Info on the Battering Ram, Declan Hunt..

Subject: Info on the Battering Ram, Declan Hunt..
From: theballadeer
Date: 20 Feb 08 - 06:45 PM

I am searching for any info as to what became of members of the Battering Ram - Declan Hunt, Johnny Beggan, Seamus Walker and Clive Collins. I have a few albums - all from the 70's and nothing beyond. Little to no info on the web. I have found some information on Clive Collins, including that he passed away in 2006, assuming it is the same Clive Collins. Anyone know anything?

Nick

Subject: RE: Info on the Battering Ram, Declan Hunt..
From: Big Mick
Date: 20 Feb 08 - 06:52 PM

Seamus Walker, last I knew, was alive, well, and consuming copius amounts of the vile dark stuff, known as Guinness, in the Boston area. Liam's Brother (Dan Milner) and I joined him in trying to drink all the Guinness at Paddy Burke's on old North Station a few years back, and doing it while singing every Irish song the 'tree of us knew. As good as the lot of us are, Burke's won. They just had too much. A night well spent, among friends, and drinking luscious, creamy pints of Guinness.

All the best,

Mick

Subject: RE: Info on the Battering Ram, Declan Hunt..
From: Anglo
Date: 20 Feb 08 - 09:52 PM

I see Seamus occasionally,still singing, looking very "unfolky" when I last saw him in a business suit. The others I know nothing of. I am sorry to hear of the passing of Clive Collins, I always wondered what had happened to him. I knew he'd gone to Ireland a good many years ago and I heard a few stories of his adventures, but that's going back into the 80s.

I've still got my old Battering Ram LP.

Subject: RE: Info on the Battering Ram, Declan Hunt..
From: Barry Finn
Date: 20 Feb 08 - 11:29 PM

Shay had told me that Rounder had rereleased the Battering Ram but that none of them has yet to see a penny (it's been quite some time now) & that he hasn't the money to sue them.

Clive I never knew, sorry. Declan went home, seems like decades (maybe 3) ago & I have no idea about his where abouts or what he's up to. Johnny too went back home after his last parent died, maybe 20yrs ago. He was bruterly attacked, through no fault of his own, suffering damage to one of his arms or hand & no longer can play an instrument to his satisfaction, so I hear he hasn't played in a good few yrs, I don't know if he's singing out thought. Pity as he was great with the strings. Shay still holds court, running a session in Brookline at Matt Murphy's, I believe on Thrusday nights, I just found him out while attending another session this past week. I havent seen him since the Boston Traditional Singer's Club at Paddy Burke's disbanded in around April/May of 2001 (Mick it's been a long while). I was planning on dopping by soon to visit with him (when I can sneak out), now that I know where he's at, it's been so long since we've sat & sung.
The 3 of them where all very good players but they all had an uncanny ability with voice & were at times accompanied by a few others, Greg Cotter, fantistic on banjo & guitar & again an incredable singer & Johnny Mullins, a wiz on accordian & again another gifted singer. I never heard them all toghter as Declan left early before the last 2 filtered in & out but weither as the original 3 or 4 (as they were recorded) or as the later 4 they were great together. I 1st caught wind of them maybe in the early or mid 70's when Peter Johnson put them as as the original group of 3 or 4 can't quite remember, on in a concert in Harvard Sq. Peter always had great taste for picking British Isles or Irish/Celtic folks to show case (see an old Peter Johnson thread). As I said I didn't know Clive & don't know when he was with or without them.
As far as I know when they, as a group, were no longer, they never teamed up over here with any others. Shay has never been part of another group unless in a pick up type band. Greg Cotter & Johnny Mullins also both went back home (a long time ago). I don't know what happened to them. I did run into Johnny Mullins when I was in Galway 20 + yrs ago. He invited me out to the Arran Islands to do some singing thing but I couldn't make it, that's the last I've heard of him. Greg was over for a visit sometime while the singers' club was happening so I'd guess he was here about about 9 yrs ago or so, still in great voice & playing as well if not better. I do know that Shay has been in touch with them from time to time but again I haven't seen him in the past 7 yrs. Sorry, that's all I got for you, if I do get to digging up Walker, I'll come back to this thread & give you more ,if I have more to give.

Barry

Subject: RE: Info on the Battering Ram, Declan Hunt..
From: GUEST,John C
Date: 28 Jan 09 - 11:12 AM

Think its is the same Clive that has passed away. He used to play with the Higglers with Johnny Moynihan

Subject: RE: Info on the Battering Ram, Declan Hunt..
From: Declan
Date: 28 Jan 09 - 08:12 PM

I came across Declan Hunt a few times around Doolin in County Clare in the early 80s, I think. I haven't heard any reports of him since.

Incidentally, since we share a first name I can remember a situation where someone got our names mixed up and mistakenly introduced me to a number of people as Dec Hunt. At least I think that was what she was calling me!

Sounds like it was the same Clive Collins alright, best known as a whistle player as far as I know from Gort in County Galway. Clive is commemorated each year in his native Gort as part of the Cooley/Collins festival, which also commemorates box player Joe Cooley.

Subject: RE: Info on the Battering Ram, Declan Hunt..
From: Anglo
Date: 28 Jan 09 - 11:34 PM

As I recall, Clive was a Brummie, mostly a fiddler as far as I know (I never heard him on whistle). He used to sing accompanying himself on the fiddle, This is the Clive who was around Boston with the Battering Ram - may be a different one from yours, Declan.

Subject: RE: Info on the Battering Ram, Declan Hunt..
From: Seamus Kennedy
Date: 28 Jan 09 - 11:41 PM

I ran into Johnny Beggan and had a session with him in the Archway Pub in Ennistymon a few years ago, and he told me that Declan was living nearby. Also had a session, musical and otherwise, with him in Lahinch.

I was in a session with Johnny Mullins in Galway 3 years ago.

Haven't seen Shay Walker in a dog's age, but I know, as Barry Finn and Mick said, that he's alive and thriving in Boston.

Clive Collins was a red-headed Brummie fiddler who played with the Battering Ram, and also for a few months with Tom O'Carroll and myself in the Beggarmen in the early '70's.

He played with Patsy Whelan in a group in Dublin called Fiddling Ginger Billy and the Black & White Pudding Benders. A great guy!

I'm sorry to hear he's dead.

Seamus

Subject: RE: Info on the Battering Ram, Declan Hunt..
From: Declan
Date: 29 Jan 09 - 02:48 AM

Sorry,

Mixing Clive up with Ciaran Collins.

Please disregard the information in my post above.

Subject: RE: Info on the Battering Ram, Declan Hunt..
From: GUEST,dessie higgins
Date: 07 Jul 09 - 07:02 PM

well now, i met these great lads when i moved to boston in 1980 in the midnight court to be exact.Decy hunt was not with them then ,i was told he was running for mayor of newburyport, i dont think he won but im sure he messed up the votes.we had many nights and days playing music, it was a special time with lots of stories and divelment,shay walker and johnny beggan were very good to me, and johnny mullins played in my band on and off for years.one story about mr beggan- he fell out of limericks pub after the sunday session and climbed into a taxi dragging the banjo behind him, after a minute he thought he was home, and got out the other door leaving his new b and d banjo on the seat and rambled off somewhere . the taxi drove off. that night i was doin agig in the black rose not too far away and came out to flag a taxi down, and yes there was a banjo on the seat. i knew it was johnnys so i took it home.i rang him the next day, of course i didnt tell him i had at first, he says jaaasas i think i lost me banjo last night. we met that night and celebrated with at least 15 pints each. i met clive in gort at a festival about15 years ago, and also johnny mullins in galway but i havent seen shay or mr begganin many years. well anyway i now live in denmark for all me sins . cheers dessie.

Subject: RE: Info on the Battering Ram, Declan Hunt..
From: Barry Finn
Date: 08 Jul 09 - 02:51 AM

Dessie, you could had a free cab ride if you had threatened to leave your mandolin behind like Johnny.

Barry

Subject: RE: Info on the Battering Ram, Declan Hunt..
From: GUEST,Tom O'Carroll
Date: 16 Jul 09 - 05:57 PM

Poor auld Clive. He was a wonderful fellow. As the night wore on he would speak less but when he did he was succint and unambiguous. I remember one night in the 70s he ruined a session with Seamus K and myself and a few others including the great Hamish Imlach. None of us held it against him for being such a messer he was just so endearing.He had a few stand out tunes that he made his own. He did a great version of "The grumbling old woman and the growling old man".We had a lot of fun playing the bit of bluegrass and old timey. He frailed the 5string banjo too. He also appeared on the first Planxty recording called "Prosperous. Tho' I havn't seen him in years I am sad to hear he died

Subject: RE:info Battering Ram, Walker, Hunt,beggan,collins
From: GUEST,Christy Delaney.
Date: 24 Jul 09 - 07:25 AM

Hello Folks,
                     I talked to walker 2 days ago so he is well and living in mass,we used to busk together in the 60s early 70s and we were together when they went to the moon in 69, 40 yrs ago, so shey rang me to remind me of the deatail of the whole night we spent watching this at 1 in the morning after getting a lift from an Americian man who treated us to food and pints till 3am in a nice hotel, after which we went to find out own hotel which was called the Haybarn, We were busking with Pecker dunne,Ted Furey,Patsi whelan Declan hunt,Johnny beggan , Brendan leeson I was the Bottler (Money collector) and clive says i was the best.He told a story about been at the puck fair and a row started in the street and a big croward garhered and i collected money he says once ther was a crowed i would collect says i was better then the clergy, Its a good storey , true, i cant remember .
Johnny is in Ennistymon Co, Clare watching television when he is not drinking ,JOKE i think, he has a son just like him but cant play music anymore , spends a lot of time in the liberary , Declan is not to far from him, he is a part time post man and has built a house which johnny says he did it all wrong, of course. But they are both doing fine , i get the odd text from deckie funny peotry at 7am mostly , and johnnys text is did you get your hole lately,So alive and kicking they are, i live close to where Clive lived , he took a trip to mexico and the USA , N. Carolina and died there , we had a great wake for him that lasted from noon till 5am or so with music all the way, i was there with johnny but there was so many there it was a great turn out for him , he loved laurel & Hardy so there was a big screen with Clive in between them laughing , Twas great. Patsi is still in Mass, Playing away i know he did a tour with Finbar furey Early this year in USA, Any ward on Jack White in Boston, Greg is gigin 5 nights a week with his wife a box player very good,Johnny Mullins is Touring with Sean Tyrrell in The Midnight Court (The Play) Sean turned into a musicial and its going very well its on the galway Arts week this month, Hi dessie hope youe well Its been a long time ,Tom Ocorroll hows it going any word on Frank Emerson? Thats all folks keep on trucking, Christy.

Subject: RE: Info on the Battering Ram, Declan Hunt..
From: GUEST,4Fenians
Date: 16 Mar 10 - 12:23 PM

Declan Hunt is playin some gigs with Gerry Carthy here in Santa Fe New Mexico USA in the Month of March 2010 around St Paddy's Day.

Hope this helps...

Subject: RE: Info on the Battering Ram, Declan Hunt..
From: GUEST,Declan Hunts Niece
Date: 03 Apr 10 - 08:29 AM

Declan Hunt is still living in Doolin.

Subject: RE: Info on the Battering Ram, Declan Hunt..
From: GUEST,Declan Hunts Niece
Date: 04 Apr 10 - 04:46 PM

Sorry, wrong town name. He actually lives in Kilfenora

Subject: RE: Info on the Battering Ram, Declan Hunt..
From: GUEST
Date: 11 Oct 10 - 09:18 PM

Hi folks...i just googled his name there a while ago..i just recorded declan doing the first draft of what might be an album today..its just him and guitar..email me at [e-mail]..some of its beautiful..

Subject: RE: Info on the Battering Ram, Declan Hunt..
From: GUEST,Michael Sherlock
Date: 17 Oct 10 - 04:04 PM

David o'Doherty another great musician just recently died, See obituary in the Vineyard Gazette, Martha's Vineyard.

Subject: RE: Info on the Battering Ram, Declan Hunt..
From: GUEST,Bob
Date: 04 Feb 11 - 03:53 AM

I request that those who see Declan Hunt or Johnny Beggan pass along my kind regards and good wishes to them both. I had the good fortune to meet and play music with them during the Fall of 1973 in Boston and Saratoga Springs, NY. Bob (still playing blues guitar and bass)

Subject: RE: Info on the Battering Ram, Declan Hunt..
From: GUEST,anon
Date: 31 May 11 - 07:30 AM

Deckie dropped in passing the house at the weekend (on his way to a recording session in Kinvara) so he's still in action, I think living around Kilfenora.

Subject: RE: Info on the Battering Ram, Declan Hunt..
From: MartinRyan
Date: 31 May 11 - 07:39 AM

He's alive and kicking, alright!

Click here

Regards

Subject: RE: Info on the Battering Ram, Declan Hunt..
From: GUEST,tony
Date: 02 Sep 11 - 04:28 AM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYFkVY5y8bU&feature=channel_video_title   

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cdeA9riZC8&feature=relmfu   

the latest news...

Subject: RE: Info on the Battering Ram, Declan Hunt..
From: GUEST,Kevin johnny beggans son
Date: 21 Nov 11 - 10:10 PM

Johnny beggan is alive and well living in ennistymon county clare im his proud son kevin id like to hear a few more stories haha

Subject: RE: Info on the Battering Ram, Declan Hunt..
From: GUEST,Kevin johnny beggans son
Date: 21 Nov 11 - 10:43 PM

Oh ya and hes on facebook by the way

Subject: RE: Info on the Battering Ram, Declan Hunt..
From: JedMarum
Date: 21 Nov 11 - 11:45 PM

I ran into Shay Walker in 2001 or 2002 at Paddy Burke's in Boston. He was running an open mic night and I stopped for a visit - and joined in. I played Come Out You Black and Tans, after which he asked me, "What made you play that song?"

I was a little surprised by the question, but told him I had some family history connected with the era - and stories passed on through my father from his grandfather, so the events and the attitude of the song had resonance with me ... etc etc

He said, "Oh" and went on to explain that he believed his band, Battering Ram were the first to record it - and one of the verses I sang was one a band member had written.

Not what I was expecting. But I guess me singing that song was not what he was expecting!

Small world.

Subject: RE: Info on the Battering Ram, Declan Hunt..
From: GUEST
Date: 04 Feb 12 - 05:03 PM

Seamus sang a beautiful song at me mum's funeral a month ago. He is solid as a rock with a voice that is as solid as granite.

Subject: RE: Info on the Battering Ram, Declan Hunt..
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 18 Feb 12 - 01:15 PM

Seamus Walker is living on Cape Ann- Rockport, MA to be specific.
He is working at a marina and has adopted a feral cat!!
He was last playing with David O'Docherty who passed away last year.
David was full of history and songs- his passing was a great loss.

Seamus keeps in touch with the original band members, Johnny Began and Declan Hunt (both back in Ireland)- as noted above Clive Collins passed away. The original group was a group like no other- each member possessig great talent both as singers and musicians. They were the first to play their rebels songs in the Boston area and played many a benefit for the cause.

You can still purchase the original recording by Rounder Records on Amazon.com- the title is now "Irish Rebel Songs" and makes no mention of the musicians. Sorry tale that is.

Subject: RE: Info on the Battering Ram, Declan Hunt..
From: GUEST,guest
Date: 18 Feb 12 - 01:24 PM

You can reach Seamus Walker at [e-mail]

Subject: RE: Info on the Battering Ram, Declan Hunt..
From: Elmore
Date: 08 May 12 - 09:25 PM

Subject: RE: Info on the Battering Ram, Declan Hunt..
From: Elmore
Date: 08 May 12 - 09:30 PM

Sorry, I have nothing to contribute, but neither did Guest. My noncontribution was accidental.

Subject: RE: Info on the Battering Ram, Declan Hunt..
From: GUEST,Niall MacDonagh
Date: 07 Mar 16 - 05:14 PM

I will be getting together with Johnny Beggan and Shay Walker Easter Monday in O'Donoghues.