i would also like to add my thanks to hilary for her dedication and hard work in making the weekend such a success…and also a special thanks to the knocknagoshel womens group for taking on the task of bringing our man to their wonderful village…to an old cynical city dweller like meself i was completely bowled over and humbled by the generosity of spirit and hospitality of the whole village when welcoming a stranger into their midst..and of course thank you to christy and the crew for two absolutely incredible concerts….. and to top it all the sun insisted on shining down upon us throughout the whole weekend…ta ken
Hi All. Before the weekend comes to a close,,,,,,,, I want to thank everyone that was invovled in the Knocknagoshel gigs,,, the Womens Group who were responsible locally for the organising and the logistics around tickets,accomodation for visitors, cooking,hall decoration, banners /signage, the traffic management co ordination for the gigs and the attention to detail which was total, nothing was too much trouble, to the local community who got behind the gigs and supported them in great numbers, to the great audiences for the singing, to all the CM crew for their commitment to quality work and of course to the main man who captivated us all both nights,,, despite some distraction from car ( jeep ) alarms,,,the Kerry weather with its constant sunshine did n’t let us down but we don’t take it for granted either !!! Both gigs were truly memorable. Go raibh mile, mile maith agaibh go leir. H
Christy's reply
you never mentioned that those gigs would never have happened only for you Hilary…you played a stormer paving the way…..getting the promoter to visit the venue, then convincing the backroom team, then getting the Knocknagoshel Womens Group behind the project..the wonderful directions you furnished the transport captain…the general consensus among our crew is that Knocknagoshel Rules OK ! Then there were the meals we received, the Apple Tarts, the oils, the scenery, the flags and bunting, the one way traffic system that was put in place ( Mick Devine tells me the last time he saw that was when he drove Pavarotti to the RDS ) Did you know that Friday nights gig was reviewed in Sat mornings “Sliabh Luachra Outlook” ?.I want to come back when there is no gig to do. I want to visit Myra McAuliffe’s Family Store again..to take a look around when the days are shorter…fair play to you
Hi Christie, my husband is coming to see you tomorrow evening at Wheelan, his mum passed away 30 years ago today when he was just 17, he is a huge fan of yours and travels to see you as much as he can, he is there alone to see you and combining the trip with a visit to his mums place of rest and I know he be made up if you sang a song for his mum, Kathleen Muldowney, his name is Patrick Muldowney. Many Thanks, Lisa Muldowney x
I really enjoyed your gig at the marquee in Cork. Yourself & Declan delivered a superb performance.
However, I was sitting in Block A and it felt like we were crammed in like sardines. IMO this is not good enough. We paid €45 p/ticket and I spent the evening unable to sit comfortably in the seats, as they appeared to be designed for Lilliput like people.
I know the people to our left and right thought the same. I have sent a similar mail to Aiken promotions about the seating arrangements.
I will be back to see you again, but it won’t be in the sardine can marquess.
Keep on rocking Christy!
Christy's reply
Morra Paddy C…Thank your for your comments. We have increasingly enjoyed The Marquee every year for the past 9 years. This year we were delighted to find a New Marquee when we arrived. Your comments have been noted and I have no doubt that my team will discuss your comments with Aikens. But I will add my spake !!……I have spoken with many who love the Marquee Gig….numerous acts have mentioned over the years the great atmosphere that is created….I go to a lot of gigs myself and its never going to be as comfortable as watching the DVD on the couch…some of my grreatest experiences have been in less then comfortable conditions…as I get older creature comforts become more important but ,fuck it, as long as I’m able I will go out and hear live gigs, if I want to hear someone bad enough I’ll stand, sit, lie, jostle, elbow and if the vibe is good and the music uplifting…that’ll do me…..but you are as entitled to voice your valid opinion as I am to respond….a big 6 foot 5 inch, 18 stone, lock forward friend of mine was in that block too and he was well pleased after the gig, ( he should have been in Australia !!) …. any way Paddy C, I wish you well and hope you are more comfortable the next time you venture out…keep in touch
Had a fantastic time in Knocknagoshel last night. The show was brilliant as usual Christy. I’ve enclosed the words of the Cliffs of Dooneen which you were looking for last night and who wrote it apparently. Hope the info is correct.
The Cliffs of Dooneen
I have traveled afar from my own native home.
Away o’er the billows, away o’er the foam
I have seen many sights but no equal I’ve seen
To the old rocky slopes by the cliffs of Dooneen
I have seen many sights of Columbus fair land,
Africa and Asia so delightful and grand,
But dig me a grave were the grass it grows green
On the old rocky slopes by the cliffs of Dooneen.
How pleasant to walk on a fine summers day.
And to view the sweet cherries that will never decay,
Where the sea grass and seaweed and the old carrageen
All grow from the rocks by the cliffs of Dooneen.
The Sand hills of Beal are glorious and grand,
And the old castle ruins looking out on the strand,
Where the hares and the rabbits are there to be seen
Making holes for their homes by the cliffs of Dooneen.
I have tracked my love’s footsteps to the boathouse of old
And the dance on the hillside where love stories are told,
Its there you will see both the lad and the colleen
Moving round by the shore of the cliffs of Dooneen
Take a view across the Shannon some sites you will see there
High rocky mountains on the south coast of Clare
The towns of Kilrush and Kilkee ever green
But theres none to compare with the cliffs of Dooneen
Farewell Dooneen, Farewell for a while,
And to those kind-Hearted neighbours that I left in the isle,
May my soul never rest till it’s laid on the green
Near the old rocky slopes by the Cliffs of Dooneen
Jack McAuliffe
The lyrics to The Cliffs Of Dooneen was originally written by a man by the name of Jack McAuliffe.
Dooneen Promentry Fort Right. Kilkee from the slopes of north Kerry above. and Kilcredaune Light house andCarrigaholt castle below
Lissadooneen
Kilcredaun Lighthouse
The Lyrics above were copied down in the 1950s by Christina Leahy (Grogan) as called out by Paddy Joyce of Beal cousin of Jack McAuliffe.
The lyrics are quite similar to those appearing in the Shannonside Annual of 1956.
It is reasonable to assume these lyrics are very close to the original.
Jack McAuliffe
Born about1886, the son
of William and Margaret McAuliffe. The family lived near the lime kilns at Lixnaw
and they worked in the quarries. The father inherited his brother’s egg packing
station in Abbeyfeale and Jack worked there for some years until his father sacked
him for drinking too much. He eventually settled in Sydenham, South London.
He married late in life and had two children Sheila & Danny.
Maurice Joyce was Jacks uncle and they used to
frequent the Beal Bar together. They walked the cliffs from Kilconly to Beal and
Jack told her that he wrote the lyrics whilst sitting up in the window of his
friend, Bob Boyle’s, house in Beale.
Thanks to Madeleine Waters for supplying the information and her mother Nora Foley who was Jacks niece and visited him in London in the early part of WW2 and was given the story first hand.
Waters
Christy's reply
That is great Mossie…thanks for taking the trouble…its intriguing how these songs travel and develop..I first heard it sung by Andy Rynne in the early 60s in Prosperous, County Kildare…then I heard Anne Mulqueen sing a version at a session in Dublin… then Mick McGuane had a version too..he was a Clare Flute player who would sing a song when maith go leor..he had a line ” to the Dance Halls and The Cinemas where late I have been, and the high rocky slopes of the Cliffs of Dooneen” but I always felt that he sang that line for pure divvilment….maybe to raise the hackles of a Fleadh Ceol adjudicator. I’ve always felt that the four verses do the job….they contain the essence of the song..thanks again for filling in the gaps…I have always been curious about the author and when it was penned
Hi Christy,
we will leave our Kingdom tomorrow morning for Kingdom Kerry and first we’ll attend your gig tomorrow night before having our Summer break in Ireland. When we will return to the low lands our King Albert will be retired and replaced by his son Filip. After last year in Castlebar, our children Lars & Eva are looking forward to the gig on Saturday night. With many thanks to Mairead in Knocknagoshell
Lars, Eva, Els & Piet
Christy's reply
Knocknagoshel is a special place. Perched high upon the hill, it gave us a mighty welcome last night. Sure, Sydney Opera House is fine, London’s Albert Hall is mighty grand (the bouncers wear uniforms), New York’s Carnegie Hall is OK ( but a bit up itself )… BUT tonight, of all the venues in the World, Knocknagoshel Community Hall is where I want to be..( Mary Mac has promised another Apple Tart )
Thanks very much for a fantastic 24 hours First at the tent and the following night in Ballyvourney.im honoured to have made the 9 in a row.Go raibh maith agat leis an oiche ceoil i Ballyvourney.Now for gig number ten in the tent.Best of luck for the rest of the year Christy.
Christy's reply
thanks for listening and for your feedback The Marquee tickled my fancy, agus bhí Baile an Mhúirne go h-álainn ar fad…. dhein mé dearfhúid ar mo fáinne agus, mar sin, bhí brón an mhór oraim.
Hi All.This is the Day,,, Tá sé ag teacht,,,, go dti Cnoc na gCaiseal inniu ! The sunny Kingdom awaits,,,,Safe travelling all. H
Christy's reply
4 o’clock July 12 th 2013. Just arrived into Knocknagoshel. My first visit to this beautiful place. I have been travelling the road since 1966 and never before have I received such a welcome.I will write more when we next chat.
Hello Christy, once, back in 1991, in the Inter Counties Hotel in Lifford, Donegal, you played a gig after Donegal lifted the Sam Maguire. I was sitting with my best friend Paul Tourish right in front of your mic stand in the front row. As you sang you managed to spit sweat on me several times and I’ve never forgotten that show. It changed my world and now I do what you do, because of you Christy. I want to sing/perform/record with you or my life will simply never be complete. For 28 years I’ve travelled the roads beating out the tunes we all love including originals. I’ll go anywhere, meet you anywhere, stop everything to go perform with you. I know this likely is a very long shot mo chara, but, well, I have to know I tried, y’know!!! Christy, I can be found at BlueStackMusic.com… please come find me… love ya man… B.
Christy, a big fan of yours from Nepal. I am actually coming to Ireland for a 10-day trip but unfortunately no gigs or show during that time (7/19-7/28). Are you out of the country during that time? Anyways, would be a dream to see you perform but might have to put it on hold for now. Any chance I can take you to a Nepali dinner on Saturday 7/20 if you are in Dublin?
Got to agree that Geoff does a marvellous job with the lighting – and the entire crew provide the best of support to you and Decky. Great to hear such positive reviews from all of the gigs. God knows, people need something to lift the spirits these days. Wally Page and Johnny Mulhern in the Walled City tonight. Might not make it though as the “Marching Season” is more than a song tonight. Had a beautiful drive over the Glenshane Pass last night and “The Boy From Tamlaghtduff” ran through my head – love the way songs rise with the scenery. Been listening to the new album by Sam Baker these days. Such a brave and talented guy – and a real gentleman too. He has a song “Migrants” about migrants getting lost and the report in the papers giving only a few lines amongst the adverts. Reminded me of Woody writing “Deportees” because they were nameless in the reports of the Los Gatos plane wreck. Anyway, hope all is good with the new boxset. Keep well, enjoy the wondeful Kerry hospitality, and see you in November.
Howdo, Christo! I hope you have the factor 50 on in this weather. Just popping down a note to say thanks for the gig in the Marquee. It’s good sometimes to here the audience shout for requests, but it is even better when the music is flowing and you can pick and choose yourself what songs come into your head. Nice to hear ‘Magic Nights’….wouldn’t it be great to see the likes of The Lobby Bar and other venues resurrected….then again, maybe it might be best to have the memories. It was a great night, like a farmers welly on a hot day……warm and stuffy! I must give top marks to the lighting engineer, not sure if he is one of your lads or works for The Marquee but the lighting for every song was brilliant! Keep the head covered…see you along the road. J.
Christy's reply
You describe it well…we enjoyed it too..our lights are designed and operated by Geoff Ryan who has been lighting our gig for many years now…there being no set list Geoff has to do our lighting “on the wing” and he does a great job of it….in fact this applies to all our crew…Geoff Ryan on Lighting,Dickon Whitehead on Monitors, John Meade does Stage and Guitars, David Meade on Sound, Michael Devine is our tour manager and Paddy Doherty steadfastly steers the “ship of fame”.
Hi christy hope all is well …. would love to heading to Kerry for the gigs but i may wait till whelans lol…. kerry can be a weird place some odd people hanging out down there … … hope ur enjoying the weather and not watching too many films …
Christy's reply
not my experience at all…the very finest below in The Kingdom…have a touch of Sunstroke tonight, got burnt in Wicklow….last few films were dreadful affairs..see you next Monday…wear your shinguards
Back home and back to work after another enjoyable Marquee visit to see you. Thanks for singing my request “Magic Nights”. It was really appreciated. I take it Jimmy Higgins is a permanent addition and not just a “one off”. Truely a handsome young rose between two thorns. I thought “Bogman” was your brother’s song. Have you nicked it? I’m sure he doesnt mind. See you along the way. Good luck.
Cm 68
Do you have a dishwasher.? When yanks say theyre on the way ,it’s on over load and high speed.everything in the house goes in and the door won’t close.dado would end up in there aswell but he promised to shave.I put scallop shells in there but ate the scallops first.
A monster cruise ship came in today theyre flocking like seagulls to see.kind of rather a boat with sails, do you ever get ti red of travelling.,? Going to dingle soon its very long cs 8.
Christy's reply
it only gets used twice a year when theres a crowd for dinner…its much quicker to feck the lot into the basin…my favourite Americanism is from a taximan at JFK who said to Declan “You wanna I should pop the trunk” some of them Cruise ships put the heart crossways on me…I always wonder what they must do with all their waste..is their a HUGE shoal of mackerel gliding after SS hell-on-earth…I’d rather go to Patrick’s Purgatory then on a cruise ship….Dingle is a very long haul..get to Tralee and your only half way… I like travelling in Ireland, I love the roads and towns, the caffs and petrol stations, the drivers and garda squad cars (but not them shaggin Gatzer wagons), up Molls Gap, out to Dungloe, the road to Clifden, across The Curragh, over to Glenties, up The Glenshane Pass,over The Hill of Allen,out to Milltown, around Portlaoise, over The Bog of Allen…I like travelling in Britain too (once we get off the Motorways) Scotland is very dramatic. The German Autobahns are exciting too, plenty of rest stops and coffee shops but the driving there is mental,no speed limit…
It’s been ages since I was on here, college kept me quiet on the interweb front! I made it to the tent last night and for me it was your best yet in the Marquee – brilliant vibe right from the off! Maybe it was the change of t-shirt colour, fierce summery altogether!
I also wanted to share a little story with you, I recently sang ‘Viva La Quinta Brigada’ at a gig, and one of the regular punters came to me and said his late Mother was a cousin of Bob Hillard! Strangely enough he told me that Rev. Hillard originally went over to Spain to fight on Franco’s side but was rejected and so he joined the Brigade – an interesting little aside on the story.
Anyhow thanks again for a great night in the Bog Top, here’s to making it 10-in-a-row next year!!!
Slán…
Christy's reply
Jim is back ! Sat at The Marquee went very well…did you notice that it was a new tent ? much better then the old one…I hope this “Festival ” continues, it has become part of our working year…its lovely to arrive and meet all the crew, there are a huge number of people involved in running the gig, many of them there for the entire duration and weeks before…always a good vibe back stage and the chuck wagon always turns out a good dinner after the gig….singing “Quinte Brigada” has opened up many doors to me…it has led me to meeting many fine people in different countries
Since I have been in Ireland I have learnt that just like in Oz you cannot trust politicians or bankers, but you can rely on musicians. Thanks for the great gig in the tent and even greater thanks for playing my request. Made our trip worth it. Hop on the plane with your brother some time you would enjoy…..even if just for holiday. Give young Jimmy a pat on the back, his enjoyment was infectious
Christy's reply
glad it went well for you…the addition of Jim Higgins to the gig is working out very well….hope you enjoy the remainder of your time here and have a safe trip back home
Thank you for anotther brilliant night, great selection of songs, great crowd, and what an amazing venue..I’ll be back, cant believe it was me first tent gig..I was sittin beside the biggest man in the tent, made me look like a small jockey..DOC..need a 3 man tent for him..a lovely night, thanks again..see you soon.
Christy's reply
sound Larball….our Donnaca is some specimen…you wanna hear him singing..star turn
For goodness sake Christy today we were all Scottish. I did a fair jig when the boy brought it home. No one watches tennis apart for these weeks when everyone is an expert. I’m glad you had fun in a tent with Declan. It sounded like you were both on fire. It’s very hot. Take it easy. xx
Christy's reply
I watched a documentary about Andy Murray recently…had not realised the Dunblane connection…he really holds on to his sense of place, seems rooted in family and community..glad I saw it….. I attended Wimbledon once, a Summer’s evening back circa 1962….saw Rod Laver and an American ( I Think) called Mulligan….this Summer Sun is life enhancing…gonna walk on The Curragh today…be well Anuk, you and your family
Hi Christy i just want to thank you for everything you have done for my means allot so happy everything worked out. i hope you keep well and send my regards to Declan as well
thanks for everthing
Kind regards
Patrick
Christy's reply
all good Patrick. met your folks last night.they are heading for Wicklow today and seem to be enjoying their travels round The Island. hope you are having a good day in beautiful South Africa.
i would also like to add my thanks to hilary for her dedication and hard work in making the weekend such a success…and also a special thanks to the knocknagoshel womens group for taking on the task of bringing our man to their wonderful village…to an old cynical city dweller like meself i was completely bowled over and humbled by the generosity of spirit and hospitality of the whole village when welcoming a stranger into their midst..and of course thank you to christy and the crew for two absolutely incredible concerts….. and to top it all the sun insisted on shining down upon us throughout the whole weekend…ta ken
Knockna Knockna Knockna Cnoc na gCaisleáin
Hi All. Before the weekend comes to a close,,,,,,,, I want to thank everyone that was invovled in the Knocknagoshel gigs,,, the Womens Group who were responsible locally for the organising and the logistics around tickets,accomodation for visitors, cooking,hall decoration, banners /signage, the traffic management co ordination for the gigs and the attention to detail which was total, nothing was too much trouble, to the local community who got behind the gigs and supported them in great numbers, to the great audiences for the singing, to all the CM crew for their commitment to quality work and of course to the main man who captivated us all both nights,,, despite some distraction from car ( jeep ) alarms,,,the Kerry weather with its constant sunshine did n’t let us down but we don’t take it for granted either !!! Both gigs were truly memorable. Go raibh mile, mile maith agaibh go leir. H
you never mentioned that those gigs would never have happened only for you Hilary…you played a stormer paving the way…..getting the promoter to visit the venue, then convincing the backroom team, then getting the Knocknagoshel Womens Group behind the project..the wonderful directions you furnished the transport captain…the general consensus among our crew is that Knocknagoshel Rules OK ! Then there were the meals we received, the Apple Tarts, the oils, the scenery, the flags and bunting, the one way traffic system that was put in place ( Mick Devine tells me the last time he saw that was when he drove Pavarotti to the RDS ) Did you know that Friday nights gig was reviewed in Sat mornings “Sliabh Luachra Outlook” ?.I want to come back when there is no gig to do. I want to visit Myra McAuliffe’s Family Store again..to take a look around when the days are shorter…fair play to you
Hi Christie, my husband is coming to see you tomorrow evening at Wheelan, his mum passed away 30 years ago today when he was just 17, he is a huge fan of yours and travels to see you as much as he can, he is there alone to see you and combining the trip with a visit to his mums place of rest and I know he be made up if you sang a song for his mum, Kathleen Muldowney, his name is Patrick Muldowney. Many Thanks, Lisa Muldowney x
sound Lisa..we’ll do our best
Christy,
I really enjoyed your gig at the marquee in Cork. Yourself & Declan delivered a superb performance.
However, I was sitting in Block A and it felt like we were crammed in like sardines. IMO this is not good enough. We paid €45 p/ticket and I spent the evening unable to sit comfortably in the seats, as they appeared to be designed for Lilliput like people.
I know the people to our left and right thought the same. I have sent a similar mail to Aiken promotions about the seating arrangements.
I will be back to see you again, but it won’t be in the sardine can marquess.
Keep on rocking Christy!
Morra Paddy C…Thank your for your comments. We have increasingly enjoyed The Marquee every year for the past 9 years. This year we were delighted to find a New Marquee when we arrived. Your comments have been noted and I have no doubt that my team will discuss your comments with Aikens. But I will add my spake !!……I have spoken with many who love the Marquee Gig….numerous acts have mentioned over the years the great atmosphere that is created….I go to a lot of gigs myself and its never going to be as comfortable as watching the DVD on the couch…some of my grreatest experiences have been in less then comfortable conditions…as I get older creature comforts become more important but ,fuck it, as long as I’m able I will go out and hear live gigs, if I want to hear someone bad enough I’ll stand, sit, lie, jostle, elbow and if the vibe is good and the music uplifting…that’ll do me…..but you are as entitled to voice your valid opinion as I am to respond….a big 6 foot 5 inch, 18 stone, lock forward friend of mine was in that block too and he was well pleased after the gig, ( he should have been in Australia !!) …. any way Paddy C, I wish you well and hope you are more comfortable the next time you venture out…keep in touch
Had a fantastic time in Knocknagoshel last night. The show was brilliant as usual Christy. I’ve enclosed the words of the Cliffs of Dooneen which you were looking for last night and who wrote it apparently. Hope the info is correct.
The Cliffs of Dooneen
I have traveled afar from my own native home.
Away o’er the billows, away o’er the foam
I have seen many sights but no equal I’ve seen
To the old rocky slopes by the cliffs of Dooneen
I have seen many sights of Columbus fair land,
Africa and Asia so delightful and grand,
But dig me a grave were the grass it grows green
On the old rocky slopes by the cliffs of Dooneen.
How pleasant to walk on a fine summers day.
And to view the sweet cherries that will never decay,
Where the sea grass and seaweed and the old carrageen
All grow from the rocks by the cliffs of Dooneen.
The Sand hills of Beal are glorious and grand,
And the old castle ruins looking out on the strand,
Where the hares and the rabbits are there to be seen
Making holes for their homes by the cliffs of Dooneen.
I have tracked my love’s footsteps to the boathouse of old
And the dance on the hillside where love stories are told,
Its there you will see both the lad and the colleen
Moving round by the shore of the cliffs of Dooneen
Take a view across the Shannon some sites you will see there
High rocky mountains on the south coast of Clare
The towns of Kilrush and Kilkee ever green
But theres none to compare with the cliffs of Dooneen
Farewell Dooneen, Farewell for a while,
And to those kind-Hearted neighbours that I left in the isle,
May my soul never rest till it’s laid on the green
Near the old rocky slopes by the Cliffs of Dooneen
Jack McAuliffe
The lyrics to The Cliffs Of Dooneen was originally written by a man by the name of Jack McAuliffe.
Dooneen Promentry Fort Right. Kilkee from the slopes of north Kerry above. and Kilcredaune Light house andCarrigaholt castle below
Lissadooneen
Kilcredaun Lighthouse
The Lyrics above were copied down in the 1950s by Christina Leahy (Grogan) as called out by Paddy Joyce of Beal cousin of Jack McAuliffe.
The lyrics are quite similar to those appearing in the Shannonside Annual of 1956.
It is reasonable to assume these lyrics are very close to the original.
Jack McAuliffe
Born about1886, the son
of William and Margaret McAuliffe. The family lived near the lime kilns at Lixnaw
and they worked in the quarries. The father inherited his brother’s egg packing
station in Abbeyfeale and Jack worked there for some years until his father sacked
him for drinking too much. He eventually settled in Sydenham, South London.
He married late in life and had two children Sheila & Danny.
Maurice Joyce was Jacks uncle and they used to
frequent the Beal Bar together. They walked the cliffs from Kilconly to Beal and
Jack told her that he wrote the lyrics whilst sitting up in the window of his
friend, Bob Boyle’s, house in Beale.
Thanks to Madeleine Waters for supplying the information and her mother Nora Foley who was Jacks niece and visited him in London in the early part of WW2 and was given the story first hand.
Waters
That is great Mossie…thanks for taking the trouble…its intriguing how these songs travel and develop..I first heard it sung by Andy Rynne in the early 60s in Prosperous, County Kildare…then I heard Anne Mulqueen sing a version at a session in Dublin… then Mick McGuane had a version too..he was a Clare Flute player who would sing a song when maith go leor..he had a line ” to the Dance Halls and The Cinemas where late I have been, and the high rocky slopes of the Cliffs of Dooneen” but I always felt that he sang that line for pure divvilment….maybe to raise the hackles of a Fleadh Ceol adjudicator. I’ve always felt that the four verses do the job….they contain the essence of the song..thanks again for filling in the gaps…I have always been curious about the author and when it was penned
Hi Christy,
we will leave our Kingdom tomorrow morning for Kingdom Kerry and first we’ll attend your gig tomorrow night before having our Summer break in Ireland. When we will return to the low lands our King Albert will be retired and replaced by his son Filip. After last year in Castlebar, our children Lars & Eva are looking forward to the gig on Saturday night. With many thanks to Mairead in Knocknagoshell
Lars, Eva, Els & Piet
Knocknagoshel is a special place. Perched high upon the hill, it gave us a mighty welcome last night. Sure, Sydney Opera House is fine, London’s Albert Hall is mighty grand (the bouncers wear uniforms), New York’s Carnegie Hall is OK ( but a bit up itself )… BUT tonight, of all the venues in the World, Knocknagoshel Community Hall is where I want to be..( Mary Mac has promised another Apple Tart )
Thanks very much for a fantastic 24 hours First at the tent and the following night in Ballyvourney.im honoured to have made the 9 in a row.Go raibh maith agat leis an oiche ceoil i Ballyvourney.Now for gig number ten in the tent.Best of luck for the rest of the year Christy.
thanks for listening and for your feedback The Marquee tickled my fancy, agus bhí Baile an Mhúirne go h-álainn ar fad…. dhein mé dearfhúid ar mo fáinne agus, mar sin, bhí brón an mhór oraim.
Hi All.This is the Day,,, Tá sé ag teacht,,,, go dti Cnoc na gCaiseal inniu ! The sunny Kingdom awaits,,,,Safe travelling all. H
4 o’clock July 12 th 2013. Just arrived into Knocknagoshel. My first visit to this beautiful place. I have been travelling the road since 1966 and never before have I received such a welcome.I will write more when we next chat.
Hello Christy, once, back in 1991, in the Inter Counties Hotel in Lifford, Donegal, you played a gig after Donegal lifted the Sam Maguire. I was sitting with my best friend Paul Tourish right in front of your mic stand in the front row. As you sang you managed to spit sweat on me several times and I’ve never forgotten that show. It changed my world and now I do what you do, because of you Christy. I want to sing/perform/record with you or my life will simply never be complete. For 28 years I’ve travelled the roads beating out the tunes we all love including originals. I’ll go anywhere, meet you anywhere, stop everything to go perform with you. I know this likely is a very long shot mo chara, but, well, I have to know I tried, y’know!!! Christy, I can be found at BlueStackMusic.com… please come find me… love ya man… B.
Christy, a big fan of yours from Nepal. I am actually coming to Ireland for a 10-day trip but unfortunately no gigs or show during that time (7/19-7/28). Are you out of the country during that time? Anyways, would be a dream to see you perform but might have to put it on hold for now. Any chance I can take you to a Nepali dinner on Saturday 7/20 if you are in Dublin?
Got to agree that Geoff does a marvellous job with the lighting – and the entire crew provide the best of support to you and Decky. Great to hear such positive reviews from all of the gigs. God knows, people need something to lift the spirits these days. Wally Page and Johnny Mulhern in the Walled City tonight. Might not make it though as the “Marching Season” is more than a song tonight. Had a beautiful drive over the Glenshane Pass last night and “The Boy From Tamlaghtduff” ran through my head – love the way songs rise with the scenery. Been listening to the new album by Sam Baker these days. Such a brave and talented guy – and a real gentleman too. He has a song “Migrants” about migrants getting lost and the report in the papers giving only a few lines amongst the adverts. Reminded me of Woody writing “Deportees” because they were nameless in the reports of the Los Gatos plane wreck. Anyway, hope all is good with the new boxset. Keep well, enjoy the wondeful Kerry hospitality, and see you in November.
Howdo, Christo! I hope you have the factor 50 on in this weather. Just popping down a note to say thanks for the gig in the Marquee. It’s good sometimes to here the audience shout for requests, but it is even better when the music is flowing and you can pick and choose yourself what songs come into your head. Nice to hear ‘Magic Nights’….wouldn’t it be great to see the likes of The Lobby Bar and other venues resurrected….then again, maybe it might be best to have the memories. It was a great night, like a farmers welly on a hot day……warm and stuffy! I must give top marks to the lighting engineer, not sure if he is one of your lads or works for The Marquee but the lighting for every song was brilliant! Keep the head covered…see you along the road. J.
You describe it well…we enjoyed it too..our lights are designed and operated by Geoff Ryan who has been lighting our gig for many years now…there being no set list Geoff has to do our lighting “on the wing” and he does a great job of it….in fact this applies to all our crew…Geoff Ryan on Lighting,Dickon Whitehead on Monitors, John Meade does Stage and Guitars, David Meade on Sound, Michael Devine is our tour manager and Paddy Doherty steadfastly steers the “ship of fame”.
Hi christy hope all is well …. would love to heading to Kerry for the gigs but i may wait till whelans lol…. kerry can be a weird place some odd people hanging out down there … … hope ur enjoying the weather and not watching too many films …
not my experience at all…the very finest below in The Kingdom…have a touch of Sunstroke tonight, got burnt in Wicklow….last few films were dreadful affairs..see you next Monday…wear your shinguards
Back home and back to work after another enjoyable Marquee visit to see you. Thanks for singing my request “Magic Nights”. It was really appreciated. I take it Jimmy Higgins is a permanent addition and not just a “one off”. Truely a handsome young rose between two thorns. I thought “Bogman” was your brother’s song. Have you nicked it? I’m sure he doesnt mind. See you along the way. Good luck.
Cm 68
Do you have a dishwasher.? When yanks say theyre on the way ,it’s on over load and high speed.everything in the house goes in and the door won’t close.dado would end up in there aswell but he promised to shave.I put scallop shells in there but ate the scallops first.
A monster cruise ship came in today theyre flocking like seagulls to see.kind of rather a boat with sails, do you ever get ti red of travelling.,? Going to dingle soon its very long cs 8.
it only gets used twice a year when theres a crowd for dinner…its much quicker to feck the lot into the basin…my favourite Americanism is from a taximan at JFK who said to Declan “You wanna I should pop the trunk” some of them Cruise ships put the heart crossways on me…I always wonder what they must do with all their waste..is their a HUGE shoal of mackerel gliding after SS hell-on-earth…I’d rather go to Patrick’s Purgatory then on a cruise ship….Dingle is a very long haul..get to Tralee and your only half way… I like travelling in Ireland, I love the roads and towns, the caffs and petrol stations, the drivers and garda squad cars (but not them shaggin Gatzer wagons), up Molls Gap, out to Dungloe, the road to Clifden, across The Curragh, over to Glenties, up The Glenshane Pass,over The Hill of Allen,out to Milltown, around Portlaoise, over The Bog of Allen…I like travelling in Britain too (once we get off the Motorways) Scotland is very dramatic. The German Autobahns are exciting too, plenty of rest stops and coffee shops but the driving there is mental,no speed limit…
It’s been ages since I was on here, college kept me quiet on the interweb front! I made it to the tent last night and for me it was your best yet in the Marquee – brilliant vibe right from the off! Maybe it was the change of t-shirt colour, fierce summery altogether!
I also wanted to share a little story with you, I recently sang ‘Viva La Quinta Brigada’ at a gig, and one of the regular punters came to me and said his late Mother was a cousin of Bob Hillard! Strangely enough he told me that Rev. Hillard originally went over to Spain to fight on Franco’s side but was rejected and so he joined the Brigade – an interesting little aside on the story.
Anyhow thanks again for a great night in the Bog Top, here’s to making it 10-in-a-row next year!!!
Slán…
Jim is back ! Sat at The Marquee went very well…did you notice that it was a new tent ? much better then the old one…I hope this “Festival ” continues, it has become part of our working year…its lovely to arrive and meet all the crew, there are a huge number of people involved in running the gig, many of them there for the entire duration and weeks before…always a good vibe back stage and the chuck wagon always turns out a good dinner after the gig….singing “Quinte Brigada” has opened up many doors to me…it has led me to meeting many fine people in different countries
Since I have been in Ireland I have learnt that just like in Oz you cannot trust politicians or bankers, but you can rely on musicians. Thanks for the great gig in the tent and even greater thanks for playing my request. Made our trip worth it. Hop on the plane with your brother some time you would enjoy…..even if just for holiday. Give young Jimmy a pat on the back, his enjoyment was infectious
glad it went well for you…the addition of Jim Higgins to the gig is working out very well….hope you enjoy the remainder of your time here and have a safe trip back home
Thank you for anotther brilliant night, great selection of songs, great crowd, and what an amazing venue..I’ll be back, cant believe it was me first tent gig..I was sittin beside the biggest man in the tent, made me look like a small jockey..DOC..need a 3 man tent for him..a lovely night, thanks again..see you soon.
sound Larball….our Donnaca is some specimen…you wanna hear him singing..star turn
For goodness sake Christy today we were all Scottish. I did a fair jig when the boy brought it home. No one watches tennis apart for these weeks when everyone is an expert. I’m glad you had fun in a tent with Declan. It sounded like you were both on fire. It’s very hot. Take it easy. xx
I watched a documentary about Andy Murray recently…had not realised the Dunblane connection…he really holds on to his sense of place, seems rooted in family and community..glad I saw it….. I attended Wimbledon once, a Summer’s evening back circa 1962….saw Rod Laver and an American ( I Think) called Mulligan….this Summer Sun is life enhancing…gonna walk on The Curragh today…be well Anuk, you and your family
Hi Christy i just want to thank you for everything you have done for my means allot so happy everything worked out. i hope you keep well and send my regards to Declan as well
thanks for everthing
Kind regards
Patrick
all good Patrick. met your folks last night.they are heading for Wicklow today and seem to be enjoying their travels round The Island. hope you are having a good day in beautiful South Africa.