Hello Christy,
Met up with my brother and his family for pizzas yesterday. Helen, my sister-in-law was telling us about gigs thrive been to and tried to go to. She tried to book tickets for Black Sabbath. The tickets went on sale at 10am. She got there at 10am. There were 153,000 people in the queue in front of her.
Things have changed to much. Steve saw Black Sabbath in St Georges Hall Bradford years ago when you had to queue for tickets at the venue. He saw Thin Lizzy five times and said Slade were red hot live.
Thankyou for the prod. I’ll get off my arse and try to write something. The place names round here are brilliant. Catherine Slack, Crow Nest Park…
God help & save us Éowyn made an awful slaughter.
Seaweed and sea foam on roofs that never felt the likes before. The west end gable window took the brunt we were praying all night for her to stay ..and She listened.
Not a tree ,telephone pole cables or stone walls left down to Galway.
The chimney needed some repairs to keep her up.
Bygob the reek of turf prevented the cockles of our hearts freezing solid.
Almost a week with no eletricty, heat or phone service,not a drop of water, all around for miles .
Did you know in 1660 the Sasanaí introduced cíos on chimneys ?
Wonder which is worse paying tax on it or not allowing a chimney at all?
Just finished playing support to Damo in Castlebar ..heading to Bantry today.
Hi Christy,
The never ending tour back on the road.
Thanks be. All good reports – no surprise.
Spinning A Terrible Beauty at the moment.
It will take some kind of feckin VAR decision
if it doesn’t take the gong home come Wednesday.
Niecey Mac Niece is hoping the powers that be
will be looking West in August. We got her the
Magic Nights/On The Road CDs for The Crimbo
and she’s hooked. It must be great to see the young
uns turning up at the gigs with the old, the brave and
the bald. Enjoy the rugby on Saturday.
Tabhair Aire
Bourkey
Saw you a couple of times when in the UK and before migrating in 2005 and want to repeat the experience again with my wife – we saw Mary Black a few years back in Melbourne and would like to see her again too.
Possibly coming to UK in 2026 but almost certainly 2027 and hope to be in Ireland in September 2027 to take in some of the Ryder Cup but also to hopefully get to see your good self
Appreciate plans next year and the year after may not be in place yet but any guide as to when tours may be would be much appreciated as we will aim to build our trip around those dates either in 2026 or 2027 – don’t suppose an Australian Tour is on the cards?
Hi Christy,
Delighted to hear “Mullaghmore” has made its way back into your workroom. Any chance a verse or two might find their way to the Midlands next week.
Best regards
Ride on
Patsy
Christy's reply
will you be in attendance to gain your spot prize?
Hello Christy, deeply saddened to hear today of the passing of one of Irelands finest Republicans, Brendan “BIK” McFarlane. “He was a poet and a soldier” RIP
Christy's reply
Bik’s gone to Glenravel’s Glen ..alongside comrade Bobby
Also meant to add, BBC4 22.30 tonight The finest Irish Folk from the BBC Archive including CM and The Clancy Brothers!
Christy's reply
Thats what I love about BBC4 and TG4…they transmit everything at least 4 times….TG4 ran my 2008 Barrowland with Declan Sinnott last month,…fair play to them
Mention of Neil MacColl sent me off down rabbit holes Christy! I’ve always been an admirer of his mando playing but was never aware that he toured with David Gilmour in the early 00’s. This clip says it all, playing one of the most iconic guitar intros off all time, sure I even learned it meself back in the day! Neil, in this, looks like a man at ease enjoying himself and what a grin Gilmour gives him before he kicks in! Pure Class! Didn’t he play a lot on “King Puck”?
great clip…great to see Neil play with Dave G.
Yes, Neil came at very short notice and played on the King Puck album…I was recording in Ballyvourney with Jimmy Faulkner….Jimmy fell ill….I took a chance and rang Neil….he flew over the next day and we spent a happy week together putting some tracks down…it was a big ask but he delivered the goods ….top man , Neil MacColl…
Hello Christy,
The talk of places of our youth has taken me back.
The Beck, the rec, east street, west street, the old pond, soothills, up the tops, whinney hill park, laverock lane, bone gate, waring green.
They bring back a tumbling tapestry don’t they.
Newbridge or Nowhere. Is a new album starting to bubble away?
Rebecca
Christy's reply
take that tumbling tapestry
and write yourself a song
RIP young Michael…Rory referencing the song is spot on. Such a wistful feel and perfect sync of words and music. Only last night I gave the vinyl a few spins …
There’s always power in a ‘right of passage’ song…especially when a life is cut short.
christy
i saw that at Michael O’Sullivan’s funeral the cortege was led by a horse trained by his uncle called Barr Na Sraide, i am playing the wonderful song about the boys from that place. Such an awful loss.
This is also the day we remember the watchtower overlooking Aughnacloy ,and the Tyrone Boys song, for the senseless crime committed there.
Songs bring us closer to events and people.
Rory
Hi C, so many people are still buzzing after the gig last night, I ve been in touch with 4 or 5 from this Tribe during the day and our spirits are uplifted !! GRMMA, of course Patsy is doubley so after winning the Spot Prize !! That Brian Maguire docu is on tonight at 10.30 https://www.rte.ie/culture/2025/0217/1494107-the-life-of-brian-maguire-the-new-film-on-an-irish-art-legend/ Keep her lit Christy. Beir bua agus beannacht.H
Thanks,Ed…Bury FC play at Gigg Lane…in the 9th tier of the Football League.After the demise of the former club,two fan led clubs were formed….they’re now merged as Bury FC.Fingers crossed the team does well…
Dave
Christy's reply
Barry Murphy (Jimmy Barry Murphy’s Son)once played for Bury FC….moved to Leicester where he now assists Ruud Van Nistelroy…
Dagrab, they’re Evening Herald small ads you’re looking at. Such advertisements were permitted back then. “Hey Sandy” a great track on that album.
Bury AFC, lost track. Did they ever get back or what division are they playing in?
Christy's reply
written by Harvey Andrews after the Kent State massacre
A Bury wander led me to the town’s excellent Art Museum…and a great surprise to find a brilliant display of football related items and photos etc.A bonus as I’d visited to see’Going to the match’,by LS Lowry….
Many photos are by Richard Davis,also featured in the excellent
Also,a free talk this Saturday pm….related to being a fan of Bury FC in the 50s and 60s…all the more poignant,as ,in recent times,the club was kicked out of the Football League under controversial circumstances.
Apologies for going off topic,but I know Bury FC featured in the time you lived in the area.
Enjoy today’s post gig buzz
Dave
Christy's reply
happy memories of Gigg Lane back in the 1960s….. always a few pints of John Willie Lees before and after…often followed by a lock-in and sing song in The Pack Horse Inn in Birtle
What a superb nights entertainment in the Mullingar Park Hotel. – Thank You Christy you absolute LEGEND
Christy's reply
myself and all the crew enjoyed last nights return to Mullingar…..The Park is a welcoming venue…we’ve played it every year for the past 17 years and always enjoy the welcome recieved
Not able to get to Ireland gigs right now,but always good to read the buzz surrounding them.
Following the acquisition of the second hand vinyl,’Live in Dublin’ ,1978,it’s fantastic to hear it again.So many gems…I’m also grateful to previous owners for taking care of it. A real bonus to find the extensive sleevenotes and photos.
The cover is a prime example of why a 12 inch square is a great format for art.Much of interest…turning it upside down,it’s strange to see ads for ‘servants’ and ‘nurses’…I assume the designer used old newspapers,but maybe not!?It might have been the punk era,but there were still some old fashioned transactions going on..
Great to have so much music to rely on.
Dave.
Christy's reply
That sleeve was created by Willie Matthews..an American artist he lived here for many years before retruning to America where his work has progressed and he has become a renowned artist…he was involved here in various album sleeves and is well remembered…see William Matthews Studio Colorado for samples of his current work
Hello Christy,
Met up with my brother and his family for pizzas yesterday. Helen, my sister-in-law was telling us about gigs thrive been to and tried to go to. She tried to book tickets for Black Sabbath. The tickets went on sale at 10am. She got there at 10am. There were 153,000 people in the queue in front of her.
Things have changed to much. Steve saw Black Sabbath in St Georges Hall Bradford years ago when you had to queue for tickets at the venue. He saw Thin Lizzy five times and said Slade were red hot live.
Thankyou for the prod. I’ll get off my arse and try to write something. The place names round here are brilliant. Catherine Slack, Crow Nest Park…
Great rugby day.
Rebecca
God help & save us Éowyn made an awful slaughter.
Seaweed and sea foam on roofs that never felt the likes before. The west end gable window took the brunt we were praying all night for her to stay ..and She listened.
Not a tree ,telephone pole cables or stone walls left down to Galway.
The chimney needed some repairs to keep her up.
Bygob the reek of turf prevented the cockles of our hearts freezing solid.
Almost a week with no eletricty, heat or phone service,not a drop of water, all around for miles .
Did you know in 1660 the Sasanaí introduced cíos on chimneys ?
Wonder which is worse paying tax on it or not allowing a chimney at all?
Just finished playing support to Damo in Castlebar ..heading to Bantry today.
How’s everything with you CM.?
CS (20)
Hi Christy,
The never ending tour back on the road.
Thanks be. All good reports – no surprise.
Spinning A Terrible Beauty at the moment.
It will take some kind of feckin VAR decision
if it doesn’t take the gong home come Wednesday.
Niecey Mac Niece is hoping the powers that be
will be looking West in August. We got her the
Magic Nights/On The Road CDs for The Crimbo
and she’s hooked. It must be great to see the young
uns turning up at the gigs with the old, the brave and
the bald. Enjoy the rugby on Saturday.
Tabhair Aire
Bourkey
Hi Christy
Saw you a couple of times when in the UK and before migrating in 2005 and want to repeat the experience again with my wife – we saw Mary Black a few years back in Melbourne and would like to see her again too.
Possibly coming to UK in 2026 but almost certainly 2027 and hope to be in Ireland in September 2027 to take in some of the Ryder Cup but also to hopefully get to see your good self
Appreciate plans next year and the year after may not be in place yet but any guide as to when tours may be would be much appreciated as we will aim to build our trip around those dates either in 2026 or 2027 – don’t suppose an Australian Tour is on the cards?
Hope you are well
Chris currently in Sydney
Hi Christy,
Delighted to hear “Mullaghmore” has made its way back into your workroom. Any chance a verse or two might find their way to the Midlands next week.
Best regards
Ride on
Patsy
will you be in attendance to gain your spot prize?
Hello Christy, deeply saddened to hear today of the passing of one of Irelands finest Republicans, Brendan “BIK” McFarlane. “He was a poet and a soldier” RIP
Bik’s gone to Glenravel’s Glen ..alongside comrade Bobby
Also meant to add, BBC4 22.30 tonight The finest Irish Folk from the BBC Archive including CM and The Clancy Brothers!
Thats what I love about BBC4 and TG4…they transmit everything at least 4 times….TG4 ran my 2008 Barrowland with Declan Sinnott last month,…fair play to them
Mention of Neil MacColl sent me off down rabbit holes Christy! I’ve always been an admirer of his mando playing but was never aware that he toured with David Gilmour in the early 00’s. This clip says it all, playing one of the most iconic guitar intros off all time, sure I even learned it meself back in the day! Neil, in this, looks like a man at ease enjoying himself and what a grin Gilmour gives him before he kicks in! Pure Class! Didn’t he play a lot on “King Puck”?
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=EodytPmki5s
great clip…great to see Neil play with Dave G.
Yes, Neil came at very short notice and played on the King Puck album…I was recording in Ballyvourney with Jimmy Faulkner….Jimmy fell ill….I took a chance and rang Neil….he flew over the next day and we spent a happy week together putting some tracks down…it was a big ask but he delivered the goods ….top man , Neil MacColl…
Hello Christy,
The talk of places of our youth has taken me back.
The Beck, the rec, east street, west street, the old pond, soothills, up the tops, whinney hill park, laverock lane, bone gate, waring green.
They bring back a tumbling tapestry don’t they.
Newbridge or Nowhere. Is a new album starting to bubble away?
Rebecca
take that tumbling tapestry
and write yourself a song
Hi Christy
RIP young Michael…Rory referencing the song is spot on. Such a wistful feel and perfect sync of words and music. Only last night I gave the vinyl a few spins …
There’s always power in a ‘right of passage’ song…especially when a life is cut short.
Dave
christy
i saw that at Michael O’Sullivan’s funeral the cortege was led by a horse trained by his uncle called Barr Na Sraide, i am playing the wonderful song about the boys from that place. Such an awful loss.
This is also the day we remember the watchtower overlooking Aughnacloy ,and the Tyrone Boys song, for the senseless crime committed there.
Songs bring us closer to events and people.
Rory
Hi C, so many people are still buzzing after the gig last night, I ve been in touch with 4 or 5 from this Tribe during the day and our spirits are uplifted !! GRMMA, of course Patsy is doubley so after winning the Spot Prize !! That Brian Maguire docu is on tonight at 10.30 https://www.rte.ie/culture/2025/0217/1494107-the-life-of-brian-maguire-the-new-film-on-an-irish-art-legend/ Keep her lit Christy. Beir bua agus beannacht.H
Thanks,Christy
A real treat to visit….
http://www.williammatthewsstudio.com
Fascinating blog too.What a talent…
Dave
Hi Christy
Thanks,Ed…Bury FC play at Gigg Lane…in the 9th tier of the Football League.After the demise of the former club,two fan led clubs were formed….they’re now merged as Bury FC.Fingers crossed the team does well…
Dave
Barry Murphy (Jimmy Barry Murphy’s Son)once played for Bury FC….moved to Leicester where he now assists Ruud Van Nistelroy…
Dagrab, they’re Evening Herald small ads you’re looking at. Such advertisements were permitted back then. “Hey Sandy” a great track on that album.
Bury AFC, lost track. Did they ever get back or what division are they playing in?
written by Harvey Andrews after the Kent State massacre
Ps
http://www.britishculturearchive.co.uk
Hi Christy
A Bury wander led me to the town’s excellent Art Museum…and a great surprise to find a brilliant display of football related items and photos etc.A bonus as I’d visited to see’Going to the match’,by LS Lowry….
Many photos are by Richard Davis,also featured in the excellent
http://www.bririshculturearchive.co.uk
Also,a free talk this Saturday pm….related to being a fan of Bury FC in the 50s and 60s…all the more poignant,as ,in recent times,the club was kicked out of the Football League under controversial circumstances.
Apologies for going off topic,but I know Bury FC featured in the time you lived in the area.
Enjoy today’s post gig buzz
Dave
happy memories of Gigg Lane back in the 1960s….. always a few pints of John Willie Lees before and after…often followed by a lock-in and sing song in The Pack Horse Inn in Birtle
What a superb nights entertainment in the Mullingar Park Hotel. – Thank You Christy you absolute LEGEND
myself and all the crew enjoyed last nights return to Mullingar…..The Park is a welcoming venue…we’ve played it every year for the past 17 years and always enjoy the welcome recieved
Hi Christy
Not able to get to Ireland gigs right now,but always good to read the buzz surrounding them.
Following the acquisition of the second hand vinyl,’Live in Dublin’ ,1978,it’s fantastic to hear it again.So many gems…I’m also grateful to previous owners for taking care of it. A real bonus to find the extensive sleevenotes and photos.
The cover is a prime example of why a 12 inch square is a great format for art.Much of interest…turning it upside down,it’s strange to see ads for ‘servants’ and ‘nurses’…I assume the designer used old newspapers,but maybe not!?It might have been the punk era,but there were still some old fashioned transactions going on..
Great to have so much music to rely on.
Dave.
That sleeve was created by Willie Matthews..an American artist he lived here for many years before retruning to America where his work has progressed and he has become a renowned artist…he was involved here in various album sleeves and is well remembered…see William Matthews Studio Colorado for samples of his current work