Author Archives: Nick Kelly

Dónal Lunny (right) and Andy Irvine

Last week, with a pair of tickets to see trad legends Dónal Lunny and Andy Irvine in Whelan’s, Dublin on August 15, I asked you to select your favourite track involving either man.

You answered in your folking tens.

But there could be only one winner.

Third place:

Scottser writes:

As I Roved Out by Planxty: Lads, NEVER marry for land. you’ll end up singing lovely songs in Dorian with confusing last verses for your troubles.

Runner-Up:

Fairyqueen writes:

My favourite is Lake of Shadows by Moving Hearts. This tune just melts my heart but also reminds me of 2FM in the 80’s. The Other Side of Midnight was the show presented (I think) by Mark Cagney and it finished at 2am when the station closed down and the programme always finished with this piece of music. Happy Days….

Winner:

B9Com writes:

I pick My Heart’s Tonight In Ireland (by Planxty) for a few reasons: original song, based on actual events, eg they did camp in barns etc. like true troubadours; evocative lyrics became instant classic for musos; not only are lyrics evocative but inclusive and encompassing –  the verse in particular about the lock-in captures the best of Ireland in a few short lines in every sense IMHO.

This version (above) is also particularly good as not only does it show a great band sound , musicianship and humility with other members parking their egos at the door ( for once), the transition to the coda of a typical “session tune” is outstanding in the best traditions of the band’s touchstones and the tune itself is played to perfection and with the same reverence as more clever and celebrated work. You can hear the audience gets it too.

Thanks all.

Last week; Win Nick’s Free Tix

Top pic via Logainm TG4

This afternoon/evening.

Heading into the All Together Now Festival, Curraghmore Estate, County Waterford

John Gallen writes

TWO hours we were stuck in traffic. Have turned back, going to go in again…. on foot! Thank god for the trolley we have.

Traffic ‘chaotic’ with Waterford All Together Now Festival (Waterford Live)

Meanwhile…

Hard to beat.

In fairness.

The original?

Thanks Jerry

Wild Youth – Long Time No See

Your ex marks the spot…

Fresh from supporting Westlife at Croke Park and headlining the second stage at Longitude, the Irish pop/rock quartet led by Dave Whelan have already sold out their December headlining show in the Olympia.

ULTRAVIOLET’s stunning video for their new single is a perfectly shot tale of a dude bumping into his ex-girlfriend and remembering the one that got away.

It features great performances by actors Clara Harte and Michael-David McKernan.

Nick says: Put your faith in Youth.

Wild Youth

Rising from a humble background in rural southern Ireland, John Tyndall became one of the foremost physicists, communicators of science, and polemicists in mid-Victorian Britain.

In science, he is known for his important work in meteorology, climate science, magnetism, acoustics, and bacteriology.

His discoveries include the physical basis of the warming of the Earth’s atmosphere (the basis of the greenhouse effect), and establishing why the sky is blue.

… Among other feats, Tyndall was the first to traverse the Matterhorn and the first to ascend the Weisshorn….

The Ascent of John Tyndall by Roland Jackson

Overachiever.

In fairness.

*actually born 1822

Dónal Lunny (top right) and Andy Irvine

For folk’s sake…

Dónal Lunny and Andy Irvine are two giants of the Irish trad and folk scene, and for decades have acted as peerless international ambassadors for our native music from Tallahassee to Timbuktu.

Together they have played in countless bands including Sweeney’s Men, Planxty, Bothy Band, Moving Hearts, LAPD, Usher’s Island and Mozaik.

On Thursday, August 15 they’re bringing it all back home when they play the Whelan’s Trad and Folk Festival in Dublin, in association with Smithwicks Ale.

To be in with a chance of winning my 2 FREE tickets to the show simply tell me below a favourite song from either man and and why.

My Irish wolfhound Setanta will choose the winner.

Lines MUST close at 1pm EXTENDED until 2.15pm.

Nick says: May the luck be on you.

Dubh Lee – Virtue

The debut single from the Dublin-based, Tullamore, County Offaly native is a smart fusion of folk and pop packed with words of wisdom.

The video by Declan Dooley is also a work of art, and follows Dubh Lee as she goes on an Offaly fraught adventure in the Slieve Bloom mountains with her mannequin paramour… but there’s a twist in the tale.

Dubh Lee writes:

‘The song details the mental battle between love for another person and one’s self-respect.’

Nick says: Never trust a mannequin.

Dubh Lee

Watch this year’s big thing.

Next year!

Via O2 Academy, Brixton, London, UK:

Dublin post-punk quintet and Mercury Prize nominees Fontaines D.C. are headlining on 25th February 2020 and it’s gonna be BIG!

Priority Tickets for O2 customers will be available from 9am tomorrow and general sale is on Friday at 9am via Ticketmaster!

Their November show at O2 Forum Kentish Town sold out more than 6 months in advance, so grab tickets quick….

Brixton Academy

Previously: Fontaines D.C on Broadsheet

Celebrate his love for the beautiful game.

Skerries Town FC writes:

The Club is delighted to announce details of this tribute game for Oran Tully one of the biggest and most missed characters ever to be associated with Skerries Town FC.

We will be celebrating Oran’s love for the beautiful game with a match against his favourite LOI team, Bohemian FC.

Please mark your diaries and come along to support this great cause.

Skerries Town FC (Facebook)

Meanwhile…

‘The LOI has to be a central driver for game’s development’ – new FAI board member Martin Heraghty (RTE)