Daddy died when I was 11...when my son turned 11 it hit home what a shock it was for me and my family
CHRISTY Moore has opened up about the “shocking experience” of losing his father when he was only 11 and how his death still impacts his family.
In a rare interview the folk legend said it wasn’t until his own son turned that age it really hit home.
Speaking to Ruairi Mckiernan on his Love And Courage podcast, Christy said: “I can remember my first thoughts on being told daddy had died and they’re very odd thoughts that came into my head.
“I can remember the next day going to my mother and asking her certain questions. But I was 11, so it’s understandable that I would ask ridiculous questions.
“I was driving down the road one day and my 11-year-old son was in the Christy spoke to Ruairi Mckiernan back seat of the car and I looked in the mirror and I saw him and suddenly it dawned on me the affect it would have on him now at this moment, if he was told what I was told when I was 11.
“And it really f ****** hit home. That thing hit home to me that day, even though it was many, many years on.” The former Planxty and Moving Hearts star said his father Andy’s death had a huge impact on their family, especially his mother Nancy who was left to raise six children on her own. The 73-year-old added: “It was a shocking experience and it affected us all in different ways and I believe all six of us are still affected by it, you know, by the impact that had on our lives.
“At least I knew daddy. Myself, Eilish and Anne and Terry remember daddy.
“Andy and Barry don’t but he still plays a big part in their lives because of how it impacted on our mother and what she had to do. And what she did was quite amazing.”
SUPPORT
The Voyage hitmaker said his mother’s struggle helped him realise the need for greater understanding and support for people in need.
He added: “I was blessed to grow up in a strong family environment and even though we lost our daddy when I was 11 and the eldest of six and the family was shattered by that, we still grew up in a loving, caring environment, you know.
“And unfortunately, not everybody has that privilege.”
The former party animal gave up booze almost 30 years ago and said his current life of sobriety is a “wonderful thing”.
He added: “I know it took me a few years to come into the light.
“I can still remember the first time I ever walked out on stage without alcohol or any other substance and it was, for me in my life, it was quite an amazing moment. For many years I