Tag Archives: Christy Moore

BIG MUSIC WEEK: ARMY BAND

by
Army No.1 Band in Newbridge Photo: © Michael Fisher

Army No.1 Band in Newbridge Photo: © Michael Fisher

One of the highlights at the start of the recent RTÉ Big Music Week to encourage live music was the parade in Newbridge. It made its way from the train station to the Main Street and then over the bridge across the River Liffey to Patrician Secondary School for an hour-long concert in the school hall. The parade was led in style by the Army No.1 Band from Cathal Brugha Barracks in Dublin. Tomorrow night (Saturday 12th October) they will be performing at the National Concert Hall in Dublin in the annual defence forces benefit concert and the tickets are sold out so there will be a full house. Celine Byrne from Caragh in County Kildare who was also in Newbridge for the RTÉ Music week is the guest soprano.

Army No.1 Band in Newbridge Photo: © Michael Fisher

Army No.1 Band in Newbridge Photo: © Michael Fisher

Celine Byrne with Luka Bloom and his brother Christy Moore in Newbridge: up the Lilywhites! Photo: © Michael Fisher

Celine Byrne with Luka Bloom and his brother Christy Moore in Newbridge: up the Lilywhites! Photo: © Michael Fisher

BIG MUSIC WEEK: CHRISTY MOORE

by
Christy Moore at Patrician Secondary School Photo: © Michael Fisher

Christy Moore at Patrician Secondary School Photo: © Michael Fisher

Christy Moore returned to his native county of Kildare to take part in the RTÉ Big Music week at Patrician Secondary school in Newbridge, where he was a pupil many years ago. When I looked around the packed school hall, I suddenly noticed him behind me sitting in the audience and moving with the music as Luka Bloom sang. Only afterwards did I realise that Luka Bloom is the stage name for Kevin Barry Moore, Christy’s younger brother from Prosperous.

Luka Bloom at Patrician Secondary School Photo: © Michael Fisher

Luka Bloom at Patrician Secondary School Photo: © Michael Fisher

BIG MUSIC WEEK2

by
RTÉ Director General Noel Curran at Connolly station for Big Music Week Photo: © Michael Fisher

RTÉ Director General Noel Curran at Connolly station for Big Music Week Photo: © Michael Fisher

This was day two of the RTÉ Big Music Week designed to promote live music. It began yesterday at Bray station in County Wicklow with performances for early morning commuters by a host of starts including The Benzini Brothers featuring Liam Ó MaonlaÍ, Fiachna Ó Braonáin & Peter O’Toole,  Luan Parle, Lisa O’Neill, The Lost Brothers & Eleanor McEvoy. The special three carriage RTÉ Music Train then made its way to Dublin’s Connolly Station where I was able to join the event. I met the RTÉ Director General Noel Curran and managed to get his picture as the Artane Band prepared to broadcast live at the end of the John Murray Show with Miriam O’Callaghan.

Paul Brady singing at Connolly Station Photo: © Michael Fisher

Paul Brady singing at Connolly Station Photo: © Michael Fisher

The Artane Band played In Dublin’s Fair City or of you prefer Molly Malone or event Cockles and Mussels to bring the programme to a lively end. Earlier Miria had introduced various top acts including Paul Brady, Luka Bloom, Kodaline, Damien Dempsey, The Bugle Babes and Bronagh Gallagher. All this was a great example of public service broadcasting at its best.

Anne Cassin RTÉ Nationwide with Doanl Lunny in Newbridge Photo: © Michael Fisher

Anne Cassin RTÉ Nationwide with Philip King in Newbridge Photo: © Michael Fisher

I met several former RTÉ colleagues along the way including Nationwide presenter Anne Cassin. She was working on a package for tomorrow’s programme (Wednesday) on RTÉ at 7pm viewable here. You can see me listening to the music in the hall at 6:20. When I was talking to her she was in Newbridge where former Planxty member Christy Moore performed at his alma mater, Patrician Boys’ Secondary School. Christy had developed his passion for singing as a pupil in 1958 and he was taught to play the piano by Sr Michael.