Chirsty I am sorry to hear of the passing of your friend, I hope you keep all your great memories close
to your heart.
mo chomhbhrĂłn
Brendan O’Neill
Christy's reply
Heartbreaking news.Such a tragedy for the Family.
Johnny Duhan was a very special man…. Family Man, Gentle Man, Music Man,unique songwriter, a true artist…
Also,back in the day, an exciting front man with his band “Granny’s Intentions” ,they were the talk of Limerick and later Dublin….Johnny could give Jagger a run for his money, such was his stage craft…
Then Johnny took a different road….
I was very fortunate that he shared three of his songs with me…”El Salvador” back in 1984 which I recorded on the “Ride On” Album…. “The Voyage” in 1987 which still resounds around the world, much loved , always requested by young and old…..
Johnny also wrote “100 Miles from home” which I recorded with Donal Lunny,…its on the “Box Set 1964-2004″…
Hey Christy I just received your new LP on vingl in the mail, I have enjoyed the tunes on the internet but now to have the wheel spinning here will be all the better for sure.
Thanks for doing what you do ✌️
Slan go fĂłill
Brendan O’Neill
Christy just read about the passing of Johnny Duhan,my condolences, I’m currently on the bus from ferns to Dublin to see you in vicar street tonight for the third and final time this year, can’t wait, I’ll see ya there hopefully
Not much different that I can add to the tributes following the sad passing of Johnny Duhan – and also, of course, the young lady who also passed. The Voyage is one of those ” once in a lifetime” songs, and El Salvador is a personal favourite of mine. Strangely, too, the current reawakening of the Jojo Dollard case gas somehow also brought Ann Lovett to my mind- our good old days weren’t all good. I hope the families of all those missing girls find answers. Let us remember……
Christy's reply
Heartbreaking news.Such a tragedy for the Family.
Johnny Duhan was a very special man…. Family Man, Gentle Man, Music Man,unique songwriter, a true artist…
Also,back in the day, an exciting front man with his band “Granny’s Intentions” ,they were the talk of Limerick and later Dublin….Johnny could give Jagger a run for his money, such was his stage craft…
Then Johnny took a different road….
I was very fortunate that he shared three of his songs with me…”El Salvador” back in 1984 which I recorded on the “Ride On” Album…. “The Voyage” in 1987 which still resounds around the world, much loved , always requested by young and old…..
Johnny also wrote “100 Miles from home” which I recorded with Donal Lunny,…its on the “Box Set 1964-2004″…
Dearest christy,
I’d just like to add my sincerest condolences to all of the above, on the very tragic loss of your dear friend, please keep singing his music, you bring so much joy to our lives,
Just loyal fan of many years, RIP. JOHNNY DUHAN and thank you for your beautiful music
Anne moore.
Christy's reply
Heartbreaking news.Such a tragedy for the Family.
Johnny Duhan was a very special man…. Family Man, Gentle Man, Music Man,unique songwriter, a true artist…
Also,back in the day, an exciting front man with his band “Granny’s Intentions” ,they were the talk of Limerick and later Dublin….Johnny could give Jagger a run for his money, such was his stage craft…
Then Johnny took a different road….
I was very fortunate that he shared three of his songs with me…”El Salvador” back in 1984 which I recorded on the “Ride On” Album…. “The Voyage” in 1987 which still resounds around the world, much loved , always requested by young and old…..
Johnny also wrote “100 Miles from home” which I recorded with Donal Lunny,…its on the “Box Set 1964-2004″…
Terrible news about Johnny Duhan.
The Voyage is a wonderful song which has always been one of our favourites.
I’m sure you’ll have many requests for it. Its simplicity and gentle melody sets it apart from many other songs.
May God be good to him and bring him piece.
Christy's reply
Heartbreaking news.Such a tragedy for the Family.
Johnny Duhan was a very special man…. Family Man, Gentle Man, Music Man,unique songwriter, a true artist…
Also,back in the day, an exciting front man with his band “Granny’s Intentions” ,they were the talk of Limerick and later Dublin….Johnny could give Jagger a run for his money, such was his stage craft…
Then Johnny took a different road….
I was very fortunate that he shared three of his songs with me…”El Salvador” back in 1984 which I recorded on the “Ride On” Album…. “The Voyage” in 1987 which still resounds around the world, much loved , always requested by young and old…..
Johnny also wrote “100 Miles from home” which I recorded with Donal Lunny,…its on the “Box Set 1964-2004″…
I think there was another train, it did a Cork to Wicklow run, ‘ammonia’, another lethal cargo. There were more than one scary train cargoes that criscrossed the country.
Christy's reply
never knew that….the Asahi withdrawal must have been a terrible loss to Killala and surrounding area….I used to watch that train trundle slowly thru Dun Laoghaire…..I think it was “The Hibernia” newspaper that first unveiled the danger…what a great paper it was …
A few years ago,I showed some of the 100+ year old drawings to an artist. She praised my mother as a great conservator…best thing she could have done to preserve condition was what she’d done for decades…everything in a zipped up,old shopping bag,rarely seeing the light of day!
Hi Christy
Just want to echo the comments on the passing of Johnny Duhan it’s very sad the song the voyage is a great song and will be sung for generations to come
Asahi trains: the cargo was brought to Dublin Port and brought by train to Ballina, offloaded there and brought by tanker truck to Killala. It was a big rather delicate operation as the cargo was to say the least, rather deadly if it leaked out. I think those trains became known as the Asahi trains.
Christy's reply
That train always passed on Dun Laoghaire / Blackrock railway line …I believe the cargo landed in Rosslare
I am a sailor, you’re my first mate
We signed on together, we coupled our fate
Hauled up our anchor, determined not to fail
For the hearts treasure, together we set sail
RIP Johnny – rest easy on your final Voyage
Christy's reply
Rest in Peace Johnny Duhan….
Johnny shared three songs with me
Since my mother died,I’m the caretaker of her father’s drawings made in WW1 when he was in France and Belgium, with The Lancashire Fusiliers 1915/1918. After a request to exhibit some items,they’re now on display in Greater Manchester until 30/11/24
Trafford Local Studies
Waterside House
Tatton Rd
Sale
M33 7ZF
I handed them over to the curator last week and was really pleased with the exhibits when I called in today…I had Wally’s superb words in mind,along with many other thoughts ..eg YouTube footage of Luka’s tribute to your Gt Uncle ,The Menin Gate,Ypres .
My Grandfather survived WW1 and died in 1944. A few months after his 20yo son,Graham, was killed in Normandy…Graham is also remembered in the exhibition.
Sorry to hijack the Guestbook with this info,but I thought some songsters here might visit….
Our mutual friend,Tim Hart RIP,sang a great version of ‘Dancing at Whitsun’…that’s due for a play after Terrible Beauty…such a gemof and album and enriched by so many subtle arrangements.
Thanks
Dave
Christy's reply
Thank You Dave…no sense of highjack whatsoever…
I liked Tim Hart a lot….always a pleasure to recall those few brief times we met…
what an achievement…to deliver your Grandfather’s WW1 drawings into an exhibition…your Mother having cared for them all those years…..thanks for sharing
Christy a question,
One of my very favourite songs of yours is Tyrone Boys.
Indeed it came back to mind as the Celtic faithful sang a song of remembrance of Aidan McAnespie whilst others remembered others fallen before ko on sunday past v Killie.
Anyway the question is about the ‘deadly poison bound for Killala Bay’. The remaining,vivid,entirely justified social commentary of the song is understood, but i don’t know about that part. What was it about please?
Great song.
Rory
Christy's reply
Asahi had a giant fabric plant in Killala, Co Mayo.. (I assume until the Tax Incentive ran its course)…..Every week ,a Locomotive Train of Chemical Tankers “sneaked” across the Island from Rosslare to Mayo…It moved slowly because the load was deadly poison….there was no contingency in place …..
Im very sorry to hear of your loss Rebeccah. May his memory be a blessing.
There’s a lovely poem by Paula Meehan about her father which you are probably familiar with. There’s something so beautifully tender about the way she captures a moment of mundane immanence.
Hi Christy, congrats. on the album … some great songs, including the local one. Keep on pacing yourself. It’s working great, thanks be to God.
Sonser, sadly, departed to the great boxing ring in the sky some years ago. He was in my class in the Brothers and a neighbour later on. I’m almost sure that his proper name was John but I never knew him as anything else but Sonser. A young neighbour used to call him Mr. Sonser.
Christy's reply
Frankie, mo sean cara, your note has opened up a trove of memories long since buried deep….
The old Boxing Club was in the British Legion…. a galvinised tin structure across the road from our house at the bottom of Josie Abbins’ Field…
Got me thinking….30 years after British Army withdrew from Newbridge (and The Curragh ,Kildare and Naas) the British Legion Hall was still functioning down the Moorefield Road….it was licensed too… a few old fusiliers used to slip in there for their libations….
I’m wondering about those War of Independence Years…From Naas to Kildare there were up to 40,000 British Soldiers stationed in our local towns….add in the camp followers, the trades, the shopkeepers, all the associated commercial activivities…I’m certain that the vast majority of citizens would have been content with that overwhelming British military presence….
Now I’m thinking of those very few who were opposed to their presence….those fewer still who were actively opposed ….I doubt that there were many “safe houses” in that Military Zone…
I still remember some of them….it was not spoken about ..but I noticed…. I remember “The United Irisman” being offered for sale at the Church Gates….I remember MáirĂn De BĂşrca collecting for the Families of Republican Prisoners at those same gates in the 1950s ….I remember the 1950’s “breakout” of Republican POWs from The Curragh…I imagine a few found shelter in Droichead Nua
Its time for the porridge Frankie…talk soon,
Thanks for feedback on the album
Chirsty I am sorry to hear of the passing of your friend, I hope you keep all your great memories close
to your heart.
mo chomhbhrĂłn
Brendan O’Neill
Heartbreaking news.Such a tragedy for the Family.
Johnny Duhan was a very special man…. Family Man, Gentle Man, Music Man,unique songwriter, a true artist…
Also,back in the day, an exciting front man with his band “Granny’s Intentions” ,they were the talk of Limerick and later Dublin….Johnny could give Jagger a run for his money, such was his stage craft…
Then Johnny took a different road….
I was very fortunate that he shared three of his songs with me…”El Salvador” back in 1984 which I recorded on the “Ride On” Album…. “The Voyage” in 1987 which still resounds around the world, much loved , always requested by young and old…..
Johnny also wrote “100 Miles from home” which I recorded with Donal Lunny,…its on the “Box Set 1964-2004″…
We send our condolences to The Duhan family
Rest in Peace Johnny..see you later…Christy
Hey Christy I just received your new LP on vingl in the mail, I have enjoyed the tunes on the internet but now to have the wheel spinning here will be all the better for sure.
Thanks for doing what you do ✌️
Slan go fĂłill
Brendan O’Neill
Christy just read about the passing of Johnny Duhan,my condolences, I’m currently on the bus from ferns to Dublin to see you in vicar street tonight for the third and final time this year, can’t wait, I’ll see ya there hopefully
Not much different that I can add to the tributes following the sad passing of Johnny Duhan – and also, of course, the young lady who also passed. The Voyage is one of those ” once in a lifetime” songs, and El Salvador is a personal favourite of mine. Strangely, too, the current reawakening of the Jojo Dollard case gas somehow also brought Ann Lovett to my mind- our good old days weren’t all good. I hope the families of all those missing girls find answers. Let us remember……
Heartbreaking news.Such a tragedy for the Family.
Johnny Duhan was a very special man…. Family Man, Gentle Man, Music Man,unique songwriter, a true artist…
Also,back in the day, an exciting front man with his band “Granny’s Intentions” ,they were the talk of Limerick and later Dublin….Johnny could give Jagger a run for his money, such was his stage craft…
Then Johnny took a different road….
I was very fortunate that he shared three of his songs with me…”El Salvador” back in 1984 which I recorded on the “Ride On” Album…. “The Voyage” in 1987 which still resounds around the world, much loved , always requested by young and old…..
Johnny also wrote “100 Miles from home” which I recorded with Donal Lunny,…its on the “Box Set 1964-2004″…
We send our condolences to The Duhan family
Rest in Peace Johnny..see you later…Christy
Dearest christy,
I’d just like to add my sincerest condolences to all of the above, on the very tragic loss of your dear friend, please keep singing his music, you bring so much joy to our lives,
Just loyal fan of many years, RIP. JOHNNY DUHAN and thank you for your beautiful music
Anne moore.
Heartbreaking news.Such a tragedy for the Family.
Johnny Duhan was a very special man…. Family Man, Gentle Man, Music Man,unique songwriter, a true artist…
Also,back in the day, an exciting front man with his band “Granny’s Intentions” ,they were the talk of Limerick and later Dublin….Johnny could give Jagger a run for his money, such was his stage craft…
Then Johnny took a different road….
I was very fortunate that he shared three of his songs with me…”El Salvador” back in 1984 which I recorded on the “Ride On” Album…. “The Voyage” in 1987 which still resounds around the world, much loved , always requested by young and old…..
Johnny also wrote “100 Miles from home” which I recorded with Donal Lunny,…its on the “Box Set 1964-2004″…
We send our condolences to The Duhan family
Rest in Peace Johnny..see you later…Christy
Terrible news about Johnny Duhan.
The Voyage is a wonderful song which has always been one of our favourites.
I’m sure you’ll have many requests for it. Its simplicity and gentle melody sets it apart from many other songs.
May God be good to him and bring him piece.
Heartbreaking news.Such a tragedy for the Family.
Johnny Duhan was a very special man…. Family Man, Gentle Man, Music Man,unique songwriter, a true artist…
Also,back in the day, an exciting front man with his band “Granny’s Intentions” ,they were the talk of Limerick and later Dublin….Johnny could give Jagger a run for his money, such was his stage craft…
Then Johnny took a different road….
I was very fortunate that he shared three of his songs with me…”El Salvador” back in 1984 which I recorded on the “Ride On” Album…. “The Voyage” in 1987 which still resounds around the world, much loved , always requested by young and old…..
Johnny also wrote “100 Miles from home” which I recorded with Donal Lunny,…its on the “Box Set 1964-2004″…
We send our condolences to The Duhan family
Rest in Peace Johnny..see you later…Christy
I think there was another train, it did a Cork to Wicklow run, ‘ammonia’, another lethal cargo. There were more than one scary train cargoes that criscrossed the country.
never knew that….the Asahi withdrawal must have been a terrible loss to Killala and surrounding area….I used to watch that train trundle slowly thru Dun Laoghaire…..I think it was “The Hibernia” newspaper that first unveiled the danger…what a great paper it was …
Thanks for the kind words Christy
A few years ago,I showed some of the 100+ year old drawings to an artist. She praised my mother as a great conservator…best thing she could have done to preserve condition was what she’d done for decades…everything in a zipped up,old shopping bag,rarely seeing the light of day!
Have a great gig
Dave
Thanks Fave
Immanence…
Thanks to Smál for posting that lovely poem. Lots of good things in the guestbook.
Imminence. That is a beautiful word.
Paula Meehan
“A young Man Fell in Love with Truth”
Hi Christy
Just want to echo the comments on the passing of Johnny Duhan it’s very sad the song the voyage is a great song and will be sung for generations to come
Farewell Johnny….Thank You
Christy Thanks a million for your kind words and thinking of the late John McMahon when you are singing Nancy Spain. Mile buicheas. JP
ceart go leor, fáilte romhat
So sad to hear of the passing of Johnny Duhan, what a tragic loss.
Farewell Johnny….Thank You
Hi Christy,
Just heard the sad news about Johnny Duhan.
Drowned while taking his daily swim at Silver Strand.
May he Rest In Peace.
Bourkey
Farewell Johnny….Thank You
Asahi trains: the cargo was brought to Dublin Port and brought by train to Ballina, offloaded there and brought by tanker truck to Killala. It was a big rather delicate operation as the cargo was to say the least, rather deadly if it leaked out. I think those trains became known as the Asahi trains.
That train always passed on Dun Laoghaire / Blackrock railway line …I believe the cargo landed in Rosslare
I am a sailor, you’re my first mate
We signed on together, we coupled our fate
Hauled up our anchor, determined not to fail
For the hearts treasure, together we set sail
RIP Johnny – rest easy on your final Voyage
Rest in Peace Johnny Duhan….
Johnny shared three songs with me
El Salvador
The Voyage
100 Miles from Home
Hi Christy
Since my mother died,I’m the caretaker of her father’s drawings made in WW1 when he was in France and Belgium, with The Lancashire Fusiliers 1915/1918. After a request to exhibit some items,they’re now on display in Greater Manchester until 30/11/24
Trafford Local Studies
Waterside House
Tatton Rd
Sale
M33 7ZF
I handed them over to the curator last week and was really pleased with the exhibits when I called in today…I had Wally’s superb words in mind,along with many other thoughts ..eg YouTube footage of Luka’s tribute to your Gt Uncle ,The Menin Gate,Ypres .
My Grandfather survived WW1 and died in 1944. A few months after his 20yo son,Graham, was killed in Normandy…Graham is also remembered in the exhibition.
Sorry to hijack the Guestbook with this info,but I thought some songsters here might visit….
Our mutual friend,Tim Hart RIP,sang a great version of ‘Dancing at Whitsun’…that’s due for a play after Terrible Beauty…such a gemof and album and enriched by so many subtle arrangements.
Thanks
Dave
Thank You Dave…no sense of highjack whatsoever…
I liked Tim Hart a lot….always a pleasure to recall those few brief times we met…
what an achievement…to deliver your Grandfather’s WW1 drawings into an exhibition…your Mother having cared for them all those years…..thanks for sharing
Christy a question,
One of my very favourite songs of yours is Tyrone Boys.
Indeed it came back to mind as the Celtic faithful sang a song of remembrance of Aidan McAnespie whilst others remembered others fallen before ko on sunday past v Killie.
Anyway the question is about the ‘deadly poison bound for Killala Bay’. The remaining,vivid,entirely justified social commentary of the song is understood, but i don’t know about that part. What was it about please?
Great song.
Rory
Asahi had a giant fabric plant in Killala, Co Mayo.. (I assume until the Tax Incentive ran its course)…..Every week ,a Locomotive Train of Chemical Tankers “sneaked” across the Island from Rosslare to Mayo…It moved slowly because the load was deadly poison….there was no contingency in place …..
Im very sorry to hear of your loss Rebeccah. May his memory be a blessing.
There’s a lovely poem by Paula Meehan about her father which you are probably familiar with. There’s something so beautifully tender about the way she captures a moment of mundane immanence.
http://thepoetryproject.ie/poems/horsepower-john-oconnell-my-father-perceived-as-a-vision-of-st-francis-paula-meehan/?video=skip
Thank You for sharing Paula Meehan’s beautiful verses….her words transport us to a vision of her Father standing in the white morning light
Hi Christy, congrats. on the album … some great songs, including the local one. Keep on pacing yourself. It’s working great, thanks be to God.
Sonser, sadly, departed to the great boxing ring in the sky some years ago. He was in my class in the Brothers and a neighbour later on. I’m almost sure that his proper name was John but I never knew him as anything else but Sonser. A young neighbour used to call him Mr. Sonser.
Frankie, mo sean cara, your note has opened up a trove of memories long since buried deep….
The old Boxing Club was in the British Legion…. a galvinised tin structure across the road from our house at the bottom of Josie Abbins’ Field…
Got me thinking….30 years after British Army withdrew from Newbridge (and The Curragh ,Kildare and Naas) the British Legion Hall was still functioning down the Moorefield Road….it was licensed too… a few old fusiliers used to slip in there for their libations….
I’m wondering about those War of Independence Years…From Naas to Kildare there were up to 40,000 British Soldiers stationed in our local towns….add in the camp followers, the trades, the shopkeepers, all the associated commercial activivities…I’m certain that the vast majority of citizens would have been content with that overwhelming British military presence….
Now I’m thinking of those very few who were opposed to their presence….those fewer still who were actively opposed ….I doubt that there were many “safe houses” in that Military Zone…
I still remember some of them….it was not spoken about ..but I noticed…. I remember “The United Irisman” being offered for sale at the Church Gates….I remember MáirĂn De BĂşrca collecting for the Families of Republican Prisoners at those same gates in the 1950s ….I remember the 1950’s “breakout” of Republican POWs from The Curragh…I imagine a few found shelter in Droichead Nua
Its time for the porridge Frankie…talk soon,
Thanks for feedback on the album