Royal, or with Des Kelly and The Capitol and YES..I was there the night the devil itself appeared…that poor person that danced with it got a terrible shock..I often wondered after what became of them….they have great gigs now in The Basilica in Knock…Tommy Fleming is huge there….theres a rumour round Kiltimagh that Garth Brooks may appear there with Dana playing support..that would be some show..a miracle in itself…could Louis Walshe pull it off ?…
Hello Christy,
Something happens in September. It’s the time of year when harp strings snap. It only seems to happen as the summer turns and the autumn is seen. Maybe it’s because the weather can be so up and down. The rest of the year my harps are stable and well behaved.
A high B string went yesterday. A small short string, it hade a noise like someone giving a really resonant drum a good clonking.
I’ve a box full of strings. All labelled or you’d have no chance working it out with 34 of them and they are all different gauges. There’s a complicated knot to cobble together behind the soundboard, with a rigid gut anchor.
The noise is so clean and clear once the thing is, stretched into place.
Rebecca
Christy's reply
34 strings…holy mother of sweet divine but that is some task..no wonder all harpists go straight to heaven
I’ve had a go at finding John’s poem, but no luck so far, But, as so often, another rabbit hole emerged… some great GAA info at http://www.bc.edu of if you google ‘ GAA oral history exhibition’… the link can be a bit elusive, but once there’s a connection to the project, there are brilliant county wide recollections – eg Kildare, featuring Newbridge facts!
On the basis that neutrals don’t have to be fully, neutral, I’m backing Mayo. Late in laws had their roots there and I’ve had many a good day wandering around ‘the home place’ a few miles outside Knock.I hope it’s a great game and does justice to the occasion.
I’m reminded of ‘The Silver Tassie’. I saw the Druid theatre touring the play at The Lowry theatre a few years back – totally wonderful.
Thoughts also in the US today – Bowie’s ‘Heroes’ poised for a play after a brew is made…
Have a good day
Dave
Christy's reply
We’re all stiff and sore this morning…
Tyrone were fiercely focused, almost frighteningly so…
Mayo still the most beautiful of places…
(” at the early age of 38 my Mother said Go West “! )
Some beautiful Amy Winehouse reflections on the Beeb last night
What a voice,what a musician,what a loss,what a legacy from one who died so young
Christy's reply
We’re all stiff and sore this morning…
Tyrone were fiercely focused, almost frighteningly so…
Mayo still the most beautiful of places…
( at the early age of 38 my Mother said Go West ! )
Some beautiful Amy Winehouse reflections on the Beeb last night
What a voice,what a musician,what a loss,what a legacy from one who died so young
Dear Christy,
Just a thought as you begin to gather your troubadors around you for gigs.
Today i have been listening a lot to one of the greatest live acts i have witnessed over the last 40+ years , Tuam’s very own Saw Doctors.
So next time you are sharing a green room with Jimmy Higgins please thank him from me for the part he played in their brilliance.
Indeed i watched a youtube video just now of one of their most underrated songs Exhilirating Sadness , and there on stage at Galway 2003 is none other than a cycling gloves clad Jimmy.
Lovely stuff.
Cheers
Rory
Christy's reply
Now there is a Band that could get a crowd revved up…I’ve seen them in action many times…in London, New York and Tourmakeady…..no finesse but lotsa soul, true Paddy Punks, them boys carry the Tuam Beat with pride and mighty crank…never burdened with that awful affliction of trying to be cool ….I wish them well wherever the van takes them
Christy Moore and friends,
With Armagh winning its first All-Ireland over Michael O’Muircheartaigh’s beloved Kerry in ’02, he was choked up, teary eyed and proud Sam was making trip to Ulster. Thlaw moments can’t be orchestrated. Up Mayo.
I’m reminded of a poem found on a 3 cd/book collection I passed along. It was my favourite from the collection, but I haven’t found it since last hearing. Its hero is a footballer. Center Field – “…to rise up…to raise the cup, the cup that cannot pass…”. I was moved by the words of entire poem and especially the poignant way it speaks of striving, humility, and mortality. Does anyone know what poet and poem?
Christy's reply
I’m reminded of “The Gallant John Joe”….can anyone here help Brendan in his search ?
Lily whites…. still goin for the one in a row…… you can take a man from the bog…….
Must’ve been a long auld sit in Dungannon ’08 for H. Though I’m sure it went down well with the O Neill folks.
Tough one to call for Sam tomorrow…. Will be no prisoners taken for sure .
Tranmere Rovers for the cup.
Christy's reply
I still vividly recall the Leinster Final of 1956….smiling Paddy Moore of Carbury (and Moorefield) sailing thru the air to pluck high balls from the sky…we won that August Sunday. I was 11. It was the last game I attended with our Father who died 2 months later. It was a beautiful day, a memory created by GAA
Hilary, lest there be any dispute, a certain Guitarist is wearing one too…. See page 1.
Christy's reply
I remember Declan’s face when I handed him the jersey…but, as always, he entered the spirit of the occasion, like a true shelmalier , he pulled it on and out we went in the Dungannon Sport Centre. As he says himself
“You gotta take a chance sometime”
Hi All, It’s the eve of a historic All Ireland. John from Liverpool ( he and Mo the winners of Desert Island Discs Prize in 2007 ) tried to flush CM out on his favoured team, aside of course from the Lily Whites ( minus their Kerry Manager ). He would n’t be drawn into it, however, there was a time when CM appeared in a Tir Eoghan Jersey on 22nd Nov 2008 for the encore of the gig in the Leisure Centre in Dungannon, it just happened to be the year they beat An Riocht !! And if anyone cares to open Page 3 of the Gallery here on this site they will see a photo. I know its not photoshopped cos I was there !! I do n’t know if he ever wore the Green & Red of Mayo ? So may the best team, may be it a good clean sporting game …. and may the West be Awake ! Beir bua agus beannacht. H
Christy's reply
I recall the night vividly…..Declan and I donning the jersies, meeting Bernadette McAliskey and her family in the dressing room after the gig…… but one memory stands out… a queue of well wishers formed, I sat on the edge of the stage,I looked down the queue and there stood Mickey Harte and his daughter Michaela,in the queue quietly with all the other good listeners, no fuss,no brouhaha, I’ll always remember that moment….
Just read a great newsletter from Susan O’Neill http://www.son.ie including a video of ‘In the game’with Mick Flannery. Great insights into their collaboration, especially working around Covid restrictions.Several other great songs/videos online.
A lovely, sincere tone to the update/her appreciation of audience and chance to travel to the USA, where she’s about to start a tour.
Music is vital, but even better when sincerity backs it up. Never better shown than in times of difficulty.
Dave
Christy's reply
heard her sing in Killarney a while back…Susan rocked the joint
Hi Christy
Listening to Christie Hennessy this afternoon…such easy listening.. I know you had a friendship with him through music and the great songs he shared with you..did ye ever play music together?
Thanks a million for taking the time to listen to the song Christy. Sometimes the world doesn’t feel big enough.. anyway… Hope you’re keeping well. Go steady 👍
Brilliant tribute from Newbridge (via Rory), Christy
The power of music…also, poignantly shown by Paul Simon playing ‘ Sound of Silence’ in New York last Saturday at the 9/11 commemoration – also on youtube…no words do justice…
Dave
Dear Christy
Just been sent the moving youtube video of the Newbridge Choir and various jockeys singing Stand By Me in memory of Pat Smullen.
Very moving tribute.
Some 4711ers may like to find it.
Great jockey, great man, sadly missed.
Regards
Rory
Hello Christy,
Ok, so iv got a gig and it’s the real deal. It’s all mine with my name on it.
Thursday 14th October, 2.30pm at Brighouse library. It’s part of the Brighouse Arts Festival. Tickets on sale, advertising, everything.
I’m such a beginner, I done even know if I’m getting paid. Business is a complete mystery to me.
I ran through an hours music yesterday. I’m going to have to take it easy. I’ve got 4 and a half weeks to build up stamina and work out what’s doable.
Thankyou for providing this space where I can talk.
Rebecca
I was well down the road before I encountered the need to engage with “the business”…when the time came it was indeed hazardous and most of us learned the hard way..latterly, many musicians are so focused on the business that it encroaches upon the development of their practicen and their art…..there are hundreds of students in Ireland at 3rd level institutions receiving every kind of instruction imaginable in a huge variety of courses and then coming out with degrees…I would not swap my apprenticeship for any of it …nights in a thousand folk clubs, hard travelling, hearing and meeting hundreds of singers and players….I’m remembering now…my album “Prosperous” and the subsequent formation of Planxty happened with no involvement whatsoever from the music “business”…that all came later
Mornin’ Christy/ all
Good on Ed for the youtube trawling… after watching the All Ireland final via SKY tv, it was great to read your recollections of Mayo ballrooms/gig venues.
As a veteran of ‘The Carousel’ here and ‘Beechmount’, Navan, I hit youtube for sights and sounds of showbands… some brilliant stuff is preserved – and a great BBC4 doc ‘When Ireland learned to dance’ – fronted by Ardal O’Hanlon,it features archive gems + recent interviews with musicians.Well worth a look…
Have a good day
Dave
We’ve done the investigating (the ‘investigations dept’).
I’ve gone listening and found the track, you tube.
It is indeed ‘thirty eight’, 38. There was I thinking I’d full qualifications to go walking the line tonight from Athlone complete with flashlight and me going Mayo-bound aged ’58 + 8′ to find this Mayo train.
Dear God.
On the right hand side of my You Tube page, a line, I looked: ‘The Broad Majestic Shannon’, Liam Clancy’s singing of the Shane McGowan song; great. I listened to it twice. The river we perhaps thought a winning Mayo side could have come crossing. But alas not to be.
Sweenys Men. Now there’s great music to be listening to.
Poor Mayo. They didnt get going. Tyrone came to do a job and focused; and did it.
“Rattlin Roarin Willie”
D.
That’s great you got to see the game. Was it relayed online?
Was doing some detective work over weekend. Would we see a winning team from the west coming here by rail going west? All said ‘no’. Covid. No gatherings. Too afraid of public gatherings. I might lep off out along the line later with a flashlamp looking for a Mayo train taking the ‘poor vanquished children of Eve’ out west.
While mentioning going west….. C, are not those lyrics ‘at the early age of fifty eight…..’?
Christ Almighty Ed but shure was’nt I only 38 when I wrote that old ditty…on the back of it I was invited to travel on the first flight into Knock Airport..that same night I was already booked to play in The Pound Loney in Belfast…twas a no brainer……
“Did NATO donate the dough me boys
Did NATO donate the dough” ?
Hi Christy
Great to see the match on tv…so long since I saw an All Ireland final. To my inexperienced eye, it seemed to boil down to Tyrone making more of their opportunities than Mayo did of theirs… cool heads and determination certainly to the fore.
So sad that we talk of Amy Winehouse’s amazing legacy, not her continuing career… what a wonderful talent. Talking of talent..’Sweeney’s Men’ are rocking the turntable as I type – hooked on them since first hearing aeons back…rolling all night and day for sure!
Enjoy the day
Dave
Morra Dave..good first half,almost level pegging…second half Tyrone were fired up, determined, ruthless and ran out fairly easy winners as Mayo seemed to fall asunder…
but Mayo is still a most beautiful County…has always been a great place for live music….The Travellers Friend, The Beaten Path,The Best in The West (thats) Pontoon, The Westenra, Andy Creightons in Claremorris, Matt Molloy’s in Westport, O’Hara’s in Foxford,…I could be listing them off half the night…..not forgetting The Midas Club in Ballyhaunis and The Devils Dancehall in Toureen overseen by FR Jim himself…. I used to count (weigh) his lodgements in The National Bank in Ballyhaunis in 1965…me feckin fingers would be worn to the bone after a big night with Brendan Bowyer and The Royal, or with Des Kelly and The Capitol and YES..I was there the night the devil itself appeared…that poor person that danced with it got a terrible shock..I often wondered after what became of them….they have great gigs now in The Basilica in Knock…Tommy Fleming is huge there….theres a rumour round Kiltimagh that Garth Brooks may appear there with Dana playing support..that would be some show..a miracle in itself…could Louis Walshe pull it off ?…
maybe he could’nt sez Cúnla
I hope you don’t mind me saying this Christy, but your Dad sounds like he was great.
Andy Moore, Moorefield, Newbridge, County Kildare 1915-1956.
Remembered by his Family with Love and great Affection.
Hello Christy,
Something happens in September. It’s the time of year when harp strings snap. It only seems to happen as the summer turns and the autumn is seen. Maybe it’s because the weather can be so up and down. The rest of the year my harps are stable and well behaved.
A high B string went yesterday. A small short string, it hade a noise like someone giving a really resonant drum a good clonking.
I’ve a box full of strings. All labelled or you’d have no chance working it out with 34 of them and they are all different gauges. There’s a complicated knot to cobble together behind the soundboard, with a rigid gut anchor.
The noise is so clean and clear once the thing is, stretched into place.
Rebecca
34 strings…holy mother of sweet divine but that is some task..no wonder all harpists go straight to heaven
Mornin’ Christy
I’ve had a go at finding John’s poem, but no luck so far, But, as so often, another rabbit hole emerged… some great GAA info at http://www.bc.edu of if you google ‘ GAA oral history exhibition’… the link can be a bit elusive, but once there’s a connection to the project, there are brilliant county wide recollections – eg Kildare, featuring Newbridge facts!
On the basis that neutrals don’t have to be fully, neutral, I’m backing Mayo. Late in laws had their roots there and I’ve had many a good day wandering around ‘the home place’ a few miles outside Knock.I hope it’s a great game and does justice to the occasion.
I’m reminded of ‘The Silver Tassie’. I saw the Druid theatre touring the play at The Lowry theatre a few years back – totally wonderful.
Thoughts also in the US today – Bowie’s ‘Heroes’ poised for a play after a brew is made…
Have a good day
Dave
We’re all stiff and sore this morning…
Tyrone were fiercely focused, almost frighteningly so…
Mayo still the most beautiful of places…
(” at the early age of 38 my Mother said Go West “! )
Some beautiful Amy Winehouse reflections on the Beeb last night
What a voice,what a musician,what a loss,what a legacy from one who died so young
We’re all stiff and sore this morning…
Tyrone were fiercely focused, almost frighteningly so…
Mayo still the most beautiful of places…
( at the early age of 38 my Mother said Go West ! )
Some beautiful Amy Winehouse reflections on the Beeb last night
What a voice,what a musician,what a loss,what a legacy from one who died so young
Dear Christy,
Just a thought as you begin to gather your troubadors around you for gigs.
Today i have been listening a lot to one of the greatest live acts i have witnessed over the last 40+ years , Tuam’s very own Saw Doctors.
So next time you are sharing a green room with Jimmy Higgins please thank him from me for the part he played in their brilliance.
Indeed i watched a youtube video just now of one of their most underrated songs Exhilirating Sadness , and there on stage at Galway 2003 is none other than a cycling gloves clad Jimmy.
Lovely stuff.
Cheers
Rory
Now there is a Band that could get a crowd revved up…I’ve seen them in action many times…in London, New York and Tourmakeady…..no finesse but lotsa soul, true Paddy Punks, them boys carry the Tuam Beat with pride and mighty crank…never burdened with that awful affliction of trying to be cool ….I wish them well wherever the van takes them
When can we hope to see you back in Edinburgh Christy?
Soon as we get the call …for Auld Reekie we will all set sail
Christy Moore and friends,
With Armagh winning its first All-Ireland over Michael O’Muircheartaigh’s beloved Kerry in ’02, he was choked up, teary eyed and proud Sam was making trip to Ulster. Thlaw moments can’t be orchestrated. Up Mayo.
I’m reminded of a poem found on a 3 cd/book collection I passed along. It was my favourite from the collection, but I haven’t found it since last hearing. Its hero is a footballer. Center Field – “…to rise up…to raise the cup, the cup that cannot pass…”. I was moved by the words of entire poem and especially the poignant way it speaks of striving, humility, and mortality. Does anyone know what poet and poem?
I’m reminded of “The Gallant John Joe”….can anyone here help Brendan in his search ?
Lily whites…. still goin for the one in a row…… you can take a man from the bog…….
Must’ve been a long auld sit in Dungannon ’08 for H. Though I’m sure it went down well with the O Neill folks.
Tough one to call for Sam tomorrow…. Will be no prisoners taken for sure .
Tranmere Rovers for the cup.
I still vividly recall the Leinster Final of 1956….smiling Paddy Moore of Carbury (and Moorefield) sailing thru the air to pluck high balls from the sky…we won that August Sunday. I was 11. It was the last game I attended with our Father who died 2 months later. It was a beautiful day, a memory created by GAA
Hilary, lest there be any dispute, a certain Guitarist is wearing one too…. See page 1.
I remember Declan’s face when I handed him the jersey…but, as always, he entered the spirit of the occasion, like a true shelmalier , he pulled it on and out we went in the Dungannon Sport Centre. As he says himself
“You gotta take a chance sometime”
Hi All, It’s the eve of a historic All Ireland. John from Liverpool ( he and Mo the winners of Desert Island Discs Prize in 2007 ) tried to flush CM out on his favoured team, aside of course from the Lily Whites ( minus their Kerry Manager ). He would n’t be drawn into it, however, there was a time when CM appeared in a Tir Eoghan Jersey on 22nd Nov 2008 for the encore of the gig in the Leisure Centre in Dungannon, it just happened to be the year they beat An Riocht !! And if anyone cares to open Page 3 of the Gallery here on this site they will see a photo. I know its not photoshopped cos I was there !! I do n’t know if he ever wore the Green & Red of Mayo ? So may the best team, may be it a good clean sporting game …. and may the West be Awake ! Beir bua agus beannacht. H
I recall the night vividly…..Declan and I donning the jersies, meeting Bernadette McAliskey and her family in the dressing room after the gig…… but one memory stands out… a queue of well wishers formed, I sat on the edge of the stage,I looked down the queue and there stood Mickey Harte and his daughter Michaela,in the queue quietly with all the other good listeners, no fuss,no brouhaha, I’ll always remember that moment….
Hi Christy
Just read a great newsletter from Susan O’Neill http://www.son.ie including a video of ‘In the game’with Mick Flannery. Great insights into their collaboration, especially working around Covid restrictions.Several other great songs/videos online.
A lovely, sincere tone to the update/her appreciation of audience and chance to travel to the USA, where she’s about to start a tour.
Music is vital, but even better when sincerity backs it up. Never better shown than in times of difficulty.
Dave
heard her sing in Killarney a while back…Susan rocked the joint
Hi Christy
Listening to Christie Hennessy this afternoon…such easy listening.. I know you had a friendship with him through music and the great songs he shared with you..did ye ever play music together?
a little bit..but not in public…..a beautiful man
Thanks a million for taking the time to listen to the song Christy. Sometimes the world doesn’t feel big enough.. anyway… Hope you’re keeping well. Go steady 👍