IRISH folk singer Christy Moore will play York Barbican on May 9 next year, two days after his 73rd birthday.

Tickets go on sale at 10am on Friday for a show with an 8pm start, no support act and no interval, just more and more of Moore, who was named as Ireland's greatest living musician in RTÉ's People of the Year Awards in 2007.

This iconic, inspiring singer, songwriter, guitarist and storyteller from Newbridge, Ireland, was a founding member of both Planxty and Moving Hearts and has recorded more than 25 solo albums, the first being Paddy On The Road, made in 1969 with Dominic Behan. The latest, last year's Lily, features ten songs that will be included in next year's live repertoire.

Moore's York Barbican gig will be one of only four dates on his On The Road travels, forming the tour's closing night after shows at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall on May 5, Manchester Bridgewater Hall on May 6 and Birmingham Symphony Hall on May 8.

Moore previously played York in November 2007 and May 2009 at the Grand Opera House and in November 2012 at the Barbican, each time with Declan Sinnott by his side on guitar.

Ireland flows through Moore’s blood and not only its music. He is well known for his political commentary, supported Republican H-Block protestors and recorded songs by hunger striker Bobby Sands. However, his backing for the IRA cause ended in 1987, following the Enniskillen bombing, and these days he is more focused on social injustices.

"Truth is I don’t perceive myself as having any specific role to play in society other than to sing," he told The Press in 2012. "Songs have been the focus of my life since I was a boy. My mother sang all kinds of songs all the time and it was natural for me to sing. I have always been drawn to songs of substance."

Summing up his legendary performing skills, he said: "I have been fortunate to play with many of the greatest trad players around but at the end of the day I’m a three-chord-trick man with a lorry load of songs; songs that transport me away in the air."

Tickets for May 9 will cost £38.07 or £42.55 on 0844 857 2757, at yorkbarbican.co.uk or in person from the Barbican.