Christy Moore (born on May 7, 1945, in Newbridge, County Kildare) is a popular Irish folk singer and guitarist, well known as one of the founding members of Planxty. His first album, Paddy on the Road (a minor release of 500) was recorded with Dominic Behan (brother of Brendan) in 1969. The following year brought his first major release, Prosperous (named for the village of Prosperous, County Kildare, where the album was recorded), which brought together the four musicians who shortly thereafter formed Planxty: Liam O'Flynn, Andy Irvine, and Dónal Lunny. For a time they called themselves "CLAD", an acronym of their names, but soon decided on Planxty.
After leaving Planxty in 1975, Moore continued on his solo career (reforming his old band on occasion) which he has been doing ever since. He also formed the band Moving Hearts with Lunny and five other musicians in 1980. In 2000 he published his autobiography, One Voice.
Moore's affinity for controversial topics has cost him on occasion, but it is this fearless, unapologetic, and honest approach to music that has ensured the respect and loyalty of his fan base over the years. His choice of topics has included Republican hunger strikers, apartheid, alcoholism, unemployment, and injustices towards Irish travellers and other disadvantaged minorities. He was an outspoken critic of Ronald Reagan's visit to Ireland, for which he sang songs including "Hey Ronnie Reagan I'm Black and I'm Pagan".
As well as penning some of Ireland's well-known contempory ballads, Moore is well known as a collector of ballads. His interpretations of the work of other songwriters has provided a platform for many fine ballads that otherwise may have faded into obscurity. His recordings include the works of Woody Guthrie, Bob Dylan, and Ewan MacColl and a wide range of traditional ballads. He has also recorded many songs from comtemporary Irish singer-songwriters such as Wally Page, Jimmy MacCarthy and the late Noel Brazil.
