Morning Christy,
You were saying earlier that :
“well aware that no one may read this..”
Be assured that indeed it will be read….. it’s part of a daily ritual for lots of us to check in on the Guestbook and catch up on the latest chat and happenings. Your replies this morning gave me a few laughs. Continue what you do….. it is indeed well read and appreciated.
Enjoy your Belfast trip.
Ride on.
Patsy
Christy's reply
some close friends are perplexed by my ongoing interactions with this platform….so be it…for 30 years of my life I frequented dark corners of snugs, lounges,bars, clubs, shebeens,speak-hards and speakeasys….this is an easier, softer way to communicate with friends, strangers and people I will never meet…songs at the heart of it all… where once alcohol and substances were the primary purpose..
Morning Christy,
Have a great time in Belfast, am sure the gigs will be fantastic.
After my family, then sport and music are my next loves. Therefore songs that combine the two are particularly special, whether its the ballad of ruby, sodom and begorra or scotland’s world cup song for argentina ‘ole ola’, but a special lyric is this one……
Shirley how can you lie there and think of England, when you don’t even know who’s in the team.”
Billy Bragg ‘greetings to the new brunette’.
Absolute class
Rory
Christy's reply
The Bould Thady Quill
Master McGrath
Donnolly & Cooper
The Ballad of Arkle ( D Behan)
met Billy once on a flight from Sydney to Perth WA…sound man
Hello Christy,
So I went to find out about the burst rugby ball. I’m sticking with your story, it’s much better.
Never let the truth get in the way of a good story…
Looking forward to the Sages thing. We’re going to have a bash at snaffling it so we can watch it in the wrong country.
The little harp with the massive personality is going well.
Starting to hold pitch for a while so I don’t spend hours tuning to play for 5 minutes out of tune.
You know how an old instrument just fts you, but a new one feels awkward, starting to find how it fits.
Maidin mhaith a Christy, Heading to Dublin shortly for Ireland’s Future – Together we can event. Just read about the coming release of Almost Everything – Paddy Kavanagh’s poems on vinyl. ‘O leafy yellowness you create for me a world that was and now is poised above time…’ What a wonderful collaboration of poet and artists. Look forward to hearing you reading October. Go well
Christy's reply
safe journey South….hope today goes well, sorry I could not be there…the Patrick Kavanagh album is godd..particularly his own spoken words…. for me,Rachel Blackmore wins the laurel on the other disc
Hello Christy
Looking forward to Monday and hopefully the Voyage will be in your head that evening. Big 30th anniversary for us.
When we started our voyage it was just me and you, now gathered round us we have our own crew….
You know the rest 🥳🤣
Have a good one 👍
Christy's reply
Johnny Duhan’s classic song is never far from my mind Róisín…ever since he sang it to me almost 40 years ago…he also wrote El Salvador on the 1985 “Ride On” Album and “100 Miles from Home” on the red disc from “The Box Set 1964-2004”
its one of those nights here… nights when I tinker around here on the site… well aware that no one may read this..but comfortable in the knowledge that it don’t really matter….it keeps me on the straight and narrow..
like poor auld Matty headin out on a frozen night headin straight down that frozen Curra line
or Lawless on his way to (the late) Clarkes in Ringsend….some night I does be feelin like Chase-The-Hearse-Whelan…
but I’m looking forward to whatever tomorrow brings
Hi Christy how ya keeping. Just checking on the off chance that after your shows in Belfast next week, if you would fancy coming onto my podcast Cheese Crisps to talk about your music and give us some stories from the road. Just an ol yarn and a bitta craic. Thanks a million for the music and good luck with the gigs. All the best
Christy's reply
agh jasus kev..after 2 gigs in Belfast it will be straight into the Oxygen tent with me rosary beads and reiki massage person standing by..after that I’ll go for a jog up the Black Mountain followed by a bucket of chowder in An Cultúrlann suas an mBóthar….I kinda have a bit of a pain in my hole talkin about the songs..I just want to sing them and get up on me bike..years ago I’d be in the Pound Loney or the Marty Forsythe gettin dogs abuse in the latrine for venturing out of the Free State to sing ..then one night I tried staying in The Culloden and that was even worse…..but I must have a listen to thon Cheese Crisps Podcast to hear what your up to…but be warned ..I dont do old yarns and my crack is sealed…..
Hi Christy, so I’ve been listening to one of my all time favorites, Johnny Cash’s interpretation of Hurt and I stumbled upon your own singing of the song. Really incredible, not sure how I missed it before now ! thank you. Anyway, I’ve got a seat next week at the Waterfront in Belfast on the 5th, Imagine that ! I haven’t been in Belfast since 1988. I’m so looking forward to the gig and reconnecting with the songs and with you. Kindest regards Christy and see you soon.
Christy's reply
Hi Brian, after 34 years you’ll find Belfast a changed City…. hope you have a good trip…its been over 3 years since I played beneath the Black Mountain…been thinking about the set lately….but all thinking and planning goes out the window as soon as the lights go down.. a trance descends upon the old ballad singer and I just gotta try and keep up with whatever vagary takes him….50 years ago I was the one in control but gradually he took charge….these days he simply bults me aside..it happens in those few steps from backstage to centre stage…at the start of the walk I feel totally in control but soon as I sit down and pick up the resonator he is the one in charge….I simply sit there for the next two hours and follow the leader..
that Hurt is a powerful song and a great one to sing… I seldom risk it for it is a song that J.Cash made his own..but every now and then the moment seems right to “chance”it..that recording you heard was one such occasion..I was playing Trent Reznick’s hit with the Companeros when David hit the record button on his desk and it ended up on an album..I’ve not gigged it 5 times since..maybe it’ll tumble out in Béal Feirste
With all the gigs coming up Christy can i give a shout for having one in cashel/clonmel/tipp area on saturday 18th feb 2023.
Cammy and i are coming over to the Glen of Aherlow as that is the 100th anniversary of the death of The Galtee Mountain Boy there, Dinny Lacy ( lacey).
Not trying to tell you what to do, nor trying to become your hawick ‘ticket master’ , just a whim of mine.
The history of heroes will be marked.
Best regards
Rory
Christy's reply
Melody’s of Ballymacarberry or The Hidden Inn, Kilmanahan or Annie Keogh’s, Parnell St or Donie Ryan’s of The Bridge or maybe a world tour of the South Riding with Count De La Paor and Lord Donaghmore playing support
Rebeccah. Look up the auction webpage. Go to lot 866. A fair bit of history in this I reckon. That was a wise move re: the harp. I could see you getting bogged down in that ‘project’ unless you knew just what you were buying.
Hi Christy,
Expensive fillies at Goffs today, stable lads, magniers, O’ryans ( the great Bobby) , sir nick, jockey boys and all bidding away, maybe for a seat to see you play there….maybe for a welll bred filly.
Anyways, i reminded myself tonight of the outstanding un-released track ‘The Bike Sheds’ by the outstanding David Keenan, here goes at my annual attempt at a link.
I hope you and Dagrab can enjoy it….if i aint messed the linking thing .
Rory
Christy's reply
Been listening to David on and off for 7 years..a great voice……may all his dreams come true
Once did a long run in Goffs way back in the 80s…Liam O’Flynn’s family home just across the road..12 miles from my own home place….went to the Benson & Hedges ( cough splutter) Irish Snooker there a few times before I realised its much better on the telly
Hello, I’m sorry to use this platform for this but was wondering if by chance anyone has 2 tickets but unable to attend to the Mountmellick show on October 19th. My wife to be and I will be on our Honeymoon in Ireland from Canada that week and we had been watching for tickets but it sold out in the blink of an eye. If I could surprise her with tickets would be amazing, as Christy is our favorite and “The Voyage” is going to be our wedding song, so would be very special to us to be able to attend. I know it’s a long shot but thought I would throw it out there to the fans. Thank you.
Morgan Adams
Hello Christy,
I’m intrigued by Ed’s “burst rugby ball” that sold for 1700 euros. I wonder what it was… It’s a very expensive burst rugby ball…
The auction house sent me some extra pics of the harp. It had some big cracks in the soundbox. Way beyond what I could deal with. So I pulled my common sense into a heap and left well alone.
Has anyone else seen a clip of Davog Rynne singing Lagan Love? It looked like a gig in a church? It was beautiful but I can’t find it now.
Rebecca
Christy's reply
I scored a single try during my short career in Senior Rugby..propping with Corinthians of Galway versus Clontarf of Dublin circa 1965..the one and only time that our wing-man Paddy Flynn ever passed a ball I happened to be the recipient..I sprinted the remaining 3 yards before collapsing over the line for a match winning try…in the process the Gilbert was burst and so it remained ’til that recent auction..there was huge excitement in the room with Cian Healy outbidding both Tadgh Furlong and Johnny Sexton for possession of the prize…according to a seasoned Alickadoo they were “bursting their balls” to bring the trophy home but it soon became apparent that Cian was prepared to go all the way….
Lar F. 12 nights at the Gaiety. God, you’re taking me back. I went to them. Two or three years in a row. Christy and guests. He’d play a week there.
Ya met a good one there Lar, person who left the stuff in local garda station. If they knew the person and were able to pass on a reward to the person. You can meet some good ones out there. Someone I know, valuable astronomical equipment; stolen. He wont get it back. He knows what happened.
R.
The harp went for €320. Only slightly above minimum reserve set price. Snag is what would you be buying? You’d have a house full of old harps and you wouldnt know what to be doing with them. Then add in shipping costs. An item, it looked like a ‘burst rugby ball’ went for €1700. It seemed to have history around it. Way above, it got about double the maximum reserve reserve price.
Christy's reply
I hear that twas the woodworm that was holding it together
12 nights The Gaiety, 10 nights at The Point, 6 nights in Goffs..and many in between…ood memories..looking forward to some gigs in Vicar Street now…hope all great..did a nice interview with John Spillane on the radio show last week..his new album with the Cork Opera House orchestra, is an absolute beauty..A Different Light it’s called…
Three weeks ago I left expensive photo equipment by mistake near Malahide beach…gone, until some kind soul brought it to Malade garda station yesterday, where I will sheepishly pick it up Friday.. goid deed by someone…have a grand day..x
Christy's reply
O Lar ..the energy of youth..god be with the days..
congrats on your new career ..you are sounding great on Dublin City FM..also saw your recently on the box..lorrying into the champers in some swanky Belfast Hotel…and why would’nt you… we must hook up for a yarn…Ride On Lar
Morning Christy,
You were saying earlier that :
“well aware that no one may read this..”
Be assured that indeed it will be read….. it’s part of a daily ritual for lots of us to check in on the Guestbook and catch up on the latest chat and happenings. Your replies this morning gave me a few laughs. Continue what you do….. it is indeed well read and appreciated.
Enjoy your Belfast trip.
Ride on.
Patsy
some close friends are perplexed by my ongoing interactions with this platform….so be it…for 30 years of my life I frequented dark corners of snugs, lounges,bars, clubs, shebeens,speak-hards and speakeasys….this is an easier, softer way to communicate with friends, strangers and people I will never meet…songs at the heart of it all… where once alcohol and substances were the primary purpose..
Morning Christy,
Have a great time in Belfast, am sure the gigs will be fantastic.
After my family, then sport and music are my next loves. Therefore songs that combine the two are particularly special, whether its the ballad of ruby, sodom and begorra or scotland’s world cup song for argentina ‘ole ola’, but a special lyric is this one……
Shirley how can you lie there and think of England, when you don’t even know who’s in the team.”
Billy Bragg ‘greetings to the new brunette’.
Absolute class
Rory
The Bould Thady Quill
Master McGrath
Donnolly & Cooper
The Ballad of Arkle ( D Behan)
met Billy once on a flight from Sydney to Perth WA…sound man
Hello Christy,
So I went to find out about the burst rugby ball. I’m sticking with your story, it’s much better.
Never let the truth get in the way of a good story…
Looking forward to the Sages thing. We’re going to have a bash at snaffling it so we can watch it in the wrong country.
The little harp with the massive personality is going well.
Starting to hold pitch for a while so I don’t spend hours tuning to play for 5 minutes out of tune.
You know how an old instrument just fts you, but a new one feels awkward, starting to find how it fits.
Rebecca
Maidin mhaith a Christy, Heading to Dublin shortly for Ireland’s Future – Together we can event. Just read about the coming release of Almost Everything – Paddy Kavanagh’s poems on vinyl. ‘O leafy yellowness you create for me a world that was and now is poised above time…’ What a wonderful collaboration of poet and artists. Look forward to hearing you reading October. Go well
safe journey South….hope today goes well, sorry I could not be there…the Patrick Kavanagh album is godd..particularly his own spoken words…. for me,Rachel Blackmore wins the laurel on the other disc
Hello Christy
Looking forward to Monday and hopefully the Voyage will be in your head that evening. Big 30th anniversary for us.
When we started our voyage it was just me and you, now gathered round us we have our own crew….
You know the rest 🥳🤣
Have a good one 👍
Johnny Duhan’s classic song is never far from my mind Róisín…ever since he sang it to me almost 40 years ago…he also wrote El Salvador on the 1985 “Ride On” Album and “100 Miles from Home” on the red disc from “The Box Set 1964-2004”
its one of those nights here… nights when I tinker around here on the site… well aware that no one may read this..but comfortable in the knowledge that it don’t really matter….it keeps me on the straight and narrow..
like poor auld Matty headin out on a frozen night headin straight down that frozen Curra line
or Lawless on his way to (the late) Clarkes in Ringsend….some night I does be feelin like Chase-The-Hearse-Whelan…
but I’m looking forward to whatever tomorrow brings
Hi Christy how ya keeping. Just checking on the off chance that after your shows in Belfast next week, if you would fancy coming onto my podcast Cheese Crisps to talk about your music and give us some stories from the road. Just an ol yarn and a bitta craic. Thanks a million for the music and good luck with the gigs. All the best
agh jasus kev..after 2 gigs in Belfast it will be straight into the Oxygen tent with me rosary beads and reiki massage person standing by..after that I’ll go for a jog up the Black Mountain followed by a bucket of chowder in An Cultúrlann suas an mBóthar….I kinda have a bit of a pain in my hole talkin about the songs..I just want to sing them and get up on me bike..years ago I’d be in the Pound Loney or the Marty Forsythe gettin dogs abuse in the latrine for venturing out of the Free State to sing ..then one night I tried staying in The Culloden and that was even worse…..but I must have a listen to thon Cheese Crisps Podcast to hear what your up to…but be warned ..I dont do old yarns and my crack is sealed…..
Hi C. More good news following the announcement of 12 nights in Vicar St, the ITMA have extended their excellent series Drawing from the Well with Saoithe. It starts next Weds 5th Oct with your good self https://www.itma.ie/latest/news/dfte-saoithe-launch-2022?fbclid=IwAR2tyG4eGV7zKlsBh23yfdGiCBuZkJj7po8c47kWErRqSXJ5GuXgmTHrz2k I see there is ” low availability ” for all the Vicar St gigs already and they not long on sale ! Beir bua agus beannacht. H
I’ll be 7 years a ringin a bell
I hurt myself today
To see if I still feel
I focus on the pain
The only thing that’s real…
Powerful stuff,
Can’t wait for the gig.
Brian.
stall the digger sham
Hi Christy, so I’ve been listening to one of my all time favorites, Johnny Cash’s interpretation of Hurt and I stumbled upon your own singing of the song. Really incredible, not sure how I missed it before now ! thank you. Anyway, I’ve got a seat next week at the Waterfront in Belfast on the 5th, Imagine that ! I haven’t been in Belfast since 1988. I’m so looking forward to the gig and reconnecting with the songs and with you. Kindest regards Christy and see you soon.
Hi Brian, after 34 years you’ll find Belfast a changed City…. hope you have a good trip…its been over 3 years since I played beneath the Black Mountain…been thinking about the set lately….but all thinking and planning goes out the window as soon as the lights go down.. a trance descends upon the old ballad singer and I just gotta try and keep up with whatever vagary takes him….50 years ago I was the one in control but gradually he took charge….these days he simply bults me aside..it happens in those few steps from backstage to centre stage…at the start of the walk I feel totally in control but soon as I sit down and pick up the resonator he is the one in charge….I simply sit there for the next two hours and follow the leader..
that Hurt is a powerful song and a great one to sing… I seldom risk it for it is a song that J.Cash made his own..but every now and then the moment seems right to “chance”it..that recording you heard was one such occasion..I was playing Trent Reznick’s hit with the Companeros when David hit the record button on his desk and it ended up on an album..I’ve not gigged it 5 times since..maybe it’ll tumble out in Béal Feirste
With all the gigs coming up Christy can i give a shout for having one in cashel/clonmel/tipp area on saturday 18th feb 2023.
Cammy and i are coming over to the Glen of Aherlow as that is the 100th anniversary of the death of The Galtee Mountain Boy there, Dinny Lacy ( lacey).
Not trying to tell you what to do, nor trying to become your hawick ‘ticket master’ , just a whim of mine.
The history of heroes will be marked.
Best regards
Rory
Melody’s of Ballymacarberry or The Hidden Inn, Kilmanahan or Annie Keogh’s, Parnell St or Donie Ryan’s of The Bridge or maybe a world tour of the South Riding with Count De La Paor and Lord Donaghmore playing support
Rebeccah. Look up the auction webpage. Go to lot 866. A fair bit of history in this I reckon. That was a wise move re: the harp. I could see you getting bogged down in that ‘project’ unless you knew just what you were buying.
Hi Christy,
Expensive fillies at Goffs today, stable lads, magniers, O’ryans ( the great Bobby) , sir nick, jockey boys and all bidding away, maybe for a seat to see you play there….maybe for a welll bred filly.
Anyways, i reminded myself tonight of the outstanding un-released track ‘The Bike Sheds’ by the outstanding David Keenan, here goes at my annual attempt at a link.
https://youtu.be/_A5MS-bJ2kg
I hope you and Dagrab can enjoy it….if i aint messed the linking thing .
Rory
Been listening to David on and off for 7 years..a great voice……may all his dreams come true
Once did a long run in Goffs way back in the 80s…Liam O’Flynn’s family home just across the road..12 miles from my own home place….went to the Benson & Hedges ( cough splutter) Irish Snooker there a few times before I realised its much better on the telly
Hello, I’m sorry to use this platform for this but was wondering if by chance anyone has 2 tickets but unable to attend to the Mountmellick show on October 19th. My wife to be and I will be on our Honeymoon in Ireland from Canada that week and we had been watching for tickets but it sold out in the blink of an eye. If I could surprise her with tickets would be amazing, as Christy is our favorite and “The Voyage” is going to be our wedding song, so would be very special to us to be able to attend. I know it’s a long shot but thought I would throw it out there to the fans. Thank you.
Morgan Adams
leave it with me
Hello Christy,
I’m intrigued by Ed’s “burst rugby ball” that sold for 1700 euros. I wonder what it was… It’s a very expensive burst rugby ball…
The auction house sent me some extra pics of the harp. It had some big cracks in the soundbox. Way beyond what I could deal with. So I pulled my common sense into a heap and left well alone.
Has anyone else seen a clip of Davog Rynne singing Lagan Love? It looked like a gig in a church? It was beautiful but I can’t find it now.
Rebecca
I scored a single try during my short career in Senior Rugby..propping with Corinthians of Galway versus Clontarf of Dublin circa 1965..the one and only time that our wing-man Paddy Flynn ever passed a ball I happened to be the recipient..I sprinted the remaining 3 yards before collapsing over the line for a match winning try…in the process the Gilbert was burst and so it remained ’til that recent auction..there was huge excitement in the room with Cian Healy outbidding both Tadgh Furlong and Johnny Sexton for possession of the prize…according to a seasoned Alickadoo they were “bursting their balls” to bring the trophy home but it soon became apparent that Cian was prepared to go all the way….
How do I get the link to the pre sale please ?
Can’t Wait for Vicar Street Gig
the same as that
Lar F. 12 nights at the Gaiety. God, you’re taking me back. I went to them. Two or three years in a row. Christy and guests. He’d play a week there.
Ya met a good one there Lar, person who left the stuff in local garda station. If they knew the person and were able to pass on a reward to the person. You can meet some good ones out there. Someone I know, valuable astronomical equipment; stolen. He wont get it back. He knows what happened.
R.
The harp went for €320. Only slightly above minimum reserve set price. Snag is what would you be buying? You’d have a house full of old harps and you wouldnt know what to be doing with them. Then add in shipping costs. An item, it looked like a ‘burst rugby ball’ went for €1700. It seemed to have history around it. Way above, it got about double the maximum reserve reserve price.
I hear that twas the woodworm that was holding it together
12 nights The Gaiety, 10 nights at The Point, 6 nights in Goffs..and many in between…ood memories..looking forward to some gigs in Vicar Street now…hope all great..did a nice interview with John Spillane on the radio show last week..his new album with the Cork Opera House orchestra, is an absolute beauty..A Different Light it’s called…
Three weeks ago I left expensive photo equipment by mistake near Malahide beach…gone, until some kind soul brought it to Malade garda station yesterday, where I will sheepishly pick it up Friday.. goid deed by someone…have a grand day..x
O Lar ..the energy of youth..god be with the days..
congrats on your new career ..you are sounding great on Dublin City FM..also saw your recently on the box..lorrying into the champers in some swanky Belfast Hotel…and why would’nt you… we must hook up for a yarn…Ride On Lar
Sorry for the duplicate, I’ve no idea how it happened…