Up Close & Personal: Planxty - Planxty

A Hot Press production, Up Close and Personal is a series of live events and programmes in which artists talk about their own classic Irish albums. The first six broadcasts feature interviews and performances from Gemma Hayes (Night On My Side, 2002), Mary Coughlan (Tired and Emotional, 1985), Damien Dempsey (Seize The Day, 2003), Tim Wheeler of Ash (1977, 1996) Conor O’Brien of Villagers (Awayland, 2013) and Andy Irvine and Donal Lunny (Planxty, 1973).
The series is produced in association with Aidan Shortall of Up Close and Personal Promotions and supported by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media. The public interviews took place at The Grand Social, Dublin in the winter of 2021. This show features Andy Irvine and Donal Lunny being interviewed by Hot Press writer Pat Carty, and performing several songs from Planxty’s self-titled debut album.
Formed in 1972, Planxty have come to be regarded as one of the most important Irish groups of living memory. The initial line-up of Christy Moore, Andy Irvine, Donal Lunny and Liam O’Flynn feature on the 1973 album Planxty, produced by Phil Coulter. The group broke up twice, first in 1975 and again in 1983, before reuniting in late 2003. They played several sold-out shows in Ireland, before capping off their reunion with a final performance at The Barbican, London on January 31, 2005.

[@niallstokes8339]

A big thanks to Andy and Donal. That was a brilliant interview, full of great insights and wonderful stories. And the music was marvellous. Well done to our man Pat, for helping to bring out the best in two of Ireland's most important and influential musicians. All in all, a rare treat...

[@berniegarvey5219]

Fabulous chat and playing👏👏

[@Diogeneez]

As ever, the future is our past. Love and respect!

[@gerardbreen8534]

The day the Black Album was released I threw a sicky so I could be one of the first to buy this classic album 😊, I still have it 😂🎉

[@upcloseandpersonalpromotio6841]

Fair Play to Pat Carty and all in Hotpress for the research on this project

[@paolofortuna7369]

Even if there there are several miles between us we love fhem and their music ...long live to celtic soul and people ..a great slainte from Italy

[@edmundcoyle364]

I never saw or heard this before. Good. From one committed fan of the big four.

[@Seanmcdhuibhne]

Listening this song and literally has tears in my eyes. I've been exactly in that situation. Flew from the US just to spend a few days along The West Coast of Clare hoping I could meet this beautiful girl from Kinvara who introduced me to this wonderful place. That was 27 yrs ago. Thank you so muck Andy.

[@brooksidetownhouse6872]

What a treat...staggering..having been lucky enough to grow up in that time frame, all this history fills in some of the questions I've always had about my fave Irish band....seeing my musical hero crying whilst playing says it all.. Thank you! Could've listened to hours more.

[@jenniferedwards4520]

Well done, Mr. Carty!

[@gerardbreen8534]

This is a journey ☺️ through the past for me 🙂 brilliant!

[@mobilegoat1]

Love you guys

[@malduddy6901]

Great interview, thanks for sharing..

[@kamiljakubiec472]

Still the best ! Love you Andy and Donal!

[@mattmalley]

West Coast of Clare - sublime.

[@750drums]

Absolutely brilliant ! Two legends. Well done, thank you !

[@elizabethlaubhan474]

They were the best

[@lilycowap5366]

So excited!!!😊

[@DromardMusic]

Brilliant. Just brilliant.

[@conceptSde]

Great show! Although I am German, Planxty is an essential part of the Soundtrack of my youth. Fun fact (and here’s where the circle closes): A few years back my daughter worked in Dublin, and her apartment was just beneath the Grand Social where this interview was filmed.

[@liamoconlocha3264]

Great story and a small world

[@naberjf]

☘️💚☘️

[@johnmc3862]

PlanXTY.

[@gerardbreen8534]

Apologies to Gay Curtis 😢 if he sees this, he was a nice boss

[@kevinforde2555]

Great interview, please never ever have armchairs for musicians.

[@johnmc3862]

They probably okay'd it. There are sitting there for a while after all.

[@kevinforde2555]

@@johnmc3862 they probably didn’t