Love the new Site Christy, Continued success to you, looking forward to catching a gig in the upcoming set.
Many thanks for all the songs through the years
Brendan
its been on my list but the promoters, agents and venues are finding it difficult to align with our touring schedules…I live in hope of playing Brum before too long
Good work on the website, much easier to read on the mobile devices! And there is even the makin’s of a cookie notice too! Very mod! Looking forward to the Vicar street gigs, it’s a venue that always has a good buzz despite the numb bottoms from the hard seats! 🙂
Christy's reply
let me know when your are coming and I ‘ll have a cushion for you
CM(67)
Comhairdeachas a mhac le do suíomh nua!
You can fry both sides of the rasher with the George Foreman.You have to open it with a spoon to not get burnt not for children.
You can do the egg if you put a rolling pin under where the fat comes out to make it even.Not dadós tables box( I found that out the hard way) Something fire poof.
I tried some sandwiches on it and it was delicious.Mushrooms too but you must cut them flat.
The George foreman is great in a hotel if you are celiac or don’t want to see people down stairs ,Just fry your own bacon and throw it into two slices of gluten free bread. But make sure you unplug it before to go on stage .Or else there will be no hotel declan or you or Hilary left.
Your new website is go hiontach.I am going to look around more.
The song was a translation of” who are you my pretty fair maid” , tá mé ann sásta leis.
This woman came and her name is “home help” to dadó. Ní raibh sé sásta she put him in the shower he tried to escape he said hes going to take off if he sees her coming again.
Why did you change the website?
CS(8)
P.S
The goats are not around , and I saw a magpie in the school!
Christy's reply
everything needs a bit of a change every now and then..a bit of a freshen up….there were a few things needed tweeking and seemingly the last site was difficult to read on recent devices, something I would never suss myself..I’m a bit old fashioned in certain matters
Wow – new release and new website in the same month. Very impressive and looks well – congratulations to all. Still humming snatches of songs from the Derry gigs – nice lift to have you, the crew and 4711ers visit us in the Walled City. Hope to see you all back again before too long. Keep well – and keep singing.
Christy's reply
far amach a cara ..wow is right..love to you good Derry/Derry listeners
What a game christy,I was an Irish man for 80 minutes there,Every player Gave their all for Ireland best game I have seen since we beat the English in the six nations.
Christy's reply
We are shattered, we are bloodied but not bowed…we touched the peak, got within an asses roar. Then, as the last seconds of extra time ground slowly by,that Curse of Haka silenced our throaty celebrations…all seemed in slow motion as the All-Mighty Blacks weaved their magic one more time…these South Sea Warriors always have a trump card in their arse pockets….and,By God,they sure know when to play it….Athenry fell silent,Molly Malone speechless, a million pints lay flat and headless, distraught women and men weeping mascara as our heros sought to show the brave face of defeat once again…BUT Geraint,we are back at the top table….Joel Scmidt seems to have the makings of another day, of a new era…when the weeping and wailing whimpers out we will rise again….Goodbye to the All-Blacks as they fly home to Auckland having shown us all how it can be done..we now turn our attention to Euro Cup, Triple Crown, 6 Nations,…..we live in eternal hope, boots always at the ready….
Christy, the three discs continue to sleep in the carousel of my cd player when they’re not being spun under the laser. The intimacy of the recordings – it’s like I have you here in the room singing. Was this the project you back-burnered a while when you released Folk Tale in its place? If so, well worth the extra time put in. This is a keeper. For all the love you’ve brought to others’ songs, it’s only fitting that you’ve collected your own so caringly. Thanks to you, and to Declan too.
Christy's reply
Doug, greetings to Vancouver and to you, me auld China….only the other day I was thinking of our session in The Royal Spa, lovely to hear that you have spun the new box and to get your thumbs up…we’re all good here Thanks Be….we are traversing the Island, playing our hearts out, singing our heads off and having a right good time in the process..Declan is working on his second album and giving us the odd glimpse of a new song..the crew are all in good order…4711ers are popping up every where we stop to play..I’m contemplating what to do next…have a few grand new songs in the work room… I’m polishing up a brace of old ones for renewal..are’nt we blest to have such gems to contemplate…just rediscovered “The Verdant Braes Of Skryne” and “The Boys of Mullaghabawn”, rekindled “Folk Tale” ( yet again !) and played with ” The Boys of Barr na Sráide ” (at Hilary’s suggestion). We all send good wishes to you, our loyal Companero…hope you sing this day, that your heart be good and your spirit strong
Hi, again Christy, Im. sorry I. must have got it all wrong. I. have been telling this story with years. I. will check with the group I. was playing with at the time.(The Rowans) . I. have been known to dream. thanks for your reply. Kind Regards. Pat.
Christy's reply
Pat, never let the truth get in the way of a good story…when I first heard Sweeney’s Men I too did dream…I dreamt that I was in a Ballad Band, I dreamt of singing “in aice leis na píobairí uileann”. Across the water, felling homesick for The Curragh of Kildare, I dreamt of music that never yet was made. …..tell us more about “The Rowans”
Hi christy looks like it has been a busy few weeks,Good luck tomorrow come on the Irish give the all blacks a hard game hit them hard,see you soon Geraint.
Christy's reply
I’m still in the bed here, behind drawn curtains, just after the porridge….I’m contemplating the music that we must face later on….that bloody infernal bloodthirsty Haka…apart from the fact that they are the best team in the world, the Haka is a fierce weapon to have in any armoury ….it makes me wonder how they were ever colonised…much easier to invade this Island with all our warriors Riverdancing up and down the beaches
and still we live in hope, not just for a good performance but we cling to that glimmer that maybe, just maybe, everything might click into place….that Brian O’Driscoll will pull a big one out of the bag,that the day just might be ours…thats what gets me up this morning….gotta do my stretches now, rub the embrocation into my thighs,get the dubbin into the boots,pack the scrum cap,jockstrap and number 3 jersey, remember the rosary beads,miraculous medal and bacon sandwich for half time…I’m gunning for Kieron Reid today, he may be a foot taller and a lot fitter,perhaps the greatest forward currently in the world BUT this is my patch and I have good strategy prepared….dont be surprised if he limps off early on, I have the stuff for him ….to be contd
G’day Christy from a couple of the “down-under listeners’ Received the CD–bloody lovely-all our favourites and some new ones too.
We’re going to Sydney in a couple of weeks and will most definitely call into the Merc (as you do).
That leaves me to say seasons greetings to you and yours and have another fabulous and successful year.
Love M and H.
Christy's reply
Morra Marg and Harry, greetings to all you Victorian songsters, to Michael Geraghty of Roseberry, to Max Elbourne, to Archie Gibson,to all you singing birds
hi, Brian, is there a dvd of sweeneys men available. I. have great memories of the group. was great friends with Joe RIP. met Johnnie last year and also met Andy. first saw them at puck fair around 1966. drove a red VW van then. went to see them one time at the Laurels in Killarney only to find that Andy had left and gone to Rumania.
To my surprise another great balladeer had replaced him on the night
Yes that was the first time I. saw Christy. I. have been a fan since.
.
Christy's reply
hi Pat….Christy here…there may be occasional old footage of Sweeney’s Men knockin about but , as of yet, no DVD…there was talk of Andy’s 70th Celebration gig being filmed but have not heard anything definite….your recall of the band after Andy left is slightly askew ( they were heady days) I may be wrong but lineage …first line-up was Andy Irvine, Johnny Moynihan and Galway Joe Dolan….Terry Woods came in when Joe departed for The Gulf of Acabba…after Andy left, some gigs were played with (I think) Al O’Donnell, and later again Henry McCullough walked the steps of Sweeney….I never had the pleasure of playing in Sweeney’s Men. I was in England when they were blazing the trail. I listened to their first classic album a lot….it sowed the seed in my head for what later grew into Planxty . The VW van you describe was driven by the late Eamon O’Doherty . He was their first ring master. He later gained great acclaim through wonderful sculptures which can be seen in many locations. The ” Floozie in the Jacuzzi ” in Parkgate St Dublin, The Galway Hooker in Eyre Square, The Famine Memorial on The Diamond in Derry/Derry, to name but three…he also made wonderful pencil drawings of many old Donegal Fiddle players and painted the Sleeve for my 1987 album Unfinished Revolution.
great that Sweeney’s Men are back again…I hope there will be a DVD
Hi Christy, hope you’re having a good time in Trim.
Myself and our good friend Scally have just had a wonderful time watching Sweeney’s Men at Vicar Street, great music and good fun too.
Christy's reply
a right Royal time here Brian..I gained a Bodhran made for me by my old friend David Noble,
Hi christy, Theres a gang from cavan heading to your gig in the knightsbrook hotel in Trim tomorrow night. We seen you in de slieve russel hotel in Cavan last year, brilliant gig. But it would make out night if you could play a request or two for THE VIRGINIA LADS, the songs were looking are, Spancil Hill, Beeswing or Hackler from grousehall. Much appreciated in advance. Lookin forward to it.
Hi Christy, great gig in the Cork Opera House. The highlight for me was ‘The first time ever I saw your face’, you sang it so beautifully.
With thanks and best wishes,
looking forward to the next time,
Clara
Christy's reply
Thanks Clara, its such a classic song…in 1968 I played with Ewan McColl and his wife Peggy Seeger…Ewan wrote this song for Peggy…..I feel its a song for the world
Hello dear Christy,
Back home from Derry to a dull Germany we sustain ourselves on cheerful memories that bring some light to these dark November days. Your enchanting songs are still lingering and we want to thank you, Declan and the whole crew very much for three magic nights. There was an intensification of our experience from Cork City in the South to the Walled City in the North and at your second Doire gig it was such a night I wished it would never end. We were overwhelmed as you sang “Hurt” most sensitive – DANKESCHÖN!
We’ll always remember the great time we had in the City of Culture, meeting up again with the lovely 4711ers friends, staying in the Bogside accomodated by very kind hosts, walking the Peace Bridge for the first time … and your incredible gigs in Millenium Forum.
Also many thanks for the souvenir from Opera House and for signing your new album.
With best wishes, Traudel
Christy's reply
Míle maith go dtí an beirt agaibh…thank you for following the songs, from Germany to Gortatagort and then on up to Derry’s Walls….ye never faltered….
Hi Christy, I am here preparing for Trim tomorrow night watching the Barrowlands DVD, mighty stuff. It will be my first time to catch you in Trim, but plenty of happy and hazy memories of other venues along the banks of The Boyne dating back to Slane House mid to late seventies, I think the “Honda 50” sailed up the boyne after one of those gigs, maybe Harry Gibney on the back of it, moved on to plusher surroundings in the 80’s caught you in The Royal Albert Hall, when we had to leave “The Holy Island” to get a day’s work as many are doing now only they have to move further away. The one thing that has stayed constant is the quality of the performances, be it Slane House The Albert Hall or The Late Late always 100% and top notch. If the “Lillywhites” could get 15 as committed Sam Maguire would be spending time in Newbridge.
Here’s looking forward to a great night, and maybe a rendition of “Yellow Furze Woman” Shine on you Crazy Diamond.
This time last week we were headin for the walls. It was a great weekend , Yourself and Dec were on top form……some great songs in the sets. We,ve been on the new Cds since ,it’s a really fine collection of your songs…. , the sound is fantastic ,I think the live version of Where I come from is really special…..the beauty of the sound from the Hall in KnocknaG.is amazing..
John Spillane put on a great show in Ballyshannon a couple of weeks ago , he sang songs from “Magic Nights” through to his latest Cd.
He even gave us “Johnny don’t Go ”
You used to give that one a fair auld rattle with the Bodhran yourself too.
Love the new Site Christy, Continued success to you, looking forward to catching a gig in the upcoming set.
Many thanks for all the songs through the years
Brendan
thanks for listening…Galway always beckons
Any sign of you coming to Birmingham Christy ?
its been on my list but the promoters, agents and venues are finding it difficult to align with our touring schedules…I live in hope of playing Brum before too long
Just dipped in for a quick nosey Christy, looking good so far ! Love & Respect Martin Mac
keep coming back MM
Congrats to the new styling, Christy – looks good !
very fancy !!!!
Good work on the website, much easier to read on the mobile devices! And there is even the makin’s of a cookie notice too! Very mod! Looking forward to the Vicar street gigs, it’s a venue that always has a good buzz despite the numb bottoms from the hard seats! 🙂
let me know when your are coming and I ‘ll have a cushion for you
CM(67)
Comhairdeachas a mhac le do suíomh nua!
You can fry both sides of the rasher with the George Foreman.You have to open it with a spoon to not get burnt not for children.
You can do the egg if you put a rolling pin under where the fat comes out to make it even.Not dadós tables box( I found that out the hard way) Something fire poof.
I tried some sandwiches on it and it was delicious.Mushrooms too but you must cut them flat.
The George foreman is great in a hotel if you are celiac or don’t want to see people down stairs ,Just fry your own bacon and throw it into two slices of gluten free bread. But make sure you unplug it before to go on stage .Or else there will be no hotel declan or you or Hilary left.
Your new website is go hiontach.I am going to look around more.
The song was a translation of” who are you my pretty fair maid” , tá mé ann sásta leis.
This woman came and her name is “home help” to dadó. Ní raibh sé sásta she put him in the shower he tried to escape he said hes going to take off if he sees her coming again.
Why did you change the website?
CS(8)
P.S
The goats are not around , and I saw a magpie in the school!
everything needs a bit of a change every now and then..a bit of a freshen up….there were a few things needed tweeking and seemingly the last site was difficult to read on recent devices, something I would never suss myself..I’m a bit old fashioned in certain matters
Wow – new release and new website in the same month. Very impressive and looks well – congratulations to all. Still humming snatches of songs from the Derry gigs – nice lift to have you, the crew and 4711ers visit us in the Walled City. Hope to see you all back again before too long. Keep well – and keep singing.
far amach a cara ..wow is right..love to you good Derry/Derry listeners
Hi Christy,
Going on this site now is like getting a new phone……Just mastered the old one and now have to learn how to use the new model :))
new models no problem for you Jimi
What a game christy,I was an Irish man for 80 minutes there,Every player Gave their all for Ireland best game I have seen since we beat the English in the six nations.
We are shattered, we are bloodied but not bowed…we touched the peak, got within an asses roar. Then, as the last seconds of extra time ground slowly by,that Curse of Haka silenced our throaty celebrations…all seemed in slow motion as the All-Mighty Blacks weaved their magic one more time…these South Sea Warriors always have a trump card in their arse pockets….and,By God,they sure know when to play it….Athenry fell silent,Molly Malone speechless, a million pints lay flat and headless, distraught women and men weeping mascara as our heros sought to show the brave face of defeat once again…BUT Geraint,we are back at the top table….Joel Scmidt seems to have the makings of another day, of a new era…when the weeping and wailing whimpers out we will rise again….Goodbye to the All-Blacks as they fly home to Auckland having shown us all how it can be done..we now turn our attention to Euro Cup, Triple Crown, 6 Nations,…..we live in eternal hope, boots always at the ready….
Christy, the three discs continue to sleep in the carousel of my cd player when they’re not being spun under the laser. The intimacy of the recordings – it’s like I have you here in the room singing. Was this the project you back-burnered a while when you released Folk Tale in its place? If so, well worth the extra time put in. This is a keeper. For all the love you’ve brought to others’ songs, it’s only fitting that you’ve collected your own so caringly. Thanks to you, and to Declan too.
Doug, greetings to Vancouver and to you, me auld China….only the other day I was thinking of our session in The Royal Spa, lovely to hear that you have spun the new box and to get your thumbs up…we’re all good here Thanks Be….we are traversing the Island, playing our hearts out, singing our heads off and having a right good time in the process..Declan is working on his second album and giving us the odd glimpse of a new song..the crew are all in good order…4711ers are popping up every where we stop to play..I’m contemplating what to do next…have a few grand new songs in the work room… I’m polishing up a brace of old ones for renewal..are’nt we blest to have such gems to contemplate…just rediscovered “The Verdant Braes Of Skryne” and “The Boys of Mullaghabawn”, rekindled “Folk Tale” ( yet again !) and played with ” The Boys of Barr na Sráide ” (at Hilary’s suggestion). We all send good wishes to you, our loyal Companero…hope you sing this day, that your heart be good and your spirit strong
Hi, again Christy, Im. sorry I. must have got it all wrong. I. have been telling this story with years. I. will check with the group I. was playing with at the time.(The Rowans) . I. have been known to dream. thanks for your reply. Kind Regards. Pat.
Pat, never let the truth get in the way of a good story…when I first heard Sweeney’s Men I too did dream…I dreamt that I was in a Ballad Band, I dreamt of singing “in aice leis na píobairí uileann”. Across the water, felling homesick for The Curragh of Kildare, I dreamt of music that never yet was made. …..tell us more about “The Rowans”
Hi christy looks like it has been a busy few weeks,Good luck tomorrow come on the Irish give the all blacks a hard game hit them hard,see you soon Geraint.
I’m still in the bed here, behind drawn curtains, just after the porridge….I’m contemplating the music that we must face later on….that bloody infernal bloodthirsty Haka…apart from the fact that they are the best team in the world, the Haka is a fierce weapon to have in any armoury ….it makes me wonder how they were ever colonised…much easier to invade this Island with all our warriors Riverdancing up and down the beaches
and still we live in hope, not just for a good performance but we cling to that glimmer that maybe, just maybe, everything might click into place….that Brian O’Driscoll will pull a big one out of the bag,that the day just might be ours…thats what gets me up this morning….gotta do my stretches now, rub the embrocation into my thighs,get the dubbin into the boots,pack the scrum cap,jockstrap and number 3 jersey, remember the rosary beads,miraculous medal and bacon sandwich for half time…I’m gunning for Kieron Reid today, he may be a foot taller and a lot fitter,perhaps the greatest forward currently in the world BUT this is my patch and I have good strategy prepared….dont be surprised if he limps off early on, I have the stuff for him ….to be contd
G’day Christy from a couple of the “down-under listeners’ Received the CD–bloody lovely-all our favourites and some new ones too.
We’re going to Sydney in a couple of weeks and will most definitely call into the Merc (as you do).
That leaves me to say seasons greetings to you and yours and have another fabulous and successful year.
Love M and H.
Morra Marg and Harry, greetings to all you Victorian songsters, to Michael Geraghty of Roseberry, to Max Elbourne, to Archie Gibson,to all you singing birds
hi, Brian, is there a dvd of sweeneys men available. I. have great memories of the group. was great friends with Joe RIP. met Johnnie last year and also met Andy. first saw them at puck fair around 1966. drove a red VW van then. went to see them one time at the Laurels in Killarney only to find that Andy had left and gone to Rumania.
To my surprise another great balladeer had replaced him on the night
Yes that was the first time I. saw Christy. I. have been a fan since.
.
hi Pat….Christy here…there may be occasional old footage of Sweeney’s Men knockin about but , as of yet, no DVD…there was talk of Andy’s 70th Celebration gig being filmed but have not heard anything definite….your recall of the band after Andy left is slightly askew ( they were heady days) I may be wrong but lineage …first line-up was Andy Irvine, Johnny Moynihan and Galway Joe Dolan….Terry Woods came in when Joe departed for The Gulf of Acabba…after Andy left, some gigs were played with (I think) Al O’Donnell, and later again Henry McCullough walked the steps of Sweeney….I never had the pleasure of playing in Sweeney’s Men. I was in England when they were blazing the trail. I listened to their first classic album a lot….it sowed the seed in my head for what later grew into Planxty . The VW van you describe was driven by the late Eamon O’Doherty . He was their first ring master. He later gained great acclaim through wonderful sculptures which can be seen in many locations. The ” Floozie in the Jacuzzi ” in Parkgate St Dublin, The Galway Hooker in Eyre Square, The Famine Memorial on The Diamond in Derry/Derry, to name but three…he also made wonderful pencil drawings of many old Donegal Fiddle players and painted the Sleeve for my 1987 album Unfinished Revolution.
great that Sweeney’s Men are back again…I hope there will be a DVD
Hi Christy, hope you’re having a good time in Trim.
Myself and our good friend Scally have just had a wonderful time watching Sweeney’s Men at Vicar Street, great music and good fun too.
a right Royal time here Brian..I gained a Bodhran made for me by my old friend David Noble,
Hi christy, Theres a gang from cavan heading to your gig in the knightsbrook hotel in Trim tomorrow night. We seen you in de slieve russel hotel in Cavan last year, brilliant gig. But it would make out night if you could play a request or two for THE VIRGINIA LADS, the songs were looking are, Spancil Hill, Beeswing or Hackler from grousehall. Much appreciated in advance. Lookin forward to it.
only just read this damo..hope ye all clicked
Hi Christy, great gig in the Cork Opera House. The highlight for me was ‘The first time ever I saw your face’, you sang it so beautifully.
With thanks and best wishes,
looking forward to the next time,
Clara
Thanks Clara, its such a classic song…in 1968 I played with Ewan McColl and his wife Peggy Seeger…Ewan wrote this song for Peggy…..I feel its a song for the world
Hello dear Christy,
Back home from Derry to a dull Germany we sustain ourselves on cheerful memories that bring some light to these dark November days. Your enchanting songs are still lingering and we want to thank you, Declan and the whole crew very much for three magic nights. There was an intensification of our experience from Cork City in the South to the Walled City in the North and at your second Doire gig it was such a night I wished it would never end. We were overwhelmed as you sang “Hurt” most sensitive – DANKESCHÖN!
We’ll always remember the great time we had in the City of Culture, meeting up again with the lovely 4711ers friends, staying in the Bogside accomodated by very kind hosts, walking the Peace Bridge for the first time … and your incredible gigs in Millenium Forum.
Also many thanks for the souvenir from Opera House and for signing your new album.
With best wishes, Traudel
Míle maith go dtí an beirt agaibh…thank you for following the songs, from Germany to Gortatagort and then on up to Derry’s Walls….ye never faltered….
Hi Christy, I am here preparing for Trim tomorrow night watching the Barrowlands DVD, mighty stuff. It will be my first time to catch you in Trim, but plenty of happy and hazy memories of other venues along the banks of The Boyne dating back to Slane House mid to late seventies, I think the “Honda 50” sailed up the boyne after one of those gigs, maybe Harry Gibney on the back of it, moved on to plusher surroundings in the 80’s caught you in The Royal Albert Hall, when we had to leave “The Holy Island” to get a day’s work as many are doing now only they have to move further away. The one thing that has stayed constant is the quality of the performances, be it Slane House The Albert Hall or The Late Late always 100% and top notch. If the “Lillywhites” could get 15 as committed Sam Maguire would be spending time in Newbridge.
Here’s looking forward to a great night, and maybe a rendition of “Yellow Furze Woman” Shine on you Crazy Diamond.
This time last week we were headin for the walls. It was a great weekend , Yourself and Dec were on top form……some great songs in the sets. We,ve been on the new Cds since ,it’s a really fine collection of your songs…. , the sound is fantastic ,I think the live version of Where I come from is really special…..the beauty of the sound from the Hall in KnocknaG.is amazing..
John Spillane put on a great show in Ballyshannon a couple of weeks ago , he sang songs from “Magic Nights” through to his latest Cd.
He even gave us “Johnny don’t Go ”
You used to give that one a fair auld rattle with the Bodhran yourself too.