The Script frontman hits out at legendary folk singer Christy Moore
The Script star Danny O’Donoghue last night accused Christy Moore of jumping on the anti-Arthur’s Day bandwagon to sell more albums.
The 32-year-old Dublin singer, who has become a poster boy for the annual event, said the folk legend should come up with an idea of boosting the struggling music scene instead of his song, which labels the festival “Arthur’s Alcoholiday”.
He added: “Does Christy Moore have an idea of how to employ 500 venues and countless musicians in a festival?
“It’s not a big day, it’s a music and arts, food and culinary festival.
“We’ve been involved with Arthur’s Day for the last few years. We’ve presented it around the world.
“I can see people jumping on the bandwagon if they have something to promote themselves. That’s been done for years.
“He [Christy] might have an album out soon. If Christy feels this strongly about it then he should ban alcohol from all his shows.”
Last week Christy, who battled the booze in the past, delivered a withering assessment of today’s celebrations in a song which is a scathing attack on Guinness owners Diageo.
The song paints a picture of overwhelmed hospital emergency departments picking up the pieces of an evening’s heavy drinking.
Arthur’s Day, which is released on iTunes today, is the new single from Moore’s upcoming album Where I Come From, released on November 1.
Defending his motives Christy, 68, said: “People can say what they want. No one paid me to write that. I’m passionate about songs and what I sing.”
Arthur’s Day kicks off today in pubs all over the country in an event which was conceived in 2009 to mark 250th anniversary of the Guinness brewery in Dublin.
This year it will be celebrated in 32 countries with events including free concerts stars such as Emeli Sande and the Manic Street Preachers.
But a backlash has been brewing for the last few months with Mike Scott of The Waterboys also joining the protest with A Song For Arthur’s Day.
The Dublin ambulance service reported a 30% increase in call-outs during last year’s event compared to the same day a week earlier.
That prompted Ireland’s Royal College of Physicians to launch a vocal campaign against Guinness owners Diageo.
But Danny said it’s “ridiculous” to single out Arthur’s Day.
He added: “What about all the holidays and after the [All Ireland football final] match last weekend? For people suffering with alcoholism in Ireland one day isn’t going to make a difference. To focus the attention on one day is ridiculous, considering the good it does.
“The Government isn’t funding this. There isn’t money for the arts.”
The Script drummer Glen Power, who is a teetotaller, said the band’s involvement with Arthur’s Day has always been about promoting the arts.
He added: “It’s about what the cause is doing for young people in this country. There’s nobody else putting that money in. I think it’s great for that.
“However people want to behave, that’s their choice. I won’t judge.”
Source: Irish Mirror / Pictures: Getty/DannyODonoghue.Net
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