Christy Moore comes to Venue Cymru

May 20 2010 by Richard Evans, North Wales Weekly News

AN Irish folk singer once named his country’s greatest living musician is coming to Venue Cymru.

With more than four decades behind him in the music industry Christy Moore has established himself alongside Guinness and Magners as one of Ireland’s favourite exports.

A former bank employee, Moore would express himself through his music, but a banking strike which crippled the country in the early 70s would see him make song his career.

His first major release came with the band Planxy in 1972, and from there it was no looking back.

Moore has since become known as more of a solo artist culminating in him being named as Ireland's greatest living musician in RTÉ's People of the Year Awards in 2007.

Moore is known for his political and social commentary, and has had the accolade of appearing on the BBC’s Desert Island Discs.

It has not always been plain sailing though, as Moore was once detained in Holyhead under anti-terrorism laws, an experience he described as “threatening” and “frightening”.

He was stopped and questioned in 2004 en route to concerts in London and the Midlands.

In a statement, Moore said he was questioned about his song lyrics, asked personal questions about his family and friends.

"I found the whole experience threatening," he said.

"At no time was I given any explanation as to why I was being held and interrogated in this manner. "I found the whole affair quite frightening. But the feeling I am left with a few days later is one of sadness as I thought this kind of behaviour towards Irish people travelling to the UK was a thing of the past."

Christy Moore is at Venue Cymru on May 31. Contact the Box Office on 01492 872000.