Monday’s in sleepy Forkhill Co.Armagh are not usually anything to get excited about but the car park in the local GAA grounds was full on April 5th and with no championship football match being played on the hollowed grass adjoining the club house, a passer by would have to wonder what was going on… Rewind 12 months to the very day and Wexford singer/songwriter/comedian/and Christy Moore tribute act Liam Byrne delivered a performance that brought down the house..so much so that he was requested to ”come back again”…..hence the large crowd tonight, and for his return in 2010 tickets were sold out and the hall was packed to welcome back the man from the model county.

Byrne is introduced to the crowd and at 9pm he is greeted with warm applause…”hows it going everybody?” is his reply and immediatly sets a foot stomping tone with Welcome to the Caberete, Biko Drum & Ordinary Man.He settled into This is the Day, followed by City of Chicago, which heralded the beginning of the soft sing-along in the audience. Natives followed which created a quiet, reflective atmosphere in the hall.

Though not trying to impersonate Moore, Liam byrne sits impeccably in the Christy Moore profile with his vocal style and stage presence..he seems aware of the possible ridicule that may bestow him at trying to pretend that he is Christy, and instead delivers the songs as a singer that dearly loves to perform them for an audience that dearly loves to hear them. Byrne goes on to give a master class in how to be a top tribute act while at the same time being an original artist…Nancy Spain & Black Is The Colour are delivered in true christy style while Joxer & Lisdoonvarna have been given a slight makeover by tonights performer with referances to Roy Keane, Joe Dolan & Michael Jackson thrown in… The show went on with Viva la Quince Brigada and Ride On. McIlhatton was waked yet again in Bobby Sands’ classic lament for the loss of the poitin distiller from Glenravels Glen. As A Pair of Brown Eyes ended, there was a cry for Delirium Tremens which resulted in some interesting hallucinations. Bishop Casey was taking Viagra while Gerry Adams sang The Sash Me Father Wore, as Liam/Christy tried to cajole the crowd into joining in on a verse!

And then there’s his original material, Golden Boats, The Wish and the hilarious Ballad Of Miriam O’Callaghan, though unknown to the assembled are very well received and appreciated.

Requests (and there were many) were greeted with a ”no problem” attitude from Liam and nobody left without hearing their favorite song..Even the Lady who asked Byrne if ”He knew any Kenny Rogers?” couldn’t beleve it as when the singer turned around and delivered what he called ”Christy’s version of Kenny Rogers hit ”Loucille”.”.A song by Christy Rogers” he called it ”or was it Kenny Moore”!! To laughter and then applause Byrne displayed his quick thinking on stage and also his razor sharp wit (remind you of anybody?)

After 2 hours and 15 minutes Byrne finished the gig with a superb a capella version of The Auld Triangle, with his guitar already retired for the night he held the final note until he knew everybody in the hall were on there feet. then took his bow, thanked everybody for a ”special night” and came down off stage to be greeted by many well wishers..

As Liam left Forkhill for Wexford the words ”come back again next year” must have rang in his ears all the way home.

Andy McQuillian