nice... ;-))

From Christy Moore (christymoore.com)

I played a gig last night at the opening of this years "Masters of the Tradition" festival, which is celebrating its 7th year. I enjoyed playing with Martin Hayes, Dennis Cahill and Damian Mullane. The gig was a fundraiser for the festival which has lost some of its sponsors in recent years. Anyone who likes to hear "The Pure Drop" of music should consider coming to this festival. Over the years I have heard brilliant performances from Liam O'Flynn, Frankie Gavin, Michéal O'Suilleabháin, Tony Mc Mahon and Tommy Peoples, to name but a few. There are no distractions or gimmicks here. The music is presented in an intimate setting, the numbers are limited (350 - 400 max capacity) the amplification is passive and adequate. Those who come to listen and the musicians who play all seem to raise their game accordingly. Frank Harte gave one of his last concerts here, an evening I'll never forget. The legendary Kitty Hayes came out of retirement and gave a beautiful performance on concertina. Niamh Parsons rose to great heights last year. Jimmy Keane from America brought us some wild and beautiful piano accordion, so too did Paddy O'Brien on the chromatic. I had not heard him play for 34 years.

Bantry is a grand town to visit. It has truly maintained the feel of an Irish Town. Every Friday is market day, with a big market on the first Friday of each month. There are plenty of good Atin houses. Nice to sit on the square and watch the world go by. There is a great statue of Wolfe Tone in the Square. A similar statue of Michael Collins in Clonakilty. Neither hero was left intact by their sculptors. Ne'er a bulge in the bronze at all, at all. They probably got strict instructions from the parish priest; "We don't want no mickeys stickin outta dem aul heroes, only be drivin' the poor wee nuns demented seeing them big rebel pricks hangin outta them God save us".

See ye along the way ...

Christy Moore









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