Crubeen and The Longkesh Ramblers

Formed in Newry, Co Down, Ireland

Crubeen 1976
released their debut album Eagle's
Whistle in 1976 with EMI Ireland
and followed it up by another album
with the simple title 'Crubeen'
in 1978 released by CBS records. They
also featured on a number of
compilations albums 'Best of Irish Folk'
alongside The Sands Family and Planxty.

Here Benny McKay gives an insight of the early years

"In the early seventies I joined the folk
scene with Crubeen and found
a conduit for my interests in Irish music.
A three week tour of France in early '73
almost wrecked my liver and Irish-
French relations. In late October
we toured England with the legendary
Dominic Behan and discovered the
indigenous talent of the Behan family.
Toured Brittany in '74 where the French
customs confiscated a sizeable
collection of our LPs. '74 saw the
release of our LP 'Songs of the Irish
people' on our own Clanrye Label and
we followed that up with a single
featuring my peace poem 'My Home Town'
and Dominic Behan's song 'Hope'. In '76
we released a LP on the EMI Label called 'The Eagles Whistle'
and in '78 Tony McAuley produced our
last LP for CBS Records simply entitled 'Crubeen'. "

Members of Crubeen
Benny McKay:
Eddie Ruddy:
Barney Gribben:
Tommy Hollywood:
Paddy Clerkin:
John Waterson:
Billy Fegan:

The Longkesh Ramblers (1974) ,
Album 'Songs of the Irish People"
Sleeve Notes

Long Kesh Ramblers is perhaps one of
the newest folk groups in Ireland.
Born out of the present troubles in Northern
Ireland, the group was formed with the
sole aim of raising money for the
upkeep of the people who suffered
hardship while their loved ones were
interned. It was the culmination of many
musicians and singers coming
together and giving of their time and
talent for this worthy cause. Many
people have passed through the ranks
until, in May 1973, when they were
asked to go to France for a three week
tour. This was a wonderful tour with
concerts in Lyons, Angers, Grenoble,
Annamasse, Geneva, Avignon,
Montpellier, Larzac and Paris. The
people welcomed us with open arms
and our music was received with a
wave of enthusiasm which showed the
appreciation the French had for our
traditions. Our one regret was that we
did not visit Brittany but this omission
will be rectified this year as we will be
concentrating solely in the celtic area.
We have heard many fine Breton
groups and it will be wonderful when
we are able to share the stage with
many of their fine artistes. Due to the
tour of Brittany we have decided to take
ourselves more seriously and in most
of 1973 and 1974 the same members
have been playing together regularly,
producing a sound which is unique only
to themselves. At the end of 1973 the
lads toured many cities in England with
Dominic Behan, where again they
received a tremendous welcome. From
Dominic they received many fine songs
and an insight on a man who has
achieved much with his deep sensitivity
and genius.

With such experiences, we have decided to make
our first L.P. and we would like to dedicate it to
Dominic Behan and the people of France

Members of The Longkesh Ramblers
Billy Fegan:
Eddie Ruddy:
Barney Gribben:
Tommy Hollywood:
Rory O'Connor:
Benny McKay: