Looking forward to the gig on 13th April @ Vicar Street – flying in from Scunthorpe, North Lincs for it with my dad! First time to Dublin 🙂
Christy's reply
Hey Gemma ! From Scunny to Dublin…….Home of twinkle toes Keegan and Janet Revelle-Rohr ..,,you will be very welcome……we had manys the glorious night in Scunthorpe Folk Club back in the days when petrol was 4/6 a gallon and Camerons Strongarm was 2/6 a pint…
Very much looking forward to the gig tomorrow night in Cheltenham. We lived in Australia for many years, so this is the first chance we’ve had to see you play since coming back. Seen you play many times before, and always enjoyed the songs and the craic. All the best, and here’s to a great night tomorrow.
Christy's reply
I’m living in hope this morning….that the power of medicine might prevail….that the concoctions,inhalations,pills and powders might clear the tubes,unblock the passages and the carry verses from the voice box to the back of tonights Town Hall….I kneel at the altar of Vick and Lemsip, Dispirin and Olbas…..the common cold…a singers dilemna…I’m here in Cheltenham…perhaps its equine flu but more likely man flu…I’ll give Ted Walsh a ring and hope he wont have me put down
Traveling to the UK from the Falkland Islands to attend the G live gig in Guildford!
It has now been over 20 years since I last saw Christy perform live at the Royal Albert in london.
The first time, I was visiting family in Newbridge in the early 1980’s and he was pointed out to me (sitting in a pub, strumming his guitar) I have to confess I had no idea who he was, but the person with me was in awe!
I have now brought your music to my children who love it…. another generation to be hooked on the great man… keep it real ole man
Christy's reply
Goose Green To Guildford….hope you take in Droichead Nua
Christy goes to Cheltenham – it could be a ballad!
Hope that head cold gets better in time, giddyup there!
Kane, a worthy-sounding project but looking for that sort of specific information in here on this website….. hhhmmnnnn…..
C, I’d express curiousity indeed at what your stance would be re: that Luas strike. I see you’ve commented; it’s a bad call by them, I agree with you on it.
(Didnt make the Athlone gig this year)
Christy's reply
The Vet is currently in the next stable….The Luas Strike on the Centenary Day of the 1916 Rising?….do we side with Larkin or William Martin Murphy?
I am a history student in Trinity College involved in a research project regarding history and the public. The primary concern of my research is Bloody Sunday 1920 and how the events are portrayed in popular culture. Bloody Sunday has not evoked a great deal of interest in the realm of popular culture, quantifiable by the small volume of literature, music and film produced over the period of 95 years. I would appreciate your opinion as to why you believe there is a reticence on the part of authors, musicians, film makers and artists to portray the events of Bloody Sunday in popular culture?
Christy's reply
Dear Kane….pehaps best to examine the reticence (to engage) which still exists today and work backwards…..I regret that I failed History in both my Inter and Leaving exams, However I did get a First in Religious Knowledge in the Lower Second year of 1959
Hello Christy,
I am looking forward to your concert this coming week in Guildford. It’s a great feeling to sit in front of you and Decky and watch your brilliance at work.
As I said to you before I have tried to shake your hand a few times but just missed you. I was just wondering would there be any chance I could meet you after (I’ll wait for a long as I need to) and have a photo taken please? You know something Christy I would just treasure that for the rest of my days. And to actually meet you would be an absolute honour.
I hope you had a great Easter weekend and I shall see you this week. God bless.
Ps back home in Derry is a cracking tune should you have any voids in your repertoire.
God bless.
Christy's reply
Kev…just about to drive on to the Ferry in Dublin Port..wrestling with sneezing and a bleddy head cold which would mean nothing if I did not have Concerts looming and so much depending…audiences,venues,roadcrew,promoters and my fellow musicians all gathering for Cheltenham tomorrow night and me sneezing me head off here in Dublin…photos and handshakes simply cannot be planned nor committed..if it happens it happens…for now, I gotta focus on getting the gigs done achoooo
How ya christy off to see you in carlow next month
i got a pair of tickets for christmas been looking foward to it since
seen you 6 times before and with planxty for my 18th b day
any chance of belting out follow me up to carlow and fire in a bit of bodhran for good measure .
thanks keep her lit
Christy's reply
see you in the posh…we’ll lash it out as best we can….hopefully Follow will have an outing and the old drum get a lambasting
Hi Christy my girlfriend got tickets for vicar street in April.
In the recent weeks my twins brother (17) was involved in a life threatening car crash and spent 2 weeks in the Royal Hospital on the Falls road where he was sedated. Since then he has recovered well and we are expecting a full recovery. Odhrán (my twin) has been to three of your previous concerts in the Waterfront and I could promise he knows every word of the majority of your songs. However there’s no seats where are tickets are and he can’t go alone by any chance could you help us on this matter?
Go raibh míle
Christy's reply
…there are 4 gigs in Vicar….dont know If I can help…
Happy Easter to you and yours, dear Christy!
Fantastic to hear that “The Gardener” had its first appearance on the Island recently – your great-grandfathers might have been delighted about this wonderful song.
Hope you’ll have a great night together with your fellow musicians and poets in commemoration of the women and men of 1916 at Liberty Hall. And Best of Luck for your forthcoming UK Tour!
Spring greetings, Traudel
Christy's reply
I think you must have heard the gig from Drogheda…fair play to our Kerry Correspondant…. I love the way she shares her recordings and sends the songs around the globe…”Three Cheers” for The Rose of Tralee
my great-grandparents from The Boyne seem to inhabit the verses of Paul Doran’s beautiful ballad…he also wrote “Natives”
Happy Easter to you both and to all our German songsters
Good man Christy I can’t wait for the documentary. Rte are providing some good shows this year. Hope the finishing touches are bring made to the new album. The new stuff sounds just as good as the olderror stuff.
Mighty line up tonight , best of luck with the gig. Don’t think I could show support to Jack o connorr right now however. Personally I think that what SIPTU are doing this weekend is a disgrace. This event will never come around again and they are keeping families (mine included) who travel from outside of Dublin from attending as driving is out. A strike csn be jyst as effective on a busy weekday. Then again I know plenty who firmly believe what they are doing is right…… Never a dull moment;)
Christy's reply
10 songs almost wrapped up and ready to escape…tomorrows Strike is a bad call…The Lilies of The Shortgrass are coming home again
greetings and well being mo chara,
just coming out of hibernation after the world tour of barrowland and the homeland the same month.. It knocked the socks of me! I woke and had to pinch myself to check in that sarsfields were still the county champions for at least another while…
I was wondering the other day christy, of all the albums that you made, what is your favourite album? that you love to seat down and go “jasus that one is great”?
And what was your favourite album to make?
Me personally my favourite is smoke and strong whiskey, king puck, and this is the day. also love getting traveller out on them stormy nights to take me to a place where some people will never go!!.
Good to hear the new tune lillies in the short grass at keadeen in november an absolute dedication to the people of newbridge and thank you for it. great to hear “the rubber” con cummins, paddy dowling all in the one song.
well im off to sow the spuds today before we head down to see the lillies take in the boys from tipp. I think we are in good hands with a moorefield man from college park!
Christy's reply
I seldom hear the previous albums….occasionally I might happen upon a track on the wireless…I only listen when seeking forgotten lyrics…among the most enjoyable recording experience would be “Prosperous”….”Ride On” and “This is The Day”..these were happy times which could not be said about every recording experience….there are a few tracks across the years that would now cause me to wince…one or two that would cause me to dive for cover…usually when I hear an old track I am transported back to the scene and date of the recording…
The Lilys raise our hopes once again…a new dawning perhaps…I still have my paper cap and rosette from the 1956 Leinster Final….the photo of that team still upon the wall…aged 11, I was there with my Father….4 months later he was taken from us….
Christy- Thanks for the birthday wishes, and your kind words about my song…you asked where I’m from…born in Enfield, (then Middlesex, now London?) of Cavan parents…started playing ballads thanks to The Clancy’s/Dubs/Christy and have been doing it for a living about 35 years (broke, but happy!)…I got a gig here in NH back in the 70s and have been settled here since the 90s…still play out as often as the gigs come, and do a regular Sunday night at ‘The Shannon Door Pub’ in Jackson, NH…..saw you here twice (Somerville Theatre and Harvard Hall where my friend Cormac McCarthy opened for you….was also at your Welcome Home to Nicky Kelly Show in the Bagott Inn…) I’ve been a serious fan and avid collector of your work since I heard ‘The Ballad of Timothy Evans’ on Capital Radio way back, so a sincere thank you for your kind interest – made my day. Best regards, Kevin .
Christy's reply
sound Kevin….having heard you sing “The Cavan Man” I’m amazed to hear that you were not born and bren upon the old sod….your singing accent is pure Bognian !!! I assume that NH means New Hampshire….35 years on the road mean you are a long haul Balladeer..welcome to the club !! keep it going..it gets better !!
Andy Irvine was in An Cultúrlann today with a large group of trade union and labour activists from across America. They were in town for the for the unveiling of a statue to James Connolly nearby. ‘ …who should be there but our James Connolly. The hero of each working man.’
Christy's reply
Andy is at the ballads as long as myself…I always enjoyed my playing days with him…a supreme accompaniest totally dedicated to his art….first met him in The Sweeney’s Men days which led to Planxty and much of what followed….loved playing on his own songs too…West Coast of Clare, Baneasa’s Green Glade, Time Will Cure Me, O’Donoghues,…most of all I loved those days of laughter and music 1971-73
I found a ticket a while back from a Christy concert in Beechmount Leisure Centre in July, 1985. I know that the centre closed and was lying half derelict for several years, but what is happening to it now? I see things advertised for “Big Tent” events. Is there still a building, and, if so, what is it used for?
God, I well remember the days of the helicopters and how you could not get to sleep with them hovering low overhead for hours. When I hear the coastguard helicopter here, I am frequently jolted back even though many years have passed.
I hope you are recovering well from your medical procedure -you had a good TYRONE nurse looking after you. Ha-ha. We’re heading to the top division again.
Sitting with my headphones listening to blue rose with my son i am 48
& hes 17 plays guitar both love it, please tour Australia and more so Perth, we have some beautiful venues oh and good weather. Seen Tommy Fleming few years ago great.
Christy's reply
Hey MickeyDon
Was there this time 30 years ago….had a few great tours…that time is done..best wishes to all you songsters in WA
Hi Christy
That’s fantastic that the Farinas were in Dublin.I began playing Appalachian dulcimer in 1970 and soaked up styles of any players I heard .I didn’t pick up on Richard until a few years later and love his playing ..His songs have such a resonance ,often using traditional tunes (a la early Dylan).
Andy Roberts came to my notice with The Liverpool Scene in the late 60s(courtesy of John Peel’s radio show..again!.He then teamed up with Iain Matthews (ex Fairport) in Plainsong.Andy is a superb acoustic guitarist and dulcimer player.
At the time of the Lisdoonvarna gigs,he may well have been with Iain as well as a faux country project with Hank Wangford (which certainly involved cowboy type outfits and Stetson hats!)).He was also a guitarist with the expanded Pink Floyd touring band of that era,but probably not at Lisddoon!
Andy has a great website that’s well worth checking out.He’s a formidable,often overlooked talent…ditto Ia(I)n Matthews…there’s some wonderful music ‘out there’from their various projects.
Cheers,
Dave
Cheers,Dave
Christy's reply
I have him now..he was with Hank W in Lisdoon but played with two other bands as well..rem sitting and having a rap with him between turns
Greetings, Christy-
It’s me birthday, so I thought I’d take a punt: my song ‘The Cavan Man’ has been picking up views and some nice comments on the 4711s site…I thought you might get a kick out of how it came to be written…..I was gigging in an Irish pub in Manchester, NH some years back and upon arrival my pal Marty said ‘Did you hear about Hurricane Joe’s heart attack earlier today?’..(Joe is a 70 year old ex-Marine who’d give John Wayne a run for the poster…he was a fixture there, buying shots of whiskey for all, real character..)…fearing the worst, I asked ‘Is he in the hospital?’ and Marty said ‘No! He’s at the bar!’..
I started off my set singing one song, and this one was playing in my head as I sang, really weird…finished it in the car on the way home …best wishes..
Happy Birthday Kevin…I enjoyed your song ..thanks for sharing it with us..great singin and playin too….where you from Kevin?…are you gigging a lot over there ?
Looking forward to the gig on 13th April @ Vicar Street – flying in from Scunthorpe, North Lincs for it with my dad! First time to Dublin 🙂
Hey Gemma ! From Scunny to Dublin…….Home of twinkle toes Keegan and Janet Revelle-Rohr ..,,you will be very welcome……we had manys the glorious night in Scunthorpe Folk Club back in the days when petrol was 4/6 a gallon and Camerons Strongarm was 2/6 a pint…
Hiya Christy,
Very much looking forward to the gig tomorrow night in Cheltenham. We lived in Australia for many years, so this is the first chance we’ve had to see you play since coming back. Seen you play many times before, and always enjoyed the songs and the craic. All the best, and here’s to a great night tomorrow.
I’m living in hope this morning….that the power of medicine might prevail….that the concoctions,inhalations,pills and powders might clear the tubes,unblock the passages and the carry verses from the voice box to the back of tonights Town Hall….I kneel at the altar of Vick and Lemsip, Dispirin and Olbas…..the common cold…a singers dilemna…I’m here in Cheltenham…perhaps its equine flu but more likely man flu…I’ll give Ted Walsh a ring and hope he wont have me put down
Traveling to the UK from the Falkland Islands to attend the G live gig in Guildford!
It has now been over 20 years since I last saw Christy perform live at the Royal Albert in london.
The first time, I was visiting family in Newbridge in the early 1980’s and he was pointed out to me (sitting in a pub, strumming his guitar) I have to confess I had no idea who he was, but the person with me was in awe!
I have now brought your music to my children who love it…. another generation to be hooked on the great man… keep it real ole man
Goose Green To Guildford….hope you take in Droichead Nua
Christy goes to Cheltenham – it could be a ballad!
Hope that head cold gets better in time, giddyup there!
Kane, a worthy-sounding project but looking for that sort of specific information in here on this website….. hhhmmnnnn…..
C, I’d express curiousity indeed at what your stance would be re: that Luas strike. I see you’ve commented; it’s a bad call by them, I agree with you on it.
(Didnt make the Athlone gig this year)
The Vet is currently in the next stable….The Luas Strike on the Centenary Day of the 1916 Rising?….do we side with Larkin or William Martin Murphy?
Dear Christy,
I am a history student in Trinity College involved in a research project regarding history and the public. The primary concern of my research is Bloody Sunday 1920 and how the events are portrayed in popular culture. Bloody Sunday has not evoked a great deal of interest in the realm of popular culture, quantifiable by the small volume of literature, music and film produced over the period of 95 years. I would appreciate your opinion as to why you believe there is a reticence on the part of authors, musicians, film makers and artists to portray the events of Bloody Sunday in popular culture?
Dear Kane….pehaps best to examine the reticence (to engage) which still exists today and work backwards…..I regret that I failed History in both my Inter and Leaving exams, However I did get a First in Religious Knowledge in the Lower Second year of 1959
Christy,
No worries sir I understand.
Have a safe trip and good luck for tomorrow night.
Sound Kev…..
Hello Christy,
I am looking forward to your concert this coming week in Guildford. It’s a great feeling to sit in front of you and Decky and watch your brilliance at work.
As I said to you before I have tried to shake your hand a few times but just missed you. I was just wondering would there be any chance I could meet you after (I’ll wait for a long as I need to) and have a photo taken please? You know something Christy I would just treasure that for the rest of my days. And to actually meet you would be an absolute honour.
I hope you had a great Easter weekend and I shall see you this week. God bless.
Ps back home in Derry is a cracking tune should you have any voids in your repertoire.
God bless.
Kev…just about to drive on to the Ferry in Dublin Port..wrestling with sneezing and a bleddy head cold which would mean nothing if I did not have Concerts looming and so much depending…audiences,venues,roadcrew,promoters and my fellow musicians all gathering for Cheltenham tomorrow night and me sneezing me head off here in Dublin…photos and handshakes simply cannot be planned nor committed..if it happens it happens…for now, I gotta focus on getting the gigs done achoooo
How ya christy off to see you in carlow next month
i got a pair of tickets for christmas been looking foward to it since
seen you 6 times before and with planxty for my 18th b day
any chance of belting out follow me up to carlow and fire in a bit of bodhran for good measure .
thanks keep her lit
see you in the posh…we’ll lash it out as best we can….hopefully Follow will have an outing and the old drum get a lambasting
Hi Christy my girlfriend got tickets for vicar street in April.
In the recent weeks my twins brother (17) was involved in a life threatening car crash and spent 2 weeks in the Royal Hospital on the Falls road where he was sedated. Since then he has recovered well and we are expecting a full recovery. Odhrán (my twin) has been to three of your previous concerts in the Waterfront and I could promise he knows every word of the majority of your songs. However there’s no seats where are tickets are and he can’t go alone by any chance could you help us on this matter?
Go raibh míle
…there are 4 gigs in Vicar….dont know If I can help…
That would be great will keep an eye out, arriving on 16th for Sally’s 50th.
Hi Christy, any chance of a gig being added in West after Bantry, 16th, 17th or 18th July?
Happy Easter, David & Sally Anne.
There may be a gig on 16th July in the South West…watch the gig sheet
Happy Easter to you and yours, dear Christy!
Fantastic to hear that “The Gardener” had its first appearance on the Island recently – your great-grandfathers might have been delighted about this wonderful song.
Hope you’ll have a great night together with your fellow musicians and poets in commemoration of the women and men of 1916 at Liberty Hall. And Best of Luck for your forthcoming UK Tour!
Spring greetings, Traudel
I think you must have heard the gig from Drogheda…fair play to our Kerry Correspondant…. I love the way she shares her recordings and sends the songs around the globe…”Three Cheers” for The Rose of Tralee
my great-grandparents from The Boyne seem to inhabit the verses of Paul Doran’s beautiful ballad…he also wrote “Natives”
Happy Easter to you both and to all our German songsters
Good man Christy I can’t wait for the documentary. Rte are providing some good shows this year. Hope the finishing touches are bring made to the new album. The new stuff sounds just as good as the olderror stuff.
Mighty line up tonight , best of luck with the gig. Don’t think I could show support to Jack o connorr right now however. Personally I think that what SIPTU are doing this weekend is a disgrace. This event will never come around again and they are keeping families (mine included) who travel from outside of Dublin from attending as driving is out. A strike csn be jyst as effective on a busy weekday. Then again I know plenty who firmly believe what they are doing is right…… Never a dull moment;)
10 songs almost wrapped up and ready to escape…tomorrows Strike is a bad call…The Lilies of The Shortgrass are coming home again
greetings and well being mo chara,
just coming out of hibernation after the world tour of barrowland and the homeland the same month.. It knocked the socks of me! I woke and had to pinch myself to check in that sarsfields were still the county champions for at least another while…
I was wondering the other day christy, of all the albums that you made, what is your favourite album? that you love to seat down and go “jasus that one is great”?
And what was your favourite album to make?
Me personally my favourite is smoke and strong whiskey, king puck, and this is the day. also love getting traveller out on them stormy nights to take me to a place where some people will never go!!.
Good to hear the new tune lillies in the short grass at keadeen in november an absolute dedication to the people of newbridge and thank you for it. great to hear “the rubber” con cummins, paddy dowling all in the one song.
well im off to sow the spuds today before we head down to see the lillies take in the boys from tipp. I think we are in good hands with a moorefield man from college park!
I seldom hear the previous albums….occasionally I might happen upon a track on the wireless…I only listen when seeking forgotten lyrics…among the most enjoyable recording experience would be “Prosperous”….”Ride On” and “This is The Day”..these were happy times which could not be said about every recording experience….there are a few tracks across the years that would now cause me to wince…one or two that would cause me to dive for cover…usually when I hear an old track I am transported back to the scene and date of the recording…
The Lilys raise our hopes once again…a new dawning perhaps…I still have my paper cap and rosette from the 1956 Leinster Final….the photo of that team still upon the wall…aged 11, I was there with my Father….4 months later he was taken from us….
Christy- Thanks for the birthday wishes, and your kind words about my song…you asked where I’m from…born in Enfield, (then Middlesex, now London?) of Cavan parents…started playing ballads thanks to The Clancy’s/Dubs/Christy and have been doing it for a living about 35 years (broke, but happy!)…I got a gig here in NH back in the 70s and have been settled here since the 90s…still play out as often as the gigs come, and do a regular Sunday night at ‘The Shannon Door Pub’ in Jackson, NH…..saw you here twice (Somerville Theatre and Harvard Hall where my friend Cormac McCarthy opened for you….was also at your Welcome Home to Nicky Kelly Show in the Bagott Inn…) I’ve been a serious fan and avid collector of your work since I heard ‘The Ballad of Timothy Evans’ on Capital Radio way back, so a sincere thank you for your kind interest – made my day. Best regards, Kevin .
sound Kevin….having heard you sing “The Cavan Man” I’m amazed to hear that you were not born and bren upon the old sod….your singing accent is pure Bognian !!! I assume that NH means New Hampshire….35 years on the road mean you are a long haul Balladeer..welcome to the club !! keep it going..it gets better !!
Andy Irvine was in An Cultúrlann today with a large group of trade union and labour activists from across America. They were in town for the for the unveiling of a statue to James Connolly nearby. ‘ …who should be there but our James Connolly. The hero of each working man.’
Andy is at the ballads as long as myself…I always enjoyed my playing days with him…a supreme accompaniest totally dedicated to his art….first met him in The Sweeney’s Men days which led to Planxty and much of what followed….loved playing on his own songs too…West Coast of Clare, Baneasa’s Green Glade, Time Will Cure Me, O’Donoghues,…most of all I loved those days of laughter and music 1971-73
Hi, Mary from the Bog Meadows,
I found a ticket a while back from a Christy concert in Beechmount Leisure Centre in July, 1985. I know that the centre closed and was lying half derelict for several years, but what is happening to it now? I see things advertised for “Big Tent” events. Is there still a building, and, if so, what is it used for?
God, I well remember the days of the helicopters and how you could not get to sleep with them hovering low overhead for hours. When I hear the coastguard helicopter here, I am frequently jolted back even though many years have passed.
I hope you are recovering well from your medical procedure -you had a good TYRONE nurse looking after you. Ha-ha. We’re heading to the top division again.
Chinooki ár Lá
Sitting with my headphones listening to blue rose with my son i am 48
& hes 17 plays guitar both love it, please tour Australia and more so Perth, we have some beautiful venues oh and good weather. Seen Tommy Fleming few years ago great.
Hey MickeyDon
Was there this time 30 years ago….had a few great tours…that time is done..best wishes to all you songsters in WA
Hi Christy
That’s fantastic that the Farinas were in Dublin.I began playing Appalachian dulcimer in 1970 and soaked up styles of any players I heard .I didn’t pick up on Richard until a few years later and love his playing ..His songs have such a resonance ,often using traditional tunes (a la early Dylan).
Andy Roberts came to my notice with The Liverpool Scene in the late 60s(courtesy of John Peel’s radio show..again!.He then teamed up with Iain Matthews (ex Fairport) in Plainsong.Andy is a superb acoustic guitarist and dulcimer player.
At the time of the Lisdoonvarna gigs,he may well have been with Iain as well as a faux country project with Hank Wangford (which certainly involved cowboy type outfits and Stetson hats!)).He was also a guitarist with the expanded Pink Floyd touring band of that era,but probably not at Lisddoon!
Andy has a great website that’s well worth checking out.He’s a formidable,often overlooked talent…ditto Ia(I)n Matthews…there’s some wonderful music ‘out there’from their various projects.
Cheers,
Dave
Cheers,Dave
I have him now..he was with Hank W in Lisdoon but played with two other bands as well..rem sitting and having a rap with him between turns
Greetings, Christy-
It’s me birthday, so I thought I’d take a punt: my song ‘The Cavan Man’ has been picking up views and some nice comments on the 4711s site…I thought you might get a kick out of how it came to be written…..I was gigging in an Irish pub in Manchester, NH some years back and upon arrival my pal Marty said ‘Did you hear about Hurricane Joe’s heart attack earlier today?’..(Joe is a 70 year old ex-Marine who’d give John Wayne a run for the poster…he was a fixture there, buying shots of whiskey for all, real character..)…fearing the worst, I asked ‘Is he in the hospital?’ and Marty said ‘No! He’s at the bar!’..
I started off my set singing one song, and this one was playing in my head as I sang, really weird…finished it in the car on the way home …best wishes..
https://soundcloud.com/kevin-dolan-12/thecavanman-kevin-dolan-603-986-2835
Happy Birthday Kevin…I enjoyed your song ..thanks for sharing it with us..great singin and playin too….where you from Kevin?…are you gigging a lot over there ?