Christie Hennessy

Christie Hennessy (born Edward Christopher Ross; 19 November 1945 – 11 December 2007)[1] was an Irish folk singer-songwriter. Although Hennessy was unable to read or write due to severe dyslexia, he still wrote his own songs such as “Roll back the Clouds” and “All the lies that you told me”. He sang “All the lies that you told me” with his daughter Hermione, but the song was made famous by Frances Black rather than Hennessy and his daughter.

Hennessy was born in Tralee, County Kerry, Ireland. His first guitar was made, especially for him, from a tea chest when he was six years old by his friend Jerry Quirke. He left school at the age of eleven and a half.[2]

His first job was as a messenger boy, and it was then that he discovered that it was important to be able to read. He was unable to read or write due to severe dyslexia,[3] but still enjoyed his library of books.[4] He later worked on building sites in London.