Céad Míle Fáilte
It is Todd again. It is Todd again. In this issue we have new episodes of our own Irish & Celtic Music Podcast & Folk Songs & Stories. The other podcasts featured are Wild for Scotland and Celt in a Twist. We have included new albums. The highlighted articles include ones about Casey McQuillen, a Cornwall town being named the place to move to, & a stash of coins found in Scotland. The highlighted festival is the Michigan Nordic Fire Festival, taking place this weekend 2/21 – 2/23 in Charlotte, MI. We hope you enjoy this issue. Until next time, slàinte mhath!
IRISH & CELTIC MUSIC PODCAST #698: RAMBLE THROUGH THE VALLEY
- Maggie’s Wake, Lúnasa, Sassenach, Louise Bichan, Toby Bresnahan, Kinnfolk, Ironwood, Michael Darcy & The Atlantic Tramps, Altan, Strings & Things, Firinn, Faoileán, Bonhomme Setter, Stout Pounders, Eimear Arkins
- A special thanks to our new and continued Patrons of the Podcast: Mohammad Ouranos, Shannon
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?
FOLK SONGS & STORIES #295: 17 THINGS TO SEE & DO IN WICKLOW, IRELAND
- Today, you’ll learn about 17 things you can see and do in Wicklow, Ireland. Plus you’ll hear music from Eimear Arkins, The Ciderhouse Rebellion and Kyle Carey.
- This is Folk Songs & Stories #295
NEW CDS
- Sonder – by Shanghai Treason
- Celtic Starlight – by Joran Elane, Eliseo Mauas Pinto
- British Horror – by Teddy Horse
- Preludes – by Jacob Herd
- Dancing In The Wind – by Claire Roche
- Songs From The Harp Room – by Claire Roche
- The Lilt Of The Banshee – by Claire Roche
- Fields Of Joy: Irish Folk – by Julian Schoming
- ᚺᛖᛗᚨᛏᛚᚨᚾᛞ (Heimatland) – by Helgrind
Attn Bands: Go to 4celts.com to submit your band to the podcast.
WILD FOR SCOTLAND: PARADISE – BIRDWATCHING ON HANDA ISLAND
- ‘Paradise' is a story about a tiny island off the west coast of Scotland, along a famous road trip route: the North Coast 500. Join me for a boat trip to the bird island Handa, a paradise for nesting seabirds and nature lovers alike.
- I wrote this story a few years ago – several months before I started this podcast. It was during the pandemic, and I longed for those days when I could simply jump in the car, hop on a ferry and visit a small uninhabited island off the shore. I finally recorded and shared the story last month, as a bonus episode for the Wild for Scotland Social Club (that’s my Patreon community).
TEN MINUTES WITH….CASEY MCQUILLEN
- LONDON-BASED singer-songwriter Casey McQuillen has just released her latest single.
- This spring, the US-born artist will be on tour in Britain and Ireland with Eurovision winner Loreen and pop artist Anastacia.
- This week she took time out to talk to the Irish Post…
CELT IN A TWIST: FEBRUARY 16, 2025
- A selection of the best plus a listener request! More fresh tracks from Flook and Frigg, fiddles with Dub Reggae, Canadian instros from Yann Falquet (of Genticorum) and Sonova . And, a Cosmic Celtic reprise of Orinoco Flow. Sail away with Celt In A Twist!
PRETTY CORNWALL SEASIDE TOWN NAMED THE PLACE TO MOVE TO IN 2025 AND ‘BETTER THAN ST IVES'
- Newlyn in Cornwall was named one of the best places to live, particularly for its vibrant art scene and exceptional culinary offering.
- Newlyn, a picturesque seaside town in Cornwall was named as one of the “coolest” places to move to in 2025.
- The accolade, given to them by The Times, applauded the town for its vibrant art scene, exceptional seafood offerings and stunning coastal beauty. It also said that the harbour town is “no longer overlooked” by more renowned neighbour St Ives.
STASH OF 15TH CENTURY COINS DISCOVERED BY METAL DETECTORISTS IN SCOTTISH BORDERS
- A stash of rare medieval coins have been discovered by metal detectorists in the Scottish Borders.
- Keith Young and Lisa Stephenson unearthed the haul of 30 gold and silver coins in the Cappercleuch area in early November, though the discovery was not publicly announced until Wednesday by the Treasure Trove Unit.
MICHIGAN NORDIC FIRE FESTIVAL
- The Michigan Nordic Fire Festival continues to grow and attract new visitors with its unique blend of cosplay, live entertainment, historical reenactments, food and vendors. Last year, more than 10,000 people attended the three-day event from around the upper Midwest, and more are expected for 2023. Organizers say there will be more to see, hear and do than ever before.
- Events and activities range from educational and historic to fun and fantastical. Festival goers can try their hand at axe throwing, beard and costume contests, organized group side-quests, a kid’s quest and much more. There will be live steel sword fighting, organized melees by historic reenactors, and foam fighting for kids.
- Entertainment includes Wakefire, Plethora, & Pictus
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 & Marc Gunn, The Celtfather
2/20/2025
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