They will never forget Christie in his home town
Monday November 02 2009
A STATUE of the late singer Christie Hennessy was unveiled at the weekend by his close friend and fellow performer Christy Moore.
Hundreds of people gathered in the town square of Christie's native Tralee to see the bronze sculpture by artist Nicholas Dimbleby, portraying him in typical seated pose with his guitar.
Christy Moore, who made famous his friend's song 'Don't forget your shovel', paid tribute to Christie's success as a singer and songwriter and to his kindness as a person.
The deputy mayor of Tralee, Cllr Mairead Fernane, said Christie had enjoyed much success in his life. And the late singer's wife Gill Ross-Erickson said Christie, who died in December 2007 of the lung disease asbestosis, would have been delighted to be honoured by his home town in such a fashion. After the unveiling, Christie's children, Hermione, Amber and Tim, performed some of their father's songs for the audience.
The weekend also marked the release of Christie's second posthumous album entitled 'A Friend of Mine' which features tracks he recorded in the months before his death at the age of 62.
The youngest of nine children, Christie first took up a guitar aged six and wrote his first song at 23.
He recorded eight albums which won top-chart spots including a Number 1 album for seven consecutive weeks, and many multi-platinum discs.
- Grainne Cunningham
Irish Independent
