… Yes, I know about the band… I mean the term… what exactly (or as near as you dare get) is a planxty? A polka? Even MerriamWebster came up blank.
I remember for instance, a tune titled… “Planxty George Brabazon” … I even tried, “Way Down The Old ‘Planxty’ Road”, but I’m not that confused… really…
Help?
perspiring minds wanna know
Nobody really knows. The usual guess is that it’s some kind of tribute (eulogy, panegyric, salutation).
I read somewhere that O’Carolan coined the word himself, but it never took off with anyone else.
Yes, “tune composed in honor of” is how it’s usually rendered, though I’ve not seen it the sense of either eulogy (he’s dead) or panegyric (he lives), which might be because they don’t typically have words.
There is a Planxty Dale Wisely, with a bit of background information given by yours truely in this thread. HTH.
Couple of Web references:
http://guitar.1colony.com/custom3.html
http://www.thesession.org/discussions/display.php/1970/comments
I’ve always heard it described as a tune written in honor of a patron. So if Joe Blow helped support starving musician Ed, Ed might write a tune or two called “Planxty Joe Blow.”
Redwolf
It’s an Irish candy bar. Primarily peanuts I believe.
Peanut Planxties, I think they call them.
To get clarification on the word “Planxty” in terms of a further definition in writing. The book, “Exploring Irish Music & Dance” wrote: Planxty:“A piece of music in honour of someone.” All above comments are correct. Now that you have the Quote from the book itself it seals the deal. The book made referrences I believe also already mentioned here to a travelling minstrel who perhaps could have coined the word, “Planxty”. The ever so popular “Turlough O’Carolan” (1670-1738). Who also wrote a tune that we all have come to really love, “O’Carolan’s Farewell to Music” A wonderful tune. If you have not learned this of yet give it a go! E=Fb was correct in the coining or the word “Planxty”.
O’Carolan has written over 200 pieces of music that all players have come to love & appreciate throughout the many yrs. This person was a travelling Harpist. However, many instrument players have adopted these masterpieces!
If you are interested in some good reading informative on the start of Irish Music. The publication mentioned above is by someone named, “Dianna Boullier”. O’Brien publishing. -Tal
Well… that’s somewhat enlightening, LOL… I think… maybe… uh-huh…
Thanks guys! may you each find a Planxty, in someone else’s repetoire, dedicated to you!
No, Planxty is a Scottish dessert. It’s made from poached sheep pancreas’, stuffed with goat curds, and served with a sauce of boiled Heather and candied oat bran. It’s it traditionally served as a finale to a Haggis feast on the eve of St. Schpilkes Day.
Here, Brewey, you can have my planxty… no, I insist! Thanks… I mean ‘you’re welcome’… 
What? A sheep’s pancreas stuffed with goat turds? What?