Pictured at the ‘Hands’ moulding ceremony at The Lodge, Cong, were (from left) Paddy Rock, Hands of Cong committee, Peter Fergus, hotel manager at The Lodge at Ashford, Ray Ryan, Hands of Cong committee, Paula Carroll, director of sales and marketing, Ashford Castle Hotel and The Lodge at Ashford, Tony Christie, Sue Christie and Patrick Luskin, Hands of Cong committee.

Tony Christie to be inducted with Cong Hands of Fame Award

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LEGENDARY singer, musician and actor Tony Christie is the latest celebrity to be inducted with the Cong Hands of Fame Award.

Best known for a number of big hit songs such as ‘(Is this the way to) Amarillo’, ‘I did what I did for Maria’ and ‘Avenues & Alleyways’ from the ‘70s, Tony is proud of his Mayo roots and continues to record and perform and is currently on tour across Britain to promote the second edition of his Great Irish Songbook album, accompanied by traditional group Ranagri. Tony’s entertainment company is called Mayo Music Ltd., and managed by his son Sean.

The Cong ‘Hands’ programme recognises people for ‘doing more than their share to promote Ireland and Irish culture’, and Tony fits the criteria in many ways. The award recipient also receives the Freedom of Cong.

Both Tony’s grandparents hail from south Mayo and his grandfather, Martin Thomas Fitzgerald (b.1890), left the west to emigrate to Yorkshire to work in the coal mines. Anthony (Tony) Fitzgerald (Christie) was born in Conisbrough, Doncaster, on April 25, 1943, and his interest in music stems from his father Martin’s collection of ‘78’ records, listening to the likes of Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald.

Over the decades, Tony has recorded over 40 albums, 70 singles and toured all over the world.

During his visit to Mayo with his family over St. Patrick’s weekend, where he was grand marshal at the Claremorris parade, Tony had his hands moulded by artist Matthew Hughes in Cong, in advance of the plaque production and placement later in the year.

Commenting on this acknowledgement, Tony said: “I am truly touched to be honoured in this unique way. Mayo, the birthplace of my forefathers, holds a strong place in my heart, since my young days in Yorkshire. It’s great to share the same tribute with people of such high esteem.

“At the official placement ceremony, I’m really looking forward to meeting the local people there.”

Paddy Rock, from the Hands of Cong committee, added: “We are absolutely delighted to be able to welcome and bestow Tony with the Hands of Cong award, while on his visit back to Mayo. He joins a number of musical luminaries such as Matt Molloy, John Sheehan, Brendan Graham, Big Tom and Daniel O’Donnell, who have been honoured in this manner to date.”

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