Céad Míle Fáilte
Hello all it is Todd once again. This week we have new episodes of our own Irish and Celtic Music Podcast, Pubsongs & Stories, & the Celtic Christmas Music Podcast. We also have a way you can help support the Celtic Christmas season. The other podcasts we showcase are House of Legends & Celt in a Twist. The articles are about Ireland sharing its Home of Halloween message, 11 Scottish Spirits, & Cardiff’s Spectacular Halloween House. The festival spotlight shines brightly on the Austin Celtic Festival. Which takes place November 7 & 8, at Pioneer Farms in Austin, TX. We hope you enjoy this issue. Until next time, Sláinte mhaith!
IRISH & CELTIC MUSIC PODCAST #780: CELTIC HALLOWEEN INTERVIEW WITH LOUISE BICHAN
- Tan and Sober Gentlemen, Clann An Drumma, Tallymoore, Adam Agee & Jon Sousa, Niamh Dunne, Louise Bichan, Across The Pond, Mary – Grace Autumn Lee, Brobdingnagian Bards, Willos’ & Massimo Giuntini, House of Hamill, Seán Heely, Marys Lane, Aaron Dolan, The Bordercollies, Matt & Shannon Heaton
- Thanks to our newest Patrons of the Podcast: Band o’Brothers
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?
PUB SONGS & STORIES #319: THE DEAD WON’T REST: UNQUIET GRAVE AND BINNORIE-O
- A ghost who won’t let the dead rest. A drowned sister and a harp made of bone. And a toast to good health. Pub Songs & Stories brings you the stories behind the songs, from the heart of the Celtic pub scene. Music from House of Hamill, Kilted Kings, Louise Bichan.
HELP FUND THE 2026 CELTIC CHRISTMAS SEASON
- For years, the Celtic Christmas Podcast has been the soundtrack to your holidays, a season of beautiful, independent Celtic Christmas music you won't hear anywhere else. No major label funds music like this; listeners like you do. This year we're raising $2,000 to fund the whole season: the new episodes, the mixing, the artwork, and the hosting that carries it all to your ears. When you give, you're not buying something. You're keeping something alive.
- And we'll thank you with a gift. Donate $25 for a Celtic Christmas wooden ornament, $50 for our “A Celtic Christmas” compilation CD, or $100 for the ornament plus three Celtic compilation CDs. Prefer to give monthly? Become a patron for as little as $1 a month and get every episode early and ad-free. Give a gift, get a gift, and help keep the music playing.
celticchristmasmusic.net/donate
CELTIC CHRISTMAS MUSIC PODCAST #93: CELTIC CHRISTMAS CAROLS & SONGS WITH IRISH & CELTIC MUSIC PODCAST
- We’re repodcasting a Celtic Christmas episode of the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast. +It’s Celtic Christmas Music #93
- The Gothard Sisters, Brad Tuck, The Chivalrous Crickets, The McDades, Mad Maudlin, Brendan Monaghan, The Langer's Ball, The Sternwheelers, Scythian, Corey Purcell, Drumspyder, Crossed Cannons, Clare Cunningham, Alisa Marie, Bart Zeal, Plunk Murray, Ashley Davis, Anne Roos & David Blonski, Enda Reilly
HOUSE OF LEGENDS: WORLD MYTHS & LEGENDS – EPISODE 103: THE TALES OF THE BUDDHA & YASODHARA 1
- A retelling of the first story of the Buddha and his wife Yasodhara, in a verse style inspired by Middle English alliterative verse.
- If these stories speak to you, you're welcome to journey deeper into myth with me.
- Start with my free full-colour Celtic Mythology Handbook, available here. You'll get access to regular mythic writings from me.
- Or you can start with one of my books. Each one is a full immersion in Celtic Dreamtime.
- Thanks for being part of House of Legends.
IRELAND SHARES ITS ‘HOME OF HALLOWEEN’ MESSAGE WITH THE WORLD
- Ireland is launching a massive global campaign to remind travelers that it is the true birthplace of Halloween, aiming to draw millions of American and international visitors to its ancient autumn festivals.
- The “Home of Halloween” initiative, run by Tourism Ireland, targets the U.S., Canada, Great Britain, and Europe. It highlights the island's 2,000-year-old Celtic roots, specifically the ancient festival of Samhain, where modern Halloween traditions began…
To read more, go here!
CELT IN A TWIST: OCTOBER 27, 2026
- Breaking new Celtic creativity is what we do at Celt In A Twist! Join Patricia this week for Shovel Dance Collective, an envelope-pushing 9 piece from London, mixing classical contemporary with free improv on Everything In Readiness, fiddle music from Paisos Catalans by Coloma Bertran PLUS the sublime O Carolan’s Farewell from Celtic Ground by Peter Thomas and Stevon Russell, a tribute to Ireland’s greatest harpist!
11 SCOTTISH SPIRITS TO TOAST HALLOWEEN – INCLUDING DEVIL’S CASK WHISKY
- With Halloween just around the corner, we take a look at some spooky Scottish spirits to enjoy this October 31.
- With Halloween taking place on a Saturday this year, many of us might be throwing a party or just looking to toast the occasion with a drink or two. Luckily there are a few new spooky spirits in which to do so including a few new whiskies…
To read more, go here!
CARDIFF'S SPECTACULAR HALLOWEEN HOUSE IS BACK AND SPOOKIER THAN EVER
- For the sixth year running, Cardiff's famous Halloween house is back with decorations set to give you a fright. The fear factor has been upped this year with spooky skeletons scaling the house in Llandaff.
- Haunting characters surround the house, some of which you may recognise, as hundreds of visitors stop by to see the elaborate themed decorations throughout October.
- Since 2020, homeowners Danny and Carmela Hargreaves decorate their home and garden on Cardiff Road, inviting people of all ages to enjoy the spectacle. ..
To read more, go here!
AUSTIN CELTIC FESTIVAL
- The Austin Celtic Festival is a premier celebration of Celtic culture, music, and arts, held annually in Austin, Texas.
- This vibrant festival brings together top-tier performers, musicians, dancers, and artists from around the world to showcase the rich traditions of Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and other Celtic nations.
- Some of the entertainers you will see are The Tunechasers, The Prodigals, The yokes, and many 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 29, 2026
TELL A FRIEND
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