Hello There......
I was born and raised in a little town called Limavady on the banks of The River Roe famous for Salmon and Trout, in Derry, Northern Ireland or Ulster, I've always had a love and passion for Irish Music, and have carried that with me all my life, I have a cd collection of some 850 cds all Irish only....
At the ripe old age of 5 my dear Grandfather stuck a flute in my hand and taught me my very first tune, "The Red River Valley" I used to drive everyone nuts at home as all I ever did was whistle whistle and then whistle some more, I never did much with my music apart from with my Granda and I then joined the Army in 1980 as a boy soldier, then eventually transferred to the Regimental Band of the Royal Irish Rangers, playing flute, Picolo, and a bit of drums (been known to pull the sticks out at the odd session and give the furniture a damn good flogging) I left the army and decided that I would fulfil my childhood dreams and move to Australia which I did in 1988, apart from pulling my flute out and playin for free beer when travelling my music basically came to a complete stop and stayed that way for about 15 years, until I moved to Cairns in Far North Queensland, and a very good friend Robyn introduced me to the Celtic Confusion session where i met Mick O'Mara and Paddy Anderson, This is where my passion returned, I could not get enough music i just wanted more, more and more, eventually after sheer persistance in learning more and more tunes Mick and Paddy invited me to play with their little band Beamish, Mick on Vocals, Guitar, Mandolin, and Bodhran, and Paddy on 100 button Accordion, playing on a Tuesday night at Paddys Bar, Port Douglas and then on a Thursday at Willie McBrides and also the open Irish session on a saturday night with Celtic Confusion, a great session that was in the Croc Bar of the Grand Hotel Cairns for many years, and in October 06 moved to Willie McBrides a much safer environment.
So if you are ever in Cairns a great session from 7pm to whenever at the Fig Tree Motor Lodge on Sheridan Street Cairns, Inside is a full working replica of a genuine Irish bar in Dublin, complete with the best Guiness and The odd Irish accent.
I moved back to Noosa in Nov 06 Have lived In Victoria, Alice Springs ,Now Noosa Queensland beautiful One Day Perfect the Next, great fishin spot apart from Benone and Magilligan Point Nicest beaches in The World, and a whole loada Sharks too!!!!! had the opportunity to have a New Years Eve Gig with Scruffy and the lads from Tullamore Tree, not the best gig for me as my confidence levels where a bit low, but i got through it and would love another crack, also a couple of wee jams with a wee Caboolture band called A Touch of Guiness and the Furrys with Jim Tannion Phil, Alan and Neil, more recently i have had the opportunity to have a little play with the World Famous Jimmies, at the Pomona Markets, Roger, Brendan, Simon and Co, great music makes you feel alive, Their new CD "At a snails pace" is brilliant, During my time back in Noosa I fulfilled a goal of mine and that was to create and release my own CD, some Traditional Ballads and songs, done solo on Flute and Low d whistle (my pride and joy Hand crafted by Ian Lambe from Clare) the end result is a CD Ireland to Australia which has turned out grand, I designed my own case, labels and art work and to date have sold over 600 copies from a run of 1000 cds, Thanks has to go to the Irish Echo Newspaper for their little write up sales did pick up, both here in Australia and overseas. a great CD for relaxing and meditating lots of positive feedback and is still available by emailing me on [email protected] for only $25.00 Aus which includes postage and handling worldwide.
I have picked up numerous weddings and private functions from my cd and am available on request, just leave me a message here.
Today the only regret i have is the 15 year break i had from Irish Music, however i have it again love it and will keep on annoying and whistling until my last breath flows down and out of my Low D.........
All The Best Mind yer Bodies and Slainte
Yer Man From the Roe Valley
MarkWho I'd like to meet:
Sandra Bullock, Christy Moore, John Howard to punch him right on the feckin snout.......He is a Myopic DwarfInterests
General Sports Cricket Aussie Aussie Aussie, Rugby Union, Wallabies, Basically any sport where i can see the Poms get a good Shallackin and beatin...... Scared Of Snakes Spiders, Growing Up, Someone stealin my Pride and Joy my Red Jeep Wrangler Soft Top Sport, havin a flippin Heart Attack, Having to say good bye or cheerio to family at the airport.Happiest --- On TopWhen Fishin, Playin with Irish Band, or havin a jam with Jim and the lads and Mick and Paddy in Cairns, spending time with special people, life is too short for misery its optional, also Happiest when Life does'nt throw up too many challenges. Dislikes Work, Work and Work,the concept not my job Dishonesty, Missing my friends in Cairns, being taken for granted, North Easterly winds to stuff up the fishing.Wish List To Play with Christy Moore, win the pools or Tatts lotto more trips to Ireland more visits from Family in Ireland, Health on a permanent basis, wishing my Irish family and friends were much closer. Live Life to the Full and always keep your glass half full not half empty.
MusicChristy Moore, Van the Man, Cold play, Planxty, Traditional Irish Music Ballads, Mark Knoffler, Creedence Clearwater, Luka Bloom, Altan, Lunasa, Luke Kelly The Dublin Minstrel, Phil Coulter, Mary Black, Fureys, Ger Fennelly (Lawless) Johhny Spillane, Davey Spillane, Mick O'mara and Paddy Anderson, Celtic Nights Cairns, Trouble in the Kitchen, The World Famous Jimmies, Barleyshakes, Tulca Mor, Maleny Traditional Session at Finbars, Andy Irvine, Paul Brady, Sinead and Christy, McGoldrick, and many many more....FilmsAny old war movies a good comedy, Wizard Of Oz, James Bond, Deadwood, any good action movies Wind that shakes the BarleyTelevisionDeadwood, Documentaries, History, News, Action Movies, and to be honest Desperate Housewives, Lost and Prison BreakBooksStephen King, Australian History, KokodaHeroesMy Grandfather, My Kids, My own company these days much less hassle!!!, Generations of Irish Musicians before me, and my mum and dad and being a Drought Breaker xoxoxoxoxPOG MO THOIN
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