Christy Moore shares new album A Terrible Beauty on Claddagh Records

Today sees the release of A Terrible Beauty, the new album from Christy Moore, on Claddagh Records. 

The album arrives with the new single ‘Boy In The Wild’, which was written by Christy Moore and his long-time collaborator and friend, Wally Page, shortly before Wally’s death in January 2023. The single, which is a genuine and heartfelt song from the perspective of a father to his son, features Moore’s own son, Andy Moore, on backing vocals.

Christy Moore says: “I first met Wally Page when he sang at The Meeting Place in Dublin in 1977. We struck up a relationship that lasted until his death. Along the way we wrote many songs together. I also covered many of his own songs. Months before his death he sent me most of this song. He wondered was there anything in it (there surely was, dear Waldo). I think this is Wally at his very best. Apart from his writing he was a beautiful soulful singer who exuded warmth, passion and humour when he sang. Wally’s gigs in The Cobblestone and The Five Lamps were legendary. Many of us miss him here in The Black Lagoon.”

‘Boy In The Wild’ is accompanied by an official music video starring Irish actors Liam Cunningham (3 Body Problem, Hunger, The Wind That Shakes The Barley, Game of Thrones) and Ollie West (The Sparrow, The Listeners). This is only the second music video in existence, the other being 1983’s ‘Don’t Forget Your Shovel’. WATCH HERE.

A Terrible Beauty is an album that arrives 56 years on from the release of Christy’s debut album Paddy On The Road, and just months shy of his 80th birthday, so it’s no small thing that The Irish Times has observed what listeners will realise instantly: “For all the living-legend and national-treasure plaudits, you might think A Terrible Beauty is just another dependable Christy Moore album. Not really. This one hits the bull’s-eye repeatedly and with force.” Read the full review here.

In addition to ‘Boy In The Wild’, this 13 track album includes the previously-released single ‘Black & Amber’, written by Briany Brannigan of A Lazarus Soul, who also wrote album track ‘Lemon Sevens’. Christy says of the songwriter: “We went to hear A Lazarus Soul in Whelan’s, Dublin six years ago. I fell beneath the spell of Briany’s lyrics straight away. I made contact saying I’d love to sing a couple of his songs. He gave me the nod – his lines are just up my street.”

Elsewhere on A Terrible Beauty, stories of resilience, memory, and social struggle weave together across its tracks, blending personal reflections with broader societal critiques. From the powerful meditation on conflict and defiance in ‘Sunflowers’, an ode to Ukraine, it moves through tributes to historic figures and tragic events, such as Ann Lovett and Lyra McKee. Songs like ‘The Big Marquee’ and ‘Cumann na Mná’ celebrate The Rebel County and the Ireland Women’s Football Team respectively in Christy’s signature tongue-in-cheek style, while tracks like ‘Palestine’ and ‘Snowflakes’ call out injustice and hate.

Christy Moore’s music resonates powerfully with audiences worldwide, capturing universal experiences with a rare, evocative touch. A Terrible Beauty is a striking showcase of his unique ability to bring shared stories to life.

This is Christy Moore’s first record release with Claddagh Records, the storied Irish record label which signed a global licencing agreement with Universal Music in 2020.

Of signing with Claddagh Records, Christy Moore says: “I was very taken with the Universal approach to two retro albums that came about when they acquired labels that had gone to sleep. When I saw the work they did on the Paddy Kavanagh album, my curiosity peaked. I met the “man from Universal” by chance one day and complimented him on recent releases. He mentioned that he would like to work with me and that Claddagh Records was being revitalised… and here I am.”

Christy Moore will play 12 live shows at Vicar Street, Dublin throughout November (2nd, 7th, 13th, 20th, 28th) and December (5th, 11th, 18th, 30th) this year, and January (5th, 12th, 20th) next year, and a Cork Live at the Marquee date for 28th June 2025 went on sale yesterday. For concert details see aikenpromotions.com.

A Terrible Beauty is out now on Claddagh Records.