Following a period of rehearsal and a low-key concert in the West of Ireland the Original Planxty lineup are performing a series of Irish concerts in Dublin's Vicar Street.
Due due to unprecedented demand, 6 Dublin dates sold-out in a day, 4 extra Dublin dates have been added

The original lineup of Christy Moore, Donal Lunny, Liam O'Flynn and Andy Irvine have not performed together in public since 1983. Following their recent concert Liam O'Flynn has said that all the pleasure and excitement of the early years is still there and that all the band are looking forward to the forthcoming concerts.

Some of these concerts were filmed by hummingbird productions and a DVD/CD is expected in the coming months. There are also many, unconfirmed, that further gigs are in the pipeline.

"There was an air of expectation hanging over the crowd beforehand that would fire a rocket launcher. 23 years is a mighty long time to wait for the rekindling, but somehow we guessed that the wait would be worth it.
Just as soon as Liam O'Flynn exhorted the rest of them to 'take it away boys', we knew we were on home turf and not only would the sods be cut, but that they'd be turned, footed and loaded on the trailer by the time the lights came up, an exhilarating two hours later.
O'Flynn's invisible readying of the bellows, Lunny's and Irvine's intricate tapestry of bouzouki and mandolin and Christy's nervy introductions had the sardine-packed audience on the edge of their seats from the get go. Lunny's bouzouki has always been credited as the engine of the band, and rightly so, his muscular, driving rhythms marking out their territory. Andy Irvine's mandolin and guitar cross-stitched in between with that old familiar ease, his vocals lending their characteristic finesse to the pot. And Christy's sheer ebullience guaranteed that epic sagas such as 'The Good Ship Knagaroo' gathered all before them in their welcoming gabhaáil.
But Liam O'Flynn was the lynchpin that not only held them together but bolstered them so securely that they could take flight. His utterly controlled, surgically precise reading of everything from 'Sí Bheag Sí Mhór' to 'Tabhair Dom Do Lámh' and 'An Buachaill Chaol Dubh' was enough to lure the hardiest of piping allergists into the midst of the mêlée. And when he sidled into the heart of Christy's ultimate set piece, that spellbinding, 26 verse tale of adultery, murder (and true love) that is 'Little Musgrave', well, some of us simply exited the planet at that moment, content to float free on the sheer genius and magic of the ensemble playing.
They acknowledged their inheritances generously, from Ballyvourney's Elizabeth Cronin to Mickey O'Connell and John Reilly. They traced the tread from Turlough O'Carolan all the way to the anonymous donation of 'Little Musgrave', found by Christy on a series of loose pages languishing on an auctioneer's floorboards.
There were punters there who probably still have the stubs of their tickets from the early days. Everyone just knew that this was going to be something special. For those of us who'd lived their music through the albums, never having witnessed them in 3D, it was akin to an awakening. Liam O'Flynn's pipes were the real revelation, the Marilyn Monroe who burst from the cake at JFK's birthday party. Breaths will be held in anticipation of their live album, and after that, who knows? But these boys appetites for one another's company won't be easily sated by a dozen New Year gigs. new tunes are lurking very close to the stage door. We could almost hear them tiptoeing towards Lunny's bouzouki as we floated home."
Siobhan Long - The Irish Times

Planxty, first got together in 1972, after recording of Christy Moore's second album Prosperous (TARACD2008). At their core were Christy Moore, his old school mate Donal Lunny, piper extraordinaire Liam O'Flynn, and Andy Irvine. The four enjoyed each others company so much during the recording of Prosperous' that they decided to have a go at making it a full-time adventure. They released a highly acclaimed single 'The Cliffs of Dooneen' and were promptly signed to an exclusive recording contract with Polydor Records.

Over the following years the group grew to huge status in Ireland, Britain and throughout Europe, they recorded two other albums in the next two years and then split up, with "The Planxty Collection" coming out as a good compilation of the first three albums.

The original lineup of Christy, Andy, Liam and Donal reformed Planxty in 1979. They recorded three further albums including After the Break and The Woman I Loved So Well. There were several additions and changes to their lineup most notably the addition of Matt Molloy, flautist from the Bothy Band, and later with The Chieftains.

Tour Dates

Friday 23rd and Saturday 24th January 2004
Glór Irish Music Centre, Friar's Walk, Ennis, Co. Clare.

Friday 30th and Saturday 31st January 2004
Vicar Street, Dublin.

Wednesday 4th and Thursday 5th February 2004
Vicar Street, Dublin.

Wednesday 11th and Thursday 12th February 2004
Vicar Street, Dublin.

EXTRA DATES ADDED

Tuesday 17th and Wednesday 18th February 2004
Vicar Street, Dublin.
Tuesday 24th and Wednesday 25th February 2004
Vicar Street, Dublin.

More Planxty Concerts

Radisson SAS, Galway, Mon 6th, Tue 7th and Wed 8th 2004. Tickets: Redlight Records, Galway - Shop St: 091 533888, Eglington St: 091 568340

Dublin's Point Theatre Tuesday 28th, Wed 29th & Thur 30th Dec 2004. Sold Out Extra Dates Jan 3rd, 4th & 5th 2005

Waterfront Hall, Belfast. Wed. 19th & Thur 20th Jan 2005.

Sat Jan 29th, Sun Jan 30th & Mon Jan 31st 2005: The Barbican, London, 7.30pm.