Céad Míle Fáilte
It is Todd once again. In this issue we have new episodes of our own Irish & Celtic Music Podcast & Celtic Christmas Music Podcast. In the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast we celebrate a Celtic Thanksgiving with music full of blessings, homecoming, and heartfelt gratitude. From Irish blessings to Scottish toasts, this episode is a warm table filled with the musicians who’ve made this community thrive. Fill your cup. The other spotlighted podcasts are Knotwork Myth & Storytelling & Jock’s Celtic Calamity. We also include a list of new albums. The articles we feature include ones about Oisín Rogers, the pub The Laurels, & Cardiff gigs in the summer of 2026. The highlighted Celtic festival is the Texas Renaissance Festival: Celtic Christmas Weekend. It takes place during the weekend of November 28 – 30, in Todd Mission, TX. We hope you enjoy this issue. Until next time, Sláinte mhaith!
IRISH & CELTIC MUSIC PODCAST #736: BLESSINGS FOR THANKSGIVING
- Clanna Morna, Adam Agee & Jon Sousa, Irishtown Road, The Friel Sisters, The Fire, The Gothard Sisters, Marys Lane, Brobdingnagian Bards, Ironwood, Ogham, Charlene Adzima, Tallymoore, Heather Dale, Clare Cunningham, Wolf Loescher, Eclectic Revival, Bealtaine
- A special thanks to our newest Patron of the Podcast: Amy Dale
IRISH & CELTIC MUSIC: BEST OF 2024 PLAYLIST
- Every week, Patrons of the Podcast vote in the Celtic Top 20. Those votes are tabulated two weeks later. The most-popular songs are added to these playlists.
- You can vote for your favorite by following the link in this week's show.
Listen on Youtube
CAST YOUR VOTE IN THE CELTIC TOP 20
- Every year, I publish the Celtic Top 20. This is your pick of the best, most-popular songs of the year. But to make the show great, I need you to vote for your favorite songs in each episode.
- Just list each of the bands performing those favorite songs to quickly and easily cast your vote.
WHAT'S NEW WITH CELTIC MUSIC
& CULTURE ONLINE?
CELTIC CHRISTMAS MUSIC PODCAST #88: CELTIC CAROLS FOR A COZY WINTER
- Looking for the perfect soundtrack for your winter rituals? Today we’ve got sweeping carols, ancient wassails, Cape Breton fire, and a whole sleigh-full of Celtic Christmas magic. Plus, later in the show, I’ll tell you where you can hear Celtic Christmas music live—and pick up some exclusive holiday goodies at Nerdy Wonderland. Let’s start the celebration.”
- Olivia Bradley, The Fire, West of Eden, Willowgreen, Ken O’Malley, Seán Heely, Ashley MacIsaac, Scythian, Gaelynn Lea, Jesse Ferguson, Abbots Cross, Band O’Brothers, Anne Roos & David Blonski, Ashley Davis
NEW CELTIC ALBUMS
- Broadview – by North Atlantic Drift
- Transcendence – by ANÚNA
- Rilke Live – by Sternenpilger
- Celtic Dreams – by Realmcraft Audio
- Celtic Fantasy Journey – by AImora
- Tochairm – by ANÚNA
- A Whisper of Paradise – by ANÚNA
- More Celtic River Dancing – by DP MUSIC PRESENTS
- Live At O'Lacy's – by Kilbrannan
- TERRAVIVA – by Amadeu Magalhães
- Bedlam Boys – by Kilbrannan
Attn Bands: Go to 4celts.com to submit your band to the podcast.
KNOTWORK MYTH & STORYTELLING: EPISODE 35 – MEET THE ELEMENTAL GRANNIES WITH ELIZABETH CUNNINGHAM
- In this episode, we welcome back Elizabeth Cunningham, a beloved guest who joins us for the third time. Elizabeth shares the wild Elemental Grannies who appear in her latest novel Over the Edge of the World.
- OUR GUEST
- Widely known for The Maeve Chronicles, Elizabeth Cunningham is the author of six other novels, four collections of poems, and a memoir. She lives in the Valley of the Mahicantuck on land that was home to the Esopus Tribe of the Lenape.
OISÍN ROGERS SET TO RECEIVE OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO HOSPITALITY AWARD AS IRISH POST AWARDS RETURN THIS WEEK
- HOSPITALITY expert Oisín Rogers is set to receive an Irish Post Award this week as the prestigious ceremony returns to London.
- He will be honoured with the Outstanding Contribution to Hospitality Award at the event, which takes place at the Grosvenor House Hotel this Thursday, November 27.
- Born in Sligo and raised in Dublin, Mr Rogers has been based in London for more than 30 years, where he has run some of the capital’s most well-known pubs, including The Ship in Wandsworth and the Guinea Grill in Mayfair.
To read more, go here!
JOCK'S CELTIC CALAMITY: SHOW NO 562
- The Often Herd, Tabitha Benedict, Blair, Mick McAuley, Winifred Horan, John Gorka, Enter The Haggis, Damien O'Kane, Ron Block, Chloe Matharu, Julien LOko Irish Band, Oysterband, Rodney Miller and Airdance, Méav, Basco,Four Men & a Dog, The Magpies, Runa, Jocelyn Pettit & Ellen Gira, Una Healy, Sam Palladio, The Cottars, Natalie Merchant, The Mackenzie, Kilfenora Céilí Band, Iain MacDonald, Iain MacFarlane, Casey Murray & Molly Tucker, JigJam, Fairport Convention, The Nordic Fiddlers Bloc, The Celtic Consort, Aidan Coffey, Frankie Gavin
DUBLIN WATERING HOLE CROWNED BEST PUB IN IRELAND
- A DUBLIN boozer has been crowned the National Pub of the Year in Ireland.
- The Laurels in Clondalkin won the prestigious title at the annual Irish Pub Awards.
- Held at the Mansion House this month, the pub, located on Main Street, also claimed the title of Best Local Pub, achieving a rare double win, at the yearly event.
To read more, go here!
SIX HUGE CARDIFF GIG TICKETS FOR SUMMER 2026 YOU CAN BUY THIS WEEK
- Tickets will go on sale for a number of big summer 2026 live dates in the Welsh capital this week.
- From Oasis support act, former lead singer of The Verve and indie rock musical genius Richard Ashcroft – who will be playing his second Welsh gig of 2026, the first is the sold-out arena show on March 24, 2026 – to godfather of grump-rock grunge, Neil Young and artist du jour, Lily Allen – who also is playing two Cardiff dates in 2026 – it's an expensive week if you have a decent taste in music and want to go to more than one of these gigs!
To read more, go here!
TEXAS RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL: CELTIC CHRISTMAS WEEKEND
- Father Christmas, Mother Christmas, and all the Christmas elves welcome children of all ages to our final three-day celebration of the coming Yule-tide season. The Kingdom is transformed into a Christmas wonderland and holiday music fills the lanes. Find the perfect gifts for everyone on your list in our over 400 shoppes. There's also a holiday costume contest and the pumpkin pie eating contest to add to your Christmas cheer.
- Father Christmas will be available for kids of all ages during the final three-day weekend. He will be up front near the festival entrance on Friday, Saturday and Sunday on Celtic Christmas weekend throughout the day. Visitors can choose to sit on Father Christmas' lap, or near him. Whichever makes you more comfortable.
WHAT ARE YOU DOING WHILE LISTENING?
You can send a comment or a picture of what you're doing. You can also send a photo from one of your trips to a Celtic nation or anywhere around the globe.
Slainte!
Todd Wiley (he/him) & Marc Gunn (he/him), The Celtfather
November 27, 2025
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