About 45 years ago a couple of us went from Dundalk to the Glen for a funeral. We decided to stay in Dwyer’s b&b in Waterville. You never know, we might get a chance to chat with Mick, we were aspiring college GAA coaches then with a grand team of youngsters. Sure enough Mick came in, and super host that he was he spotted the two strangers. How ya lads. Grand. Would you have a few minutes to chat football asked I. Back in a jiffy. A couple of minutes later he came back, sat down, and called out ‘Mary, a big pot of tea and a plate of sandwiches for the lads here’.
He spent four hours with us, answered all our questions, gave me fantastic tips on how to set out a team, how to win. He was generosity itself.
He told us a great story, Eoin Liston was late for training. Mick told him, follow my rules or don’t bother coming at all, and Mick told us he had a terrible sleepless night worrying that the bomber would not come back!
Christy's reply
That was the nature of the man I knew…visited once while doing “The Ring” with my Mother….Mick rolled out the hospitality for Nancy…talked to her about Meath Football legends, she always spoke of that afternoon in Waterville ….
and then himself and Karl came to Kildare and he walked the side line with the rolled up programme in his hand…he took us to the only Final Kildare achieved in my lifetime….
back in the day I played two gigs in Mick’s Family Hotel..back when they’d have Cabaret on Sunday night with a Showband coming on at midnight….back when I wrote “Welcpme to The Cabaret”
played some tight spots back then….saw some sights..met some quare hawks..all part of learning the ropes…..I don’t regret a minute of any of it…..even the hairy nights were times of learning
Hi. A great day for a drive and lots of memories of Micko being shared on the radio, he certainly made an impact san Riocht and put many other counties on the map, nearly brought Cill Dara to Final glory !! He was a musician also ! Safe travelling all to the Waterfront, always a great atmosphere there. Beir bua agus beannacht. H
Christy's reply
RIP Micho..
he gave Kildare a few great outings….and I had a few good gigs in his Lounge, way back about 40 years ago….RIP
hi Christy
a mutual friend from the North of Ireland sent me the last Planxty gig video from Vicar Street yesterday , and it was only when listening to it that i realised the story of how you really did stumble upon the lyrics to Little Musgrave , what a magical find.
Tom Barry does a fine version of it on his Lighthouse album.
Such a sad wee tale , but Andy Irvine brought it further to life with his music.
Rory
Christy's reply
21 years ago..seems like last week..I loved playing with that Band…..must be nearly time to sing Little Musgrave again..its been 7or 8 years since….
I wish I could play that song again with Jimmy….
we’d both do it very different today
I think of Jimmy a lot…. The Boy from Dolphin’s Barn
we travelled manys the road together
Hello Christy,
Hope all is well with you.
We were at the Panther Club in Cleckhuddersfax last night. Lots of songs all round, there was even a Child Ballad 243d if I’m remembering right. The demon lover. Shipwrecks, the supernatural and a great story.
It was a smallish group with guitars, fiddle, mandola, concertina so I got chance to sing five songs.
Reel in the Flickering Light (with guitar)
Parting Glass (acapella)
Wandering Aengus (with guitar)
Smoke and Strong Whiskey (with guitar)
January Man (acapella)
It’s the first time I’ve sung acapella in public.
I liked it! Always had a niggling thought about pitching but it was fine. Don’t know why I’ve let such a stupid worry hold me back.
About 45 years ago a couple of us went from Dundalk to the Glen for a funeral. We decided to stay in Dwyer’s b&b in Waterville. You never know, we might get a chance to chat with Mick, we were aspiring college GAA coaches then with a grand team of youngsters. Sure enough Mick came in, and super host that he was he spotted the two strangers. How ya lads. Grand. Would you have a few minutes to chat football asked I. Back in a jiffy. A couple of minutes later he came back, sat down, and called out ‘Mary, a big pot of tea and a plate of sandwiches for the lads here’.
He spent four hours with us, answered all our questions, gave me fantastic tips on how to set out a team, how to win. He was generosity itself.
He told us a great story, Eoin Liston was late for training. Mick told him, follow my rules or don’t bother coming at all, and Mick told us he had a terrible sleepless night worrying that the bomber would not come back!
That was the nature of the man I knew…visited once while doing “The Ring” with my Mother….Mick rolled out the hospitality for Nancy…talked to her about Meath Football legends, she always spoke of that afternoon in Waterville ….
and then himself and Karl came to Kildare and he walked the side line with the rolled up programme in his hand…he took us to the only Final Kildare achieved in my lifetime….
back in the day I played two gigs in Mick’s Family Hotel..back when they’d have Cabaret on Sunday night with a Showband coming on at midnight….back when I wrote “Welcpme to The Cabaret”
played some tight spots back then….saw some sights..met some quare hawks..all part of learning the ropes…..I don’t regret a minute of any of it…..even the hairy nights were times of learning
Hi. A great day for a drive and lots of memories of Micko being shared on the radio, he certainly made an impact san Riocht and put many other counties on the map, nearly brought Cill Dara to Final glory !! He was a musician also ! Safe travelling all to the Waterfront, always a great atmosphere there. Beir bua agus beannacht. H
RIP Micho..
he gave Kildare a few great outings….and I had a few good gigs in his Lounge, way back about 40 years ago….RIP
hi Christy
a mutual friend from the North of Ireland sent me the last Planxty gig video from Vicar Street yesterday , and it was only when listening to it that i realised the story of how you really did stumble upon the lyrics to Little Musgrave , what a magical find.
Tom Barry does a fine version of it on his Lighthouse album.
Such a sad wee tale , but Andy Irvine brought it further to life with his music.
Rory
21 years ago..seems like last week..I loved playing with that Band…..must be nearly time to sing Little Musgrave again..its been 7or 8 years since….
Just getting organised for the trip to Belfast. Lookihg forward to another great gig. Safe travels to you and all of the crew. Saw a clip on RTE archives on Facebook from this day in 1980 with you and Jimmy Faulkner and “I wish I Was in England” Jimmy was an amazing guitarist.
https://www.rte.ie/archives/2025/0306/1500564-christy-moore-and-jimmy-faulkner/?fbclid=IwY2xjawJbQ8VleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHdEDTJjUwhpYoI38DktED2BUk4FDERuiJ63YRoUh467ALVThhv5n0Jo2Eg_aem_TXCSPpPi8-oe9brRXVUB-g
I wish I could play that song again with Jimmy….
we’d both do it very different today
I think of Jimmy a lot…. The Boy from Dolphin’s Barn
we travelled manys the road together
Hello Christy,
Hope all is well with you.
We were at the Panther Club in Cleckhuddersfax last night. Lots of songs all round, there was even a Child Ballad 243d if I’m remembering right. The demon lover. Shipwrecks, the supernatural and a great story.
It was a smallish group with guitars, fiddle, mandola, concertina so I got chance to sing five songs.
Reel in the Flickering Light (with guitar)
Parting Glass (acapella)
Wandering Aengus (with guitar)
Smoke and Strong Whiskey (with guitar)
January Man (acapella)
It’s the first time I’ve sung acapella in public.
I liked it! Always had a niggling thought about pitching but it was fine. Don’t know why I’ve let such a stupid worry hold me back.
Here’s something intriguing
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1A3HJPWU8x/
Rebecca
thats the way to go Rebecca