Hi Christy fair play you know your pipers the statue in Loughrea is Patsy Tuohy and on the wall behind it there are plaques for my two uncles Vincent and Peter Broderick they came from my home place Carramore Bullaun outside Loughrea both played flute and tin whistle Peter also played the pipes
Vincent composed over 70 tunes for the flute they have been published by Waltons he won the All Ireland fleah 1953 with a tune he wrote himself also won in 54 Peter won in 55 when it was held in Loughrea he played a flute he made out of a copper pipe which was a fair acheivment .
Vincent was awarded composer of the year by TG4 in 2003 passed away in 2008 Peter passed away 1986.
In there younger days they cycled to different houses to play tunes and if they heard a new tune being played one wound memorize the first part the other the second part so they could but it together on the way home you tube has made life so much easier now
Great to hear Galway gigs went well keep it going
Face the puck out
Christy's reply
Thanks for sharing that Iggy…I did encounter your Uncle Vincent Broderick along the way but only now learn of your connection…seeing him on YouTube there is a strong family resemblance…listening to him play was indeed a pleasure..as often happens with YouTube I ended up with a wee afternoon Fleadh here in the workroom as Vincent was followed by Seamus Tansey and then I travelled on with Mary Bergin, Joe Burke before finishing off with Liam Óg’s masterful ” Queen of The Fairies” from there I went into a Planxty set,on into The Bothy Band before “topping it off’ with Joe Burke and Frankie Gavin accompanied by Anne Conroy…twas an hour well spent….the music keeps my spirits high..thanks Iggy
Hi Christy
Just want to let you now that not all 4711ers are on FB and don’t find your chat irrelevant!!
There was an interesting documentary on our television about Glen Campell(who passed away). He was suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and when he got the diagnose he and his family diced to go back on tour again. Three of his children played in his band and it was very moving to see how they coached their father on the stage.
The curious thing of it all was that he sometimes didn’t remember the song text but never the Guitar chords.
Finally the touring had delayed the disease.
So keep on goiing…
Chris
Christy's reply
I feel a chat coming on..
Had one ready to go a while back but it disappeared into the ether
Glen Cambell was an original member of The Wrecking Crew…see film of the same name…. well worth a look
Hi Christy, hope you made it home safely from the Black Box and the city of the tribes. A lovely couple of gigs to start the new season off then, great wee venue, very appreciative crowd and a nice vibe all told. Hard to believe its the 52nd year of the never ending world tour, I was just getting born around that time in1965 when you were starting out, We’ve stuck the times rightly the pair of us LOL! Young Martin really enjoyed the outing on Thursday night, he was totally blown away by the performance. Thanks for the shout out as well ! Enjoyed the company as always of some familiar faces, great to share in the music and the song. Loved to hear “Black is the Colour” and “The First Time” both nights (mesmerising) and I really enjoyed “The Contender” tonight ..two great sets, well received. Loved the wee meet and greet session at the end, tonight, it was class. Couldn’t resist a wee selfie meself (thanks) would you ever have thought 52 years ago LOL ! Im travelling back to The Hills in the morning with Marty & Ger…theres a scheduled stop off at Knock I’m told (“that is if we don’t “take a wrong turn at Charlestown”) there will be a few candles lit I’m sure..Best wishes to Marty as well on his birthday tomorrow #TopMan …Im off to Toronto next week for a trip, was telling you I’ve picked up a gig while I’m over there , it’s a double header with Deep Purple and Alice Cooper, not exactly Christy & Dec but it will still be good craic I’m sure…im still an oul rocker at heart Christy. Catch up with you along the way when I get back. Thanks again for all that you do. Love & Respect Martin Mac
Christy's reply
I hear there was an apparition in Knock the other day..were you there at the time?
We enjoyed the Black Box..great audiences , great vibe…(Such a pity the management and staff have little or no pride in their venue)
Deep Purple in Toronto…..sounds good to me…dont know much about Alice Cooper…
Hope you manage to check in with our friends in Toronto…it has always worked for me in those far away places
Good to hear the Galway gigs went well, spent a short sojourn over there out west some time ago, such a buzz all around Galway city; fabulous.
I see a reference to a song, ‘Grey Lake of Loughrea’ and not alone am I not familiar with it but I see you recorded it, the wee hamlet of Athlone gets a mention in a verse.
Loughrea reminds me, on the Galway side of Loughrea (on the old road) there’s a nice statue of an ulieann piper; however no name on it, am not sure we supposed to know who it is…..
Christy's reply
The Piper is Patsy Tuohy..died in new York in 1923..hear him play on YouTube..prob the first time Uilleann Pipes were recorded…hear
“The Steampacket/Morning Star”…hear “Drowsy Maggie”…
any time I hear him,the virtuosity of his playing stops me in my tracks….
Hi Christy,
I really enjoyed your gig last night in the Black Box…great songs played with huge heart. I hope you don’t mind me cornering your roadie, Johnny, after the gig with a CD of mine to give to you (“The no.3 bus home” EP by Jeffo Nesta). Hopefully, you might get a chance at some stage to listen to the five songs on it…they’re all relevant to where I come from in Limerick. Catch you again sometime soon. All the best.
Christy's reply
thats fine Jeff….I must share with you that I listen to songs in the order that they arrive to me….. and there is a lengthy backlog….I must prioritise my own work…thank you for sharing…..
We thought there was 7 wonders of the world. Then, last night we found the 8th. You are not just a national treasure.
Last night you showed three friends of mine along with my dad and uncle; what it means to be an artist.
My Dad sings your songs and…. My uncle doesn’t even listen to the radio and he had doubts about even going, he was a happy man last night and will speak about you for years to come.
I’ll leave the comment about supporting Mayo slide, being from Kerry originally. I do wish them luck though
A friend and myself are visiting from Brisbane and just back from the fairytale itself and you have been the highlight of our trip. We have our club flag with us and we’d love to get a photo together with our Brisbane south’s flag, if that was possible, please let us know.
Thank you, Sir.
Ian K
Christy's reply
Dear Sir Ian,
Brisbane is long haul…thanks for feedback…played there half a dozen times between 1985 and 98…mostly very good visits to that hot city…..I love to read of Father and Sons attending together… something I never experienced with my own Dad but ,thankfully, a pleasure we have enjoyed with our Daughter and Sons…recently we attended a gig with our Son and Grandson ..what a buzz that was…
regrets, cannot do the Flag shot, takes me all day to do my gig and tonight I gotta leave rapid for home ….gotta big game on tomorrow, need to be in the right place at the right time
I want to thank you so much for your dedication to my uncle Pateen lastnight with the knock song.You made my dads night,it meant so much to us and we will never forget it.Thank you for a wonderful concert,looking forward to the next one!
Pearl
Christy's reply
memories of Toureen and The National Bank, Ballyhaunis 1965 revived…….thats where that song began….Fr. Jim and his Ballroom lodgement……
twas a pleasure Pearl
Hup… now that would be the other Martin, who was with his nephew Martin in the front row….. hardly a Martin left in the Hills at all at all !! Sorry for the confusion.
Marty and Ger.
Christy's reply
never could tell Marty Robbins from Marty Wilde….
not to forget Marty O’Malley my old pal from Miltown-Malbay
Miltown Marty was a farmer and a great listener to music and song …any good session in those parts Marty would be in the middle listening, encouraging and winking his approval…
twas a hot Summers day in Miltown..Marty was turning hay in the townland of Clohanmore. His new false teeth were driving him mad in the Summer heat.
Now matter how he sucked them, twisted them ,shifted them around in his mouth the feckin dentures refused to settle…in utter frustration he took out his new gnashers and placed them carefully on top of a nearby gatepost…
returning to the hay Marty was lilting “Bonny Kate” when he spotted a magpie flitterin in the corner of the field…when the thievin Magpie flew away Marty could see his new dentures clamped firmly in the Birds beak. Within days a song was circulating about Marty’s sad misfortune. In subsequent years the now famous dentures were spotted as far afield as Quilty, White Strand, Spainish Point and Knockliscrane…anywhere you’d find a cursed robbin infidel of a magpie
From such do songs emerge.
Thank you so much for a fantastic evening at the Black Box. Galway came up trump’s, the weather improved and our first listen to you on Irish soil did not disappoint. Thank you for The Voyage, we were stunned when you said it was for Fiona and Martyn in their campervan, we couldn’t believe it. We also had the pleasure of meeting Patsy a 4711er who asked for The Bogman, it looked like the row had fixed your playlist. We are wending our way to Dublin today before the boat home on Monday.I hope tonight goes as well for you, Declan and Jimmy as last night. A truly memorable evening, we will catch you again if you come anywhere near Usk or maybe a visit to Dublin, Vicar Street if it can be managed. Diolch yn fawr Fiona and Martyn
Year 52 gets off to a flier in the Black Box….
Glad to hear Los Gatos again. . . And Yellow Triangle. . .
Ride on with Decs guitar intro was special too. Back for more tomorrow night and then to Salthill to catch Iggy and co.
Christy's reply
Hey Marty,
Season 52 kicked off well…. I do like The Black Box..its a funky venue….I noticed a discreet thumbs up from Martin when I gave ye a quiet mention….give my best wishes to Iggy when you see him in O’Connor’s tonight…keep coming back Marty,……..it works if we work it
Really looking forward to the concert in the Black box in Galway tonight.I am going with my dad and my sister. My uncle/godfather Pat Heneghan, my dads brother, passed away very suddenly in february.Pat was your biggest fan and was known for singing all your songs with a glass of whiskey when all the family were around.His favourite partypiece was ‘The knock song’ which he sang very well.Please can you play this song tonight and if possible could you dedicate it to our ‘Pateen’ as we call him,it would really make my dad smile and i would be so grateful! Looking forward to tonight! Thank you
Pearl
Just spent two lovely days havin a mooch around Cork & some of the Kingdom. The songs came out as we passed the Shandon Bells and visited the Lee Road Hilton on Tuesday… now partly a gym and community centre..saw the O’Connors undertakers where McNabb was laid out on a slab before his very fine wake…
Drove on out to Oassage, visited the Patrick Murphy park and dedicate seat there, visited the hit factory itself too…and The Ferry Arms…then to the ferry over to a short spin to Cobh…the Titanic bar, statue of Sonya, Jack Doyles home town too…beautiful place…then yesterday we tripped pass the castle inn in Macroom where we celebrated Adams 22st in 2009, and a peep into The Briery Gap too…on through Néidin and it’s lovely scenery before ending up in Sneem and all its colourful shops and buildings…my pal Jimmy played his set, and after a pot of tea we headed back to Carrigaline..and now on a train back to the smoke…
Good luck with Black Box, enjoy.
E’re a Chat coming? Larball x
Christy's reply
the feckin hard and the wild Lar,
you’re covering some ground these days…”We’re on the road again”
I appreciate your Chat query.. I was working on a lengthy spiel there some time back but it got lost from the device so I’ll have to start all over again…..Juno told me the other day that its been a year since the last Chat went out…I’d better get tappin…….as Facebook became the preferred platform for most 4711ers I felt the Chats were becoming a bit irrelevent…however there have been a few queries of late so I’ll try and get moving into chat mode again…
your mention of the Ferry Arms..my fave John Spillane Video is from that very spot https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5ZzfrH7KhU
I visited there with John once..tis a funky spot for sure
Hi Christy
Really looking forward to the gig tonight. Came over from Hamburg as my brother married a lovely girl from Loughrea last Friday. Iggy and the boys from Da derga did a great job and I even got up to sing “the Grey Lake”. Good luck tonight and with the rest of the tour.
Kenny
Christy's reply
“The Gray Lake of Loughrea”
Its such a plaintive old Ballad..I still recall the first time I heard Tony Small sing it abroad in Finsbury Park….it is imbued with that emigrant lonliness that runs through so many of our popular songs…. we are out on our own when singing of heartbreak and lonlines..
any songs over there about that great lake of Hamburg…I;ve walked around it a few times..once saw fires out on the ice….beer and wurst and the crack was 90..
welcome home Kenny, just sqeezing into the corset here and getting the nostrils trimmed….then its straight into the Black Box
Hi there Christy-
Excited to be coming over for the 2 Castleblaney gigs later this fall with the husband and boys. All ticketed up…trains, planes, automobiles… Enjoy these last days of summer…boats already coming out of the water here. be well, see you soon. All the best, Kat
Christy's reply
The Sun is lighting up the Bay here in Galway this morning..the City is thronged, there is cavortion and distortion, wedding parties,funeral masses, christenings and honeymooners, balladeers and shelamaliers….people from the Far East looking for the Ancient West….I’m here in the Middle of it all wondering,just wondering, I have the free travel and the medical card no time to use them..a quality problem, in facta, not a problem at all..more of a priviledge some might say, ..Truth be told,I agree wholeheartedly…..
as far as I can recall I have never played in Castleblayney before..made one attempt with a band called Planxty way back in 1972…we turned up, set up the gear and not even ONE person turned up….it was a lonesome trip back to Dublin that night..we came close to disbanding but, good fortune prevailed when we had a hit single and took off ..
“You may travel far far from your own native Home”
Well we made it to Galway and it’s not looking too glorious at the moment from our campervan in Salthill. Looking forward to the Black box tomorrow. Have had a great couple of weeks touring, enjoying the music in O’Connors in Doolin and some great singing on the streets of Killarney. Would be lovely to hear The Voyage or my favourite, the one that got me hooked when I was 16, Ride On. Diolch for now Fiona and Martyn.
Christy's reply
Welcome to Galway.
some of my happiest hours were in an old camper van on rainy Welsh days….a stew bubbling on the gas ring, few sweet tunes from the tape deck……a quick dip in the Ocean….the bit of scran…into the gig clobber and on with the show…then rev up engine pull out of Aberystwyth and drive on up to Llandudno….
hope you get some sunshine before entering the Black Box…we’ll be hearing confessions from 8pm
Christy ,thanks so much for the lovely mention of my Dad Neilus O’Connor,it means so much to me and my family,I have fond memories of when you played in CJ’s especially the night of the powercut as a result of a thunderstorm,I was a young lad collecting glasses at the time and helped holding the touch that lit you up as the audience listened to every word,my uncle Benny is beside me as i am writing this,he’s wondering if Corinthians Rugby have sent you their year book,in which there is a picture of you in cup team that you played in,Benny smiles as he reminisces the time he used to pick you up in his Opel manta going to the games,Benny picking a roast chicken for the after match feast in his mother in laws house,we recently had Ed Sheeran film some of his video galway girl in O’Connors,he is such a down to earth sound man,I only wish my dad was around to see the great publicity we got all over the world,enjoy your concerts in Galway.
Thanks Frank O’Connor
Christy's reply
Benny was some hooker, I was his tight head, manys the strike against the head we knocked back to eager backs waiting for the ball ( one of our wingers spent most of his time spotting talent on the sideline,I wont mention his name (Paddy Flynn ))….we got to the Connacht Seniors Final in 1965 (I Think)..narrowly beaten by UCG who had at least one International on their Team…Mick Molloy at second row..it was a cold windy day in The Sportsground…despite being Number 3 I was given a pass on the UCG 25 with 3 minutes to go…I swerved and jinked my way over the UCG line but, when a sudden rush of blood rose to my head , I became confused and dived over the dead ball line before touching down…the whole ground fell into stunned silence before them bleddy students started waving their bleddy flags…I was inconsolable til we got back to The Skeff…..copious Large Bottles quelled my embarrassment and Benny gave me wise council
Is CJ’s still running as a venue?..I assume Ed played in the front shop…he is indeed a sound man who, despite his global success, has managed to keep his feet firmly on the ground
my good friend Iggy Broderick tells me that your Music House is still leppin
Tell Benny I got the Corinthians year book and it has a pride of place in my archive
Hey Christy, looking forward very much to Friday night in Galway. My buddy Joe (Letterkenny) got married in Thailand at Easter this year but due to work commitments I was unable to make the wedding. He’s not one for fuss so to mark his wedding, a few of us are bringing himself and his beautiful wife Chonthicha (Shaun-tee-sha) to Galway for the weekend and more importantly to see you at the Blackbox on Fri night. Now if you remember, could you give them a little mention from the stage? It might help you remember if I request your great version of ‘Compañeros’ as we all really love the song. They may be embarrassed but sure what the hell, it’ll be memorable for them. Looking forward to Fri night
Christy's reply
Thailand at Easter..
sounds like a good name for a tune..
its not often that Companeros is requested…
Its one I like to sing..it does’nt always go down that well
I must sing it more often. it would be on my top 20 list (if I ever made one)
I felt a competition coming on there, then I recalled the last one !
first heard it sung by the writer in a Folk Club in Grimsby 40 years ago
I can still feel the night
First time I heard MacColl & Seeger live
Hi Christy, we’re looking forward to seeing you in the Waterfront in October. Don’t forget you’re always welcome to An Cultúrlann for a gorgeous bowl of Bóthar na bhFál seabhdar! Thought you would be interested in Home by Warsan Shire (British poet born to Somalian parents in Kenya). You probably are aware of this piece but if not you might like to check it out.
Home: ‘No one leaves home unless/home is the mouth of a shark. You only run for the border/when you see the whole city /running as well.
This evocative first stanza packs a punch and the poem deals with the unthinkable choices refugees must take. I look forward to hearing Cathal’s new album Bow Brothers…just love him playing the Mountains of Pomeroy. Regards Mary
Christy's reply
I’ve just read “Home’ for the first time,I will be reading it again….
once heard its impossible to forget….thank you for sharing
every so called problem I might have had today evaporated as I listened to Warsan read her heartbreaking words…
Video for home by Warsan Shire Youtube
Hi Christy
Hope all is well with you and you are ready for the off again hope you have two great nights in Galway not going to make the gigs could be doing a bit of extra gym work on Thursday just in case I get a late call up for the Galway team and Friday night I m playing in O Connors in Salthill for any post gig revellers
Anyway come west along the road and face the puck out
P.S. Pasty keep an eye out for All Ireland tickets the hunt is on
Christy's reply
exciting times for followers of the Sliotar…there is nothing like it…the high catch, the “pull first time”, the sideline puck, the long puck out, the deft touch,those legends Christy Ring, Philly Grimes, Eddie Keher, Jimmy Doyle,The Rackards,Mick Mackey,all stars of a of a bygone age..the latest kids on the block writing new chapters in Hurling History…I’ve had the priviledge of seeing a good few Hurling Finals, of meeting some of the greats, Theo English, Babs Keating,Jimmy-Barry Murphy, Mark Foley, Sean Clohessy, Larry Kiely spring to mind…tried to play it once, total failure was the outcome !!..loved pucking about with my eldest son when he was a gásun…..hard to beat that clack of the sliotar on the ash, the pleasure of catching and pucking ( WITHOUT MISSING the feckin thing completely as was often the case with yours truly!)
a fierce hunt on for tickets, relations I never knew I had coming out of the woodworm thinking that auld ballad singers have some secret access to tickets..(if only )
Hi Christy fair play you know your pipers the statue in Loughrea is Patsy Tuohy and on the wall behind it there are plaques for my two uncles Vincent and Peter Broderick they came from my home place Carramore Bullaun outside Loughrea both played flute and tin whistle Peter also played the pipes
Vincent composed over 70 tunes for the flute they have been published by Waltons he won the All Ireland fleah 1953 with a tune he wrote himself also won in 54 Peter won in 55 when it was held in Loughrea he played a flute he made out of a copper pipe which was a fair acheivment .
Vincent was awarded composer of the year by TG4 in 2003 passed away in 2008 Peter passed away 1986.
In there younger days they cycled to different houses to play tunes and if they heard a new tune being played one wound memorize the first part the other the second part so they could but it together on the way home you tube has made life so much easier now
Great to hear Galway gigs went well keep it going
Face the puck out
Thanks for sharing that Iggy…I did encounter your Uncle Vincent Broderick along the way but only now learn of your connection…seeing him on YouTube there is a strong family resemblance…listening to him play was indeed a pleasure..as often happens with YouTube I ended up with a wee afternoon Fleadh here in the workroom as Vincent was followed by Seamus Tansey and then I travelled on with Mary Bergin, Joe Burke before finishing off with Liam Óg’s masterful ” Queen of The Fairies” from there I went into a Planxty set,on into The Bothy Band before “topping it off’ with Joe Burke and Frankie Gavin accompanied by Anne Conroy…twas an hour well spent….the music keeps my spirits high..thanks Iggy
Hi Christy
Just want to let you now that not all 4711ers are on FB and don’t find your chat irrelevant!!
There was an interesting documentary on our television about Glen Campell(who passed away). He was suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and when he got the diagnose he and his family diced to go back on tour again. Three of his children played in his band and it was very moving to see how they coached their father on the stage.
The curious thing of it all was that he sometimes didn’t remember the song text but never the Guitar chords.
Finally the touring had delayed the disease.
So keep on goiing…
Chris
I feel a chat coming on..
Had one ready to go a while back but it disappeared into the ether
Glen Cambell was an original member of The Wrecking Crew…see film of the same name…. well worth a look
Hi Christy, hope you made it home safely from the Black Box and the city of the tribes. A lovely couple of gigs to start the new season off then, great wee venue, very appreciative crowd and a nice vibe all told. Hard to believe its the 52nd year of the never ending world tour, I was just getting born around that time in1965 when you were starting out, We’ve stuck the times rightly the pair of us LOL! Young Martin really enjoyed the outing on Thursday night, he was totally blown away by the performance. Thanks for the shout out as well ! Enjoyed the company as always of some familiar faces, great to share in the music and the song. Loved to hear “Black is the Colour” and “The First Time” both nights (mesmerising) and I really enjoyed “The Contender” tonight ..two great sets, well received. Loved the wee meet and greet session at the end, tonight, it was class. Couldn’t resist a wee selfie meself (thanks) would you ever have thought 52 years ago LOL ! Im travelling back to The Hills in the morning with Marty & Ger…theres a scheduled stop off at Knock I’m told (“that is if we don’t “take a wrong turn at Charlestown”) there will be a few candles lit I’m sure..Best wishes to Marty as well on his birthday tomorrow #TopMan …Im off to Toronto next week for a trip, was telling you I’ve picked up a gig while I’m over there , it’s a double header with Deep Purple and Alice Cooper, not exactly Christy & Dec but it will still be good craic I’m sure…im still an oul rocker at heart Christy. Catch up with you along the way when I get back. Thanks again for all that you do. Love & Respect Martin Mac
I hear there was an apparition in Knock the other day..were you there at the time?
We enjoyed the Black Box..great audiences , great vibe…(Such a pity the management and staff have little or no pride in their venue)
Deep Purple in Toronto…..sounds good to me…dont know much about Alice Cooper…
Hope you manage to check in with our friends in Toronto…it has always worked for me in those far away places
keep coming back
Good to hear the Galway gigs went well, spent a short sojourn over there out west some time ago, such a buzz all around Galway city; fabulous.
I see a reference to a song, ‘Grey Lake of Loughrea’ and not alone am I not familiar with it but I see you recorded it, the wee hamlet of Athlone gets a mention in a verse.
Loughrea reminds me, on the Galway side of Loughrea (on the old road) there’s a nice statue of an ulieann piper; however no name on it, am not sure we supposed to know who it is…..
The Piper is Patsy Tuohy..died in new York in 1923..hear him play on YouTube..prob the first time Uilleann Pipes were recorded…hear
“The Steampacket/Morning Star”…hear “Drowsy Maggie”…
any time I hear him,the virtuosity of his playing stops me in my tracks….
Hi Christy,
I really enjoyed your gig last night in the Black Box…great songs played with huge heart. I hope you don’t mind me cornering your roadie, Johnny, after the gig with a CD of mine to give to you (“The no.3 bus home” EP by Jeffo Nesta). Hopefully, you might get a chance at some stage to listen to the five songs on it…they’re all relevant to where I come from in Limerick. Catch you again sometime soon. All the best.
thats fine Jeff….I must share with you that I listen to songs in the order that they arrive to me….. and there is a lengthy backlog….I must prioritise my own work…thank you for sharing…..
Hi Christy,
We thought there was 7 wonders of the world. Then, last night we found the 8th. You are not just a national treasure.
Last night you showed three friends of mine along with my dad and uncle; what it means to be an artist.
My Dad sings your songs and…. My uncle doesn’t even listen to the radio and he had doubts about even going, he was a happy man last night and will speak about you for years to come.
I’ll leave the comment about supporting Mayo slide, being from Kerry originally.
I do wish them luck though 
A friend and myself are visiting from Brisbane and just back from the fairytale itself and you have been the highlight of our trip. We have our club flag with us and we’d love to get a photo together with our Brisbane south’s flag, if that was possible, please let us know.
Thank you, Sir.
Ian K
Dear Sir Ian,
Brisbane is long haul…thanks for feedback…played there half a dozen times between 1985 and 98…mostly very good visits to that hot city…..I love to read of Father and Sons attending together… something I never experienced with my own Dad but ,thankfully, a pleasure we have enjoyed with our Daughter and Sons…recently we attended a gig with our Son and Grandson ..what a buzz that was…
regrets, cannot do the Flag shot, takes me all day to do my gig and tonight I gotta leave rapid for home ….gotta big game on tomorrow, need to be in the right place at the right time
Hi Christy,
I want to thank you so much for your dedication to my uncle Pateen lastnight with the knock song.You made my dads night,it meant so much to us and we will never forget it.Thank you for a wonderful concert,looking forward to the next one!
Pearl
memories of Toureen and The National Bank, Ballyhaunis 1965 revived…….thats where that song began….Fr. Jim and his Ballroom lodgement……
twas a pleasure Pearl
Hup… now that would be the other Martin, who was with his nephew Martin in the front row….. hardly a Martin left in the Hills at all at all !! Sorry for the confusion.
Marty and Ger.
never could tell Marty Robbins from Marty Wilde….
not to forget Marty O’Malley my old pal from Miltown-Malbay
Miltown Marty was a farmer and a great listener to music and song …any good session in those parts Marty would be in the middle listening, encouraging and winking his approval…
twas a hot Summers day in Miltown..Marty was turning hay in the townland of Clohanmore. His new false teeth were driving him mad in the Summer heat.
Now matter how he sucked them, twisted them ,shifted them around in his mouth the feckin dentures refused to settle…in utter frustration he took out his new gnashers and placed them carefully on top of a nearby gatepost…
returning to the hay Marty was lilting “Bonny Kate” when he spotted a magpie flitterin in the corner of the field…when the thievin Magpie flew away Marty could see his new dentures clamped firmly in the Birds beak. Within days a song was circulating about Marty’s sad misfortune. In subsequent years the now famous dentures were spotted as far afield as Quilty, White Strand, Spainish Point and Knockliscrane…anywhere you’d find a cursed robbin infidel of a magpie
From such do songs emerge.
Thank you so much for a fantastic evening at the Black Box. Galway came up trump’s, the weather improved and our first listen to you on Irish soil did not disappoint. Thank you for The Voyage, we were stunned when you said it was for Fiona and Martyn in their campervan, we couldn’t believe it. We also had the pleasure of meeting Patsy a 4711er who asked for The Bogman, it looked like the row had fixed your playlist. We are wending our way to Dublin today before the boat home on Monday.I hope tonight goes as well for you, Declan and Jimmy as last night. A truly memorable evening, we will catch you again if you come anywhere near Usk or maybe a visit to Dublin, Vicar Street if it can be managed. Diolch yn fawr Fiona and Martyn
Year 52 gets off to a flier in the Black Box….
Glad to hear Los Gatos again. . . And Yellow Triangle. . .
Ride on with Decs guitar intro was special too. Back for more tomorrow night and then to Salthill to catch Iggy and co.
Hey Marty,
Season 52 kicked off well…. I do like The Black Box..its a funky venue….I noticed a discreet thumbs up from Martin when I gave ye a quiet mention….give my best wishes to Iggy when you see him in O’Connor’s tonight…keep coming back Marty,……..it works if we work it
Hi Christy,
Really looking forward to the concert in the Black box in Galway tonight.I am going with my dad and my sister. My uncle/godfather Pat Heneghan, my dads brother, passed away very suddenly in february.Pat was your biggest fan and was known for singing all your songs with a glass of whiskey when all the family were around.His favourite partypiece was ‘The knock song’ which he sang very well.Please can you play this song tonight and if possible could you dedicate it to our ‘Pateen’ as we call him,it would really make my dad smile and i would be so grateful! Looking forward to tonight! Thank you
Pearl
just pulling on the Wellingtons now
Just spent two lovely days havin a mooch around Cork & some of the Kingdom. The songs came out as we passed the Shandon Bells and visited the Lee Road Hilton on Tuesday… now partly a gym and community centre..saw the O’Connors undertakers where McNabb was laid out on a slab before his very fine wake…
Drove on out to Oassage, visited the Patrick Murphy park and dedicate seat there, visited the hit factory itself too…and The Ferry Arms…then to the ferry over to a short spin to Cobh…the Titanic bar, statue of Sonya, Jack Doyles home town too…beautiful place…then yesterday we tripped pass the castle inn in Macroom where we celebrated Adams 22st in 2009, and a peep into The Briery Gap too…on through Néidin and it’s lovely scenery before ending up in Sneem and all its colourful shops and buildings…my pal Jimmy played his set, and after a pot of tea we headed back to Carrigaline..and now on a train back to the smoke…
Good luck with Black Box, enjoy.
E’re a Chat coming? Larball x
the feckin hard and the wild Lar,
you’re covering some ground these days…”We’re on the road again”
I appreciate your Chat query.. I was working on a lengthy spiel there some time back but it got lost from the device so I’ll have to start all over again…..Juno told me the other day that its been a year since the last Chat went out…I’d better get tappin…….as Facebook became the preferred platform for most 4711ers I felt the Chats were becoming a bit irrelevent…however there have been a few queries of late so I’ll try and get moving into chat mode again…
your mention of the Ferry Arms..my fave John Spillane Video is from that very spot
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5ZzfrH7KhU
I visited there with John once..tis a funky spot for sure
Hi Christy
Really looking forward to the gig tonight. Came over from Hamburg as my brother married a lovely girl from Loughrea last Friday. Iggy and the boys from Da derga did a great job and I even got up to sing “the Grey Lake”. Good luck tonight and with the rest of the tour.
Kenny
“The Gray Lake of Loughrea”
Its such a plaintive old Ballad..I still recall the first time I heard Tony Small sing it abroad in Finsbury Park….it is imbued with that emigrant lonliness that runs through so many of our popular songs…. we are out on our own when singing of heartbreak and lonlines..
any songs over there about that great lake of Hamburg…I;ve walked around it a few times..once saw fires out on the ice….beer and wurst and the crack was 90..
welcome home Kenny, just sqeezing into the corset here and getting the nostrils trimmed….then its straight into the Black Box
Hi there Christy-
Excited to be coming over for the 2 Castleblaney gigs later this fall with the husband and boys. All ticketed up…trains, planes, automobiles… Enjoy these last days of summer…boats already coming out of the water here. be well, see you soon. All the best, Kat
The Sun is lighting up the Bay here in Galway this morning..the City is thronged, there is cavortion and distortion, wedding parties,funeral masses, christenings and honeymooners, balladeers and shelamaliers….people from the Far East looking for the Ancient West….I’m here in the Middle of it all wondering,just wondering, I have the free travel and the medical card no time to use them..a quality problem, in facta, not a problem at all..more of a priviledge some might say, ..Truth be told,I agree wholeheartedly…..
as far as I can recall I have never played in Castleblayney before..made one attempt with a band called Planxty way back in 1972…we turned up, set up the gear and not even ONE person turned up….it was a lonesome trip back to Dublin that night..we came close to disbanding but, good fortune prevailed when we had a hit single and took off ..
“You may travel far far from your own native Home”
Well we made it to Galway and it’s not looking too glorious at the moment from our campervan in Salthill. Looking forward to the Black box tomorrow. Have had a great couple of weeks touring, enjoying the music in O’Connors in Doolin and some great singing on the streets of Killarney. Would be lovely to hear The Voyage or my favourite, the one that got me hooked when I was 16, Ride On. Diolch for now Fiona and Martyn.
Welcome to Galway.
some of my happiest hours were in an old camper van on rainy Welsh days….a stew bubbling on the gas ring, few sweet tunes from the tape deck……a quick dip in the Ocean….the bit of scran…into the gig clobber and on with the show…then rev up engine pull out of Aberystwyth and drive on up to Llandudno….
hope you get some sunshine before entering the Black Box…we’ll be hearing confessions from 8pm
Thanks Christy it is impossible to forget.
Christy ,thanks so much for the lovely mention of my Dad Neilus O’Connor,it means so much to me and my family,I have fond memories of when you played in CJ’s especially the night of the powercut as a result of a thunderstorm,I was a young lad collecting glasses at the time and helped holding the touch that lit you up as the audience listened to every word,my uncle Benny is beside me as i am writing this,he’s wondering if Corinthians Rugby have sent you their year book,in which there is a picture of you in cup team that you played in,Benny smiles as he reminisces the time he used to pick you up in his Opel manta going to the games,Benny picking a roast chicken for the after match feast in his mother in laws house,we recently had Ed Sheeran film some of his video galway girl in O’Connors,he is such a down to earth sound man,I only wish my dad was around to see the great publicity we got all over the world,enjoy your concerts in Galway.
Thanks Frank O’Connor
Benny was some hooker, I was his tight head, manys the strike against the head we knocked back to eager backs waiting for the ball ( one of our wingers spent most of his time spotting talent on the sideline,I wont mention his name (Paddy Flynn ))….we got to the Connacht Seniors Final in 1965 (I Think)..narrowly beaten by UCG who had at least one International on their Team…Mick Molloy at second row..it was a cold windy day in The Sportsground…despite being Number 3 I was given a pass on the UCG 25 with 3 minutes to go…I swerved and jinked my way over the UCG line but, when a sudden rush of blood rose to my head , I became confused and dived over the dead ball line before touching down…the whole ground fell into stunned silence before them bleddy students started waving their bleddy flags…I was inconsolable til we got back to The Skeff…..copious Large Bottles quelled my embarrassment and Benny gave me wise council
Is CJ’s still running as a venue?..I assume Ed played in the front shop…he is indeed a sound man who, despite his global success, has managed to keep his feet firmly on the ground
my good friend Iggy Broderick tells me that your Music House is still leppin
Tell Benny I got the Corinthians year book and it has a pride of place in my archive
see you in O’Connor’s some night along the road….
Heave Corinthians
Hey Christy, looking forward very much to Friday night in Galway. My buddy Joe (Letterkenny) got married in Thailand at Easter this year but due to work commitments I was unable to make the wedding. He’s not one for fuss so to mark his wedding, a few of us are bringing himself and his beautiful wife Chonthicha (Shaun-tee-sha) to Galway for the weekend and more importantly to see you at the Blackbox on Fri night. Now if you remember, could you give them a little mention from the stage? It might help you remember if I request your great version of ‘Compañeros’ as we all really love the song. They may be embarrassed but sure what the hell, it’ll be memorable for them. Looking forward to Fri night
Thailand at Easter..
sounds like a good name for a tune..
its not often that Companeros is requested…
Its one I like to sing..it does’nt always go down that well
I must sing it more often. it would be on my top 20 list (if I ever made one)
I felt a competition coming on there, then I recalled the last one !
first heard it sung by the writer in a Folk Club in Grimsby 40 years ago
I can still feel the night
First time I heard MacColl & Seeger live
Hi Christy, we’re looking forward to seeing you in the Waterfront in October. Don’t forget you’re always welcome to An Cultúrlann for a gorgeous bowl of Bóthar na bhFál seabhdar! Thought you would be interested in Home by Warsan Shire (British poet born to Somalian parents in Kenya). You probably are aware of this piece but if not you might like to check it out.
Home: ‘No one leaves home unless/home is the mouth of a shark. You only run for the border/when you see the whole city /running as well.
This evocative first stanza packs a punch and the poem deals with the unthinkable choices refugees must take. I look forward to hearing Cathal’s new album Bow Brothers…just love him playing the Mountains of Pomeroy. Regards Mary
I’ve just read “Home’ for the first time,I will be reading it again….
once heard its impossible to forget….thank you for sharing
every so called problem I might have had today evaporated as I listened to Warsan read her heartbreaking words…
Video for home by Warsan Shire Youtube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nI9D92Xiygo
Hi Christy
Hope all is well with you and you are ready for the off again hope you have two great nights in Galway not going to make the gigs could be doing a bit of extra gym work on Thursday just in case I get a late call up for the Galway team and Friday night I m playing in O Connors in Salthill for any post gig revellers
Anyway come west along the road and face the puck out
P.S. Pasty keep an eye out for All Ireland tickets the hunt is on
exciting times for followers of the Sliotar…there is nothing like it…the high catch, the “pull first time”, the sideline puck, the long puck out, the deft touch,those legends Christy Ring, Philly Grimes, Eddie Keher, Jimmy Doyle,The Rackards,Mick Mackey,all stars of a of a bygone age..the latest kids on the block writing new chapters in Hurling History…I’ve had the priviledge of seeing a good few Hurling Finals, of meeting some of the greats, Theo English, Babs Keating,Jimmy-Barry Murphy, Mark Foley, Sean Clohessy, Larry Kiely spring to mind…tried to play it once, total failure was the outcome !!..loved pucking about with my eldest son when he was a gásun…..hard to beat that clack of the sliotar on the ash, the pleasure of catching and pucking ( WITHOUT MISSING the feckin thing completely as was often the case with yours truly!)
a fierce hunt on for tickets, relations I never knew I had coming out of the woodworm thinking that auld ballad singers have some secret access to tickets..(if only )