Christie Hennessy Remembered In Song On His Anniversary

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Musician/businessman Mark Leen and Frank Hartnett of Kerry County Council who laid a wreath at the Christie Hennessy statue on Tuesday morning to mark the 11th anniversary of the singer’s death. Photo by Dermot Crean

TODAY marks the 11th anniversary of the death of one of Tralee’s best loved sons.

On December 11, 2007, Christie Hennessy succumbed to illness and he will be remembered with the town centre filled with his music this afternoon.

Tralee Chamber Alliance and Kerry County Council have combined to have his music played on the PA system, while local musician and businessman Mark Leen will sing his songs in the Marquee on the Mall between 1pm and 4pm.

Mark said it was vital that we remember the great singer/songwriter who loved his hometown.

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“The statue here is not only a tribute to Christie, but Tralee had more musicians per capita than any town in Ireland and this is the embodiment of all musicians in the town. The Christie Hennessy weekend is held every year and that’s very important. Christie overcame a lot of difficulties, including dyslexia, to write his songs,” said Mark.

Over the years the Chamber and Council have erected a number of tributes to Christie, including the statue in the Central Plaza, a stone monument there, a plaque to mark his birthplace near St John’s Park and a plaque at the house in Casement’s Avenue where he lived.

Now there are plans to put a plaque at a premises in Moyderwell where Christie worked as a messenger boy. It is hoped this will be erected by Christmas.

A new CD, ‘The Last Goodbye’, featuring Christie’s music accompanied by the RTE Concert Orchestra has also been released to coincide with his anniversary.

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