John O'Donohue is an Irish poet and philosopher. He has degrees in philosophy, English literature and was awarded a Ph.D in phiosophical theology from the University of Tübingen in 1990.
more info :: www.jodonohue.com

Bodega!

After Waterford Fringe Festival launched Mary Coughlan and Freddie White’s up close and personal sell out gigs at Bodega customers appetites have been wanting for more than Bodega’s great food. Since September Bodega has hosted 8 music evenings with Mary Coughlan, Freddie White, Eleanor McEvoy and Maria Doyle Kennedy. Each gig sold out in days and are booked weeks and months in advance – so now it's time to look forward to 2007.

Luka Bloom aka Barry Moore
8th & 9th February

Having tread the boards of stages all over the globe, 36 years of craft honing has given Luka Bloom from Newbridge a place on the music map.... performed live in Bodega for the first time.
Book early to avoid disappointment - Cormac or Frank on 051 844177

www.waterford-today.ie

Luka Bloom In Concert

Wednesday, 14 February 2007
at Riverbank Arts Centre - Newbridge

Kildare Today - Wednesday, February 07, 2007

Luka Bloom back on home turf in Riverbank concert

Luka Bloom is an accomplished folk-rock singer-songwriter, who delighted audiences at Christmas with a charity gig performance 'Songs for Beslan' in Riverbank. Bloom's pseudonym. 'Luka' is taken from the title of Suzanne Vega's song 'Luka' and 'Bloom' refers to the main character in James Joyce's Ulysses.

Luka's style of guitar playing is very distinctive and is generally referred to as 'electro-acoustic.' He toured America frequently through the Nineties, although his contemporary touring schedules take him mostly to Europe. His early albums showcased his strumming style, including 'Delirious' the debut track on Riverside, and his penchant for thoughtful cover songs, an affinity that he maintains even in more recent work. Released in 2000, Keeper of the Flame was an album of cover versions, featuring renditions of ABBA's Dancing Queen, Bob Marley's Natural Mystic and the Hunters and Collectors' Throw Your Arms Around Me among others. Bloom had previously covered LL Cool J's I Need Love and Elvis Presley's Can't Help Falling In Love on the album The Acoustic Motorbike. Bloom is often heard to remark in concert about Natural Mystic that "...there are considerable similarities between Jamaicans and Irishmen". Bloom's 2004 acoustic mini-album, Before Sleep Comes, was recorded while Bloom was recovering from tendonitis. Bloom stated the purpose of the album was 'to help bring you closer to sleep, our sometimes elusive night-friend'. Bloom released his most recent album Innocence in 2005. Many of the songs feature a new found interest in Eastern European gypsy music and other World music. In his previous work, he relied on steel-stringed guitars that created his distinctive style. His aubergine and yellow guitars were often introduced by name at gigs. The most recent album features a more classical guitar and the resonant plucking associated with that style of instrument, which you can experience for yourself at the Riverbank Arts Centre.

Catch him on home turf at the Riverbank Arts Centre on Wednesday 14th February at 8pm, Admission €20. To book drop into the Box office or phone 045 448333 or email: boxoffice@riverbank.ie.

www.kildaretoday.ie

Kildare Nationalist - Thursday, February 08, 2007

WELCOME BY RICHARD MOORE
Director of CHILDREN IN CROSSFIRE

Welcome to Children in Crossfire's principle tenth anniversary celebration - a two day International Conference on Children's Rights.

The keynote speaker for this event is His Holiness, the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet with a host of other well known personalities also taking part.

We would like to mark this milestone in the charity's history by inviting you to be a part of the conference. This event is very important to us as we reflect on our achievements to date and create a vision for our work in the future.

Children in Crossfire was set up over ten years ago with the mission of challenging global poverty and promoting social justice. I know personally that the work of Children in Crossfire through our partner organisations and our supporters has not only improved many peoples quality of life but also actually saved lives. We have been involved in projects in places like Ethiopia, Kenya and we are currently helping to build a school for a village in Tanzania.

We are absolutely honoured that His Holiness has accepted our invitation to be the keynote speaker at this two day conference. There will be a dynamic range of speakers alongside His Holiness including Jane Olson of Human Rights Watch, veteran journalist Fergal Keane and Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dermot Ahern. Renowned musicians Christie Hennessy and Luka Bloom will also be taking part in the event as well as up-and-coming singer Garrett O'Hare. This will be an occasion not to be missed by anyone who has an interest in children's welfare.

'A Promise for the Future' is not just about dialogue, it is about every single one of us finding an active role to play in society in protecting children and helping them realise their potential as global citizens. This conference seeks to put the issues of children at the forefront of people's minds through the words of His Holiness, our guestspeakers and the workshop facilitators. This is a great event for Derry/Londonderry and Northern Ireland and we hope children all over the world will benefit from it.

RICHARD MOORE
DIRECTOR, CHILDREN IN CROSSFIRE
www.activelink.ie/downl/cic-brochure.pdf

You can find more information on the conference on www.childrenincrossfire.org

Dalai Lama to address Children in Crossfire’s
Anniversary Conference: 'A Promise for the Future'
Tuesday 17th and Wednesday 18th July 2007
City Hotel and Millennium Forum in Derry/Londonderry

Children in Crossfire is celebrating its 10th anniversary with a 2-day International Conference on Children's Rights and has announced His Holiness, the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet, as the keynote speaker for the event.

There will be a dynamic range of speakers alongside His Holiness including Jane Olson of Human Rights Watch, veteran journalist Fergal Keane and Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dermot Ahern. The conference is made up of a variety of workshops on different issues relating to the Rights of Children, where delegates from a wide variety of sectors will get the opportunity to exchange experiences and engage in critical dialogue.

www.childrenincrossfire.org/dalailama.php
www.activelink.ie

Dalai Lama addresses Children in Crossfire’s 10th Anniversary Conference:
'A Promise for the Future’

Children in Crossfire celebrated its 10th anniversary with a 2-day International Conference on Children's Rights and welcomed His Holiness, the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet, as the keynote speaker for the event...

His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama closed the 2 day conference on 18th July with an address in the Millennium Forum. In front of an audience of 1000 people, His Holiness talked about the importance of compassion, forgiveness and tolerance, and he called Richard Moore, Director of Children in Crossfire, "my hero" for his ability to forgive.

LUKA BLOOM

Wednesday, 18th July 2007
City Hotel and Millennium Forum - Derry/Londonderry

Having tread the boards of stages all over the globe, 36 years of craft honing has truly given this troubadour a place on the music map. Like many Irish families then and indeed today Luka comes from a family of singers and writers first going on tour with older brother, Christy Moore, in 1969. It was a tour of English folk clubs and he was fourteen years of age. Turning 50 in 2005, Luka has brought his songs to clubs, theatres, festivals, bars, arenas and dives all over the world. From McGanns in Boston to The Tivoli in Brisbane to Red Hot Club in Newbridge.

Kildare Nationalist - Thursday, August 30, 2007

Rathangan first to hear Luka Bloom’s new album
BY JOANNE O’CONNOR

Kildare singer songwriter Luka Bloom will launch his new album TRIBE in Rathangan Community Centre on Thursday 6 September. A special concert will coincide with the release of the Newbridge native’s new record. In the run up to the launch, he describes his thoughts behind his latest collection of tracks: "I hope that you at this moment will think of yourself as a human being rather than as an American, Asian, European, African, or member of any particular country. These loyalties are secondary. If you and I find common ground as human beings, we will communicate on a basic level. Thus spoke the Dalai Lama. These words are a good way to describe how I feel about this new record TRIBE, and especially the title track," he explains. "In Autumn 2005, I was sent a copy of Tidelines, an album of original instrumental music composed and recorded by Simon O’Reilly. It’s a lovely record, but I immediately was intrigued with the possibility that Simon and I might do some work together."

That possibility turned into a reality and the collaboration between the two artists has resulted in TRIBE, what Luka describes as "a unique project" in his working life.

Tickets cost €20 and are available from Paddy O’Loughlin on 086 8945357 or from Next Door off licence in Rathangan.

Tickets are limited so get them early. Doors open at 8.30pm. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to hear Luka Bloom perform these new tracks in concert for the first time.

www.kildare-nationalist.ie

Kildare Today - Entertainment - 6 September 2007

Different Luka Bloom with 'Tribe'

This month sees the release of a very new and very different piece of work from acclaimed Kildare singer songwriter Luka Bloom.

'Tribe' is the result of a year long collaboration with Simon O'Reilly, a Co. Clare based contemporary music writer. Simon produced and co-wrote Tribe. In Autumn 2005, Luka was sent a copy of 'Tidelines', an album of original instrumental music composed and recorded by O'Reilly. Luka was immediately taken with the recording and the soundscapes that O'Reilly was creating. The two met at O'Reilly's studio in Clare and discussed the possibility of working together.

Over the coming months Simon created music and sounds and posted them to Luka. Listening to Simon's compositions, Luka would create lyrics and vocal melodies based on the music and send them back to Simon. Neither musician sat or performed together during this period.

After about six months, they felt there was enough material to make a record and David Odlum was invited to mix the record and record the vocals at his Black Box Studios in France.

The result is 'Tribe', a very unique project in which Luka Bloom is simply the singer. Simon O'Reilly produces, co-writes and plays various instruments. Guest performers include Eimear O'Grady on cello, legendary pedal steel guitar player BJ Cole with Luka's son Robbie on backing vocals on the title track and lead single Tribe. Other stand out tracks include the Ian Brown tinged Change and the electro sonic Sound.

Luka tours Europe throughout Autumn and into the Winter. Writing and recording on a new solo album will begin in early 2008.

'Tribe' releases in Ireland on Friday September 7th, 2007 on Big Sky Records through RMGChart.

www.kildaretoday.ie

Luka Bloom Message
13 Dec 2007 - www.lukabloom.com

It's always hard to pick highlights.....
I loved the atmosphere in the church in Cologne, the amazing energy of Tivoli in Utrecht, the buzz of the cinema in Lausanne......But in truth the highlight of my year was the moment in Derry when I sang for his holiness the Dalai Lama at the 10th Anniversary of Children in Crossfire. In a moment like this you feel the sense of privilege you should feel every night, being given the opportunity to sing for people.

And this event in Derry resulted in a second highlight of my year. Namely the opportunity to sing with the beautiful and gifted Christie Hennessy, who died on December 11th. Christie knew he was dying, and was determined to finish his record, despite the incredible difficulties associated with this determination. He wrote a song about Richard Moore of Children in Crossfire and the Dalai Lama. He asked my brother Christy and I to sing the song with him for his last record.

This was one of the unforgettable moments of my singing life. Singing with my brother and Christie, knowing that this great man was soon to leave us. A truly sacred day. Christie Hennessy was and always will be, a legend. Through his voice and the songs he left for us, he will always be with me.

Christie Hennessy: Former labourer who outsold U2 with his album 'The Rehearsal'
By Colin Irwin - 13 Dec 2007 - The Independent
Edward Christopher Ross (Christie Hennessy), singer, songwriter and labourer: born Tralee, Co Kerry 19 November 1945; married 1965 Gill Erickson (one son, two daughters); died London 11 December 2007.................... He was planning a major tour and was working on a new album of duets when stricken by cancer, thought to be a result of asbestos poisoning contracted during his years working on building sites. The album, The Two of Us, will be released in January.

Posthumous Christie Hennessy album to be released
12 Dec 2007 - HotPress Newsdesk
The album that Tralee singer-songwriter Christie Hennessy was working on at the time of his death is due for release early in the New Year. A duets collection, it teams the 62-year-old up with such friends and admirers as Christy Moore, Luka Bloom, Paul Brady, Frances & Mary Black, Maire Brennan and Nizlopi (who sampled one of his compositions, 'Don't Forget Your Shovel', on their number 1 hit, The JCB Song').

Tralee bids a tearful farewell to its 'gentle' hero
By Donal Hickey

Much-loved Christie Hennessy never drank alcohol and was yesterday held out as an example to all facing the challenges of a drugs culture. In a homily at a special Mass for the late singer/songwriter in his native Tralee, Monsignor Dan O'Riordan, parish priest, said he took a vow as a young man not to drink, or smoke, and lived by that. "In doing that he gave a powerful example in relation to our drink and drugs culture and showed that life could be lived to the full without recourse to drugs," the monsignor said.

More than 1,000 people filled St John's Church to overflowing for a touching service and tributes to a man who was described by fellow townsfolk as "gentle and childlike" and who never forgot where he came from. Though illiterate, Christie composed a host of famous songs including Messenger Boy and Don't Forget Your Shovel. He died in London, on December 11, aged 62.........

Tributes were also paid by Richard Moore, of the Children in Crossfire Charity, of which Christie was patron.....

Soloist was Tralee-born soprano Miriam Murphy, accompanied by Aidan O'Carroll. The St John's choir was directed by Mons Pat Ahern. Hermione Hennessy sang Amazing Grace to spontaneous applause, while I'll Walk Beside You was sung by Luka Bloom at the end of the ceremony. A lone piper, Denis O'Reilly, led the cortege to Rath Cemetery as Tralee folk stood silently on the streets, fondly remembering a man whose songs touched their lives in a special way.

www.irishexaminer.com

The Irish Independent - Friday, 28th December, 2007

Christie: a singer who prayed twice when he sang

Those who sing, pray twice.

That was the message to mourners at singer-songwriter Christie Hennessy's memorial Mass yesterday.

Christie's life was a "powerful example" in the current drink and drugs culture, Monsignor Dan O'Riordan told the congregation before quoting the Latin phrase "Bis orat qui cantat" --- which translates as "those who sing, pray twice".

Christie did not seek fame or the cult of celebrity, his considerable charity work was done behind the scenes and he held to a commitment made as a young man not to drink or smoke, "a powerful example" in the current drink and drugs culture, mourners at St John's Church, Tralee, Co Kerry heard. Prayers were also said at the Mass for the late Joe Dolan. A lone piper led the funeral cortege through the streets of Tralee, accompanying the ashes of the 62-year-old singer song-writer who died from asbestosis in London on December 10. His remains were afterwards buried in the town's Rath cemetery .

The three gifts brought to the altar by his daughters Hermione and Amber and son Tim included a guitar, a statue of Our Lady to symbolise his devotion to her, and the miniature messenger bike, presented to him by the people of Tralee to mark his well-known song 'Messenger Boy'.

Hermione sang 'Amazing Grace' and the singer Luka Bloom sang 'I Will Walk Beside You'.

Welcoming Christie Ross Hennessy back to St John's parish church, Monsignor O'Riordan said the singer was baptised there at four days old in November 1945, and had afterwards received his first Holy Communion and his Confirmation...... Christie's wife Jill, who also led the scripture readings, said he had a profound effect on other people, as a family man, a talented singer and also as a healer of many years standing. She had no words to express how much she and his family missed him.

www.independent.ie

The Kingdom - Thursday, January 03, 2008

Goodbye Messenger Boy
By Mary Murphy

More than 1,000 people - family, friends and fans - packed St John’s Church in Tralee to bid a tearful farewell to the late great Christie Hennessy who has been laid to rest in the town he loved so well. With the town centre church filled to overflowing, many mourners stood out-side in the rain to pay their own silent tribute to the original Messenger Boy.

In a poignant final journey home for Christie, his wife Jill, and children Amber, Hermione and Timothy, brought his ashes back to be placed among his own...

Christie composed a host of famous songs, including Messenger Boy, Don’t Forget Your Shovel, Roll Back The Clouds and Jealous Heart, but despite his ever-increasing fame, he never forgot his roots or engaged in the cult of celebrity.

"Christie was a man who brought joy and love to so many people by the simple messages delivered from the heart with musical skills and from a warm and genuine personality," Monsignor O’Riordan said. "Christie was a messenger boy in more ways than one," he added. "The cult of celebrity was something Christie never sought," the Tralee priest suggested... "Since he died the phrase "a child-like gentleman" is probably the most commonly used expression to describe him," Monsignor O’Riordan added.

Tributes were paid during the ceremony by RTÉ’s Aonghus McAnally and by Richard Moore of the Children in Crossfire charity of which Christie was a patron. But perhaps most fitting were the musical tributes which included Tralee born soprano Miriam Murphy, who was accompanied by Aidan O’Caroll and the St John’s Choir under Mon-signor Pat Ahern. Christie's daughter, Hermione, delivered a powerful rendition of Amazing Grace and his friend, Luka Bloom performed I'll Walk Beside You.

After the ceremony Tralee stood silent as a lone piper, Denis O’Reily, led the way from St John’s to the Rath Cemetery, pausing briefly outside the shop where the young Christie served his time as a messenger boy.

Christie Hennessy
The singer and songwriter was a legend who changed lives, says Frances Black
...Christie was patron of the charity, Children in Crossfire, which was working on initiatives to improve the lives of children living in some of the world's poorest communities. ... He went to Kenya with them, to spend time with the children in different villages, and wrote the song, A Price for Love, and donated all the proceeds to Children in Crossfire projects. I admired him for being so passionate about his charity work, and it really inspired me personally....

Earlier this year, Christie was diagnosed with asbestosis, possibly picked up from his years spent working on the building sites. He was determined to keep busy, and was working on a documentary, and an album of duets with people like Christy Moore, Luka Bloom, Tommy Fleming, and my sister Mary.

I went into the studio a couple of weeks ago to record a duet with him on All the Lies. I was chuffed to have been asked to sing with him, and it was an amazing experience. While I was there, they played the song he recorded with Christy and Luka called, When Will We Learn, and you could really hear in the song how passionate he was about Children in Crossfire. It really blew me away, and made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up...
By Frances Black - Sunday, December 16, 2007 - Independent

'Christie was a writer and a singer of magical songs. A true legend'
By Jason O'Brien - Wednesday, December 12, 2007 - Independent

He could bring a smile to your face or a tear to your eye
By Stephen Hill - Saturday, December 15, 2007 - Independent

Christie Hennessy
Chart-topping Irish folk musician who emerged into the limelight in his 40s
By Derek Schofield - Thursday, December 20, 2007 - The Guardian