lisdoonvarna

Subject: lisdoonvarna
From: Spinyjohn
Date: 31 Jul 99 - 03:36 AM

Lisdoonvarna It's that poem/song that that feller with the red hair and a Manchester United shirt alway starts reciting an hour or so after closing time in a locked pub in a small town in Co. Clare. Usually goes on for about eight or ten pints of stout and eighty seven verses (give or take five hundred). Any pearls of wisdom re origins/authors/lyrics please? Failte.

Subject: RE: lisdoonvarna
From: John in Brisbane
Date: 31 Jul 99 - 05:10 AM

If you go to Mudcat links, you'll find the Christy Moore site, and from there you'll find the words. I think that Christy may have written it. I believe that it was atype of Irish Woodstock. I think it's one of those songs where you really had to be there. Regards, John

Subject: RE: lisdoonvarna
From: Jack Hickman - Kingston, ON
Date: 31 Jul 99 - 11:16 AM

Lisdoonvarna is a pretty little town in County Clare famous for its restorative hot springs. It is also the venue for an annual matchmaking festival every September which has become quite an event. The song by Christy Moore deals with all the characters, famous and not so famous, who turn up at Lisdoonvarna for the fair.

Subject: RE: lisdoonvarna
From: Spinyjohn
Date: 12 Aug 99 - 03:58 AM

Thanks very much John in Brisbane & Jack Hickman in Kingston for your replies. My wife (being a Dublin lass )should have known the answers all along and has been suitably disciplined by my making her listen to me singing Lisdoonvarna. Cheers!

Subject: RE: lisdoonvarna
From: NSC
Date: 12 Aug 99 - 05:10 AM

Spinyjohn.

Lisdoonvarna as correctly outlined above is a famous Spa Town in Co. Clare, Ireland where there has been a tradition of the farming community to visit and partake of the natural sulphur waters flowing from a spring in the town. The Spa Baths were built in the 19th century or possibly sooner and farmers and workers bathe in the waters to soothe various aches and pains.

The visits normally take place during September when most of the summer farm work is completed.

Daughters of farmers and other female farm workers also attend and some bright spark decided to start a match making agency which still thrives. I actually met my wife there in 1972 though I hasten to add that it was not through the match makers.

In 1975 or 1976 Jim Shannon started a Music Festival and Christy Moore was one of the first guests. After a number of years the song was written. I think he wrote it himself but I am not sure. The song features numerous artists who were invited to perform as well as many of the local hostelries particularly in the famous nearby Doolin townland, birth place of the Russell family and the three brothers, Pakie, Micho and Gussie. Gussie is the only surviving brother although there are two sisters still living.

The area immediately north of Lisdoonvarna is called the Burren and is like a moonscape with acre upon acre of limestone rock. Tropical plants grow in the crevices and it is well worth a visit if you happen to be in this glorious country.

Regards George Henderson

Subject: RE: lisdoonvarna
From: Alice
Date: 12 Aug 99 - 09:45 AM

Thank you for all the background details on this. Interesting.

Subject: RE: lisdoonvarna
From: Paddy
Date: 12 Aug 99 - 12:34 PM

What? A pub that stays open after closing time? What has this world come to. Where are the Calvinists when you really need them. (psst. where is it?)