Grehan Sisters Recordings

Subject: RE: Grehan Sisters Recordings
From: GUEST,Hargbratch
Date: 26 Oct 23 - 09:22 PM

The Wexford Massacre has been stuck in my head for around 17 years. I never knew what it was called till today. I searched for it on and off with nothing to go off of except for the melody and for the word "saxon". The one other song from the old compilation CD I've found was "Dance around the Spinning Wheel" mislabed as "Bill Hart's Favourite" on various places on the internet, further complicating my search. Glad I never gave up.

Subject: RE: Grehan Sisters Recordings
From: GUEST,Hargbratch
Date: 26 Oct 23 - 09:22 PM

The Wexford Massacre has been stuck in my head for around 17 years. I never knew what it was called till today. I searched for it on and off with nothing to go off of except for the melody and for the word "saxon". The one other song from the old compilation CD I've found was "Dance around the Spinning Wheel" mislabed as "Bill Hart's Favourite" on various places on the internet, further complicating my search. Glad I never gave up.

Subject: RE: Grehan Sisters Recordings
From: GUEST
Date: 15 Nov 18 - 09:38 PM

I think Bill Leader is still alive...you could ask him

Subject: RE: Grehan Sisters Recordings
From: Tony Rees
Date: 14 Nov 18 - 04:37 PM

I have added a bit more info and a photograph to the Grehan Sisters wikipedia page, all I can find in citable sources for now... interested parties might care to check it out in its "new, improved" version.

Regards - Tony

Subject: RE: Grehan Sisters Recordings
From: Tony Rees
Date: 13 Nov 18 - 09:22 PM

Maybe that would explain the 2 previously unreleased tracks on "Here's To The Irish". Just speculating...

On another mudcat thread, the poster says that s/he saw them play support to Simon and Garfunkel at the Manchester Free Trade Hall in '67; also it is stated that they performed with the Mathews brothers for a while. If I could find a published confirmation of either of these (forums such as mudcat are sub-optimal as Wikipedia sources) I could add them to the WP page.

Regards - Tony

Subject: RE: Grehan Sisters Recordings
From: GUEST
Date: 13 Nov 18 - 08:45 PM

I remember reading somewhere that a 2nd recording was made for Transatlantic but never released,,,

Subject: RE: Grehan Sisters Recordings
From: JHW
Date: 13 Nov 18 - 05:12 PM

No help to the quest but I was amazed to hear them on a pub jukebox last year. (Britannia, Darlington) One of those jukeboxes that seem able to play any record ever.

Subject: RE: Grehan Sisters Recordings
From: Tony Rees
Date: 12 Nov 18 - 03:52 PM

I reckoned that the Grehan Sisters deserved an entry on Wikipedia, so now there is one as of today:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Grehan_Sisters

I have drawn on information in this thread, especially in constructing the discography.

Regards to all - Tony

Subject: RE: Grehan Sisters Recordings
From: Liberty Boy
Date: 16 Oct 18 - 10:09 AM

Just to correct something that appeared in one of the earlier posts in this thread. Peter Kennedy DID NOT ever record from the traveller singer John (Jacko) Reilly. The recordings were made by Tom Munnelly who shared them with Kennedy who unscrupulously released them as his own!

Subject: RE: Grehan Sisters Recordings
From: GUEST
Date: 15 Oct 18 - 11:38 AM

https://www.amazon.com/Traditional-Music-Sligo-Seamus-Tansey/dp/B008VPBEOC

https://www.discogs.com/Seamus-Tansey-Traditional-Music-From-Sligo/release/5689420

Seamus Tansey album with Berndadette Grehan on 12 string guitar - 2 listings with different prices take your pick.

I met one of the Grehan Sisters in 1996 in Boyle and mentioned it to Dave Swarbrick (RIP) he was thrilled they were asking for him and Martin Carthy.
John O'Regan

Subject: RE: Grehan Sisters Recordings
From: GUEST
Date: 29 Jun 14 - 03:44 PM

refresh

Subject: RE: Grehan Sisters Recordings
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 28 Jun 14 - 03:52 PM

As Dave mentioned earlier the Grehans appeared at Folk Union One, Hull, several times. We are collecting together recordings from the club around that time and it's very likely we will have some of the Grehans. At the moment we are raising funds to have the recordings digitised to go into the Hull Folk Archive. When that happens if there are any Grehan recordings it will be easy to run off copies for people here. I'll keep this in mind and come back to this thread when I have further news.

Subject: RE: Grehan Sisters Recordings
From: GUEST,jim bainbridge
Date: 28 Jun 14 - 05:12 AM

think there's a poltergeist in my keyboard... was about to say that on 26 June 2014, a wonderful soldout concert was held in St Joseph's hall, Boyle, Co Roscommon, featuring the Grehan sisters Francie, Marie & Helen (formerly Bernie) who stormed the place in their own home town. Guest was Christy Moore who said that without the encouragement of the sisters, his life would have been totally different.
The concert was a tribute to John Reilly local traditional snger and frequenter of Mrs Grehan's pub in the town. The Grehans and Christy performed several of his songs, and moves are afoot to
set up a memorial plaque to John Reilly, and hopefully a release of some of the man's songs on CD sometime.

Subject: RE: Grehan Sisters Recordings
From: JHW
Date: 23 Feb 14 - 05:56 AM

Glad to be reminded of another 'those were the days'. Still have 'On the Galtymore Mountains'. Mine signed Frances, Marie, Bernie

Subject: RE: Grehan Sisters Recordings
From: GUEST,jim bainbridge
Date: 23 Feb 14 - 05:06 AM

you can get in touch with Helen indirectly via the boylesingers BlogSpot site

Subject: RE: Grehan Sisters Recordings
From: GUEST,Deirdriu McQuaid
Date: 22 Feb 14 - 05:17 PM

Hi

I have just came across this board. I am involved with a group who are organising a 50th aniversary celebration of the 1964 All Ireland Fleadh Cheoil in Clones. I am currently carrying out research for materials and information relating to the festival to form part of an exhibition. Would it be possible to get a copy of the recording Bill Kennedy refers to on the 5th May 2005 post.

Mt contact details are:
Deirdriu McQuaid

Senior Executive Librarian
Monaghan County Library
98 avenue
Clones
Monaghan
Ireland
[e-mail]

Subject: RE: Grehan Sisters Recordings
From: GUEST,jim bainbridge
Date: 10 Jan 13 - 01:04 PM

Helen is still involved with the Boyle Sungers Circle as advised by C O Sullivan a few years ago- try the back room of Dodds' pub, the Crescent in Boyle centre- every third Saturday night about 9.30 (Irish time!) she's still a grand and distinctive singer,
with a lot of her own material

Subject: RE: Grehan Sisters Recordings
From: theballadeer
Date: 20 Sep 10 - 09:17 PM

I would love to add the Grehan Sisters to my website ... www.theballadeers.com. Is there anyone out there that could send me covers scans of any recordings ... as I have no original recordings in my collection...

oxbownick1 AT theballadeers.com

Thanks in advance ... Nick

Subject: RE: Grehan Sisters Recordings
From: GUEST,Rose
Date: 15 Aug 09 - 08:49 PM

Gidday from the Gold Coast Australia I would have to be a number one fan of the Aus. Grehan Sisters Fan Club (if we had one) Have really loved their music for about 15 yrs since finding it on"Irish Folk Favourites" Great to hear that they are back in the ole country and still singing occasionly. Has inspired me to return to Ireland again just on the chance of hearing them live ! God willing.

Subject: RE: Grehan Sisters Recordings
From: GUEST,great to see all these Grehan sisters fans
Date: 06 Jul 09 - 11:56 PM

Hi. I am Roberto Mera, from Mendoza, Argentina. I am quite a fan of the Grehan sisters, i stumbled on a pair of songs interpreted by them in one of those "Best Irish Music" or something like that. I treasure the few songs i do have (not many a Grehan sister fan club here by the ANdes mountains!)
Best wishes to all
Roberto

Subject: RE: Grehan Sisters Recordings
From: MartinRyan
Date: 19 Mar 09 - 06:08 PM

Well, if its Henry Joy you seek, one song of that name is HERE

Regards

Subject: RE: Grehan Sisters Recordings
From: GUEST,Orthodox celt
Date: 19 Mar 09 - 12:28 PM

PLEASE HELP!!!!!!!!!!
I'm not from Ireland,and for me is hard to understand the lyrics.
So,if someone could write down Henry Jou lyrics on this forum,I would be gratefull to him.

Subject: RE: Grehan Sisters Recordings
From: Colin Randall
Date: 12 Oct 08 - 06:48 AM

Apart from the spoons, the thing that comes into my head whenever I think of the Grehans is the song Cricklewood.

Helen was definitely Bernie in the days I have in mind (1969-ish in the North-eastern folk clubs, where they were regarded as superstars) and the entertainment value was immense. Wasn't it her who'd take off round the room, playing the spoons on any available part of a member of the audience's anatomy? Great memories.

I located that YouTube video mentioned by Guest Maurice, and the Grehans' contribution is relatively short but since the clip runs to 37 minutes (dated but still fascinating, the remnants of an aborted Irish musical), it's still worth a look. Go direct to YouTube and look up O'Donoghue's Opera (there are other, shorter clips too by the look of it) or check it out at   
http://www.salutlive.com/2008/10/getting-round-t.html

Subject: RE: Grehan Sisters Recordings
From: GUEST,Boltonian
Date: 11 Oct 08 - 07:35 PM

I have only just discovered this site. Thanks.

I first came across the Grehans in the 1960s via a Transatlantic recording in (I think) 1967, which included 'Henry Joy' and the 'Orange and the Green.' I have heard nothing from them since.

I spent a couple of days in Boyle some years ago but hadn't realised it was the sisters' home town. We visit Ireland as often as we can, so next time we go we will try to make a detour via Co. Roscommon.

It was strange watching the film of 'O'Donoghue's Opera,' with a very young Ronnie Drew (alas no longer with us) - thanks Maurice. He might have made a half-decent actor if he had not worshipped the booze quite so much. But then he would not have been Ronnie Drew!

Subject: RE: Grehan Sisters Recordings
From: GUEST,Martin Farrell
Date: 20 Aug 08 - 04:44 PM

The DVD of O'Donoghues Opera can be bought from www.loopline.com. Wonderful stuff featuring THe Dubliners, Johnny Moynihan etc.

Subject: RE: Grehan Sisters Recordings
From: GUEST,Johan Sandberg, Sweden
Date: 14 Aug 08 - 07:16 AM

Hi every one!

I must say that the Grehan Sisters are the best ever irish folk music band.

Since I am a professionall web developer, I have for some years thought of making a web site to honor them. If there is any one here who have something to contribute with - like stories, discography, biography, fotos and so on, I would be glad if you mail it to me at [e-mail]. You will of course be mentioned in the site as contributers!

I hope the site will be up and running by christmas 2008.

Subject: RE: Grehan Sisters Recordings
From: ard mhacha
Date: 29 May 08 - 10:14 AM

Bill Kennedy I have that Clones Fleadh LP, the live recording is perfect for getting the feel of the Fleadh, when Barney McKenna starts up you can hear the man with the Dublin accent shouting out"good old Barney".
There is two very good Ceili band recordings, and the Grehan sisters were also regulars on Radio Eireann shows, a class act.

Subject: RE: Grehan Sisters Recordings
From: GUEST,Maureen
Date: 29 May 08 - 06:48 AM

The Grehan Sisters will get together for a one off concert during this years Boyle Arts Festival. They will perform a concert in their old home now the Moving Stairs on Friday July 25th at 10pm. Full details from http://www.boylearts.com

Subject: RE: Grehan Sisters Recordings
From: Snuffy
Date: 04 Feb 08 - 08:07 PM

Many thanks for that link, Maurice: the url worked just fine. Wonderful to be able to see them actually performing again.

Subject: RE: Grehan Sisters Recordings
From: GUEST,Maurice
Date: 04 Feb 08 - 05:25 PM

They had a small part in this film
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=356252404053826816&pr=goog-sl
...I hope I did that right, it's a film called "O'Donoghue's Opera" made in 1965, runs about 37 minutes and well worth a look if you approach it in the context of the time. If that url doesn't work look at a mudcat thread for "Ted McKenna" and you'll find a link.

Subject: RE: Grehan Sisters Recordings
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 28 Jan 08 - 11:42 AM

That was Marie and Francie - Bernie/Helen was ill and couldn't make it. They are all living back in Ireland now. Yep, fab weekend, super to see everyone. I spoke on the phone recently to Packie and asked him about the programme which was being filmed. He says it's not out yet but they're still working on it. When there's any news on this I'll start a new thread.

It was due to Mudcat that I was able to trace Marie and phone to tell them about the birthday bash (she's lovely) so thanks guys!

Subject: RE: Grehan Sisters Recordings
From: Dave Hunt
Date: 28 Jan 08 - 10:45 AM

I was very pleased that two of them (Bernie and?) made it to Packie Byrne's 90th birthday party last Feb in Ardara. I hadn't seen them for a very long time - since we used to book them for the Giffard Folk Club in Wolverhampton - in the 70s I guess. - and they were still in fine voice! - and Packie was on wonderful form too - great man, great weekend.
Dave Hunt

Subject: RE: Grehan Sisters Recordings
From: GUEST,c osullivan
Date: 28 Jan 08 - 10:15 AM

Anyone who's in Ireland and wants to hear Bernie Grehan live can come along to the Boyle Singers' Circle on the 3rd Saturday of every month (including the Summer ones). Hele/Bernie is usually present and always in good voice when she is. See http://boylesingers.blogspot.com/ for updates on sessions and information on venue.

Subject: RE: Grehan Sisters Recordings
From: GUEST,Guest, Roberto Mera
Date: 18 Jan 08 - 10:36 PM

Hi. I am a Grehan Sisters fan from Mendoza, Argentina. Since the first time I heard them, they captured me. Not easy to get the material here in Argentina, but I managed to get a few of their songs. Even though their recorded production is not very extensive, I think they capture the true spirit of Irish Music.
Well done, Grehans.

Subject: RE: Grehan Sisters Recordings
From: GUEST,thurg
Date: 11 Oct 06 - 10:05 PM

If you like the Grehans, you may (or may NOT) like these gals: http://www.ul.ie/~iwmc/nomad/recordings.html.

The Keenan Sisters. Try "If I Was an Apple" - if it doesn't put a smile on your face, you're one tough customer.

Subject: RE: Grehan Sisters Recordings
From: GUEST
Date: 11 Oct 06 - 06:11 AM

Thanks Mick!

Subject: RE: Grehan Sisters Recordings
From: Mick O'Farrell
Date: 29 Sep 06 - 02:13 PM

Des, I'll try and get a message to Bernie.
Geoff, that's a great idea about Sanctuary records, I'll drop them a line.

Subject: RE: Grehan Sisters Recordings
From: Geoff Wallis
Date: 13 Sep 06 - 01:41 PM

This is a great thread and a timely reminder about the talent of the Grehan sisters.

We should all be getting on to the Sanctuary Records Group (which owns the Transatlantic back catalogue) - [e-mail] - and putting pressure on the label to release a full-scale retrospective of the sisters.

Subject: RE: Grehan Sisters Recordings
From: GUEST,des young
Date: 11 Sep 06 - 01:40 PM

Could anyone please pass a message to Bernie to contact derek (des) young at [e-mail] - many thanks

Subject: RE: Grehan Sisters Recordings
From: MartinRyan
Date: 24 Jul 05 - 07:27 PM

Better correct that one quickly!

...still SINGING beautifully!

Regards

Subject: RE: Grehan Sisters Recordings
From: MartinRyan
Date: 24 Jul 05 - 07:26 PM

Met Bernie at a singing session in Boyle, last night. Still dinging beautifully.

Regards

Subject: RE: Grehan Sisters Recordings
From: Mick O'Farrell
Date: 17 Jun 05 - 02:20 PM

Just another quick update to the Grehan Sisters discography. The 1973 album 'Sligo Ceili', consists of 15 traditional jigs, reels and airs. Bernie (Helen) Grehan plays guitar alongside Seamus Tansey - flute; Joe Sheridan - accordian and Bernadette Sheridan - bodhran.

Subject: RE: Grehan Sisters Recordings
From: bill kennedy
Date: 16 May 05 - 09:14 AM

it's also interesting that Peter Kennedy recorded John Reilly in Boyle, so he certainly should have been aware of the Grehan sisters one would think.

Subject: RE: Grehan Sisters Recordings
From: bill kennedy
Date: 12 May 05 - 10:21 AM

I can also send digital images of the front and back cover of the lp to anyone who wants it.

Subject: RE: Grehan Sisters Recordings
From: bill kennedy
Date: 12 May 05 - 09:32 AM

two possible sources for additional recordings would be Brendan O'Duill and Peter Hunt who recorded the Gael-Linn Flea Cheoil album. There were 17 cuts on the album and three of them were the Grehan Sisters with Fergus Cahill. No Other artist was represented on more than one cut. If they made that much of an impression, it's possible more of their music (if there was any more) was recorded.

Also, at the same Flea in Clones in 1964, Peter Kennedy and Pete Seeger were recording for Folktrax, an album that was later released as FTX -172, "The Fox Chase" This info is from Folktrax' website: "Tracks #7-13 recorded by Peter Kennedy and Pete Seeger at the Fladh Cheoil, Clones, Co. Monaghan, 18th. May, 1964. For the last two tracks, #12 and #13, Felix is joined by all the other Uillean pipers who were performing at the Fladh: Leo Rowsome, Sean Seery, Pat McNulty, Dan Doherty & Seamus Dowling.

Edited by Peter Kennedy and first published by Folktrax 1975."

Sean Seery also appears on one cut of the Flea Cheoil recording and Felix Doran's cut is not one of those available on the Folktrax recording, so they may not have been recording at the same locations during the Fleadh, but it is remotely possible that Kennedy and Seeger recorded something by the Grehan SIsters, maybe Bernie's memory could be jogged about that, though getting the material from Peter Kennedy might be an impossible task. Folktrax never released any recordings of the Grehan sisters, but they may have recorded them.

Subject: RE: Grehan Sisters Recordings
From: GUEST,Bill Kennedy
Date: 10 May 05 - 10:12 AM

what I have done is download the program as an mp3 then convert it to a wave file, exported the album, 1 cut per side, then exported just the Grehan Sisters two songs from side a, and the Fergus Cahill song from side b that I believe features Francie on Mandolin at least, and perhaps Bernie on guitar as well. BTW I think there are two spoons players on side a, not just one. If anyone wants a cd of this PM me and I'll send it to you. I am a member, just an inactive one for a while now, Joe Offer has reconnected the links, I believe.

Subject: RE: Grehan Sisters Recordings
From: GUEST,Dale
Date: 09 May 05 - 08:36 PM

Bill, I got the album from your radio station download. With my poor dial-up, it took about four hours for the two hour show. No big deal though, I just let the machine run to do its stuff when I was not right there watching it.

It came down as a 56K MP3, which I saved as a wave while working on splitting tracks, etc.

I have not listened to all, but I did listen to The Nightingale, a song which has been fairly commonly done here in Arkansas over the years. I found it very nice and a bit subdued, at least for the Grehans!

Thank You for making it available.

Subject: RE: Grehan Sisters Recordings
From: Mick O'Farrell
Date: 09 May 05 - 07:51 PM

Just a quick update on the Grehan Sisters discography. TRA-SAM-11 is actually the album 'Here's To The Irish Volume 2', released on the Transatlantic label in 1969.
It does indeed contain the rare Grehan Sisters track 'Cricklewood', as well as 'Victoria', which had already been released on their only full length LP, - 'On The Galtymore Mountains' (1967).
Cricklewood is one of the sides of the Sisters 1969 Transatlantic single TRASP-20, it's probably the 'A' side, the title of the 'B' side I still don't know.

Bill, thanks for the extra info, like I said, I'd love a copy of the Flea Ceoil LP, and I'll burn you a copy of the few rare tracks I do have in exchange. When you rejoin Mudcat drop me a personal message and we'll sort it out from there.

Subject: RE: Grehan Sisters Recordings
From: GUEST,Bill Kennedy
Date: 09 May 05 - 01:00 PM

to add to the info above, it does not credit musicians on the album but my guess is it is Francie playing mandolin on Fergus Cahill's song on side b, and maybe Bernie on a guitar.

Subject: RE: Grehan Sisters Recordings
From: GUEST,Bill Kennedy
Date: 09 May 05 - 10:03 AM

I can send a cd of the Flea Ceoil recording to anyone who is interested.