August

August 1-7 ~~ August 8-15 ~~ August 16-23 ~~ August 24-31 ~~ On this Date

August 1

1938 Paddy Moloney was born on 1st August 1938. He is one of the founder members, and the driving force of the Irish band The Chieftains.
Click here for more information on The Chieftains.

2007 Tommy Makem died on 1st August 2007 (born 4th November, 1932). He was an Irish folk musician best known as a member of The Clancy Brothers. He was also an artist, poet and storyteller.
Click here for more information on The Clancy Brothers.

August 3

Liverpool Lou has been translated into Norwegian where it is known Jenter fra Bergen.

1989 Dominic Behan died on 3rd August 2007 – he was 60, (born 22nd October 1928). He was an influential Irish songwriter, and novelist. He got his love of writing from his mother (Kathleen) , a folklorist who collected stories and songs. Both his brothers, Brendan and Brian are writers.

Dominic Behan led campaigns, and was jailed for protesting about the government’s treatment of the Irish working classes.

John Lennon sang Liverpool Lou, as a lullaby, to his son, Sean.

Following his release from prison, he wrote for the BBC radio, RTE and British television and the Gaiety Theatre (Dublin), as well as books notably his autobiography (Tell Dublin I miss Her) and Brendan’s biography (My Brother Brendan).

However, he is most famous as a songwriter publishing more than 450 songs – the most popular are The Auld Triangle, McAlpine’s Fusiliers, The Patriot Game, Liverpool Lou, and Avondale.

Ronnie Drew singing The Auld Triangle

The Dubliners performing McAlpine’s Fusiliers

Hear Dermot O’Brien singing The Patriot Game

August 4

“I think Moya has one of the greatest voices the human ear has ever experienced.”
Bono

1952 Moya Brennan was born on 4th August 1952 in Donegal. This is an area of Ireland where Irish traditions and language are strong. She is an Irish folk singer/songwriter and harpist and a Gaeilgeoir (an Irish speaker). See more here

August 5

1952 Louis Walsh was born on 5th August 1952 in Kiltimagh, County Mayo. He is an Irish music manager of performers including Westlife, Boyzone, Ronan Keating, Girls Aloud, JLS, Jedward.

In 1990, he auditioned for members of an ‘Irish version of Take That’, and Boyzone was created. They had international success and have sold over 12 million copies of their albums. In 1998, he formed the boy band, Westlife which had 14 number one singles in the United Kingdom, the third-highest in UK history.

He began his television work in 2001, and has been a musical act judge on many different talent show programmes, including Popstars, The Rivals, You’re a Star, Britain’s Got Talent, and The X Factor.

1954 Paddy Glackin was born on born 5th August 1954. He is an Irish fiddle player. His father’s family are from Donegal and his playing is influenced by his Donegal roots. He was also strongly influenced by John Doherty from a clan of Irish travellers who worked as a tinsmiths and horse traders.

He became fiddle champion at the All-Ireland Fleadh Cheoil in 1973.

He was a member of the Irish traditional band The Bothy Band. He is considered by many as one of the leading Irish fiddlers of last century.

Paddy Glackin and Tony McMahon performing Lillies in the Field and Limerick Lassies

August 1-7 ~~ August 8-15 ~~ August 16-23 ~~ August 24-31 ~~ On this Date