Christy says death of father was 'shocking' experience

Newbridge singer Christy Moore has opened up about the loss of his father at a young age, giving up alcohol and why he’s determined to do more for the planet.

Speaking with Ruairí McKiernan on his Love and Courage podcast, Christy says the death of his father had a profound impact on him that he still feels today.

He explained: "It was a shocking experience and it affected us all in different ways and I believe all six of us are still affected by it, you know, by the impact that had on our lives."

He recalls how it wasn't until he became a parent himself that it really struck him.

“I looked in the mirror and I saw him [his son] and suddenly it dawned on me the effect it would have on him now at this moment.

"If he was told what I was told when I was eleven. And it really hit home."

He went on to say the awareness of his mother’s struggle as a lone parent with six children helped him realise the need for greater understanding and support for people in need.

“You know, I was blessed to grow up in a strong family environment and even though we lost our daddy when I was eleven and the eldest of six and the family was shattered by that, we still grew up in a loving, caring environment, you know. And unfortunately, not everybody has that privilege.”

On the subject of sobriety, his time as a drinker as part of the 70s folk scene is well known and he says his current life of sobriety as a “wonderful thing”.

“I know it took me a few years to come into the light.

"I can still remember the first time I ever walked out on stage without alcohol or any other substance and it was, for me in my life, it was quite an amazing moment

“'Cos for many years I thought I couldn't do anything without those crutches.”

Growing up near the Curragh and spending time with family and neighbours on farms and bogs gave a young Christy a love for nature, something that shines through in many of his songs.

He says he increasingly concerned about the state of the planet and is determined to do more to act.

“The way the weather is changing, you know. There are voices out there and we listen and then we go out and buy a new flat-screen television and a new car and everything has to be 'quadruple-wrapped' in plastic and on we go.

"I'm not a very good warrior in the ecological movement. I sing about it and I talk about it but I hope I can do better. I hope I can do more.

“On the back of this, I'm going to do better. On the back of this conversation on this day, I'm going to do better. I'm going to do less plastic!

https://youtu.be/z8yo8oEiIW0