Sweeney’s Men’s most famous innovation is probably Moynihan’s introduction of the bouzouki, a Greek instrument, in 1967. The bouzouki played at the time was six-stringed, though the Irish bouzouki with eight strings is now more common in Irish music. Their songs included “Tom Dooley”, an American folk song, “Rattlin’ Roarin’ Willie” and “Willy O’Winsbury” from the Scottish tradition, as well as their own compositions like Moynihan’s “Standing on the Shore”. Their two recorded albums are Sweeney’s Men and The Tracks of Sweeney. Andy Irvine left the band in 1968, spent some time in Eastern Europe and was replaced by Henry McCullough. This line-up only stayed together for a year, however, and then broke up in 1969. There was almost a reunion in 1970 or 71, with Ashley Hutchings replacing McCullough, but this never happened. Following the break-up of Sweeney’s Men, three of the members took part in other notable bands: Andy Irvine: Patrick Street, Planxty, solo career|Johnny Moynihan: Planxty, De Dannan, solo career and with Anne Briggs and Andy McNamara|Terry Woods: Steeleye Span, The Pogues Andy Irvine and Johnny Moynihan were re-united for a one-off gig as Sweeney’s Men in Rostrevor, Co Down on 22nd July 2007, when the band was inducted into the Hall of Fame of the local Fiddler’s Green Festival; Joe Dolan was unable to participate due to illness, Paul Brady deputising. Founder member Joe Dolan died on January 7, 2008. |
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