Seems like the gig in Killashee was a good un.
Any chance of the set list?
Christy's reply
ok Bourkey…. I’m in the scratcher …I dont have the set list but I know I did 26 songs…so here goes
Chicago
Quinte
Johnny Boy
Ride On
Welcome to Cabaret
Veronica
St Patrick was a Gentleman
Ruby Walsh
Missing You
Bog Man Deep Down
Bord na Móna Man
McIlhatton
The Time has Come
Ordinary Man
Sonny’s Dream 16
Lisdoonvarna
Nancy Spain
Lingo Politico
Shovel
Curragh of Kildare
Lily of The Shartgrass
Honda 50
Only Our Rivers
Beeswing
Voyage
Thats all I can recall as sleep descends…
Had a lovely gig the other night with the Ireland Rugby Squad…
I’ve been asked to bring my boots tomorrow just in case there is an outbreak of foot in mouth before tomorrows kick
my last game was for Corinthians in 1965.. The Sportground against UCG in Connact Senior Final…we were beaten 3-0 but slaughtered porter apres match..
I ended up in O’Connor’s in Salthill
Dear Christy
It’s been a long while since I wrote on here. I’m up in Leeds, visiting Tallulah who’s living up here now. We went to see The Mary Whallopers last night which was brilliant. Reminded me of the old days, Pogues gigs back in North London, the crowd singing and going generally crazy. Then tonight we’re seeing Damo at the Irish Centre, cannot wait!
Got us talking about the old times, Christy gigs at the Dome, Tallulah sending you a poem, lovely dedications. Happy days, long ago now, but cherished memories.
Hope you and the family are all keeping well.
Keep her lit
Helen
Christy's reply
Helen and Tallulah…great names from earlier times… I recall Tallulah drawing me some pictures….greetings and best wishes to you both
Hello Christy,
Here’s your earlier recording of Ewan Maccoll’s Green Island.
You, he and Shane (Aisling) all find that restlessness of the wind. Love it. https://youtu.be/wdzLDadid7k?si=JrQDF13vS6uW7YXn
Here’s an old version of John Barleycorn that I hope you will like.
No idea of the age, but it has the length of a long firelighters evening.
A pleasant new Ballad to sing both Even and Morne, Of the bloody murther of Sir John Barley-corne.
To the tune of, Shall I lye beyond thee.
AS I went through the North Coun∣trey,
I heard a merry greeting:
A pleasant toy, and full of ioy,
two noble men were méeting.
And as they walked for to sport,
vpon a Sommers day,
Then with another nobleman
they went to make a fray,
Whose name was sir Iohn Barley-corne,
he dwelt downe in a dale:
Who had a kinsman dwelt him nigh,
they cal’d him Thomas Goodale.
Another named Richard Béere,
was ready at that time:
Another worthy Knight was there,
call’d sir William White Wine.
Some of them fought in a blacke Iacke,
some of them in a Can:
But the chiefest in a blacke pot,
like a worthy noble man.
Sir Iohn Barly-corne fought in a Boule,
who wonne the victorie:
And made them all to fume and sweare,
that Barly-corne should die.
Some said kill him, some said drowne,
others wisht to hang him hée:
For as many as fo•low Barly-corne,
shall surely begggers die.
Then with a plough they plowed him vp
and thus they did deuise,
To burie him quicke within the earth,
and swore he should not rise.
With horrowes strong they combed him
and burst clods on his head:
A ioyfull banquet then was made,
when Barly-corne was dead.
He rested still within the earth,
till raine from skies did fall,
Then he grew vp in branches gréene,
which sore amaz’d them all,
And so grew vp till Mid-sommer,
which made them all afeard:
For he was sprouted vp on hie,
and got a goodly beard.
Then he grew till S. Iames tide,
his countenance was wan,
For he was growne vnto his strength,
and thus became a man.
With hookes and sickles kéene,
into the field they hide,
They cut his legs off by the knées,
and made him wounds full wide.
Thus bloodily they cut him downe
from place where he did stand,
And like a thiefe for treachery,
they bound him in a band.
So then they tooke him vp againe,
according to his kind:
And packt him vp in seuerall stackes,
to wither with the wind.
And with a pitch-forke that was sharpe,
they rent him to the heart,
And like a thiefe for treason vile,
they bound him in a cart.
And tending him with weapons strong,
vnto the towne they hie,
And straight they mowed him in a mow
and there they let him lie.
Then he lay groning by the wals,
till all his wounds were sore,
At length they tooke him vp againe,
and cast him on the floore.
They hyred two with holly clubs,
to beat on him at once,
They thwacked so on Barly-corne,
that flesh fell from the bones.
And then they tooke him vp againe,
to fulfill womens minde
They dusted and they sifted him,
till he was almost blind.
And then they knit him in a sacke,
which grieued him full sore:
They stéep’d him in a Fat, God wot▪
for thrée dayes space and more.
Then they tooke him vp againe,
and laid him for to drie,
They cast him on a chamber floore,
and swore that he should die.
They rubbed and they stirred him,
and still they did him turne.
The Malt-man swore that he should die,
his body he would burne.
They spightfully tooke him vp againe,
and threw him on a Kill:
So dried him there with fire hot,
and thus they wraught their will.
Then they brought him to the mill,
and there they burst his bones,
The Miller swore to murther him
betwixt a paire of stones.
Then they tooke him vp againe,
and seru’d him worse then that,
For with hot scalding liquor store
they washt him in a Fat.
But not content with this God wot.
that did him mickle harme,
With threatning words they promised
to beat him into barme.
And lying in this danger déep,
for feare that he should quarrell,
They tooke him straight out of the fat,
and tunn’d him in a barrell,
And then they set a tap to him,
euen thus his death begun:
They drew out euery dram of blood,
whilst any drop would run,
Some brought iacks vpon their backs,
some brought bill and bow,
And euery man his weapon had,
Barly-corne to ouerthrow.
When sir Iohn Good-ale heard of this,
he came with mickle might,
And there he tooke their tongues away,
their legs or else their sight.
And thus sir Iohn in each respect
so paid them all their hire,
That some lay sléeping by the way.
some tumbling in the mire.
Some lay groning by the wals,
some in the stréets downe right,
The best of them did scarcely know
what they had done ore-night.
All you good wiues that brew good ale
God turne from you all teens▪
But if you put too much water in,
the deuill put out your eyne.
Congratulations Christy on an outstanding performance in Killashee and thank you. It must have been the inspiration of the home turf as you suggested. My take on it is that your raw talent combined with your generosity towards the audience and the music originators and also your pride in your work shone through and all were greatly appreciated by everyone in the audience. Ride on ………..
Christy's reply
Such a gathering, never saw the likes of it, ye came from all sides, there was Jockeys there from Mylerstown, Farriers from Bolea, soldiers from The Golan heights, the Parish Priest from Caragh…..Its a great room in a fine Hotel, Cill an Sí nr Nás na Rí…..across the fields from Punchestown where Jayzee slipped me a tenner and Beyonce asked me to back her on the goatskin…I was thinkin of Mrs Lawlor’s Ballroom where I nearly got off one night but she was havin none of it …. I heard last night she went on to be a holy nun afterwards…..Frankie ,I thought you were lookin fierce fit and well….its fantastic that we’re still to the good, able to sit up and take the top off an egg….I think our altar boy service is standing to us…..we gained some indulgences 70 years ago…ringin the bell, swingin the thuribele , watchin all the fine things comin up for holy communion
I thought we were going to come off the Honda 50, wheelies and all sorts of shenanigans!
What an atmosphere from the second the first cord was played.
Thank you for the gigs and for sharing these moments with us. Thank you Hilary for looking after us too.
Christy's reply
we went the whole hog last night, there was no holdin back, gave it the diddy, I was on high doh after, I could hardly get into me pajamas…I’m supposed to be sowin spuds today but I think I’m gonna need a bit of a lie in….this lap top is cuttin a rut in me chest….Coill Dubh abú
What a great failte you received on ” home turf ” and all those local Cill Dara songs just wonderful, as well as the song for the weekend that’s in it ! Lots of nostalgia and great memories as well as fitting memories from Planxty days. Amazing to see so many really young children at recent gigs and they knowing all the songs, the future is bright. It is six years today since Liam Og passed to the great gig in the sky, I’m sure he will be remembered in the NCH on Sun night when the NSO, Shaun Davey & Rita Connolly, Mark Redmond and more perform the music of Shaun Davey including the Brendan Suite. Here is Planxty playing that most iconic of combinations Raggle Taggle into Tabhair dom do Lamh from 51 years ago https://youtu.be/JyP407UnUWw?si=RvOzTomOvnYIz8fD GRMMA. Beir bua agus beannacht. H
Christy's reply
the auld Planxty sound is houldin up well…what a time we had, Liam,Andy,Donal and mysel, there was no stoppin us for a few years back then,we played every lounge from Dingle right up to Donegal…
Our departed companero still resounds, Liam Óg O’Flynn, remembered every day
Anne Nightingale – The bird on the wireless…BBC I player.
There’s a Suffragette welcome waiting and a guided tour sorted anytime you like!
G’night all
Dave
Christy's reply
still occupying part of this country, they are unwilling to share certain Beeb output with the rest of us…but thanks for trying Dave…I appreciate it
ps the gig was a cracker
I find What Put The Blood very meditative. Its got those go up, or go down melody bits like Musgrave. But yes, it draws you right in as it passes through you.
Christy's reply
“I’ll lave them there to the birds of the air
to murn and sing for you for you
to murn and sing for you”
Got to agree with you Pat, and also Seoirse Ó Dochartaigh.
Learning the experiences behind the songs is one of the best parts of being a folk singer. When I sang classical songs in my youth they were very beautiful, but that is all.
The depth of human experience in folk songs is what drives me to learn them.
Christy's reply
they pull us in, they bring us into a form of meditation, they keep us going….
I like your worldwide barley fields concept Rory, and indeed the response in song to terrible oppression is a wonderful thing.
It’s history sure, but it always needs to be highlighted.
I asked Seoirse Ó Dochartaigh to sing the Boys of Mullachbán for us one night. No he says, I can’t sing that till I know the local story. We’ll have to go to O’Neills of Cross to ask Johnny Campbell says I. Off we went, Seoirse got the story, and that night sang of what he called ‘the pain and desperation of the dispossessed ‘
‘ But now we are in danger from a vile deceiving stranger’
You sing it with great understanding and feeling on ‘the early years 69-81’ collection Christy.
We Irish (and many friends worldwide) know most of the historical events which inspired songsters from time immemorial right up to McCartney’s ‘Give Ireland back to the Irish’.
What I love about this site is the many people who don’t know the backstory, who hear a song, then go off to find out what event inspired the songster, get immersed in Irish History, then sing about the people affected by that event.
Christy's reply
“to end this lamentation
we are all in consternation
none want for recreation
from dark to early dawn
for without hesitation
we are charged with combination
and sent for transportation
From the Hills of Mullaghbawn”
I’m unlikely to visit Ireland any time soon,so great to keep in touch via posts here…after Rory’s testimonials,I’m a regular visitor to the website for Seamus Heaney’s home place. What a superb venture.
Last night I watched an excellent TV piece/ tribute to Annie Nightingale…In the programme,she raved about Ian Dury…a wordsmith,for sure…I’m playing a Dury mix now…edgy,raw,then one of the most tender songs…’my old man’ …lovely stuff
Have a good day
Dave
Christy's reply
what channel was that ?
thanks for the mosaic trail map…arrived this morning…
gotta get back to Suffragette City and walk that trail….
Thanks for the reminder of the poem Hilary.
If you get the chance ( anyone) i’d recommend the Seamus Heaney HomePlace in Bellaghy.
I am going back in April, i did not have time to do it justice in November where i tasted a mouthful and vowed to return for a day, to be properly sayed. To immerse myself in the barley, the lough, the childhood, the killing, the farm , the rest.
A glorious venue, an incredible wordsmith.
Rory
Christy's reply
I’m hoping to return some day to the concert room in the GAA club in Bellaghy….had some great nights there in the 70s and 80s….
Hope you all have a great gig tonight. I’ve got two booked,.
Drogheda in July and Castlebar in October.
That sea does get in the way. I guess you’re thankful for it, looking from the West.
Hi, to continue the theme, here is Seamus Heaney with his poem ” Requiem for the Croppy ” https://youtu.be/288a77ef3Gg?si=QQmuWlUHyW2HwSKk Safe travelling all tomorrow to the Short Grass. Beir bua agus beannacht. H
Evening
Resistance to british rule is a long established phenomenon the world over rebecca.
I feel sure there are many ‘barley’ fields ( of varying native vegetation) the world over ,generating songs of resistance by multiple first nations.
Rory
Christy's reply
the empire continues to shrink… but leaves so many scars in its wake
Seems like the gig in Killashee was a good un.
Any chance of the set list?
ok Bourkey…. I’m in the scratcher …I dont have the set list but I know I did 26 songs…so here goes
Chicago
Quinte
Johnny Boy
Ride On
Welcome to Cabaret
Veronica
St Patrick was a Gentleman
Ruby Walsh
Missing You
Bog Man Deep Down
Bord na Móna Man
McIlhatton
The Time has Come
Ordinary Man
Sonny’s Dream 16
Lisdoonvarna
Nancy Spain
Lingo Politico
Shovel
Curragh of Kildare
Lily of The Shartgrass
Honda 50
Only Our Rivers
Beeswing
Voyage
Thats all I can recall as sleep descends…
Had a lovely gig the other night with the Ireland Rugby Squad…
I’ve been asked to bring my boots tomorrow just in case there is an outbreak of foot in mouth before tomorrows kick
my last game was for Corinthians in 1965.. The Sportground against UCG in Connact Senior Final…we were beaten 3-0 but slaughtered porter apres match..
I ended up in O’Connor’s in Salthill
Speaking of Planxty Christy, do you recall these? Planxty / Hamish Imlach beer mats! In the Royall Hall, Harrowgate, Would it have been 1981?
Amazing what’s to be found on ebay!
https://www.ebay.ie/itm/186206855327?itmmeta=01HRYYK62GA2ARQAX6TA6DZN2Z&hash=item2b5acb209f:g:FDcAAOSwSA9leKu7&itmprp=enc%3AAQAIAAAAwBao1GYNhaSqksEUswra%2BrUIKCI2NIa9qwzzoavLo3GZ6Sw7tdXM78RD4lHXkftAiPot%2FkyxGN567xHl8WipWnkQenIHrsDOBMIKKO5lCoYWCDnJsumXJZMOq%2Fqt2Vc%2FrTlXcV0s%2BCzlbRMegIU7AcJ5f%2F4AYCd240IMgAuu2I7V1qaSyakduQUxoLWU3goyOE3BMwnEb6LtL%2BD7xboReZE8%2F0dNQjBLY9BJrCJDrKhQhrj7AMa%2BSLGWkOmj93PSQA%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR6jhzN7HYw
I remember dampening manys the beer mat with Hamish….but I’ve no recollection of ever playing in Harrogate….York, Ripon, Thirsk, Richmond, Redcar
This version of John Barleycorn has the same word rhythm as Victor Jara…
Thanks Rebecca….I’ll be stickin with Victor
Dear Christy
It’s been a long while since I wrote on here. I’m up in Leeds, visiting Tallulah who’s living up here now. We went to see The Mary Whallopers last night which was brilliant. Reminded me of the old days, Pogues gigs back in North London, the crowd singing and going generally crazy. Then tonight we’re seeing Damo at the Irish Centre, cannot wait!
Got us talking about the old times, Christy gigs at the Dome, Tallulah sending you a poem, lovely dedications. Happy days, long ago now, but cherished memories.
Hope you and the family are all keeping well.
Keep her lit
Helen
Helen and Tallulah…great names from earlier times… I recall Tallulah drawing me some pictures….greetings and best wishes to you both
The Ballad is from
https://quod.lib.umich.edu/e/eebo2/B00215.0001.001/1:2?rgn=div1;view=fulltext
Hello Christy,
Here’s your earlier recording of Ewan Maccoll’s Green Island.
You, he and Shane (Aisling) all find that restlessness of the wind. Love it.
https://youtu.be/wdzLDadid7k?si=JrQDF13vS6uW7YXn
Here’s an old version of John Barleycorn that I hope you will like.
No idea of the age, but it has the length of a long firelighters evening.
A pleasant new Ballad to sing both Even and Morne, Of the bloody murther of Sir John Barley-corne.
To the tune of, Shall I lye beyond thee.
AS I went through the North Coun∣trey,
I heard a merry greeting:
A pleasant toy, and full of ioy,
two noble men were méeting.
And as they walked for to sport,
vpon a Sommers day,
Then with another nobleman
they went to make a fray,
Whose name was sir Iohn Barley-corne,
he dwelt downe in a dale:
Who had a kinsman dwelt him nigh,
they cal’d him Thomas Goodale.
Another named Richard Béere,
was ready at that time:
Another worthy Knight was there,
call’d sir William White Wine.
Some of them fought in a blacke Iacke,
some of them in a Can:
But the chiefest in a blacke pot,
like a worthy noble man.
Sir Iohn Barly-corne fought in a Boule,
who wonne the victorie:
And made them all to fume and sweare,
that Barly-corne should die.
Some said kill him, some said drowne,
others wisht to hang him hée:
For as many as fo•low Barly-corne,
shall surely begggers die.
Then with a plough they plowed him vp
and thus they did deuise,
To burie him quicke within the earth,
and swore he should not rise.
With horrowes strong they combed him
and burst clods on his head:
A ioyfull banquet then was made,
when Barly-corne was dead.
He rested still within the earth,
till raine from skies did fall,
Then he grew vp in branches gréene,
which sore amaz’d them all,
And so grew vp till Mid-sommer,
which made them all afeard:
For he was sprouted vp on hie,
and got a goodly beard.
Then he grew till S. Iames tide,
his countenance was wan,
For he was growne vnto his strength,
and thus became a man.
With hookes and sickles kéene,
into the field they hide,
They cut his legs off by the knées,
and made him wounds full wide.
Thus bloodily they cut him downe
from place where he did stand,
And like a thiefe for treachery,
they bound him in a band.
So then they tooke him vp againe,
according to his kind:
And packt him vp in seuerall stackes,
to wither with the wind.
And with a pitch-forke that was sharpe,
they rent him to the heart,
And like a thiefe for treason vile,
they bound him in a cart.
And tending him with weapons strong,
vnto the towne they hie,
And straight they mowed him in a mow
and there they let him lie.
Then he lay groning by the wals,
till all his wounds were sore,
At length they tooke him vp againe,
and cast him on the floore.
They hyred two with holly clubs,
to beat on him at once,
They thwacked so on Barly-corne,
that flesh fell from the bones.
And then they tooke him vp againe,
to fulfill womens minde
They dusted and they sifted him,
till he was almost blind.
And then they knit him in a sacke,
which grieued him full sore:
They stéep’d him in a Fat, God wot▪
for thrée dayes space and more.
Then they tooke him vp againe,
and laid him for to drie,
They cast him on a chamber floore,
and swore that he should die.
They rubbed and they stirred him,
and still they did him turne.
The Malt-man swore that he should die,
his body he would burne.
They spightfully tooke him vp againe,
and threw him on a Kill:
So dried him there with fire hot,
and thus they wraught their will.
Then they brought him to the mill,
and there they burst his bones,
The Miller swore to murther him
betwixt a paire of stones.
Then they tooke him vp againe,
and seru’d him worse then that,
For with hot scalding liquor store
they washt him in a Fat.
But not content with this God wot.
that did him mickle harme,
With threatning words they promised
to beat him into barme.
And lying in this danger déep,
for feare that he should quarrell,
They tooke him straight out of the fat,
and tunn’d him in a barrell,
And then they set a tap to him,
euen thus his death begun:
They drew out euery dram of blood,
whilst any drop would run,
Some brought iacks vpon their backs,
some brought bill and bow,
And euery man his weapon had,
Barly-corne to ouerthrow.
When sir Iohn Good-ale heard of this,
he came with mickle might,
And there he tooke their tongues away,
their legs or else their sight.
And thus sir Iohn in each respect
so paid them all their hire,
That some lay sléeping by the way.
some tumbling in the mire.
Some lay groning by the wals,
some in the stréets downe right,
The best of them did scarcely know
what they had done ore-night.
All you good wiues that brew good ale
God turne from you all teens▪
But if you put too much water in,
the deuill put out your eyne.
FINIS.
Rebecca
Congratulations Christy on an outstanding performance in Killashee and thank you. It must have been the inspiration of the home turf as you suggested. My take on it is that your raw talent combined with your generosity towards the audience and the music originators and also your pride in your work shone through and all were greatly appreciated by everyone in the audience. Ride on ………..
Such a gathering, never saw the likes of it, ye came from all sides, there was Jockeys there from Mylerstown, Farriers from Bolea, soldiers from The Golan heights, the Parish Priest from Caragh…..Its a great room in a fine Hotel, Cill an Sí nr Nás na Rí…..across the fields from Punchestown where Jayzee slipped me a tenner and Beyonce asked me to back her on the goatskin…I was thinkin of Mrs Lawlor’s Ballroom where I nearly got off one night but she was havin none of it …. I heard last night she went on to be a holy nun afterwards…..Frankie ,I thought you were lookin fierce fit and well….its fantastic that we’re still to the good, able to sit up and take the top off an egg….I think our altar boy service is standing to us…..we gained some indulgences 70 years ago…ringin the bell, swingin the thuribele , watchin all the fine things comin up for holy communion
I thought we were going to come off the Honda 50, wheelies and all sorts of shenanigans!
What an atmosphere from the second the first cord was played.
Thank you for the gigs and for sharing these moments with us. Thank you Hilary for looking after us too.
we went the whole hog last night, there was no holdin back, gave it the diddy, I was on high doh after, I could hardly get into me pajamas…I’m supposed to be sowin spuds today but I think I’m gonna need a bit of a lie in….this lap top is cuttin a rut in me chest….Coill Dubh abú
What a great failte you received on ” home turf ” and all those local Cill Dara songs just wonderful, as well as the song for the weekend that’s in it ! Lots of nostalgia and great memories as well as fitting memories from Planxty days. Amazing to see so many really young children at recent gigs and they knowing all the songs, the future is bright. It is six years today since Liam Og passed to the great gig in the sky, I’m sure he will be remembered in the NCH on Sun night when the NSO, Shaun Davey & Rita Connolly, Mark Redmond and more perform the music of Shaun Davey including the Brendan Suite. Here is Planxty playing that most iconic of combinations Raggle Taggle into Tabhair dom do Lamh from 51 years ago https://youtu.be/JyP407UnUWw?si=RvOzTomOvnYIz8fD GRMMA. Beir bua agus beannacht. H
the auld Planxty sound is houldin up well…what a time we had, Liam,Andy,Donal and mysel, there was no stoppin us for a few years back then,we played every lounge from Dingle right up to Donegal…
Our departed companero still resounds, Liam Óg O’Flynn, remembered every day
Hi Christy
I hope the gig went well.
Anne Nightingale – The bird on the wireless…BBC I player.
There’s a Suffragette welcome waiting and a guided tour sorted anytime you like!
G’night all
Dave
still occupying part of this country, they are unwilling to share certain Beeb output with the rest of us…but thanks for trying Dave…I appreciate it
ps the gig was a cracker
I find What Put The Blood very meditative. Its got those go up, or go down melody bits like Musgrave. But yes, it draws you right in as it passes through you.
“I’ll lave them there to the birds of the air
to murn and sing for you for you
to murn and sing for you”
Got to agree with you Pat, and also Seoirse Ó Dochartaigh.
Learning the experiences behind the songs is one of the best parts of being a folk singer. When I sang classical songs in my youth they were very beautiful, but that is all.
The depth of human experience in folk songs is what drives me to learn them.
they pull us in, they bring us into a form of meditation, they keep us going….
I like your worldwide barley fields concept Rory, and indeed the response in song to terrible oppression is a wonderful thing.
It’s history sure, but it always needs to be highlighted.
I asked Seoirse Ó Dochartaigh to sing the Boys of Mullachbán for us one night. No he says, I can’t sing that till I know the local story. We’ll have to go to O’Neills of Cross to ask Johnny Campbell says I. Off we went, Seoirse got the story, and that night sang of what he called ‘the pain and desperation of the dispossessed ‘
‘ But now we are in danger from a vile deceiving stranger’
You sing it with great understanding and feeling on ‘the early years 69-81’ collection Christy.
We Irish (and many friends worldwide) know most of the historical events which inspired songsters from time immemorial right up to McCartney’s ‘Give Ireland back to the Irish’.
What I love about this site is the many people who don’t know the backstory, who hear a song, then go off to find out what event inspired the songster, get immersed in Irish History, then sing about the people affected by that event.
“to end this lamentation
we are all in consternation
none want for recreation
from dark to early dawn
for without hesitation
we are charged with combination
and sent for transportation
From the Hills of Mullaghbawn”
Hi Christy
I’m unlikely to visit Ireland any time soon,so great to keep in touch via posts here…after Rory’s testimonials,I’m a regular visitor to the website for Seamus Heaney’s home place. What a superb venture.
Last night I watched an excellent TV piece/ tribute to Annie Nightingale…In the programme,she raved about Ian Dury…a wordsmith,for sure…I’m playing a Dury mix now…edgy,raw,then one of the most tender songs…’my old man’ …lovely stuff
Have a good day
Dave
what channel was that ?
thanks for the mosaic trail map…arrived this morning…
gotta get back to Suffragette City and walk that trail….
Sated
Thanks for the reminder of the poem Hilary.
If you get the chance ( anyone) i’d recommend the Seamus Heaney HomePlace in Bellaghy.
I am going back in April, i did not have time to do it justice in November where i tasted a mouthful and vowed to return for a day, to be properly sayed. To immerse myself in the barley, the lough, the childhood, the killing, the farm , the rest.
A glorious venue, an incredible wordsmith.
Rory
I’m hoping to return some day to the concert room in the GAA club in Bellaghy….had some great nights there in the 70s and 80s….
Hello Christy,
Thanks to Rory. I’m tempted to use the word “mansplaining”, but then I could be “womansplaining”.
It takes all sorts.
Here’s something I like very much
https://youtu.be/paE2nvQn3C8?si=En64U8Zyyt1PrVtt
Hope you all have a great gig tonight. I’ve got two booked,.
Drogheda in July and Castlebar in October.
That sea does get in the way. I guess you’re thankful for it, looking from the West.
Rebecca
It was Christmas Eve babe….
I hope we lift the roof off Killashee for you tomorrow, enjoy it!!!
I’ve new tyres on the Honda 50 ….brakes checked, points and plugs all firing….straight thru the bundle a sticks
Hi, to continue the theme, here is Seamus Heaney with his poem ” Requiem for the Croppy ” https://youtu.be/288a77ef3Gg?si=QQmuWlUHyW2HwSKk Safe travelling all tomorrow to the Short Grass. Beir bua agus beannacht. H
The Boy from Tamlaghtduff
Evening
Resistance to british rule is a long established phenomenon the world over rebecca.
I feel sure there are many ‘barley’ fields ( of varying native vegetation) the world over ,generating songs of resistance by multiple first nations.
Rory
the empire continues to shrink… but leaves so many scars in its wake