Christy Moore (IE)

About

Also known as: Christopher Andrew Moore

Few Irish musicians carry the weight of history quite like Christy Moore. The Newbridge native built his reputation on a distinctly personal blend of driving acoustic guitar, bodhrán rhythms, and ballads that cut straight to the bone, with political and social commentary running through virtually everything he does. He was a founding member of both Planxty and Moving Hearts, two of the most influential Irish folk acts of the 20th century, and his 1973 album Prosperous was the record that brought those future Planxty members together in the first place. Moore's solo catalogue stretches across decades, with albums like Ride On, Ordinary Man, and Smoke and Strong Whiskey becoming touchstones of Irish folk. His republican and left wing convictions have never been background noise; they are front and centre, from his support of the H Block protesters to recording songs by hunger striker Bobby Sands. In 2007 RTÉ named him Ireland's greatest living musician, and his most recent album, A Terrible Beauty, arrived in November 2024.