I was at all three. Dean Crowe, ’72. Ritz Athlone ’73 and ’74. I think the ’73 gig, (great) was the original 4 Planxty members. We got an opening that night of either the “Three Drunken Maidens” or, the “Jolly Beggarmen”. The ’74 gig, same venue, I think you’d departed, but that ’74 gig was one of Donal’s last gigs. Support was Pumpkinhead for one gig. Monroe was support for the next gig. Massive memorys, and I will say, I knew it, we were hearing something special – this was music. Brilliant. I knew it – this was something great we were hearing.
This is coming from an ‘Athlone’ memory page. I’m not long in, I got a last minute pint, had more than ‘one’, got into a late night bar here in town.
Planxy and the music. Stop now(!).Because I would go on……..
Christy's reply
Were this Aosdána you’d surely sit at the top table with na Saoi
I’m taken aback by your recollection…your recall is spot on, apart from one slight adjustment to sequence….Donal Lunny Departed in ’73 and Johnny Moynihan stepped in…I went in ’74 and Paul Brady came aboard…I suspect that you saw a slightly different Band each time….there were numerous line-ups but ,I believe, it was fitting that our last blast featured the original four players…between 1972 and and 2005 members of Planxty included
Liam Óg O’Flynn
Andy Irvine
Donal Lunny
Christy Moore
plus
Matt Molly
Noel Hill
Tony Linnane
Arty McGlynn
Dolores Keane
James Kelly
Nollaig Casey
Bill Whelan
……I’m working from still-in-the-bed memory here…excuse me if I’ve missed anyone…
Impressive too that both Pumpkinhead and Monroe are mentioned…both Bands played the finest of Music that still reverberates..
Respect Ed….Thank You
PS in early days we always opened with “Three Drunken Maidens” which led Liam into “The Foxhunter’s Reel”
Hi Christy,
Well, I’m back!!! The boys (Bernard from Vancouver who was born in Belfast and Uncle Tony who lives in Belfast) are getting super excited to attend your concert in Cork next week. Bernard leaves on Thursday and will have a few days with family. He’s also bringing his Dad’s ashes back home so it’s an important trip for him and for his family.
I just wanted to say hello and to wish you the best!! Take care!!!
Sincerely,
Sylvia Warnke
Christy's reply
I wish them a safe passage to Cork…..bringing the remains of a loved one back home makes for an emotional journey…I hope it brings some closure and finality to the loss endured….here’s hoping that Bernard & Tony have a good time in Cork… I love playing Leeside..I’m already focusing on the gig and practicing a few Cork favourites…
Last week I rehearsed The Knock Song all week for the Mayo gig in Castlebar..but then forgot to sing it !
Good to hear from you Sylvia
Well spotted Patsy !! Ceist agam ort, an raibh to ann in 1973 ?? My first Planxty gig was 1975, wonder was it more than 50 p ?? Amazing piece of history ,on at 11.30 pm, after the Disco ? ? Beir bua agus beannacht.H
Christy's reply
I rem the Ritz on Athlone that night very well…our Sound man Nicky Ryan took ill during the gig..an ambulance took him away …1975 I was long gone..had a band with Kevin Burke, Jimmy Faulkner and Declan McNelis…that year we recorded an album called “Whatever Tickles Your Fancy”..among others, Barney McKenna and Micháel Ó Domhnaill played on that album…. 2 songs from that album still on the go…Jimmy Faulkner and McNelis no longer with us
Drink, feck ! as the old, seated priest in Father Ted used to say.
Anyway Christy, a pal has pointed me to a new Gin by richard jobson of the skids. Now you may not know of his songs but i was a child of punk so his ‘Gin to the valley’ is tempting …until i saw the price.
It got me wondering about musicians and named drink, Van the man could release a few bottles of ‘Gins to the Silence’, Belfast son Joshua Burnside could surely distill a ‘whiskey,whiskey burn-side’, shane might have bottled a cask of ‘you’re the devil’ whiskey if The Pogues had not already released a gin, a neil Diamond ‘better red,red or dead’ wine could sit in a glass too.
I like a blackwater gin sometimes and your 2parts to 1 tea infusion could perhaps improve their already fine Barry’s tea product.
However i appreciate that the drink industry ( arthur’s day) has a lot to answer for so i shall leave these ideas in the cooler and on the shelf as bed beckons to the sound of some of the releases of Kerry lad Junior Brother.
Rory
Christy's reply
Thank God we’re not fond of it…’tis a hoor when it gets in on you
Hi Christy,
Saw this little snippet in the local paper this week.
The Ritz…..right on the bridge of Athlone, where East meets West; and the Q would go from East to West or Vice versa depending on who started it. Just wondering what memories you have of it.
Best Regards,
Patsy https://photos.app.goo.gl/ADDEZ6fDUyfZAKodA
Christy's reply
We played the old Dean Crowe in ’72 then moved up a gear to the Ritz in’73..Thanks for this Patsy..I loved that tour with Monroe featuring Mick Hanly and Michéal Ó Domhnaill….
Dear Christy and all fans. After following many enthusiatic comments about your gigs and your new songs I’m a happy man these days. I have ordered the very last tickets of a gig at the NCH in May.
Best wishes, Günter
Hi Christy, great to read of your buzzing gig in Castlebar and that you’re in good shape to sing two hours!
I was on a concert by a local artist yesterday (Christian Donovan) who has a great voice and sang some of “your” songs as well: Ordinary Man, Back home in Derry, Well below the valley (with his huge bodhran!). For me not living in Ireland it was the best alternative to your concert I could get…
Funny to read about the Wexford Inn. It was the first place I came across Irish ballads/live music in Dublin on my first stay in Ireland in December 1993. It was there and then that I met my dear old friends of Gypsy Lacey who sing and play for quite a few decades by now and who are – like you – to “blame” for me liking Irish music/ballads so much 😊. Looking forward to meeting them again in December when I come over to see you again to Vicar St..
Let this be query number 4 for your Sydney story – only one to go 😊
Birgit
Christy's reply
Back around the mid 1980s I used to play a Friday Night Residency in The Wexford Inn…I remember Nicky Kelly joining me on stage there a few nights after his release…
Christy
Seeing you last night fulfilled a wish I’ve had for over 30 years. You were fantastic, voice as clear as a bell and your passion is undiminished.
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Michele
Christy's reply
Thanks Michele…It was great to get back to that venue again after an 8 year gap….
its now 51 years since my first gig in The Traveller’s Friend..it has undergone many alterations, extensions, difficulties, closures and re-openings since that Christmas Eve Gig with Planxty back in 1972….now its up and running again may be the leading ,purpose built, venue in the province of Connacht ..well done to Pat Jennings..may he continue to promote and welcome such a variety of artists, acts and others to the TFT…
I had a good time last night..truth be told ..I’d happily have kept going but , at two hours, it was probably time to finish…
Christy,
I was in the Dublin in the Wexford Inn (I think) one magical evening in the early 1990’s to see the Wally Page playing a few tunes. Next thing a fine young fella appeared from backstage with a bodhran. He was as shocked as the rest of us. Do you remember that night? It was Wallys birthday and you popped in to wish him well. We all nearly lost our reason the place went mad altogether… a fabulous night of music and almighty surprise to see you…. I was a student in London at the time and my favourite song was Missing You. I worked in a pub on the Strand and used to walk by all the poor soles sleeping in doorways so many Irish accents calling out to me as l walked along. It was heartbreaking.
Hope you had a grand sleep. Karen x
Christy's reply
methinks that gig was in Whelan’s, next door to the late Wexford Inn… that gig was run by Wally’s beautiful Wife, the late Eithne…..I do recall the night…the lovely warm happy smile on Wally’s face as we sang a few….Wally & Eithne re-united, wherever they may be…their Sons Luke & Daniel continuing the music….
We flew from Newfoundland for your concert in Castlebar and we were not disappointed. Thank you for such a memorable evening. Your talent is amazing and your energy and enthusiasm are inspiring. It warmed our hearts that you closed out the evening with Sonny’s Dream. Beautiful…..
Christy's reply
Marian, thank you…I had no intention of singing Ron Hine’s beautiful song,it simply started singing itself… all I had to do was follow….hope you have a good visit….
Oops. Not correct in one song. One song from Voyage; the other (‘Biko Drum’) from Unfinished Revolution.
Christy's reply
no sweat Ed
any ref here to the archive always wins me over
Listened to a wonderful Podcast yesterday on Three Castles Burning
the host, Donal Fallon, conversed with my Planxty neighbour Donal Lunny..
DL goes right back over his working life revisitng many (but not all) of his numerous interludes….
DL is the complete opposite to myself…he keeps no records of his past music life..what an archive that would be….there has never been a more prolific, all-encompasing, dedicated, talented and generous musician on this Island in my lifetime….I could make a long list of the Bands and Collaborations that were NOT mentioned on yesterdays podcast****..
I highly recommend the “Three Castles Burning” podcast to all you 4711ers out there (and others besides)…..plenty of nuggets to help you through the coming winter
****PS..Rakes of Kildare, Liffeysiders, Bugle, Parnell Folk, Coolfin, Orcheailtach, (?) to name but half a dozen
That sounded like a great set. Hard Cases, Mattie, I think they’re from the same album: Ordinary Man. Another two tracks, Missing You and Biko Drum: Voyage. Great tracks rooted out of the ‘archives’. I dont want any ‘nurse’ having to tell you what to do. Keep fit and the ‘nurses’ away. Oh, the hour changes in the morning. You’ll have the extra hour. Bear bua as one man would declare on RTE Radio a while ago.
You were on fire, sounded clear as a bell up in the gods at TF tonight.
Thanks for Mattie, Sonny and Lyra’s song. Great craic and great singing from you and the mad Castlebar crowd.
(Popped into the James Joyce Centre in the big smoke on Thursday fresh off the ferry to hear Grainne Hunt and Jim Murphy know as Hibsen, perform their newly composed songs based on the stories of the Dubliners, few good stories and grand old melodies) Get Andy to get them upon Spotify for ye!
Safe home. Keep well and keep doing as the Nurse tells you. Fair play to you. Xx
Christy's reply
fair play to you
thats the first time I’ve sung “Mattie” in a long time
its a great song..written by the one and only Johnny Mulhearn
he who also wrote Continental Ceili and Hard Cases
and Jack Costello there tonight from London got me singing “Missing You” a Jimmy MacCarthy gem thats been outa the set list since before the Rat ‘n Bat
and Johnny and Isobela Hoban had me singing “Biko Drum”…that power song from the hand and heart of our late Companero , Mr Wally Page, laird of The North Strand…how we miss our mighty Waldo…his sweet tones, his gentle laugh, his swingin boogie shapes as he’d growl out 16 Ravers, break our hearts with Finglas Boys, we smoked his strong whiskey we stoked his Fidel Castro,
on the road back to the big smoke now..just hitting Longford on the Rocky Road to Mullingar
Have a great night in Castlebar Christy. I was wondering, did you ever perform ‘The West’s Awake’?
Though with Knock and the Tuam Beat you have enough in your repertoire to keep all west of the Shannon happy!
Stall her sham you’re only spoofin….
Christy's reply
just after crossing the Shannon as we make haste for the plains of Sweet Mayo…shortly Barr na Cúige will loom up to our left…RyanAir and Virgin Jets flying to and from FR Horan’s 18,ooo feet of Roadstone Tarmac…in the middle of Strokestown now….Charlie Haughey, Ray Burke,Pee Flynn used to play pitch and toss here ..never managed the West’s Awake but theres time left yet..I hope
Hello Christy,
Gipp set me off on a journey, after listening to the beautiful phrasing in The night before Larry was stretched.
Via Frank Harte’s masterful version, I ended up here. https://fb.watch/nYybLZJbeF/
Hey Christy, Hope you are well? Good luck with the gigs! Any chance you are coming to Spain? My family knew you well from Newbrige Grogans) Joe was my uncle xx
Christy's reply
Hey Niamh…all good here today, thanks be…..I remember Joe from early days….
I wont make it to Spain….regrets….lots of work here to keep me busy
Have you still got connections in the old Town ? its a changed place these days
I was at all three. Dean Crowe, ’72. Ritz Athlone ’73 and ’74. I think the ’73 gig, (great) was the original 4 Planxty members. We got an opening that night of either the “Three Drunken Maidens” or, the “Jolly Beggarmen”. The ’74 gig, same venue, I think you’d departed, but that ’74 gig was one of Donal’s last gigs. Support was Pumpkinhead for one gig. Monroe was support for the next gig. Massive memorys, and I will say, I knew it, we were hearing something special – this was music. Brilliant. I knew it – this was something great we were hearing.
This is coming from an ‘Athlone’ memory page. I’m not long in, I got a last minute pint, had more than ‘one’, got into a late night bar here in town.
Planxy and the music. Stop now(!).Because I would go on……..
Were this Aosdána you’d surely sit at the top table with na Saoi
I’m taken aback by your recollection…your recall is spot on, apart from one slight adjustment to sequence….Donal Lunny Departed in ’73 and Johnny Moynihan stepped in…I went in ’74 and Paul Brady came aboard…I suspect that you saw a slightly different Band each time….there were numerous line-ups but ,I believe, it was fitting that our last blast featured the original four players…between 1972 and and 2005 members of Planxty included
Liam Óg O’Flynn
Andy Irvine
Donal Lunny
Christy Moore
plus
Matt Molly
Noel Hill
Tony Linnane
Arty McGlynn
Dolores Keane
James Kelly
Nollaig Casey
Bill Whelan
……I’m working from still-in-the-bed memory here…excuse me if I’ve missed anyone…
Impressive too that both Pumpkinhead and Monroe are mentioned…both Bands played the finest of Music that still reverberates..
Respect Ed….Thank You
PS in early days we always opened with “Three Drunken Maidens” which led Liam into “The Foxhunter’s Reel”
… forgot to mention that we’ve got Christy Moore playing in the house as I write!!
I glow at the thought
Hi Christy,
Well, I’m back!!! The boys (Bernard from Vancouver who was born in Belfast and Uncle Tony who lives in Belfast) are getting super excited to attend your concert in Cork next week. Bernard leaves on Thursday and will have a few days with family. He’s also bringing his Dad’s ashes back home so it’s an important trip for him and for his family.
I just wanted to say hello and to wish you the best!! Take care!!!
Sincerely,
Sylvia Warnke
I wish them a safe passage to Cork…..bringing the remains of a loved one back home makes for an emotional journey…I hope it brings some closure and finality to the loss endured….here’s hoping that Bernard & Tony have a good time in Cork… I love playing Leeside..I’m already focusing on the gig and practicing a few Cork favourites…
Last week I rehearsed The Knock Song all week for the Mayo gig in Castlebar..but then forgot to sing it !
Good to hear from you Sylvia
Well spotted Patsy !! Ceist agam ort, an raibh to ann in 1973 ?? My first Planxty gig was 1975, wonder was it more than 50 p ?? Amazing piece of history ,on at 11.30 pm, after the Disco ? ? Beir bua agus beannacht.H
I rem the Ritz on Athlone that night very well…our Sound man Nicky Ryan took ill during the gig..an ambulance took him away …1975 I was long gone..had a band with Kevin Burke, Jimmy Faulkner and Declan McNelis…that year we recorded an album called “Whatever Tickles Your Fancy”..among others, Barney McKenna and Micháel Ó Domhnaill played on that album…. 2 songs from that album still on the go…Jimmy Faulkner and McNelis no longer with us
Drink, feck ! as the old, seated priest in Father Ted used to say.
Anyway Christy, a pal has pointed me to a new Gin by richard jobson of the skids. Now you may not know of his songs but i was a child of punk so his ‘Gin to the valley’ is tempting …until i saw the price.
It got me wondering about musicians and named drink, Van the man could release a few bottles of ‘Gins to the Silence’, Belfast son Joshua Burnside could surely distill a ‘whiskey,whiskey burn-side’, shane might have bottled a cask of ‘you’re the devil’ whiskey if The Pogues had not already released a gin, a neil Diamond ‘better red,red or dead’ wine could sit in a glass too.
I like a blackwater gin sometimes and your 2parts to 1 tea infusion could perhaps improve their already fine Barry’s tea product.
However i appreciate that the drink industry ( arthur’s day) has a lot to answer for so i shall leave these ideas in the cooler and on the shelf as bed beckons to the sound of some of the releases of Kerry lad Junior Brother.
Rory
Thank God we’re not fond of it…’tis a hoor when it gets in on you
Forgot to mention. The year was 1973.
Hi Christy,
Saw this little snippet in the local paper this week.
The Ritz…..right on the bridge of Athlone, where East meets West; and the Q would go from East to West or Vice versa depending on who started it. Just wondering what memories you have of it.
Best Regards,
Patsy
https://photos.app.goo.gl/ADDEZ6fDUyfZAKodA
We played the old Dean Crowe in ’72 then moved up a gear to the Ritz in’73..Thanks for this Patsy..I loved that tour with Monroe featuring Mick Hanly and Michéal Ó Domhnaill….
Dear Christy and all fans. After following many enthusiatic comments about your gigs and your new songs I’m a happy man these days. I have ordered the very last tickets of a gig at the NCH in May.
Best wishes, Günter
hope it all works out Gunter
Hi Christy, great to read of your buzzing gig in Castlebar and that you’re in good shape to sing two hours!
I was on a concert by a local artist yesterday (Christian Donovan) who has a great voice and sang some of “your” songs as well: Ordinary Man, Back home in Derry, Well below the valley (with his huge bodhran!). For me not living in Ireland it was the best alternative to your concert I could get…
Funny to read about the Wexford Inn. It was the first place I came across Irish ballads/live music in Dublin on my first stay in Ireland in December 1993. It was there and then that I met my dear old friends of Gypsy Lacey who sing and play for quite a few decades by now and who are – like you – to “blame” for me liking Irish music/ballads so much 😊. Looking forward to meeting them again in December when I come over to see you again to Vicar St..
Let this be query number 4 for your Sydney story – only one to go 😊
Birgit
Back around the mid 1980s I used to play a Friday Night Residency in The Wexford Inn…I remember Nicky Kelly joining me on stage there a few nights after his release…
Christy
Seeing you last night fulfilled a wish I’ve had for over 30 years. You were fantastic, voice as clear as a bell and your passion is undiminished.
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Michele
Thanks Michele…It was great to get back to that venue again after an 8 year gap….
its now 51 years since my first gig in The Traveller’s Friend..it has undergone many alterations, extensions, difficulties, closures and re-openings since that Christmas Eve Gig with Planxty back in 1972….now its up and running again may be the leading ,purpose built, venue in the province of Connacht ..well done to Pat Jennings..may he continue to promote and welcome such a variety of artists, acts and others to the TFT…
I had a good time last night..truth be told ..I’d happily have kept going but , at two hours, it was probably time to finish…
Christy,
I was in the Dublin in the Wexford Inn (I think) one magical evening in the early 1990’s to see the Wally Page playing a few tunes. Next thing a fine young fella appeared from backstage with a bodhran. He was as shocked as the rest of us. Do you remember that night? It was Wallys birthday and you popped in to wish him well. We all nearly lost our reason the place went mad altogether… a fabulous night of music and almighty surprise to see you…. I was a student in London at the time and my favourite song was Missing You. I worked in a pub on the Strand and used to walk by all the poor soles sleeping in doorways so many Irish accents calling out to me as l walked along. It was heartbreaking.
Hope you had a grand sleep. Karen x
methinks that gig was in Whelan’s, next door to the late Wexford Inn… that gig was run by Wally’s beautiful Wife, the late Eithne…..I do recall the night…the lovely warm happy smile on Wally’s face as we sang a few….Wally & Eithne re-united, wherever they may be…their Sons Luke & Daniel continuing the music….
Hello Christy,
Here’s what happens when ice and musicians get together.
https://youtu.be/GE91bQyt82s?si=keGWNqwZdFg1kuLS
Hope you enjoy it.
Rebecca
you’ve shared many cool gems here ..thank you
We flew from Newfoundland for your concert in Castlebar and we were not disappointed. Thank you for such a memorable evening. Your talent is amazing and your energy and enthusiasm are inspiring. It warmed our hearts that you closed out the evening with Sonny’s Dream. Beautiful…..
Marian, thank you…I had no intention of singing Ron Hine’s beautiful song,it simply started singing itself… all I had to do was follow….hope you have a good visit….
Oops. Not correct in one song. One song from Voyage; the other (‘Biko Drum’) from Unfinished Revolution.
no sweat Ed
any ref here to the archive always wins me over
Listened to a wonderful Podcast yesterday on Three Castles Burning
the host, Donal Fallon, conversed with my Planxty neighbour Donal Lunny..
DL goes right back over his working life revisitng many (but not all) of his numerous interludes….
DL is the complete opposite to myself…he keeps no records of his past music life..what an archive that would be….there has never been a more prolific, all-encompasing, dedicated, talented and generous musician on this Island in my lifetime….I could make a long list of the Bands and Collaborations that were NOT mentioned on yesterdays podcast****..
I highly recommend the “Three Castles Burning” podcast to all you 4711ers out there (and others besides)…..plenty of nuggets to help you through the coming winter
****PS..Rakes of Kildare, Liffeysiders, Bugle, Parnell Folk, Coolfin, Orcheailtach, (?) to name but half a dozen
That sounded like a great set. Hard Cases, Mattie, I think they’re from the same album: Ordinary Man. Another two tracks, Missing You and Biko Drum: Voyage. Great tracks rooted out of the ‘archives’. I dont want any ‘nurse’ having to tell you what to do. Keep fit and the ‘nurses’ away. Oh, the hour changes in the morning. You’ll have the extra hour. Bear bua as one man would declare on RTE Radio a while ago.
“Nurse! Nurse!
I’m feelin worse.”…
“Yerra feck ye,
ye gotta die a somethin”
Christy,
You were on fire, sounded clear as a bell up in the gods at TF tonight.
Thanks for Mattie, Sonny and Lyra’s song. Great craic and great singing from you and the mad Castlebar crowd.
(Popped into the James Joyce Centre in the big smoke on Thursday fresh off the ferry to hear Grainne Hunt and Jim Murphy know as Hibsen, perform their newly composed songs based on the stories of the Dubliners, few good stories and grand old melodies) Get Andy to get them upon Spotify for ye!
Safe home. Keep well and keep doing as the Nurse tells you. Fair play to you. Xx
fair play to you
thats the first time I’ve sung “Mattie” in a long time
its a great song..written by the one and only Johnny Mulhearn
he who also wrote Continental Ceili and Hard Cases
and Jack Costello there tonight from London got me singing “Missing You” a Jimmy MacCarthy gem thats been outa the set list since before the Rat ‘n Bat
and Johnny and Isobela Hoban had me singing “Biko Drum”…that power song from the hand and heart of our late Companero , Mr Wally Page, laird of The North Strand…how we miss our mighty Waldo…his sweet tones, his gentle laugh, his swingin boogie shapes as he’d growl out 16 Ravers, break our hearts with Finglas Boys, we smoked his strong whiskey we stoked his Fidel Castro,
on the road back to the big smoke now..just hitting Longford on the Rocky Road to Mullingar
catch you along the way..safe travelling
Have a great night in Castlebar Christy. I was wondering, did you ever perform ‘The West’s Awake’?
Though with Knock and the Tuam Beat you have enough in your repertoire to keep all west of the Shannon happy!
Stall her sham you’re only spoofin….
just after crossing the Shannon as we make haste for the plains of Sweet Mayo…shortly Barr na Cúige will loom up to our left…RyanAir and Virgin Jets flying to and from FR Horan’s 18,ooo feet of Roadstone Tarmac…in the middle of Strokestown now….Charlie Haughey, Ray Burke,Pee Flynn used to play pitch and toss here ..never managed the West’s Awake but theres time left yet..I hope
Hello Christy,
Gipp set me off on a journey, after listening to the beautiful phrasing in The night before Larry was stretched.
Via Frank Harte’s masterful version, I ended up here.
https://fb.watch/nYybLZJbeF/
Rebecca
Hey Christy, Hope you are well? Good luck with the gigs! Any chance you are coming to Spain? My family knew you well from Newbrige Grogans) Joe was my uncle xx
Hey Niamh…all good here today, thanks be…..I remember Joe from early days….
I wont make it to Spain….regrets….lots of work here to keep me busy
Have you still got connections in the old Town ? its a changed place these days
Here with girlfriend Darcy Miner. Will be at Castlebar tomorrow to see you play. Long intended… Best, John Vaughn, Stillwater, Minnesota, US.
Fáilte go dtí Condae Mhuigheó….