In 1948, a group of young pipers, including myself, took part in the Dublin St. Patrick's Day parade. We were on an open lorry and it was freezing cold and I was still wearing short trousers. I'll never forget that. Have you ever marched in the St. Patrick's Day Parade? No, I never did, for the simple reason that it was too risky on the day of a concert. Five essential Irish albums that should be part of everyone's music library: Pathway to the Well by Matt Molloy, John Carty & Arty McGlynn; Live in Las Palmas by Dervish; Bop Til You Drop by Ry Cooder; Astral Weeks - Live From The Hollywood Bowl by Van Morrison; Traditional Irish Music and Song by Liadon. How much green do you wear on St. Patrick's Day? None. Do you eat corned beef and cabbage on St. Patrick's Day? How about soda bread? I eat soda bread every day but never touch corned beef & cabbage unless cooked by my wife, Rita, who cooks superbly. Favorite Irish film? "Barry Lyndon," directed by Stanely Kubrick. Favortie Irish book? Brian Keenan's book on 17th century Irish harper Turlough O'Carolan. Favourite Irish song? "The Foggy Dew," sung by either Sinead O'Connor or more recently by a wonderful Scottish singer, Alyth McCormack, who sings with The Chieftains. Complete this sentence: The most Irish thing about me is . . . My traditional Irish music.
