Johnny Moynihan facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Johnny Moynihan
Moynihan with a pre-war Gibson mandolin
Background information
Birth name	John Moynihan
Born	(1946-10-29) 29 October 1946 (age 78)
Origin	Phibsboro, Dublin, Ireland
Genres	Folk, traditional Irish
Occupation(s)	Musician, singer
Instruments	Vocals, fiddle, mandolin, bouzouki, tin whistle and button accordion
Years active	1960s–present
Associated acts	Sweeney's Men Planxty Silly Sisters Tony Hall De Dannan Fleadh Cowboys Moonshine

John Moynihan, born on October 29, 1946, in Phibsboro, is a famous Irish folk singer from Dublin. He is widely known for introducing the bouzouki, a stringed instrument, into Irish music in the mid-1960s. His musical journey has greatly influenced traditional Irish folk music.

Johnny Moynihan's Music Journey

Starting with Sweeney's Men

Johnny Moynihan, also known as "The Bard of Dalymount," helped start the band Sweeney's Men. He formed the group with Andy Irvine and 'Galway Joe' Dolan. Later, Terry Woods joined the band. Sweeney's Men changed Irish music and are seen as pioneers of the folk music revival in Ireland during the late 1960s.

Introducing the Bouzouki

One of the most important things Sweeney's Men did was introducing the bouzouki to Irish music. This instrument originally came from Greece. Moynihan used a different way of tuning it, which was GDAD'. This tuning was one octave lower than a mandolin.

Leagues O'Toole wrote in his book, The Humours of Planxty, that Moynihan bought his first bouzouki from a friend. His friend, Tony Ffrench, had brought it from Greece but didn't want to play it. At first, the other members of Sweeney's Men were not sure about Moynihan's new instrument. But one evening, Moynihan and Irvine created a complex harmony for the bouzouki and mandolin while practicing a song called Rattlin' Roarin' Willy.

Later, Moynihan traded this Greek bouzouki for an older Gibson mandolin. During a trip to London, he bought a new bouzouki from instrument maker John Bailey. Bailey had made it as an experiment after studying a real bouzouki in a Greek restaurant in London.

Sweeney's Men recorded two albums: Sweeney's Men and The Tracks of Sweeney. The second album was made after Andy Irvine left to travel in the Balkans.

Playing with Other Bands

In 1973, Moynihan briefly joined the band Planxty for their album Cold Blow and the Rainy Night. After Planxty, Moynihan joined De Dannan in 1976, taking Andy Irvine's place. You can hear him on their second album, Selected Jigs, Reels & Songs, which came out in 1977.

Also in 1976, he recorded music with Maddy Prior & June Tabor, who were known as the Silly Sisters. He also recorded with Tony Hall. For some time, he was the leader of the Fleadh Cowboys, a popular band in Dublin during the 1980s.

Solo Work and Moonshine

In 2006, Moynihan often played old-time Appalachian music with a group in east-Clare. They called themselves 'Frankie, Johnny and Sweetheart'. The other members were Lena Ullmann from Sweden, who played the clawhammer banjo, and Frank Hall from America, who played the fiddle. In 2007, they changed their name to Moonshine.

Reuniting with Fellow Musicians

Moynihan and Andy Irvine played together again for a special concert in Galway in 2001. People thought they might never play together again after that.

However, they did reunite once more. This time, they performed as Sweeney's Men for a concert in Rostrevor, County Down on July 22, 2007. Paul Brady filled in for Joe Dolan, who was unwell. Another Sweeney's Men reunion happened on June 16 and 17, 2012. Moynihan, Irvine, and Woods performed together as part of Irvine's 70th birthday concerts at Vicar Street in Dublin. Their performances went so well that they started playing regularly in Ireland in late 2012 and again in 2013.

Andy Irvine's song My Heart's Tonight in Ireland from his Rain on the Roof album gives a good idea of Moynihan's world with Sweeney's Men. You can find more information about Moynihan and his career with Sweeney's Men and Planxty in Leagues O'Toole's book.

Johnny Moynihan's Collaborations

Johnny Moynihan was known for his musical connection with folk singer Anne Briggs in the mid-1960s. He played backing bouzouki on several of Anne Briggs' songs on her album, The Time Has Come.

Selected Music Albums

With Sweeney's Men

• Sweeney's Men (1968)
• The Tracks of Sweeney (1969)
• Andy Irvine/70th Birthday Concert at Vicar St 2012 (2014)

With Anne Briggs

• Anne Briggs (1971)

With Planxty

• Cold Blow and the Rainy Night (1974)

With Maddy Prior & June Tabor

• Silly Sisters (1976)

With Tony Hall

• Fieldvole Music (1976)

With De Danann

• Selected Jigs, Reels & Songs (1977)

With Fleadh Cowboys

• High Ace to Heaven (1988)
• Time of Your Life (1997)

With Moonshine

• First Run (2007)

Filmography

• Andy Irvine 70th Birthday Concert at Vicar St 2012 (2014), DVD