Christy Moore

Kirsty Young's castaway this week is the Irish musician Christy Moore. His stature and influence in folk music is unparalleled - Bono, Elvis Costello and Billy Bragg are among those who cite him as a key influence. A passionate performer, he's the archetypal Irish poet and protest singer. In the late 1970s Special Branch raided the launch of his album H Block, his songs have been banned by both London and Dublin courts and, as recently as 2004, he was held by police and questioned about his lyrics and lifestyle.

Not all the struggles he's dealt with have been political. By his own admission he wasted years, maybe even decades, boozing and bingeing on drugs. Having cleaned up his act he was then forced to confront the devastating legacy of his father's early death and how it affected him throughout his life.

Elements of this programme may offend some listeners.

[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]

Choices

1.

Felicity Lott

Ave Maria

Others who chose this artist

2.

Christy Moore

A Stitch in Time - Live

Others who chose this artist

3.

Paul Anka

Lonely Boy

Others who chose this artist

4.

The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem

Brennan On the Moor

Others who chose this artist

5.

Castaway's favourite

Planxty

Taimse Im’ Chodladh

Others who chose this artist

6.

Luke Kelly

Joe Hill

Others who chose this artist

7.

Ewan MacColl

The Joy of Living

Artist: Peggy Seeger

Others who chose this artist

8.

John Reilly

The Raggle Taggle Gypsy

Others who chose this artist

Book

Collection of Popular Songs of England & Scotland by Francis Child

Others who chose this author

Luxury item

A set of Uillean pipes

Others who chose a similar luxury