Céad Míle Fáilte
It is Todd once again. In this issue we have new episodes of our own Irish & Celtic Music Podcast and Folk Songs & Stories. The other podcasts we highlight are Talking Stories & Jock’s Celtic Calamity. The articles we focus on include details about The Armagh Piper’s Club, St. Piran’s day, an Island in Scotland that has no artificial lights. The highlighted festival is the Calaveras Celtic Faire & Concert taking place March 7 – 9, at the Frogtown Fairgrounds in Angel’s Camp, CA. We hope you enjoy this issue. Until next time, slàinte mhath!
IRISH & CELTIC MUSIC PODCAST #700: ST. PATRICK'S DAY SHOWS IN 2025
- Kinnfolk, Golden Bough, Clover's Revenge, Celtic Wood and Wires, Madman's Window, Sheridan Rúitín, Celtic Conundrum, Tami Curtis, River Driver, Plunk Murray, O'Craven, Stout Pounders, The Muckers, Irishtown Road
- A special thanks to our Celtic Legends: Rick Boyce, Bruce, Daniel Ide, Brian McReynolds, Marti Meyers, Alan Schindler, Karen Harris, Margreta Silverstone, Emma Bartholomew, Dan mcDade, Gerald F Boyle, Miranda Nelson, Nancie Barnett, Kevin Long, Gary R Hook, Lynda MacNeil, John Sharkey White, II, Kelly Garrod, Mike Schock, Annie Lorkowski, 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?
FOLK SONGS & STORIES #296: “ST. PADDY'S DAY” OR “ST. PATTY'S DAY”?
- Patrick’s Day is almost here. So it’s time to definitively answer the old question. Is it Saint Paddy‘s day or Saint Patty‘s day? Plus, I’ll give you 17 amazing Celtic bands that you should listen to for St. Patrick’s Day. Music from Socks in the Frying Pan, Marc Gunn & Jesse Ferguson, and Blackwillow Starling.
TALKING STORIES 2024 EPISODE 18: OISÍN OF TÍR NA NÓG
- Welcome back listeners to the podcast. Today we start with the end with Helena, Paudie & Sinead as they dive into the tale of Oisín in Tír na nÓg
THE ONGOING LEGACY OF THE ARMAGH PIPERS CLUB
- NEARLY 60 years ago, in 1966, the Armagh Pipers Club was established, providing classes in a wide range of traditional instruments and in singing, with Brian and Eithne Vallely always at its’ core. The powerfully nostalgic artwork by Lorcan Vallely, The Three Whistlers, which adorns the cover of Brian Finnegan’s new album, points to how the club has enriched the lives of thousands of young musicians and singers, notably providing a safe haven during the long period of the troubles. In his heartfelt sleeve notes flute and whistle player, and founding member of the band Flook, Finnegan says of the Vallelys: “I never felt safer than under their care; yes they were teachers, but in the broken world and times I grew up in, they were shepherds.”
JOCK'S CELTIC CALAMITY: SHOW NO 526
- Tim Edey, Skyedance, Patrick Street, Talisk, Archie Fisher, Alasdair Fraser, Paul Machlis, Fara, Shaun Lochalsh, Karen Matheson, Cullen Vance, Mumming Play, The Breath, Rachel Walker, KAN, Dan McCabe, Deira, Doolin', Mary Shannon, Thunder and Rain, Pine Tree Flyers, Kasír, Seánie Ó'Loingsigh, Trail West, Ainsley Hamill, Celtic Fiddle Festival, Tannas, Prython, Onóir, & Solas
STARMER REAFFIRMS CORNWALL’S NATIONAL MINORITY STATUS ON ST PIRAN’S DAY
- Sir Keir Starmer has said the Government is committed to national minority status for Cornwall during a St Piran’s Day Prime Minister’s Questions.
- St Piran’s Day, or the Feast of Saint Piran, is the national day of Cornwall, held on 5 March every year.
TAKE A LOOK: A DARK SCOTTISH ISLE WHERE STARLIGHT REIGNS SUPREME
- There’s an island in Scotland that doesn’t have any artificial lights outside—which allows the residents a clear view of the night sky.
CALAVERAS CELTIC FAIRE & CONCERT
- A CELTIC HERITAGE CELEBRATION
- The 39th Annual Calaveras Celtic Faire returns with the Largest and Biggest Celtic Event on the West Coast! Celebrating the cultures of Brittany (Breizh), Cornwall (Kernow), Wales (Cymru), Scotland (Alba), Ireland (Éire), Isle of Man (Mannin, or Ellan Vannin) Galicia (Galiza), and Asturias, (Asturies)
- We are welcoming back the Imperial Knights Tournament of Champions!
- Some entertainment acts you will see are Celtica Nova, Brick Top Blaggers, Wicked Tinkers, Golden Bough, & Emerald Society Pipe and Drum Band 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 & Marc Gunn, The Celtfather
March 6, 2025
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