Céad Míle Fáilte
It is Todd once again. In this issue we have a new episode of our own Irish & Celtic Music Podcast, where we step into the twilight of the Celtic year with songs and stories of magic and mystery. From faerie dances to ghostly gatherings, celebrate Samhain with the spirit of Celtic song. The other podcasts we feature are Traveling in Ireland & Celt in a Twist. We include a new list of albums. The articles we highlight include ones about Ireland hauntings, a 12-year-old boy donating his hair to charity, and 13 facts about Samhain. The showcased festivals are IrishFest Atlanta & the Scottish Gathering and Highland Games. Both take place the weekend of November of 7 – 9. IrishFest Atlanta takes place both at the Roswell Cultural Arts Center and the Roswell City Hall Grounds in Roswell, GA. Scottish Gathering and Highland Games takes place at the Salado Museum and College Park & Barrow Brewing Company and Inn on the Creek both in Salado, TX. We hope you enjoy this issue. Until next time, Sláinte mhaith!
IRISH & CELTIC MUSIC PODCAST #732: CELTIC SONGS OF SAMHAIN & THE FAERIE FOLK
- Téada, Banshee in the Kitchen, Bealtaine, Open The Door For Three, The Darkeyed Musician & Grimwater, Jared Bogle, The Secret Commonwealth, Tiller’s Folly, The Drowsy Lads, Cathy Jordan & Kevin Burke & Seamie O’Dowd, The Friel Sisters, Kris Colt, Tradify, Alexander James Adams, Ockham’s Razor, Brobdingnagian Bards
- A special thanks to our Celtic Legends: Alan Schindler, Brian McReynolds, Bruce, Dan mcDade, Daniel Ide, Dave and Rosie Donnelly, Emma Bartholomew, Gary R Hook, Gerald F Boyle, Jeff A, John Sharkey White, II, Kelly Garrod, Lynda MacNeil, Margreta Silverstone, Marti Meyers, Mike Schock, Miranda Nelson, Nancie Barnett, Rick Boyce, Shawn Cali
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?
IRISHFEST ATLANTA
- Join us at IrishFest Atlanta on Nov 7-9, 2025. You’ll enjoy exclusive concerts with Open the Door For Three with Special Guest Kevin Doyle on Friday and Teada on Saturday night.
- Plus enjoy music from Kathleen Donohoe, O’Brian’s Bards, Olivia Bradley, Roundabouts, The Kinnegans, The Muckers, Irish Brothers, Celtic Brew, Station 1 2 3 and special set from Inara and Marc Gunn.
- There are music and dance workshops, Irish cooking competitions, IrishTea, Irish Films, and of course, LOTS of Irish dancing.
- Celebrate your Irish heritage at IrishFest Atlanta in November. Bring a friend!
Learn more at IrishFestAtlanta.com
NEW CELTIC ALBUMS
- Forest of the Leaf Sprites – by Donovan Kirk
- Danse aux Carmusses – by Hardi les Preux
- Imaginational Anthem volume XIV : Ireland – by VARIOUS ARTISTS
- DRAECONICA – Volume I ~ Fafnyr – by Jyc Row
- Cloud Cover – by Sonic Fruits
Attn Bands: Go to 4celts.com to submit your band to the podcast.
TRAVELING IN IRELAND: IRISH PUB ETIQUETTE
- If there’s one place where Irish culture truly comes to life, it’s the local pub. It’s more than a spot for a pint – it’s a social space, a living room, and a reflection of the community itself.
- During a lively chat with Willie Grace, I learned just how much there is to know about Irish pub etiquette – and how easy it is for travelers to feel right at home once they understand a few basics.
HORRIBLE HAUNTINGS ACROSS IRELAND AT HALLOWEEN
- HALLOWEEN is the ideal time to visit some of Ireland’s spookiest locations — although, be warned: many of these places are scary the whole year round.
- Ireland’s castles, many standing for over a thousand years, have seen plenty of handbags over the centuries — so they’re fertile ground for spirits, ghosts, ghouls, banshees and, of course, the Undead.
To read more, go here!
CELT IN A TWIST: OCTOBER 26, 2025
- Chimey, rhymey Brogeal from Falkirk Scotland are among several debuts this hour. East Pointers from PEI celebrate an ‘Anniversary' with a fresh single. Eloise & Co. introduce us to the Bal folk traditional dance rhythms of France, and the Murphs belt out a tribute to Shane McGowan, For The People.
TAUNTS INSPIRE BOY, 12, TO DONATE HAIR TO CHARITY
- Nicknamed Goldilocks at school, 12-year-old Jack ignored playground jibes because he knew that growing his hair was going to change a child's life.
- The youngster from Cardiff donated 12 inches (30cm) of his blond curly hair to The Little Princess Trust.
To read more, go here!
SAMHAIN: 13 FACTS ABOUT HALLOWEEN’S CELTIC ROOTS
- Over the years, the popularity of Halloween has grown exponentially. It has spawned a multi-billion-dollar industry which includes movies, costumes, trick-or-treat candy and haunted attractions, yet few of its passionate celebrants understand the holiday’s ancient origin. Here are 13 facts about its Celtic roots to keep you up at night.
To read more, go here!
SCOTTISH GATHERING AND HIGHLAND GAMES
- Join us November 7-9, 2025 for the 64th Scottish Gathering and Highland Games! A 3-day event filled with the skirl of the bagpipes and the wearing of the tartan!
- Bagpipes and Drums! | Highland Dancers! | Scottish Athletics! | Men in Kilts! | Colorful Clan Tents! | Shopping, food and fun!
- Some of the entertainers you will see are Murder the Stout, Ed Miller, and more.
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
October 30, 2025
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