Johnny Moynihan
Encyclopedia
John "Johnny" Moynihan (born 29 October 1940, in Phibsboro
, Dublin), is a folk singer based in Dublin, Ireland
. He is often credited as being responsible for introducing the bouzouki
and the Irish bouzouki
into Irish music in the mid 1960s. Known as "The Bard of Dalymount", as a young man he played in the band Sweeney's Men
with Andy Irvine
, Terry Woods
and (Galway) Joe Dolan. Sweeney's Men broke the mould of Irish music and are credited with starting the folk revival there in the late 1960s. The group made two albums, Sweeney's Men and The Tracks of Sweeney. The latter was without Irvine, who had taken himself off to the Balkans, an area that made a lasting impact on his subsequent music. Both albums are available on Transatlantic Records. In the 1970s Moynihan briefly joined Planxty
for their album Cold Blow and the Rainy Night. After Planxty, Moynihan went his own way and for a period of time fronted the Fleadh Cowboys
, a popular band in 1980s Dublin. He also flirted briefly with De Dannan
and can be heard on their second album, Selected Jigs, Reels & Songs (never issued on CD). He reunited for a one-off concert with Irvine in Galway
in 2001 and can be seen and heard frequently in the Cobblestone Pub, Smithfield
, Dublin.
In 2006, Moynihan could often be seen playing live in an east-Clare based trio performing old-time Appalachian music, "Frankie, Jonny, and Sweetheart" (a play on the song Frankie and Johnny
. The other members are Lena Ullmann on clawhammer banjo, and Frank Hall on fiddle.
He is an erratic character though and it was considered doubtful if he and Irvine would ever play together again; however, they did so for a one-off gig as Sweeney's Men in Rostevor Co Down on 22 July 2007 (with Paul Brady
deputising for Joe Dolan who was unwell).
He was famously associated with the folk singer Anne Briggs
in the 1970s and both of them traded off their mutual inclination for wild behaviour. He plays backing guitar on several Anne Briggs songs.
The world of Moynihan and Sweeney's Men are best summed up in Andy Irvine's song "My Heart's Tonight in Ireland" on his "Rain on the Roof" album. It is available from Irvine's own website, http://www.andyirvine.com.
More information about Moynihan and his career with Planxty can be found in the 2006 book by Leagues O'Toole entitled 'The Humours of Planxty.'
Phibsboro
Phibsborough , often formerly shortened to Phibsboro and later Phibsboro , is a district of Dublin in Ireland.-Location:Phibsboro' is located in the Dublin 7 postal district on the Northside of the city. The area is very close to the city centre, about two kilometres from the River Liffey which...
, Dublin), is a folk singer based in Dublin, Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
. He is often credited as being responsible for introducing the bouzouki
Bouzouki
The bouzouki , is a musical instrument with Greek origin in the lute family. A mainstay of modern Greek music, the front of the body is flat and is usually heavily inlaid with mother-of-pearl. The instrument is played with a plectrum and has a sharp metallic sound, reminiscent of a mandolin but...
and the Irish bouzouki
Irish bouzouki
The Irish bouzouki is a development of the octave mandolin adapted for Irish traditional and other folk music from the late 1960s onward.-Adoption for Celtic music:...
into Irish music in the mid 1960s. Known as "The Bard of Dalymount", as a young man he played in the band Sweeney's Men
Sweeney's Men
Sweeney's Men was an Irish traditional band. They emerged from the late 1960s Irish roots revival, along with groups such as The Dubliners and the Clancy Brothers. The founding line-up in May 1966 was 'Galway Joe' Dolan, Johnny Moynihan and Andy Irvine....
with Andy Irvine
Andy Irvine (musician)
Andrew Kennedy 'Andy' Irvine is a folk musician, singer, and songwriter, and a founding member of the popular band Planxty. He is an accomplished player of the mandolin, bouzouki, mandola, guitar-bouzouki, harmonica and hurdy-gurdy....
, Terry Woods
Terry Woods
Terence 'Terry' Woods , is an Irish folk musician, specialising in playing the mandolin and cittern. He is known for his membership in such folk and folk-rock groups as The Pogues, Steeleye Span, Sweeney's Men, The Bucks and, briefly, Dr. Strangely Strange. Prior to being a founder member of...
and (Galway) Joe Dolan. Sweeney's Men broke the mould of Irish music and are credited with starting the folk revival there in the late 1960s. The group made two albums, Sweeney's Men and The Tracks of Sweeney. The latter was without Irvine, who had taken himself off to the Balkans, an area that made a lasting impact on his subsequent music. Both albums are available on Transatlantic Records. In the 1970s Moynihan briefly joined Planxty
Planxty
Planxty is an Irish folk music band formed in the 1970s, consisting initially of Christy Moore , Dónal Lunny , Andy Irvine , and Liam O'Flynn...
for their album Cold Blow and the Rainy Night. After Planxty, Moynihan went his own way and for a period of time fronted the Fleadh Cowboys
Fleadh Cowboys
The Fleadh Cowboys are a Dublin-based folk-rock/country band.The Fleadh Cowboys were formed in 1985 by Johnny Moynihan, Pete Cummins and Frankie Lane, in Kenny's pub in Westland Row in Dublin...
, a popular band in 1980s Dublin. He also flirted briefly with De Dannan
De Dannan
De Dannan was an Irish folk music group. They were formed by Frankie Gavin , Alec Finn , Johnny "Ringo" McDonagh and Charlie Piggott as a result of sessions in Hughes's Pub in An Spidéal, County Galway, subsequently inviting Dolores Keane to join the band...
and can be heard on their second album, Selected Jigs, Reels & Songs (never issued on CD). He reunited for a one-off concert with Irvine in Galway
Galway
Galway or City of Galway is a city in County Galway, Republic of Ireland. It is the sixth largest and the fastest-growing city in Ireland. It is also the third largest city within the Republic and the only city in the Province of Connacht. Located on the west coast of Ireland, it sits on the...
in 2001 and can be seen and heard frequently in the Cobblestone Pub, Smithfield
Smithfield, Dublin
Smithfield is an area on the northside of Dublin. Its focal point is a public square, formerly an open market, now officially called Smithfield Plaza, but known locally as Smithfield Square or Smithfield Market....
, Dublin.
In 2006, Moynihan could often be seen playing live in an east-Clare based trio performing old-time Appalachian music, "Frankie, Jonny, and Sweetheart" (a play on the song Frankie and Johnny
Frankie and Johnny
-Films:*Frankie and Johnny , 1936 film co-starring Lilyan Tashman*Frankie and Johnny , a film starring Elvis Presley*Frankie and Johnny , a 1991 film based on McNally's play-Other:...
. The other members are Lena Ullmann on clawhammer banjo, and Frank Hall on fiddle.
He is an erratic character though and it was considered doubtful if he and Irvine would ever play together again; however, they did so for a one-off gig as Sweeney's Men in Rostevor Co Down on 22 July 2007 (with Paul Brady
Paul Brady
Paul Joseph Brady is an Irish singer-songwriter, whose work straddles folk and pop. He was interested in a wide variety of music from an early age...
deputising for Joe Dolan who was unwell).
He was famously associated with the folk singer Anne Briggs
Anne Briggs
Anne Briggs is an English folk singer. Although she traveled widely in the 1960s and early 1970s, appearing at folk clubs and venues in England and Ireland, she never aspired to commercial success or to achieve widespread public acknowledgment of her music...
in the 1970s and both of them traded off their mutual inclination for wild behaviour. He plays backing guitar on several Anne Briggs songs.
The world of Moynihan and Sweeney's Men are best summed up in Andy Irvine's song "My Heart's Tonight in Ireland" on his "Rain on the Roof" album. It is available from Irvine's own website, http://www.andyirvine.com.
More information about Moynihan and his career with Planxty can be found in the 2006 book by Leagues O'Toole entitled 'The Humours of Planxty.'