Website Update
Good Listeners,
The website was down for 48 hours for service and updating.. Its now back on… I’m working on an album here I’ll post an update when that job is done Best for now …
Christy
A Terrible Beauty – Guardian Review
A Terrible Beauty – Irish Times Review
October 2024
The next Album “Terrible Beauty” will be released on Nov 1st 2024.
I’ve been gigging some of the songs of late, a few more are straining at the leash. It’s always a challenge trying to slip new verses into the set…
Over the past months I’ve been slipping them in, hither and thither, hoping that no one would notice…
It has been a very diverse and enjoyable process…recording in different locations, making the best of what was available… David Meade always willing to have a go, Johnny Meade always ready to make it work…. Memories of earlier albums are always linked with different studios…. You had to go to a studio to make an album, all the studios were excessively expensive and totally controlled by music business honchos…. a different buzz these days…. the tide turned when Michelle Shocked recorded an album on her “Walkman” …the cat was well and truly out of the basket…. I recorded the album “Traveller” in our Garden Shed.
Here are the songs we’ve been recording in recent times:
1. Boy in The Wild
The last song Wally Page sent me, a few months before he died. These are the words he shared;
“Hiya Christy, just a kernel of an idea. Might be shite. See if it connects. Wal x”
Wally wrote like no other. A unique wordsmith and melody maker. Working with him was always a pleasure…. He shared generously and collaborated with sensitivity. I loved those precious hours we spent together. Always remembered.
This song means a lot to me – distant memories of my own Father who died when I was 11. In his few brief lines Wally paints a picture that will resound with many. I tagged on the middle 8 but never got to run it past my good Companero.
2. Sunflowers
“Sunflowers” comes from Mike Harding of Crumpsall, Manchester. He sent it to me for a Concert in support of Red Cross in Ukraine… I read it at the gig in Vicar St. Dublin… tried it again in Gavin Murphy’s studio. He created a beautiful setting. Looking out the window of Gavin’s studio I could see Downings House across the fields – Where we recorded the “Prosperous” album 52 years ago.
3. Black and Amber
Says it all…. Briany Brannigan nails it – dysfunction, family abuse, alcoholism, selfishness, cruelty – all wrapped in this fine song. A grand chorus that helps to render the suffering (perhaps) more palatable… it only takes a few verses for the message to sink in…. this is great writing…. after a few months the chorus is already being sung… always a good sign.
4. Lemon Sevens
I’m at a Whelan’s Gig in Dublin…. A Lazarus Soul are playing a stormer…I’m immersed in the sounds of guitar, bass, drums… Briany’s giving it loads but I’m not getting all the words…then I hear him sing: “here’s me head me arse is comin down the Straffan Road” … That sets me off… I gotta read and hear all the words of this song…. I go to the merch table to purchase their albums and bootlegs…. I get home and start to copy down the words of this great song…. it’s a classic ballad, it’s a big song….in my repertoire it sits beside “The Well Below The Valley” “Little Musgrave” and “Gortatagort’… one of the very best of songs…this song will live on – a stark reminder of the times we live in .. and Briany gave me his blessing to proceed.
5. Broomielaw
I was miserably working in The National Bank by day, happily following the songs at night…. There were numerous Music sessions scattered around the city in the mid-1960s – Al O’Donnell, Jessie Owens, Maeve Mulvanney, The Dubliners, Dolly MacMahon, The Ludlows and Danny Doyle were a few of the numerous singers and players that could be heard around Dublin back then…. I followed The Parnell Folk for a time. Mick Moloney, Donal Lunny and Dan Maher were the main players. Mick Moloney used to sing this song. I slept on his floor in Rathmines and we swopped songs. For almost 60 years I’ve had this beautiful song in my repertoire, never gigged or recorded it. Mick died last year in a far-off land…. I sing it in his memory…he was The Rambler from Limerick.
6. Cumann na Mná
This song started out when Mick Blake sent me a few verses that were inspired by Rob Wotton of Sky TV. I played it for Joxer… He was like a terrier onto a badger… I’ve kicked it around for a while and now it’s gaining traction. Various teachers and Gael Goers have already pointed out grammatical incorrections in the brilliant refrain.
Steve Coogan might cover it…
7. The Rock
Five years ago, Cathal Hayden played this at a sound check in Vicar St Dublin…. I’ve never forgotten it. I’ve always had a soft spot for the Banjo… it began one night in Prosperous in 1964 when Barney McKenna rode into County Kildare and joined the session… Ever since my spirits lift when I hear good Banjo playing. Cathal Hayden is a master of both Banjo and Fiddle.
8. Life and Soul
Words spoken (anonymously) at an event in Maynooth University which commemorated the death of young Anne Lovett. Anne died alone, giving birth beneath the stars. Her baby son also perished in that lonely graveyard as Ireland went about its business.
Nigel Rolfe wrote a song for Anne 40 years ago. I recorded that with Sinéad way back…. everybody knew, nobody said (i.e. everybody in Ireland) … Anne Lovett’s death exposed a raw nerve on the Island.
Let us build a loving pagan shrine in her name.
9. Lyra McKee
I tried to write a song in memory of Lyra …. then I received this song from James Cramer. I made contact with him and received his blessing to record it…. I was aware of Lyra before her tragic senseless death…the image of that young murderer firing aimlessly into the crowd still burns darkly…the memory of Lyra shines bright…. a beautiful, courageous and compassionate young woman well remembered in James’ fine song.
10. Darkness Before the Dawn
Pete Kavanagh from Naas wrote this ballad…when he sang it in  The Red Hot Music Club in Kilcullen it was heard by my friend Noel Heavey. Noel tipped me off about this song and I set off in pursuit of Pete Kavanagh. Pete sent me the song and allowed me adjust it to “my fit” …. it’s short and complete and describes a reckless and subsequently disastrous IRA raid on the NAAFI store in my home town of Newbridge…. It would have been a justifiable raid on the English Army of occupation had there not been an innocent civilian family asleep upstairs. This awful event took place 100 yards from our home in Moorefield Terrace. Yet I heard nothing of this tragedy until Pete’s fine song came my way.
11. The Big Marquee
Been struggling to get this song into the set…but recently starting singing it rather than rappin it…it has taken to its air…I’ll record it again in due course…with some companeros making a bit of a racket in the background…very happy with this lyric…
Started writing it as Mick Devine and I drove across the Curragh Plains to play The Marquee in Cork. By the time we hit Dunkettle it was well on the way.
12. Palestine
I was Playing a Concert for Medicin San Frontiers in Gaza and received this song from Jim Page in Seattle…I continued to sing it at subsequent gigs and received permission from Jim to make some alterations and to record it. “Palestine” has been well received (overwhelmingly) every time I sing it…. sparse criticism from supporters of Israel’s genocide on the beleaguered people of Palestine…. some accuse me of being antisemitic.
That concert was a response to seeing the acronym *W.C.N.S.F coined in a Gaza Hospital. Days later that same Hospital was bombed by Israeli Airforce and 3 Doctors fromM.S.F. perished. The concert was dedicated to Dr. Mahmoud Abu Nujaila, Dr. Ahmad Al Sahar,and Dr. Ziad Al-Tatari who died in the attack on Al Awda Hospital.
*Wounded Child No Surviving Family
13. Snowflakes
Damn blast those cowardly pathetic lonely keyboard warriors, their hatred engenders utter despair, can anyone pray for them? I salute the courage and selfless activism of Martin Leahy. “Everyone Should Have a Home” (YouTube).
So that’s it. There you have it… “Terrible Beauty” is due out Nov 1st. It will be on the Claddagh Label (at Universal) …. A Martin Gale painting graces the sleeve, he titled the painting thus…. A single has been released already. It has gained good airplay and response. The next single will have a music video…my first music video since 1986….it features Liam Cunningham and Ollie West who play Father and Son in Ellius Grace’s video of the song “Boy in The Wild” …This was the last song that Wally Page sent me before he died. A great song from my dear friend and collaborator…
The current gigs are tipping along…. this is year 58 of the tour…. crew in good order, everyone focused and pulling out all the stops.
Thank you all out there for listening …
Christy.
October 2024
Pre-Order “A Terrible Beauty”
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Christy Moore, Botanic Gardens, Belfast
published on Dig With It June 5, 2024
Let It Bring Hope
I Just watched this powerful short film about the recent football match between Bohemians VS Palestine on 15th May. If you have 20 minutes to spare today give it a watch – Christy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XrdvKzmsRRw
They Never Came Home
I came across this the other day & thought some of you might be interested in reading … Christy
https://www.rte.ie/history/stardust/2024/0510/1448511-christy-moore-and-the-stardust-tragedy/
2024 Hot Press
Live Report: Christy Moore goes to the Opera
As part of a series of sold-out gigs that will see him on the road until October if not beyond, Christy Moore is going solo and audiences are loving it.
This was Christy Moore in his natural habitat, totally engaged with a Wexford Opera House full of fans, and his songs and stories teeming with heroes and villains. It sure augurs well for the rest of his current tour.
Yes we had the hilarious ‘Joxer Goes to Stuttgart’ and a fabulous solo vocal version of ‘The Ballad of Ruby Walsh’, with a standing Christy trying out his best jockey moves. But other heroes were honoured too, with Wally Page’s ‘The Biko Drum’ getting a welcome outing alongside Bobby Sands’ ‘McIlhatton’ and ‘Lyra McKee’, James Cramer’s tribute to the murdered Belfast journalist
The audience responded with vigour to Christy’s version of Martin Leahy’s fierce putdown of the cowardice of anonymous online trollers. Leahy is the somewhat unsung hero who takes up his weekly position outside Leinster House trying to penetrate the hearts of politicians with his song ‘Everybody Should Have a Home’.
But then Christy is no fan of politicians, as you would gather from the wit and venom of ‘I Hate Politicians’ which neatly segued into ‘Don’t Forget Your Shovel’.
But there was something of a privilege in hearing for the first time Christy singing Jim Page’s brand new ‘Palestine’ which got the biggest cheer of the night.
‘North and South’ was another audience winner. There were less politically-overt favourites too, ‘Beeswing’, ‘The Voyage’, ‘Welcome to the Cabaret’ and ‘The Time Has Come’, and two songs by younger brother Luka in ‘The City of Chicago’ and ‘I’m a Bogman’. They were all delivered with Christy’s voice as strong and as wholesome as ever, his wit on full alert and real anger in his rhythmic guitar accompaniment whenever the song deserved it.
Walking out onto Wexford’s High Street we felt better equipped to face the ongoing depravity of the human race. That’s what a close engagement with Christy Moore does to you. As he said himself, he’s come a long way from The Unyoke Inn to the Opera House.
Jackie Hayden
DavĂłg Rynne Gig – 20th April 2024
My nephew DavĂłg Rynne has been singing in France & Germany for many years. He lives in France with his Family & will make a visit back to Ireland soon to play a gig in The Four Provinces, Kimmage, Dublin on Saturday April 20th 2024. I’ve not heard him sing since Spanish Point 25 years ago – Looking forward to hearing him again.Tickets @ 12 euro – available at Eventbrite – click – HERE
Christy
2023 Cork Marquee Review
Christy Moore Stars at 17th Marquee outing
How does Christy Moore remember all those words, eyes closed, singing and reciting around 10,000 words in two of the most joyful hours ever in the Marquee?
Could Shakespeare recite his hit eyes closed? Total recall. Christy [Moore] is the Arnie [Schwarzenegger – legends don’t need surnames] of Irish folk. It’s just one of his many blessed mysteries. He truly has the gods in his pocket.
With thunder and lightning threatening earlier in the day, we were hoping that Christy’s show in Cork’s Marquee would enjoy a degree of calm between the storms. The gods smiled.
Mercurial, magical, and never one to pull his punches when a point of principle is at stake, Christy Moore really is so much more than Ireland’s undisputed champion of acoustic folk music.
His sold-out show was a thing of beauty, but it was more than that. It was a moment to reflect on the issues currently facing society, not least homelessness. He’s not just shaking a fist at authorities either. When Christy plays Dublin’s Vicar Street in July, the entire proceeds will go to the homeless charity Focus Ireland.
At the Marquee, his passion is evident. “I saw a woman begging on the streets on my way here today, she was in an awful way,” he says. “I’d like to sing this song for her. It’s called ‘Lemon Sevens’, which are tablets that some people crush and smoke.”
He also played “They’re Afraid to Use Their Names’, a new song about social media trolls written by Bandon’s Martin Leahy, with Christy also urging people to visit YouTube to view ‘Everyone Needs A Home”, the protest song Martin sings outside the Dáil every week.
An RTE poll placed Christy as Ireland’s greatest living musician. He’s adored in the Marquee, which he sells out every year. He’s loved like a local for a good reason. “This is my 17th time playing in this tent. I tried to have a song ready for last year’s show, I was writing it on the way down, I have it [‘The Big Marquee’] ready tonight.
Huge applause, name-checking everyone listed in the Cork phonebook, from The Two Norries, John Spillane, Ricky Lynch, and the Irish Examiner.
Christy played solo, though ‘solo’ is too small a word – he’s bigger, both in terms of performance and charm than any 15-piece band. The songs are huge: ‘Ordinary Man’, ‘Delirium Tremens’, ‘Viva la Qunita Brigada’, ‘Lisdoonvarna’, ‘Ride On’, ‘Beeswing’, ‘Lingo Politico (I Hate Politicians)’, with a sprinkling of ‘Don’t Forget Your Shovel’ and ‘Sonny’ (dedicated to the late Christy Dignam).
Incredible repertoire, but his personality is even bigger than the songs. Down these parts, he can do no wrong. He walks on water.
Joe Dermody
Cork Examiner
2021 Irish Times Review
Christy Moore:Â Flying Into Mystery
Solid Outing from Ireland’s greatest treasure
Moore revisits songs by namesake Gary and Bob Dylan alongside a few new of his own.
“It has been a very different recording process this time around,” writes Christy Moore in the liner notes. “Since 1969 I have been involved in recording but never with a total absence of live performance. Since March 2020, all my focus has been on this album.” You would imagine that Moore might have basked in the socially enforced leisure time, but a restless spirit is a restless spirit, and so he did what every other musician does as downtime looms – forget about relaxing, pick up a guitar and write songs.
As is usual for Moore, however, Flying Into Mystery revisits the work of other songwriters as well as throwing some of his own into the pot. He is as astute a curator and collector as he is an original songwriter, and the crux of the album lies primarily in two songs, cover versions that Moore effortlessly makes his own. The opening track, Johnny Boy, was written in the 1980’s by a different Moore (Gary), as a tribute to his friend, Phil Lynott. It connects thematically with the closing track, I Pity the Poor Immigrant, written in the 1960’s by Bob Dylan.
The filling in the sandwich includes revisions of songs not only from his back catalogue but also known songwriters. This isn’t Moore by numbers, however, rather another solid outing from (not that he would ever think of himself as such) Ireland’s greatest living national treasure.
Tony Clayton-Lea
2022 UNCUT Review
Christy Moore
Flying Into Mystery
Legendary Irish veteran still hitting the mark
As someone who has always road-tested his material before recording it, Moore faced a new challenge during lockdown: for the first time in a career lasting 50 years he was forced to make a studio album without having first developed the songs in front of an audience. He’s responded bravely with a mature set of exquisitely crafted ballads, his simple guitar picking burnished with elegant piano-and-strings arrangements. From his stirring climate change protest on ‘Clock Winds Down’ (“The ice caps melt, the Amazon burns, the grid goes down) to his deathless take on Dylan’s ‘I Pity the poor Immigrant’, the results are both masterful and moving.
Nigel Williamson
2022 RnR Magazine Review
Christy Moore
****
Flying Into Mystery
Bookended by ‘Johnny Boy’, Gary Moore’s heartfelt tribute to Phil Lynott, and Bob Dylan’s ‘I Pity the Poor Immigrant’, Flying Into Mystery is everything you’d expect from the esteemed son of County Kildare: well chosen contemporary songs, a smattering of trad.arr. and a few originals with the usual mix of politics, romance, humour and social commentary.
Right from the start Christy Moore’s unparalleled skills as a storyteller draw the listener in, whether he’s putting his own spin on traditional songs ‘Van Diemen’s Land’ and ‘Myra’s Caboose’ (aka ‘The Gander’) or taking contemporary songs, including Mick Hanly’s ‘All I Remember’ and Lynch’s ‘December 1942’, and making them his own thanks to a warm vocal performance that belies his seventy-six years.
Politically, Moore is bang on the money once again with ‘Clock Winds Down’, Jim Page’s timely and powerful reflection/reaction to the climate crisis but, as ever, he doesn’t dwell on the negative, tempering the doom and gloom with the humour of ‘Bord Na Mona Man’, his own homage to the ubiquitous Irish peat company.
Closing with ‘Zozimus & Zimmerman’, an autobiographical tale of watching Bob Dylan perform, Flying Into Mystery is yet another glorious release from a true master of his art.
Dave Haslam
“Flying into Mystery” Cover Art
Dear Listeners,
David Rooney created the sleeve for my recent album “Flying Into Mystery”.
He has now released a limited edition of high quality, signed prints which are available from his website.
A visit to David’s site reveals the extent of his work and what drew me towards our collaboration.
Check it out! https://www.davidrooney.com/
Christy
Chat with Ronan Collins
Dear Listeners,
In case you missed it, here is a link to my recent chat with Ronan Collins:
9th August 2023
Sinéad.
Our Warrior Woman has been laid to rest.
Fearless and Fragile, may She Rest in Peace.
We send our condolences to all her Family and Loved Ones
I had the privilege of singing with Sinéad on a number of occasions.
Always from the heart, always creating magic in the moment.
Together we sang Nigel Rolfe’s memorial to Anne Lovett back in 1987,
Jimmy MacCarthy’s “Mad Lady and Me”, Ewan MacColl’s “First Time Ever”,
his “Sweet Thames Flow Softly” and Sinéad’s “In This Heart”.
The last song we sang together was “Lord Baker” for her “Sean NĂłs Nua” album.
Sinéad reached everyone on this Island and far beyond.
Today She is mourned, She will always be missed, She will never be forgotten.
Mick Blake wrote “Oblivious” which I recorded some years back.
A native of Donegal he has been living and teaching in Leitrim.
I love his work and the way he makes it
He did an interview recently on Highland Radio https://fb.watch/m0B_Ax1thx/
David Rooney (who created the album cover for “Flying into Mystery”) has done an etching of James Connolly.
I will share the news here when a limited edition becomes available.
Work continues here on a bunch of new songs….
I am currently on the annual August break. The crew are resting
Paddy’s at the Boston Fleadh,
Johnny’s at the Hay in Rossnowlagh
Jeff’s at the lights in Sandymount Green
Mick’s with The Dubs on Hill 16
Davy’s up in Derry mixin’ Songs
Dickon’s at the Black & Decker hammer and thongs
Saw a good movie called Blue Jay.
Gonna go and see Oppenheimer.
Been practicing “The Sun is Burning in The Sky” (Ian Cambell) Hiroshima Nagasaki American Roulette (Jim Page), Clock Winds Down (Jim Page) After The Deluge (Jackson Browne), How Long (Jackson Browne).
Singing them to myself here in the workroom, despondent at times, but it’s an uplifting gift to have these songs to sing
Went to New Theatre in Essex St to see Ken Loach’s film on the shafting of Jeremy Corbyn by the Labour Party – “Oh Jeremy Corbyn” – an eye opener which confirmed what many of us have suspected these past years.
Listening to a new album from Steo Wall; “Street Music for Lost Souls” – it’s a good listen.
It’s a grand August day here. It’s great to be alive – sending best wishes to all you songsters out there
Christy
Christy at Vicar Street 2023-2024
Dear Listeners,
Tickets for the annual run of shows in Vicar St.are on sale now.
November 22, 26, 29, 2023
December 4, 11, 29, 2023
January 2, 7, 11, 16, 19, 2024
Further details  here on the gig page
Such a profound loss. Our Warrior Woman – Fearless yet fragile. May SinĂ©ad Rest in Peace
Cork Examiner Review June 19th
Gig to Benefit People Experiencing Homelessness
Dear Listeners,
On Monday 10th July Christy will perform at Vicar Street with all proceeds going to Focus Ireland, founded by Sr Stan.
Focus Ireland is a national voluntary organisation that aims to advance the rights of people in homelessness, and works to prevent, alleviate and eliminate homelessness in Ireland.
The gig is now SOLD OUT, but if you want to contribute to this effort, you can make a donation on focusireland.ie and select Christy Moore Concert as the reason you are donating.
 See Christy speaking about Homelessness Here
Further details  here on the gig page
Four New Shows Announced
Dear Listeners,
We have announced four new Autumn shows.
On Sale Tues May 16th @ 1pm
Cork Opera House Nov 6th, 2023
On Sale Thurs. May 18th @ 10am
Waterfront, Belfast Oct 17th, 2023;
Armagh City Hotel Oct 19th, 2023;
Carrckdale Hotel, Dundalk November 19th, 2023
Further details  here on the gig page
Thank You All …
To all of You,
North-South-East & West Above & Below, Adout & Adin Who made contact who sent birth day good wishes cards texts gifts Thank You, each and every one.. so far,this 78th year, is going very well… Sligo beckons this week, some recording too, a few new songs on the bench.
With gratitude and best wishes
Christy
Castlebar – Oct 28th, 2023 on sale
Dear Listeners,
We have the following date on sale for 2023
Royal Theatre Castlebar Oct 28th, 2023
Further details  here on the gig page
A Chat to start 2023 …
A Chat to start 2023.
Good Listeners all,
It’s a busy day here in the workroom.
Thankfully the year has kicked off well with some gigs in Vicar Street Dublin.
Two new songs introduced – “Lemon 7s” by Brian Brannigan and “Lyra McKee” by James Cramer.
“The Big Marquee” is on the verge and “Zozimus and Zimmerman” chomping on the bit.
great to see some (long-haul) familiar faces returning after the yoke. The gig has been uplifted by the arrival of many new listeners.
The audience participation swelling to Barrowland proportions which is magnificent to behold. These nights the listeners sing joyfully in choral unison then listen carefully when a quiet song begins. After 56 years of gigging it never fails to inspire.
Thankfully the voice appears to be holding up – fingers crossed. I hope to continue as long as the voice box does (and the legs to carry it).
The crew are still intact and on the ball. Paddy, Mick, Dickon, David, John and Geoff still 100% supportive as they strive to ensure that singer and listener can make the best of every gig.
Since covid, gigs have been confined to Ireland (32 Counties). It’s not known yet if or when we’ll ferry again. Air travel is no longer an option for me.
I’ve no specific recording plans but many ideas are kicking about.
Up until recent years, the “next album” would always have been a priority but that seems to have faded a bit. I’ve not tried to analyse this feeling –  Not sure whether it’s my age or the changing attitude to recorded music.
The public listening to music has changed utterly. The return to vinyl is promising – nothing beats good audio reproduction. The full sound of well-played, well recorded, well amplified music is still so rewarding, but the convenience of new devices seems to rule the roost.
Thankfully, many are coming back to gigs again…that’s where songs and music are at their best.
We attended a song circle last night – 35 people gathered and most of them sang at least one song. we heard numerous songs for the first time and many more were great favourites
An extra bonus was to hear two of my own songs sung by other singers. that’s a great buzz altogether – “On the Bridge” and “Come all You Dreamers” never sounded better.
I came across this Obituary to Ciarán Bourke, a founder member of The Dubliners. It appeared in the Irish Times after Ciarán’s death in 1988 & was written by my Brother-in-law Davoc Rynne
CIARAN BOURKE – An Appreciation – published in The Irish Times in 1988
I wasn’t the only one that noticed him at the Gorey Leinster Fleadh on a sunny weekend in 1962. Himself and Jennie were certainly not the kind of people that would be lost in a crowd. Ciaran, tall tangle bearded and dressed rough in a donkey jacket with bits of hay hanging from it and Jeannie, small wearing a hand knit gansey to her knees, walking barefooted. No, they would certainly not go un-noticed in a small town in the early 60’s when beards were as rare as ships in a forest, seen only on old men or apostles of JC. I had devoured Jack Kerouac’s Dharma Bums, but Ciarán Bourke was the first beatnik I had ever seen. I was determined to meet this man. Later in the year at the Fiddlers Club in Church Street in Dublin, I got my chance. I found out from him that he was a builder and general Jack of all Trades. I told him of a job available in Prosperous doing up an old house. He hitched down the following week, with difficulty. Long beards were discriminated against at the time! He told me he walked with his back to the traffic, thumbing, but when turning around his potential lift would put the boot down. He arrived with no baggage other than a Clarke’s tin whistle.
He could converse on any subject under the sun. Hours we spent discussing how to cook a chicken without plucking it. Any open-hearth cooking, using pots, spits, cranes or whatever, he was past master at. He saw the open fire as the centre of the universe, were all domestic and social activity took place. Every night he picked a prime position and rolled his blanket down in front of the fire. He also had the amazing gift of bringing the best out in everybody. He discovered dormant talents in people in Prosperous they hardly knew they had themselves. Some that hadn’t played for 20 years he got them to bring out their instruments and have a go again. They sang to him, told yarns and played music and he was very tolerant of their rustiness. Ciaran sang “The Cruise of the Calabar” – “it’s only forty verses and I won’t detain you long”, played superbly the “Cuckoo Hornpipe”, told stories and to any audience and an audience could be one. I remember a local Garda Sergeant arriving in full uniform with his set of pipes. He played for an hour for just the two of us. Other sessions weren’t quite so small and intimate. One night all the Dublin beatniks arrived. There was Dusty, Stan, Ben, Nat, Jeannie, Rusty, Dick, Jake, names that float to my mind. Some had no names and no addresses. There were fires lit and food was cooked and a dozen pints could be bought for a pound, if you had a pound!
These were heady pre-TV/Walkman days that I will always remember, but for Ciaran Bourke they would not have happened for me. He was the centre of it. The house eventually got restored and it still doesn’t let in the rain and the toilet still works! Only three times I met Ciaran since. Once on a fleeting visit to Prosperous, next at Christy Moore’s wedding when we were all too drunk to converse and lastly at Luke’s funeral when we were all too sad to talk.
Ciaran Bourke will remain in many a mind. He was salt of the earth, a wild and hilarious man.
May the sod rest lightly on him.
D.R.
I thought that some of you might like to remember Ciarán – a truly gifted Troubadour.
It was in Davoc’s house that the “Prosperous” album was recorded 52 years ago.
Since then, Davoc and my sister Anne have been living in West Clare where they are both involved in making music and song. They can be heard here;Â https://www.rynnefolk.com/
Tuesday January 10th.
Last night in Vicar St rang clear in my head – it just seemed to flow. Before me, beneath me, beside me, around me, gathered a gaggle of listeners who travelled with me every verse of the way. To my right, somewhere in the room was a very special listener. a precious person who participated in their own very special way. Every now and then I feel blessed to hear those special sounds – Thank You dear listener, whoever you may be.
It was night 10 of a 13-night run in the Dublin venue that, for a variety of reasons, is close to my heart. Since it first opened 25 years ago, I’ve played there perhaps 200 times. I know every nook and cranny of the room. I’ve also attended numerous gigs as a listener – Jackson Browne, Lisa O’Neill, Roseanne Cash, Damien Dempsey, Tommy Tiernan, Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Dylan Moran, Janis Ian, Jackie Mason, Steve Cooney, Kila and others. I’ve played many benefit gigs there in support of front-line workers. The venue is run by the Aiken Family. Last year marked 50 years since my first gig with Aikens. Back then the late Jim Aiken promoted a Planxty Concert in The Carlton Cinema on O’Connell St in Dublin. It was to mark the release of the first Planxty Album (the black one!). That was a night to remember. It’s heart-breaking to see what has become of O’Connell Street – the Main Street in our Capital City has been turned into a Monopoly Board where Dublin City Councillors/Planners/Developers/Builders/Gambling & Burger Joint Proprietors wreak havoc on that once gracious thoroughfare.
Last night’s gig featured these songs (not in this sequence – I’m working from memory here)
Chicago
Quinte Brigada
Lyra McKee
Lemon 7s
GasĂşn
Lisdoonvarna
Magdalen Laundry (Joni Mitchell)
Clock Winds Down
Ringing The Bell
Nancy Spain
Black is The Colour
On the Mainland
Back Home in Derry
Joxer
Amsterdam
Ordinary Man
Ride On
Stitch in Time
Welcome to the Cabaret
The Voyage
Allende
Motherland
Sail On Jimmy
Spancilhill
Today I hope to record a video gig for the contingent of Irish Soldiers on UN Service in the Golan Heights – hopefully they’ll get to see it on Patrick’s Day in the GPO at their camp. we’ll record it in a room where the road crew lodge. a chair, a guitar, a camera, a recorder and away we go.
Then to hear the news from West Kerry …
Seamus Begley has died. What a Gaeltacht man was he. A gentle giant of a man with the most beautiful singing voice, His polkas, reels and jigs were the heart of many the set.
His slow airs always full of passion and pathos. On top of that his charm, his fun and roguery were infectious. I toured with Seamus and Steve Cooney way back. The excitement of their music has stayed with me ever since. Deepest Sympathy to his Family, his Friends and to the Community he so cherished.
Days later – dark of night – not sure what date we’re at.
The Vicar Street run of gigs came to an end – 13 nights over 6 weeks.
My thanks to all who make the venue such a great place to work.
My own Team, Aiken’s Crew and the Vicar Street Operation all working together towards the same conclusion.
Time now to reflect as we look forward to what lies ahead.
May the songs and music keep our spirits high.
Christy
New Date announced for Limerick May 19th
Dear Listeners,
We have the following dates on sale for 2023
University Concert Hall Limerick May 19th,
TLT Drogheda July 5th
Theatre Royal Waterford July 19th and 21st
Great Northern Bundoran September 26th
Further details  here on the gig page
A few remaining dates still on sale
Dear Listeners,
University Concert Hall Limerick May 4th,
Castlecourt Hotel Westport May 24th
Cork Live at the Marquee June 17th,
Slieve Russell Cavan June 23rd
INEC Killarney June 30th,
TLT Drogheda July 5th
Theatre Royal Waterford July 19th and 21st
Great Northern Bundoran September 26th
Further details  here on the gig page
A few remaining dates still on sale
Dear Listeners,
University Concert Hall Limerick May 4th,
Radisson Hotel Sligo May 11th,
Castlecourt Hotel Westport May 24th
Cork Live at the Marquee June 17th,
Slieve Russell Cavan June 23rd
INEC Killarney June 30th,
TLT Drogheda July 5th
Theatre Royal Waterford July 19th and 21st
Great Northern Bundoran September 26th
Further details  here on the gig page
ALL VICAR STREET SHOWS SOLD OUT
EXTRA AND FINAL VICAR STREET SHOW ADDED JAN 17TH
Christy MooreExtra and final Vicar Street Show date added17 January 2023 Extra date on sale at 3pm today Friday Sept 30thWe are today announcing an extra and final date at Dublin’s Vicar Street – 17 January 2023. This means that Christy will play 13 dates at Vicar Street spread across November, December and January.
Pre Sale link to Vicar Street shows
Dear Listeners,
There have been posts to the website asking about how to get notice of pre-sale.
The Artist Pre Sale link to Vicar Street shows is scheduled to be delivered on Monday Sept. 26th to all valid email addresses registered with the current newsletter.
Artist Pre-sale tickets on sale Tuesday September 27th via link received by email.
Tickets On Sale to General Public Thursday 29th September at 9.00am
Vicar Street
Nov 23 & 29 2022
Dec 5, 7, 12, 14 & 18 2022
Jan 2, 4, 9, 11, 15 2023
CHRISTY ANNOUNCES 12 NIGHTS IN VICAR STREET
Dear Listeners,
I am happy to announce we are planning 12 shows in Vicar Street starting in November. Hope to see you along the way.
Tickets On Sale  Thursday 29th September at 9.00am
Nov 23 & 29 2022Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Dec 5, 7, 12, 14 & 18 2022Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Jan 2, 4, 9, 11, 15 2023
Doors open 7pm Show starts 8pm
Further details  here on the gig page
CONCERT IN SUPPORT OF CORK LIFE CENTRE
Dear Listeners,
I’m very pleased to tell you that in Tribute to Don O’Leary, I will be playing a concert at the Cork Opera House on Sunday Nov 6th in support of Cork Life Centre. Tickets go on sale Thursday September 15th.
All Proceeds to Cork Life Centre. 
Further details  here on the gig page
The Cork Life Centre is an alternative education project for young people who cannot access their education in the mainstream secondary school system. www.corklifecentre.org
2nd Carrickdale Hotel Show announced for November 18th.
Dear Listeners,
First show gone, but we now have a second show scheduled for November 18th.
Tickets on sale Monday July 25th.
Further details  here on the gig page