THERE was no messing about at The Point on Thursday night, the first of three consecutive concerts at the venue by Christy Moore, undoubtedly Ireland's finest solo performer. He was in a tetchy mood from the off, and his obvious exasperation with certain members of the audience continued well into the show.

To some people this would appear as if Moore has become over precious of his art. It seemed to this critic that he was right to silence the yob element, especially during the extended opening section where the intensity of emotion invested in particular songs, would have been severely dissipated if he had allowed the roars to continue.

That said, Christy Moore, can't have it both ways. As much as he can still even the whispers of a fully seated, house with the likes of Nancy Spain, Before The Delude The island, and North And South Of The River, he can also fan the flames of barely contained jingoism with cute hoor digs at the British. Perhaps after whoops of guttural delight it's quite difficult to sit back and take in the slow songs ...

When the correct balance is achieved and maintained, however, there is no reason to believe anything other than Moore is a master of his craft. ,Two songs in particular stand out as being perfect examples of Christy Moore as a contemporary folk singer with not only the common touch, but also with a well honed edge and wit. The Rose Of Tralee is a masterclass in song form of how a humourous story can be told, while a new song, Veronica (about the murder of Veronica Guerin), is equally well crafted but with a far more brutalistic force. When Christy Moore has the bit between his teeth for either far fetched tales or genuine tragedies, there is no one in Europe to match him.

While his records are at best eclectic and at worst extremely patchy, on stage Moore is top dog of all he surveys. Welcome to the cabaret? No, welcome to the biggest folk club in Ireland.

Until Saturday January 18th.