Andy Irvine is 80

Hard to think of him as an 80 year old, but there was an 80th birthday celebration gig for him in Dublin last night.

I am absolutely certain that many of us would not be on this site today, or even playing mandolin, bouzouki or indeed Celtic music were it not for the pioneering music of Planxty back in the day - never mind his forays into Eastern European music and his great way with a song, with brilliant accompaniments and really expressive singing and so much more.

So I want to note his 80th birthday and his many achievements here today. I shall listen to his music and raise a glass or two tonight.

Slainte Andy.

https://www.andyirvine.com/#home

Happy birthday to a great talent and a great man.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Dagger Gordon;1869493

So I want to note his 80th birthday and his many achievements here today. I shall listen to his music and raise a glass or two tonight.

Slainte Andy.

[url

https://www.andyirvine.com/#home[/url]

---

Cheers to that!

P.s. In Andy’s tech requirements he specifies “ Please DO. NOT provide water on stage”. hmmm

https://youtu.be/lF4dfmOUFQk

Thanks Andy Irvine for making a difference, and happy birthday.

Saw him once with Patrick St, he is quite the musical presence!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Dagger Gordon

I am absolutely certain that many of us would not be on this site today, or even playing mandolin, bouzouki or indeed Celtic music were it not for the pioneering music of Planxty back in the day

---

Correct.

Although influenced, I never tried to play like him - for me he was/is inimitable.

I managed to see him three times on my travels, 20+ years ago.
Each time in NZ or Australia. I think he used to decamp there for the southern summer.
New Plymouth - solo, Auckland - w Rens Van Der Zalm, Sydney North Shore - solo.
Playing mandolins, guitar-shaped bouzouki and harmonica.

Hear hear! And a very happy birthday to Andy. I, for one, would have not known what a bouzouki is, nor taken up playing the mandolin, had it not been for him and Planxty.

A very worthwhile thread Dagger, thanks!

I remember "discovering" Planxty and really loving their music when I was a student in the early-mid 90's. I love the combination of mandolin, bouzouki and guitar that these great musicians pioneered. This sound is also very evident in the classic album that he did with Paul Brady. I'm very happy to have seen him live.

I also love the album that he recorded with the great Scottish singer and guitarist Dick Gaughan.

It is impressive and really good to see that he still seems to be going strong, he has a good few gigs coming up according to his website https://www.andyirvine.com/gigs.html

I was walking down the street in search of a pint one rainy night in Portland, when I got to the door of the pub a small chalk board was propped up exclaiming tonight, Andy Irvine!! If memory serves, I handed over my $4.00 cover charge {quite a few years ago} and went in to listen to one of the most engaging shows I'd seen in a long time. Wonderful playing and storytelling by Mr. Irvine that night. Cheers Andy!