Christy,
An invitation from the Mccann family to attend the 40th commemoration of ‘Big Joe’ McCann on the 15th of April 2012 at 2pm in the Markets area of Belfast. It would be good to see you again. Thanks to the late Eamonn O’Doherty for penning such a wonderful song about my father and thanks to yourself and ‘Planxty’ for deciding to record it for your ‘The Iron Behind The Velvet’ album. We have a commemorative badge that we would like to send you so please contact me via my e-mail address and I’ll send it on.
Thanks………Feargal McCann
Christy's reply
“come all of you fine people wherever you may be, I’ll sing of a brave Belfast Man”…. (Eamon O’Doherty)….I hope ye have a good Commemoration for your father, I cannot join you due to prior commitments. I got the old album out this morning a gave it a spin….your dad’s track featured Andy Irvine on harmonica,mandolin and backing vocals, the late Jimmy Faulkner on slide guitar, myself and my brother Barry (aka Luka Bloom) played guitars….it was nice to listen again and be brought back to the time of this recording…I still remember hearing Eamon Doherty’s song for the first time..I knew immediately that I wanted to sing it…
Hello Christy
I’m looking at the flights from Heathrow. Looks like I’ll head out to Palestine in late October and return on 30 November. I’ll keep in touch. Mind yourself.
Christy,
Any chance of visiting the Windy City this year?
My kids have been listening to your songs since they were born in 2001 and would love to see the man himself on the stage.
Seriously, what would it take to make it happen, I can talk to some people ….
Christy's reply
Thanks Tom, greetings to you and your family..I have no plans to fly anywhere ….I have a lot of work to do here which keeps me very busy….maybe a gig on the internet if I can get it together..I do often dream of America but always wake up in a sweat as soon when I get to the Aerodrome
Hope youre well Christy …..Just heard a new trio of sisters called The Staves,,,,Very good harmonies/folky…a la CSN…..Dont know how do do the blue line malarkey….But google/you tube them up when you have time and let me know what you think…..Im off to see them on May 1st in Tabernacle Notting Hill…..
Christy's reply
Thanks GB…really enjoyed this band…always a treat to hear family voices gelling together..would love to see them live sometime
Great to see you’re back doing a gig at the Electric Picnic, hopefully the weather will shine for us come September 1st. When was the last time you were in a small sweaty tent??
Hello Christy, the contact at The Plough Arts Centre in Torrington is Richard Wolfenden-Brown who is the director +441805 622252 should you wish to play here.
Meanwhile mind yourself and continue to give such great pleasure to so many people.
Christy's reply
Thanks Dave….let us know if you are heading to Palestine
how are ya christy this is ryan coleman here from passage west ,cork
just wondering what you thaught of this proformance i did on my annual school talent show im 16 this sunday i came 1st in the compotition for the last two years running and got this clip off a class mate please it would be great if you would let me no what you think of it
Pleased to see Stirling (not Sterling) as your site has it added to the tour, me and my girls who have been weaned on Christy, will be there
Christy's reply
I dont have access to editing the Gigs page so we will have to wait for our spelling adjustor to return from The Himalayas..I did note that Stirling gained an un-welcome “e”.I do understand the annoyance such mis-spells can bring on…I used to pull my hair out when spelled gets christie but I cant do that anymore
Hi Christy, i am part of a community education group and we are linked up with another group made up of lone parents fighting the social welfare bill due in April that forces lone parents into a welfare trap see http://www.sparkcampaign.com or http://www.alternativeeconomicorganising.wordpress.com for info on my group PRAXIS. Anyway, together we are doing a Project 101 campaign to get 101 public profile people (men and women committed to this cause) to sign up to a Committee that represents solidarity with the S.P.A.R.K campaign. The public people (like yourself) if they sign up pledge to have their name affiliated with the campaign and if interested also take part in a big finale event in Dublin to try stop the Bill being passed..they did a similar thing in the States in 1996 and a Prof there by the name of Eva Kittay who writes big on care and love and justice led the call for names there and has sent us a solidarity note wishing us well here with a similar campaign…i could send you more details if you sent me an e-mail address – would you be interested…i put this message on two boards sorry – was not sure which you reply to in person!! no pressure, i am sure you get a lot fo requests…
Hi Christy, How’s things? It seems like the thing to do is to tell an oul yarn from years back when leaving a comment on your site, and everyone seems to have one involving you! I’m no different and mine is that you obliged my older brother about 25 ago years ago by giving him an interview when he was in secondary school. He was delighted with the interview as you of course had powerful outspoken opinions on issues concerning the North and the Catholic Church. The latter went down particularly well when he published the controversial interview in full in the newsletter of his Catholic Church run boarding school causing huge uproar within the staff. They thought they had an imminent revolution on their hands! My brother has gone on to be a well known writer and he always cites you as one of the influential characters when growing up, and I duly inherited the appreciation for your music and opinion. That said I felt that you were the man to run something important by for myself. I’m playing the Uilleann pipes the last couple of years, and na Piobairí Uilleann have done brilliant work to raise funds to put together a new pipe making workshop in Clonsaugh. They’ve also organised a 3 year pipe making course for suitable candidates starting in April to try and create some new pipe makers because there’s very few left who know the craft. Christy, would you know if there’s anybody in the world of Irish music that would want to be a sponsor for a prospective uilleann pipe maker? That’s because I’m due to start this course but I realise now that there’s no way I can do the full-time training without support? I have no strong contacts in the world of trad music apart from people from na piobairí (who have already gone to such lengths to create, organise and fund the course itself). I thought someone of the likes of Paddy Moloney might make a great patron, not only because he’s a great proponent of the Uilleann pipes but as a young lad he had his first set made by the great pipe maker and player Leo Rowsome. I aspire to continue the craft of pipe making but I’ve all but given up on taking my place on the course so this is a last effort to find a way. I hate having to go about it this way, but I see that you’re great for communicating with people like myself as you were 20 odd years ago for my brother. So if anything comes to mind in this respect, I’d be very grateful. My e-mail is: tommax1@hotmail.com
Christy's reply
(Hilary from Tralee has advised us of the following, fair play to The Kingdom Woman,)
U2 and Ireland Fund has a project called Music Generation,,,,,,,,its a fund to help people access music education not sure if its for groups/schools or individuals….
Also the VECs /Education services have Adult Guidance counsellors who would know about all the supports available,,,
Also the partnership companies who are supposed to tackle social exclusion maybe be able to help
and even the Vincent de Paul society now have an educational busrsary fund..
hey christy, i emailed you back with my number, reguarding my picture on saturday nyt in drogheda? just checking you got it? if you can make this happen, my dad be over the moon!!! so excited. thanx 🙂
Hi Christy. A few years ago I sent you a song called “Springtown Camp” that you said you liked. Just recently I have completed another song about Rory McIlroy at the Masters. The lyrics are very funny and it might be the sort of song that you might enjoy singing if you’re interested. I could send you the lyrics initially to see what you think and then the tune if you want to consider it further. With the Masters coming up again in April and Rory now World Number 1 golfer it could prove quite popular. Let me know what you think. You can contact me at phire.side@yahoo.ie All the best.
Yes, I remember going to an All Ireland, Kilkenny v Waterford in 1957 (internet’s great I even found the score!). My Aunty Ann took us across after the match on the night boat to Holyhead. Mum and dad had gone over to England the previous year to look for work.
I had been sent to Kilkenny to stay with the maternal Granny, in the long shadow of Sliabh na mBan, and my brother stayed with one of my dad’s sisters in Dublin. I always thought he had the best deal.
Going to London was an adventure suffused with apprehension. Our Irish accents resulted in a good few fights! Then, coming home to Ireland relatives and friends would say that ‘you are losing your Irish accent’, you’re English now. Strange experiences of the emigrant. Paul Brady’s Nothing But the Same Old Story hit home with me. I find it intensely moving. Wish I could sing it. That’ll be a challenge.
I’ve been asked by friends at The Plough Arts Centre here in Torrington if you do smaller venues (240 seat capacity). We’ve had Finbar Furey twice, Aoife Clancy, Albert Lee, Jaqui Dankworth, the late Johnny Dankworth and Cleo Laine and many more. Lots of us sing your songs in the thriving music madness of North Devon. Ride On is a great favourite. What a thrill if you were to come. I’ll give you the link anyway:
Another reason for having great affection and admiration for you is your support of anti nazi organisations such as the ANL and your song about Rachel Corrie and of course the Free Nicky Kelly Campaign in Moving Hearts days.
I also play uilleann pipes. Davy Spillane sold me my first practice set.
In January this year I was invited to visit Derry by Eamonn McCann, who you probably know, for the 40th anniversary commemoration of Bloody Sunday to perform in the Craft Village, from memory, Shelley’s The Mask of Anarchy. I couldn’t stay for the Sunday event as I had to go to see my mum in Co Kilkenny. I also performed it in Dublin at the Irish Film Institute back in 2007 with guitarist Chris Ayliffe accompanying. He set all 17 minutes plus to music. We also have a slide show to accompany the performance. The Spirit of Freedom, particularly Forever in My Mind, really brought home to me the awesome act of courage by the Hunger Strikers and the complete failure of Thatcher to come to a political deal to prevent their deaths. It was her personal intervention alone that destroyed any hope.
I’m returning to the occupied West Bank later this year. Myself and two other teacher friends went out in February 2008. Have you been to visit? God, they’d love you in Hebron and Ramallah!
Ok I’ll sign off now. Come to Torrington if you can. it would be a great night! I know I’m pushing it now!
Thanks Christy. It’s such a treat to be spending more time with the music after retiring. I taught in Lewisham and then North Devon for 28 years. Saw and heard you and Declan a good many times in London, Bristol and also at Hay Festival. All great gigs and memories. I love singing songs that you sing such as Nancy Spain, Viva La Quinta Brigada and Victor Jara of Chile. I look forward to coming to more of your performances.
I still get across to Ireland to see my mum , now 91 years old and living in Callan in a Care Home. She always said that we weren’t staying long after we emigrated to London, from Dublin in 1957 I was six years old, my brother John was 8. Well she eventually headed home. I’m still here in England after 54 years. John died back in 2008. In a way I’m singing for him now. I’ve been learning to play the guitar for about a year now, Richie Havens method, as you probably noticed. He loved the music, especially the sessions in Connor’s, McDermott’s and MgGann’s when we went back to West Clare to see my Aunty and Uncle at Luogh South, Near Doolin.
Take care now.
Christy's reply
It must have been quite a journey back then at 6 years of age..I made my first trip over in 1961 when I was 16..myself and Pat McGowan worked in Walls factory in Hayes for the Summer.It was such an adventure back then. Bless your mother still to the good in Callan. I wish you well with your music. It can be a form of meditation, when the head is in the right place.
I love reading those lists of the hometown. Have been away myself for over 15 years via Dublin, Spain and the wee county (currently domiciled). Can’t go too far back but as a kid in Pairc Mhuire we had treats from Doyle’s, Walt Disney at the Oscar, hair cut in Roly Ives, and games in Ryan’s field. Left Moorefield territory for The Sash in 1980ish and went swimming at the college weir, cycled out to Patrick’s Well and picked blackberries out on the bog loop. Good times. Was back there last week to celebrate 70 years of Margarethood as my mother Mags Hall hit a big one. Dined in Keadeen and dined very well too. The town can still offer the goods.
Christy's reply
There are certain songs that always evoke memories of carnival days in Ryans Field. Connie Francis “lipstick on your collar” being one….back in my day The Oscar was called The Palace. Mrs Barry took the tickets and her husband ” Brud” ran the projector
Hi,
Will there be another tour next year? Preferably with Belfast dates?
Christy, you might find this interesting.
On a Cape Clear Day
http://www.rte.ie/radio1/doconone/documentary-podcast-chuck-nell-kruger-cape-clear-island-international-storytelling-festival.html
Christy,
An invitation from the Mccann family to attend the 40th commemoration of ‘Big Joe’ McCann on the 15th of April 2012 at 2pm in the Markets area of Belfast. It would be good to see you again. Thanks to the late Eamonn O’Doherty for penning such a wonderful song about my father and thanks to yourself and ‘Planxty’ for deciding to record it for your ‘The Iron Behind The Velvet’ album. We have a commemorative badge that we would like to send you so please contact me via my e-mail address and I’ll send it on.
Thanks………Feargal McCann
“come all of you fine people wherever you may be, I’ll sing of a brave Belfast Man”…. (Eamon O’Doherty)….I hope ye have a good Commemoration for your father, I cannot join you due to prior commitments. I got the old album out this morning a gave it a spin….your dad’s track featured Andy Irvine on harmonica,mandolin and backing vocals, the late Jimmy Faulkner on slide guitar, myself and my brother Barry (aka Luka Bloom) played guitars….it was nice to listen again and be brought back to the time of this recording…I still remember hearing Eamon Doherty’s song for the first time..I knew immediately that I wanted to sing it…
Hello Christy
I’m looking at the flights from Heathrow. Looks like I’ll head out to Palestine in late October and return on 30 November. I’ll keep in touch. Mind yourself.
let us know about your journey
Christy,
Any chance of visiting the Windy City this year?
My kids have been listening to your songs since they were born in 2001 and would love to see the man himself on the stage.
Seriously, what would it take to make it happen, I can talk to some people ….
Thanks Tom, greetings to you and your family..I have no plans to fly anywhere ….I have a lot of work to do here which keeps me very busy….maybe a gig on the internet if I can get it together..I do often dream of America but always wake up in a sweat as soon when I get to the Aerodrome
Hope youre well Christy …..Just heard a new trio of sisters called The Staves,,,,Very good harmonies/folky…a la CSN…..Dont know how do do the blue line malarkey….But google/you tube them up when you have time and let me know what you think…..Im off to see them on May 1st in Tabernacle Notting Hill…..
Thanks GB…really enjoyed this band…always a treat to hear family voices gelling together..would love to see them live sometime
Many thanks for the advice Christy.
Great to see you’re back doing a gig at the Electric Picnic, hopefully the weather will shine for us come September 1st. When was the last time you were in a small sweaty tent??
last night
Hello Christy, the contact at The Plough Arts Centre in Torrington is Richard Wolfenden-Brown who is the director +441805 622252 should you wish to play here.
Meanwhile mind yourself and continue to give such great pleasure to so many people.
Thanks Dave….let us know if you are heading to Palestine
Christy any plans for a tour in oz including perth?
divil the bit that I know of….face the puck out and stick with the ground hurling, pull first time and take no prisonrs
how are ya christy this is ryan coleman here from passage west ,cork
just wondering what you thaught of this proformance i did on my annual school talent show im 16 this sunday i came 1st in the compotition for the last two years running and got this clip off a class mate please it would be great if you would let me no what you think of it
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ef-MxQD6Yf4&list=UUtVuIaw0yLMO8Q4ufejAEvQ&index=17&feature=plcp
Kind reguards,Ryan
well done Ryan….you got them to listen….keep singing and Happy Birthday
Pleased to see Stirling (not Sterling) as your site has it added to the tour, me and my girls who have been weaned on Christy, will be there
I dont have access to editing the Gigs page so we will have to wait for our spelling adjustor to return from The Himalayas..I did note that Stirling gained an un-welcome “e”.I do understand the annoyance such mis-spells can bring on…I used to pull my hair out when spelled gets christie but I cant do that anymore
Hi Christy, i am part of a community education group and we are linked up with another group made up of lone parents fighting the social welfare bill due in April that forces lone parents into a welfare trap see http://www.sparkcampaign.com or http://www.alternativeeconomicorganising.wordpress.com for info on my group PRAXIS. Anyway, together we are doing a Project 101 campaign to get 101 public profile people (men and women committed to this cause) to sign up to a Committee that represents solidarity with the S.P.A.R.K campaign. The public people (like yourself) if they sign up pledge to have their name affiliated with the campaign and if interested also take part in a big finale event in Dublin to try stop the Bill being passed..they did a similar thing in the States in 1996 and a Prof there by the name of Eva Kittay who writes big on care and love and justice led the call for names there and has sent us a solidarity note wishing us well here with a similar campaign…i could send you more details if you sent me an e-mail address – would you be interested…i put this message on two boards sorry – was not sure which you reply to in person!! no pressure, i am sure you get a lot fo requests…
Hi Christy, How’s things? It seems like the thing to do is to tell an oul yarn from years back when leaving a comment on your site, and everyone seems to have one involving you! I’m no different and mine is that you obliged my older brother about 25 ago years ago by giving him an interview when he was in secondary school. He was delighted with the interview as you of course had powerful outspoken opinions on issues concerning the North and the Catholic Church. The latter went down particularly well when he published the controversial interview in full in the newsletter of his Catholic Church run boarding school causing huge uproar within the staff. They thought they had an imminent revolution on their hands! My brother has gone on to be a well known writer and he always cites you as one of the influential characters when growing up, and I duly inherited the appreciation for your music and opinion. That said I felt that you were the man to run something important by for myself. I’m playing the Uilleann pipes the last couple of years, and na Piobairí Uilleann have done brilliant work to raise funds to put together a new pipe making workshop in Clonsaugh. They’ve also organised a 3 year pipe making course for suitable candidates starting in April to try and create some new pipe makers because there’s very few left who know the craft. Christy, would you know if there’s anybody in the world of Irish music that would want to be a sponsor for a prospective uilleann pipe maker? That’s because I’m due to start this course but I realise now that there’s no way I can do the full-time training without support? I have no strong contacts in the world of trad music apart from people from na piobairí (who have already gone to such lengths to create, organise and fund the course itself). I thought someone of the likes of Paddy Moloney might make a great patron, not only because he’s a great proponent of the Uilleann pipes but as a young lad he had his first set made by the great pipe maker and player Leo Rowsome. I aspire to continue the craft of pipe making but I’ve all but given up on taking my place on the course so this is a last effort to find a way. I hate having to go about it this way, but I see that you’re great for communicating with people like myself as you were 20 odd years ago for my brother. So if anything comes to mind in this respect, I’d be very grateful. My e-mail is: tommax1@hotmail.com
(Hilary from Tralee has advised us of the following, fair play to The Kingdom Woman,)
U2 and Ireland Fund has a project called Music Generation,,,,,,,,its a fund to help people access music education not sure if its for groups/schools or individuals….
Also the VECs /Education services have Adult Guidance counsellors who would know about all the supports available,,,
Also the partnership companies who are supposed to tackle social exclusion maybe be able to help
and even the Vincent de Paul society now have an educational busrsary fund..
hey christy, i emailed you back with my number, reguarding my picture on saturday nyt in drogheda? just checking you got it? if you can make this happen, my dad be over the moon!!! so excited. thanx 🙂
it will be done
Hi Christy. A few years ago I sent you a song called “Springtown Camp” that you said you liked. Just recently I have completed another song about Rory McIlroy at the Masters. The lyrics are very funny and it might be the sort of song that you might enjoy singing if you’re interested. I could send you the lyrics initially to see what you think and then the tune if you want to consider it further. With the Masters coming up again in April and Rory now World Number 1 golfer it could prove quite popular. Let me know what you think. You can contact me at phire.side@yahoo.ie All the best.
there is a section at 4711ers.org for songs
Yes, I remember going to an All Ireland, Kilkenny v Waterford in 1957 (internet’s great I even found the score!). My Aunty Ann took us across after the match on the night boat to Holyhead. Mum and dad had gone over to England the previous year to look for work.
I had been sent to Kilkenny to stay with the maternal Granny, in the long shadow of Sliabh na mBan, and my brother stayed with one of my dad’s sisters in Dublin. I always thought he had the best deal.
Going to London was an adventure suffused with apprehension. Our Irish accents resulted in a good few fights! Then, coming home to Ireland relatives and friends would say that ‘you are losing your Irish accent’, you’re English now. Strange experiences of the emigrant. Paul Brady’s Nothing But the Same Old Story hit home with me. I find it intensely moving. Wish I could sing it. That’ll be a challenge.
I’ve been asked by friends at The Plough Arts Centre here in Torrington if you do smaller venues (240 seat capacity). We’ve had Finbar Furey twice, Aoife Clancy, Albert Lee, Jaqui Dankworth, the late Johnny Dankworth and Cleo Laine and many more. Lots of us sing your songs in the thriving music madness of North Devon. Ride On is a great favourite. What a thrill if you were to come. I’ll give you the link anyway:
http://www.theploughartscentre.org.uk/
Another reason for having great affection and admiration for you is your support of anti nazi organisations such as the ANL and your song about Rachel Corrie and of course the Free Nicky Kelly Campaign in Moving Hearts days.
I also play uilleann pipes. Davy Spillane sold me my first practice set.
In January this year I was invited to visit Derry by Eamonn McCann, who you probably know, for the 40th anniversary commemoration of Bloody Sunday to perform in the Craft Village, from memory, Shelley’s The Mask of Anarchy. I couldn’t stay for the Sunday event as I had to go to see my mum in Co Kilkenny. I also performed it in Dublin at the Irish Film Institute back in 2007 with guitarist Chris Ayliffe accompanying. He set all 17 minutes plus to music. We also have a slide show to accompany the performance. The Spirit of Freedom, particularly Forever in My Mind, really brought home to me the awesome act of courage by the Hunger Strikers and the complete failure of Thatcher to come to a political deal to prevent their deaths. It was her personal intervention alone that destroyed any hope.
I’m returning to the occupied West Bank later this year. Myself and two other teacher friends went out in February 2008. Have you been to visit? God, they’d love you in Hebron and Ramallah!
Ok I’ll sign off now. Come to Torrington if you can. it would be a great night! I know I’m pushing it now!
Thanks Christy. It’s such a treat to be spending more time with the music after retiring. I taught in Lewisham and then North Devon for 28 years. Saw and heard you and Declan a good many times in London, Bristol and also at Hay Festival. All great gigs and memories. I love singing songs that you sing such as Nancy Spain, Viva La Quinta Brigada and Victor Jara of Chile. I look forward to coming to more of your performances.
I still get across to Ireland to see my mum , now 91 years old and living in Callan in a Care Home. She always said that we weren’t staying long after we emigrated to London, from Dublin in 1957 I was six years old, my brother John was 8. Well she eventually headed home. I’m still here in England after 54 years. John died back in 2008. In a way I’m singing for him now. I’ve been learning to play the guitar for about a year now, Richie Havens method, as you probably noticed. He loved the music, especially the sessions in Connor’s, McDermott’s and MgGann’s when we went back to West Clare to see my Aunty and Uncle at Luogh South, Near Doolin.
Take care now.
It must have been quite a journey back then at 6 years of age..I made my first trip over in 1961 when I was 16..myself and Pat McGowan worked in Walls factory in Hayes for the Summer.It was such an adventure back then. Bless your mother still to the good in Callan. I wish you well with your music. It can be a form of meditation, when the head is in the right place.
A good Battle today Christy,I thought you had the game in the bag,The French came back in the second half,One of the best games so far.
I was exhausted on the couch at the final whistle, hardly able to face the Sunday Dinner.
I love reading those lists of the hometown. Have been away myself for over 15 years via Dublin, Spain and the wee county (currently domiciled). Can’t go too far back but as a kid in Pairc Mhuire we had treats from Doyle’s, Walt Disney at the Oscar, hair cut in Roly Ives, and games in Ryan’s field. Left Moorefield territory for The Sash in 1980ish and went swimming at the college weir, cycled out to Patrick’s Well and picked blackberries out on the bog loop. Good times. Was back there last week to celebrate 70 years of Margarethood as my mother Mags Hall hit a big one. Dined in Keadeen and dined very well too. The town can still offer the goods.
There are certain songs that always evoke memories of carnival days in Ryans Field. Connie Francis “lipstick on your collar” being one….back in my day The Oscar was called The Palace. Mrs Barry took the tickets and her husband ” Brud” ran the projector