Artist:Christy Moore
Song:McIlhatton
Album:Magic Nights
Irish folk music fans should be familiar with Christy Moore as he has been around since the 70s. I guess he's a living legend in Ireland and at 80 years of age, he still tours. He was born May 7, 1945 in Newbridge, County Kildare, Ireland. His younger brother Barry Moore performs as Luka Bloom. Moore attended Newbridge College then worked in a bank. When there was a bank strike in 1966, Moore went to London and got into the folk club scene. He opened for the Irish singers The Grehan Sisters and they helped him get other gigs. After releasing a 1973 album, Moore formed Planxty with Liam O'Flynn, Andy Irvine and Donal Lunny. After he left Planxty in 1975, he started his solo career though he reunited with Planxty frequently. He had health problems including a couple of heart operations. In the 80s, Moore recorded for Warner Bros. in Ireland. His albums were released on Green Linnett in the US. McIlhatton is from the 1984 album Ride On. The song was written by political activist Bobby Sands who would occasionally write songs relating to the IRA. Donal Lunny of Planxty produced and he plays on the album along with Declan Sinnott. They are also on the video clip. Sinnott still tours with Moore today. Magic Nights is one of two live albums recently released by Sony. On the Road was released in 2017. Magic Nights was released in 2019. They are available separately or in one big package. Moore released his latest album A Terrible Beauty last year. He toured Ireland earlier this year so I don't think he is retiring anytime soon. Here's Christy Moore with Donal Lunny and Declan Sinnott performing McIlhatton on a 1984 episode of The Music Show.
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