I wondered what you listen to when driving over? Or do you like a chat (I love a good chat) or do you sleep. My 16 year old flew her first solo flight yesterday and the only thing stopping me from dropping dead from anxiety was you singing La Quinta Brigada. Sometimes people have to do what they think is right for them. Thanks Christy for the peace that passeth all understanding.
Christy's reply
depending, it could be start the week or midweek or melvyn, then womans hour or pm or front-row….other times it might be Patsy Cline or The Watersons but mostly I listen to M.Devine as we travail the roads of jolly jolly England…your 16 year old is showing an adventurous spirit..back in my day 16 was the age when a lad would be allowed up on a two wheeled bike ….Adelante
Hey Christie, I would like to say hi and send you my best wishes. My father is Aidan Farrell and we have been chatting today and my brother has told him that he is going to buy tickets for dad to your next gig in York. So dad is now very excited and he told me a lovely story of how you wrote to my Uncle Tommy a lovely letter when they found out he had terminal cancer. I don’t know if you know but that was the nicest thing you could have done for him he played your music all the time. Although we lost him not too long after, I would like to thank you. So your name is often mentioned in our family home always very fondly.
Cheers Gerry
Christy's reply
Sound Gerry, greetings to our Milton Keynes listeners….roll on York
Well, hows it going……sitting here in Perth after another 12hour shift on the shovel….listened to a few old tunes. You look busy with gigs you will have to slip in a gig in the 33rd!!!!! county of Ireland (Australia!) 🙂
Christy's reply
always enjoyed my trips to WA..loved walking around that city, wide bright streets, had good pals there too..played the concert hall and also made the trip over to Freemantle…played in a famous old club there…doubt if I’ll make it back up to Oz but I wont say never
Speaking of “God between us and all harm”, will you ever be doing any concerts in the US, specifically Los Angeles, or Chicago? Been listening to your music, your voice is more beautiful than ever. So moved by what you sing about, too.
Christy's reply
no planes in my plans….a lot of work to do here…thanks for your feedback
Hi Christy
I’ve just stumbled across a song by Gordon Lightfoot called “Wreck of the Edmund Fiztgerald” which has the same melody as “Back Home in Derry”. What’s the history of this song? Keep up the good work and we’ll see you in Liverpool, “Liverpool town where I was born”.
Christy's reply
First heard Gordon Lightfoot’s song in The Meeting Place Dublin in 1974 sung by Peter ?, I assumed it to be about a shipping disaster on Lake Ontario…Bobby Sands wrote the lyric of “Back Home in Derry” during The Blanket Protest in the H Blocks of Long Kesh. He used Gordon Lightfoot’s melody which was developed from a Traditional air.
Really enjoyed your concert in the Riverside last night, hope to see you again soon. Also we would like to thank Declan for getting in a photo with us he made our night! Declan is by far the most talented guitarist I have ever seen, looking forward to hearing the album 🙂
Thon breakfast you described was what the oul Da would have called a “good tightener”. If you timed it right you’d be done about ten minutes before opening time. A solid foundation well laid for the oncoming carnage. I can almost smell it as I sit here nibblling on my slice of whole wheat toast…God be good to us…
Saw you in Ennistymon years ago. Just read one of my stories tonight at a spoken word event and you were starring in it, so to speak. We (my Irish tribe and me) were all there to see you. You brought tears to my eyes, especially when you sang “A Bunch of Thyme” and I’ve been in love with you ever since and always will be, Christy. As long as you’re alive and singing, there will be so much love. Hope to make it back to Ireland soon and catch one of your concerts again. xo
Howdy christy, was at the gig in riverside tonight. That version of sonnys dream was quite beautiful, nice singing by the crowd. Did you guys have a good show?? i have a question for ya, just how highly would you rate declan as a guitar player? Ive only come to discover declan through you and im so glad i have but i aint no guitar player myself. You being a guitar player yourself (of different type i know), just how good is he in comparison to the other great guitar players of the world:-) Take care pal, hopefully catch a gig or two later in the year
Christy's reply
we had two very good nights in Scorty,both different and none the worse for that….rating a guitar player is not something I could do…I have played with so many fine players,enjoyed the pleasures of their music and their company…..Declan Sinnott, Jimmy Faulkner,Steve Cooney, Arty McGlynn,Denis Cahill, Robbie Overson,Paul Brady and Philip Donnolly to name but a few….Declan is the guitar player with whom I have played the most…..a very important aspect of making music is that it must be enjoyable as well as serious, fun as well as work…myself and Declan do have a right bit of crack along the way
Couldn’t find Noel’s version but here’s Mary Black’s, funny feeling I’ve seen that fella with the guitar somewhere before. Noel Brazil is sadly missed – wrote some beautiful songs, not least this one http://youtu.be/3eGTua3sVUs
Christy's reply
I’m looking out for Noels version…he was a great singer when on his best game
hope your not getting to much guff of the scalders in the riverside tonight christy, say a big hello to Scorty from all us deportees that have left the town of late.
Christy's reply
the banter was sound down Slaney side…your townie scalders have lost none of it…dont forget your boater
roisin agus colm freisin and a couple of minature donkeys and now a rabbit and a Donegal lad seoighe
March 22, 2012 at 5:10 pm
Location: land of sheep with four horns
Dear Christy aged 66
Weaving hair from nose and ears onto your head is good and very in fashion .Declan has figured it out very well maybe he could give you lessons.
If that don’t work.Flip your legs and look on tv3 you can see this painful commerical for NO NO.
Did you ever eat a goose egg?The easter bunny brought them last year.
Christy's reply
Hello there my Western Charmers…I last had a goose egg in 1964…my grand aunt, Nannie Dowling of Barronstown, put it down on the pan after frying a flotilla of home cured streaky rashers..she then added 4 slices of home made soda bread and browned both sides nicely in the bubbling bacon fat…she summoned me to the table and put a plate in front of me the likes of which has never been seen or heard of, in this country or any other…you can have all them celebrity TV chefs with their feckin high hats and haute cuisinery..I’d settle for that feed again any day of the week..I suspect it might even make my hair grow again for them rashers were mighty hairy…we have no TV3 in our house (fierce shite) but we are big TG4 fans
Isle of Hope
Paul Carroll from CD “The Road You Take”, written by Brendan Graham.
The song is about the Irish immigrants that came to America through Ellis Island.
The first one to pass through Ellis Island was young Annie Moore.
This song features Marian Makins with backing vocals, Gabriel Donohue on guitar and keyboard, Joanie Madden on flute, and Tim Hill on uilleann pipes.
Paul Carroll immigration has long been a part of irish history and its happening again.
Lynne Sears Williams Photographs were amazing. Well done!
Tom Waterfall Depressing and yet not.
Debra Prescott-Waterfall So awesome Paul! Gave me a little more understanding of the lyrics meaning.
Christy's reply
The late Noel Brazil wrote a song called Ellis Island, he nailed it. If anyone has Noel’s own version they might lash it up here.I’d love to hear it again.
Hi Christy,
We met many years ago backstage at The Dome in Brighton when you kindly took an album off me called The Enemy Within, by my band McDermott’s 2 Hours, which once included Tim and Christy O’Leary… I see in R2 – where I review – you’re still looking for new songs. I’ve just released an acoustic album called Gathered where I think you might find something you’d like. It can be listened to at http://www.spiralearth.co.uk, and downloaded, or of course I’d be delighted to send you one. Keep on keeping on, sir!
Best,
Nick
Seriously excited about Royal Festival Hall. I hope you all have a lovely journey to Borisland. I wish Michael a keen eye and a good road. xx
Christy's reply
startin to get the auld buzz here too…coming into The Big Smoke is always exciting…I still recall my first time arriving in on the train from Holyhead with my comrade Meg McGowan…it was 1962 and we were a pair of wide eyed buachaills just over from the plains of Kildare…we got work straight away makin pies for Walls out near Southall..we were soon promoted to makin sausages and then we discovered the joys of Light and Keg in Hammersmith, draught cider in Portobello Road….after 8 weeks we returned to Kildare, both enlightened and far more sophisticated then when we left….but they quickly saw through us and we finally landed back with a thud…see you adover Anuk
Fantastic performance once again last night Christy. Great to have ye back on the Banks of the Slaney. The intimacy of the gig was somethin special, it was like yourself and Dec were in the sittin room at home! Hope to catch ya again ‘across the water’ in the coming weeks. Steady as she goes…and keep her lit!
P.S. That was a serious shirt Dec was sportin!!
Christy's reply
a grand morning here by The Slaney…just been down the new riverside walk here in Scorthy…what a grand job they have done…have not been in Rosslare for yonks…back in Planxty days we used sail to Brittany from Ross..we had some mighty sessions below decks in the crew quarters…full on reels jigs and ballads all the way over with serious rum rations…the Master at Arms was a lovely dancer. With regard to Declans shirt… we both spend quite a lot of time on our stage clothes…Declans personal dresser got strict instructions that he needed to look his best, it being a Wexford gig…I am rather disappointed that you had nothing to say about my own stage clobber
It’s taken several years but I’ve finally persuaded my daughter, Georgi (she’s 22) to come to one of your show’s with me. I know she will be converted and will thoroughly enjoy the show. So give her a wave up in the Gods on Wed 4th April at the Festival Hall!
Christy's reply
I hope ye have a grand night out together..we will send good vibrations heavenwards towards the Gods, good juju to both mother and daughter….shine on
16.March.2012 = INEC Killarney = Chris and Declan = even when I listen to your lyrics and music since my 1.st time in Ireland ( = 1976 -Dingle = Irish Hometown) I was very pleased what I could listen and see at the INEC .. earlier in the 1976 – we have been longhaired Irish Folk music enthuastics = nowadays 4711 grey haired listerners .
your show on the 16.3. at INEC was great … I have seen and lsiten to you both all over Ireland and rest of Europe so many times .. the older .. the better .. thanks a billion :-))
Christy's reply
Peader…as long as you listen your hair will grow longer….all my hairs now grow from my ears nostrils and eyebrows ( other places too but best kept private)..I find when I sing a lot the hairs grow very quickly out of my ears and nostrils…..I have considered weaving these strands back up over my head to create a new hairstyle. I tried it once in Hamburg and got arrested for bad behaviour. Im happy to read that you have followed the songs from Dingle 1976 to Killarney 2012….this entitles you to a long service medal which will be presented at the next 4711ers gaggle…if you cannot make the ceremony I will urge the awards committee to somehow get it to you….perhaps present it at a Toten Hosen gig In Gooterslow…..hope all is well in the Mannheim Firestation
I wondered what you listen to when driving over? Or do you like a chat (I love a good chat) or do you sleep. My 16 year old flew her first solo flight yesterday and the only thing stopping me from dropping dead from anxiety was you singing La Quinta Brigada. Sometimes people have to do what they think is right for them. Thanks Christy for the peace that passeth all understanding.
depending, it could be start the week or midweek or melvyn, then womans hour or pm or front-row….other times it might be Patsy Cline or The Watersons but mostly I listen to M.Devine as we travail the roads of jolly jolly England…your 16 year old is showing an adventurous spirit..back in my day 16 was the age when a lad would be allowed up on a two wheeled bike ….Adelante
Hey Christie, I would like to say hi and send you my best wishes. My father is Aidan Farrell and we have been chatting today and my brother has told him that he is going to buy tickets for dad to your next gig in York. So dad is now very excited and he told me a lovely story of how you wrote to my Uncle Tommy a lovely letter when they found out he had terminal cancer. I don’t know if you know but that was the nicest thing you could have done for him he played your music all the time. Although we lost him not too long after, I would like to thank you. So your name is often mentioned in our family home always very fondly.
Cheers Gerry
Sound Gerry, greetings to our Milton Keynes listeners….roll on York
Well, hows it going……sitting here in Perth after another 12hour shift on the shovel….listened to a few old tunes. You look busy with gigs you will have to slip in a gig in the 33rd!!!!! county of Ireland (Australia!) 🙂
always enjoyed my trips to WA..loved walking around that city, wide bright streets, had good pals there too..played the concert hall and also made the trip over to Freemantle…played in a famous old club there…doubt if I’ll make it back up to Oz but I wont say never
Speaking of “God between us and all harm”, will you ever be doing any concerts in the US, specifically Los Angeles, or Chicago? Been listening to your music, your voice is more beautiful than ever. So moved by what you sing about, too.
no planes in my plans….a lot of work to do here…thanks for your feedback
Hi Christy
I’ve just stumbled across a song by Gordon Lightfoot called “Wreck of the Edmund Fiztgerald” which has the same melody as “Back Home in Derry”. What’s the history of this song? Keep up the good work and we’ll see you in Liverpool, “Liverpool town where I was born”.
First heard Gordon Lightfoot’s song in The Meeting Place Dublin in 1974 sung by Peter ?, I assumed it to be about a shipping disaster on Lake Ontario…Bobby Sands wrote the lyric of “Back Home in Derry” during The Blanket Protest in the H Blocks of Long Kesh. He used Gordon Lightfoot’s melody which was developed from a Traditional air.
Really enjoyed your concert in the Riverside last night, hope to see you again soon. Also we would like to thank Declan for getting in a photo with us he made our night! Declan is by far the most talented guitarist I have ever seen, looking forward to hearing the album 🙂
me too
Thon breakfast you described was what the oul Da would have called a “good tightener”. If you timed it right you’d be done about ten minutes before opening time. A solid foundation well laid for the oncoming carnage. I can almost smell it as I sit here nibblling on my slice of whole wheat toast…God be good to us…
the bit of packin
hey christy was at your show last nite was brilliant fair play lad cant wait to see ye too again 🙂
..,…,,..,
Saw you in Ennistymon years ago. Just read one of my stories tonight at a spoken word event and you were starring in it, so to speak. We (my Irish tribe and me) were all there to see you. You brought tears to my eyes, especially when you sang “A Bunch of Thyme” and I’ve been in love with you ever since and always will be, Christy. As long as you’re alive and singing, there will be so much love. Hope to make it back to Ireland soon and catch one of your concerts again. xo
god between us and all harm
Ellis Island (written by Noel Brazil) – Mary Black
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3eGTua3sVUs
sound JP
Howdy christy, was at the gig in riverside tonight. That version of sonnys dream was quite beautiful, nice singing by the crowd. Did you guys have a good show?? i have a question for ya, just how highly would you rate declan as a guitar player? Ive only come to discover declan through you and im so glad i have but i aint no guitar player myself. You being a guitar player yourself (of different type i know), just how good is he in comparison to the other great guitar players of the world:-) Take care pal, hopefully catch a gig or two later in the year
we had two very good nights in Scorty,both different and none the worse for that….rating a guitar player is not something I could do…I have played with so many fine players,enjoyed the pleasures of their music and their company…..Declan Sinnott, Jimmy Faulkner,Steve Cooney, Arty McGlynn,Denis Cahill, Robbie Overson,Paul Brady and Philip Donnolly to name but a few….Declan is the guitar player with whom I have played the most…..a very important aspect of making music is that it must be enjoyable as well as serious, fun as well as work…myself and Declan do have a right bit of crack along the way
Couldn’t find Noel’s version but here’s Mary Black’s, funny feeling I’ve seen that fella with the guitar somewhere before. Noel Brazil is sadly missed – wrote some beautiful songs, not least this one http://youtu.be/3eGTua3sVUs
I’m looking out for Noels version…he was a great singer when on his best game
hope your not getting to much guff of the scalders in the riverside tonight christy, say a big hello to Scorty from all us deportees that have left the town of late.
the banter was sound down Slaney side…your townie scalders have lost none of it…dont forget your boater
Dear Christy aged 66
Weaving hair from nose and ears onto your head is good and very in fashion .Declan has figured it out very well maybe he could give you lessons.
If that don’t work.Flip your legs and look on tv3 you can see this painful commerical for NO NO.
Did you ever eat a goose egg?The easter bunny brought them last year.
Hello there my Western Charmers…I last had a goose egg in 1964…my grand aunt, Nannie Dowling of Barronstown, put it down on the pan after frying a flotilla of home cured streaky rashers..she then added 4 slices of home made soda bread and browned both sides nicely in the bubbling bacon fat…she summoned me to the table and put a plate in front of me the likes of which has never been seen or heard of, in this country or any other…you can have all them celebrity TV chefs with their feckin high hats and haute cuisinery..I’d settle for that feed again any day of the week..I suspect it might even make my hair grow again for them rashers were mighty hairy…we have no TV3 in our house (fierce shite) but we are big TG4 fans
Isle of Hope
Paul Carroll from CD “The Road You Take”, written by Brendan Graham.
The song is about the Irish immigrants that came to America through Ellis Island.
The first one to pass through Ellis Island was young Annie Moore.
This song features Marian Makins with backing vocals, Gabriel Donohue on guitar and keyboard, Joanie Madden on flute, and Tim Hill on uilleann pipes.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIMVzvxumhE
Paul Carroll immigration has long been a part of irish history and its happening again.
Lynne Sears Williams Photographs were amazing. Well done!
Tom Waterfall Depressing and yet not.
Debra Prescott-Waterfall So awesome Paul! Gave me a little more understanding of the lyrics meaning.
The late Noel Brazil wrote a song called Ellis Island, he nailed it. If anyone has Noel’s own version they might lash it up here.I’d love to hear it again.
Hi Christy,
We met many years ago backstage at The Dome in Brighton when you kindly took an album off me called The Enemy Within, by my band McDermott’s 2 Hours, which once included Tim and Christy O’Leary… I see in R2 – where I review – you’re still looking for new songs. I’ve just released an acoustic album called Gathered where I think you might find something you’d like. It can be listened to at http://www.spiralearth.co.uk, and downloaded, or of course I’d be delighted to send you one. Keep on keeping on, sir!
Best,
Nick
Seriously excited about Royal Festival Hall. I hope you all have a lovely journey to Borisland. I wish Michael a keen eye and a good road. xx
startin to get the auld buzz here too…coming into The Big Smoke is always exciting…I still recall my first time arriving in on the train from Holyhead with my comrade Meg McGowan…it was 1962 and we were a pair of wide eyed buachaills just over from the plains of Kildare…we got work straight away makin pies for Walls out near Southall..we were soon promoted to makin sausages and then we discovered the joys of Light and Keg in Hammersmith, draught cider in Portobello Road….after 8 weeks we returned to Kildare, both enlightened and far more sophisticated then when we left….but they quickly saw through us and we finally landed back with a thud…see you adover Anuk
Fantastic performance once again last night Christy. Great to have ye back on the Banks of the Slaney. The intimacy of the gig was somethin special, it was like yourself and Dec were in the sittin room at home! Hope to catch ya again ‘across the water’ in the coming weeks. Steady as she goes…and keep her lit!
P.S. That was a serious shirt Dec was sportin!!
a grand morning here by The Slaney…just been down the new riverside walk here in Scorthy…what a grand job they have done…have not been in Rosslare for yonks…back in Planxty days we used sail to Brittany from Ross..we had some mighty sessions below decks in the crew quarters…full on reels jigs and ballads all the way over with serious rum rations…the Master at Arms was a lovely dancer. With regard to Declans shirt… we both spend quite a lot of time on our stage clothes…Declans personal dresser got strict instructions that he needed to look his best, it being a Wexford gig…I am rather disappointed that you had nothing to say about my own stage clobber
It’s taken several years but I’ve finally persuaded my daughter, Georgi (she’s 22) to come to one of your show’s with me. I know she will be converted and will thoroughly enjoy the show. So give her a wave up in the Gods on Wed 4th April at the Festival Hall!
I hope ye have a grand night out together..we will send good vibrations heavenwards towards the Gods, good juju to both mother and daughter….shine on
16.March.2012 = INEC Killarney = Chris and Declan = even when I listen to your lyrics and music since my 1.st time in Ireland ( = 1976 -Dingle = Irish Hometown) I was very pleased what I could listen and see at the INEC .. earlier in the 1976 – we have been longhaired Irish Folk music enthuastics = nowadays 4711 grey haired listerners .
your show on the 16.3. at INEC was great … I have seen and lsiten to you both all over Ireland and rest of Europe so many times .. the older .. the better .. thanks a billion :-))
Peader…as long as you listen your hair will grow longer….all my hairs now grow from my ears nostrils and eyebrows ( other places too but best kept private)..I find when I sing a lot the hairs grow very quickly out of my ears and nostrils…..I have considered weaving these strands back up over my head to create a new hairstyle. I tried it once in Hamburg and got arrested for bad behaviour. Im happy to read that you have followed the songs from Dingle 1976 to Killarney 2012….this entitles you to a long service medal which will be presented at the next 4711ers gaggle…if you cannot make the ceremony I will urge the awards committee to somehow get it to you….perhaps present it at a Toten Hosen gig In Gooterslow…..hope all is well in the Mannheim Firestation