Céad Míle Fáilte
It is Todd once again. Sorry, this is late, I’m still dealing with personal stuff. In this issue we have a new episode of our own Irish & Celtic Music Podcast. The other podcasts we showcase are National Leprechaun Museum Talking Stories & Celt in a Twist. We have also included a list of CDs. We also have information on our Celtic Spring Challenge. The featured articles include ones about Robert Tressell, Isle of Man’s first cruise ship arriving, & a hidden Celtic Village in Brittany. The featured festival is the Southern Maryland Celtic Festival taking place on 4/26 at Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum in St. Leonard, Maryland. We hope you enjoy this issue. Until next time, slàinte mhath!
IRISH & CELTIC MUSIC PODCAST #707: PURE GRACE, CELTIC INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC
- Doolin', Austral, Fialla, Flook, The Friel Sisters, On The Lash, Brobdingnagian Bards, The Lilies of the Midwest, Robert Zielinski, Nathan Gourley, Joey Abarta, and Owen Marshall, Albannach, David Mitchell, Drumspyder, Kevin Meehan
- A special thanks to our Celtic Legends: Rick Boyce, Bruce, Daniel Ide, Brian McReynolds, Marti Meyers, Alan Schindler, 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?
🌿 CELTIC SPRING CHALLENGE – WALK, LISTEN, GIVE BACK! 🌿
This April, embrace the spirit of spring with the Celtic Spring Challenge—a simple way to enjoy music, stay active, and help the planet!
Here’s the challenge:
🎶 Listen to Celtic Music – Fill your walks with the energy of jigs, reels, and ballads. Let the rhythm guide your steps! Pick your favorite band or listen to the podcast.
🚶♂️ Walk for 30 Minutes – Get outside, breathe in the fresh air, and move your body every day for a month.
♻️ Pick Up 3 Pieces of Trash – Make your surroundings a little cleaner while you’re at it. Every small action adds up!
Join in and share your experience using #CelticSpringChallenge—let’s celebrate spring with great music, healthy habits, and a cleaner world.
Are you in? Lace up, press play, and let’s make April count!
Earth Day is April 22
Arbor Day is April 25
NEW CDS
- Get weekly updates of New CDs in our Celtic Music Magazine and download 34 Celtic MP3s for free at bestcelticmusic.net. #NewCelticCDs
- The Willow Collection – by Cassie and Maggie
- John O'Farrell – by Arseways
- Child of Alba – by Wolf Loescher
- As ár n-asal – by The Irish Pretenders
- Sanctum – by ANÚNA
- Tales of the Thunderstorm – by Mira Wren
Attn Bands: Go to 4celts.com to submit your band to the podcast.
NATIONAL LEPRECHAUN MUSEUM TALKING STORIES: 3.1 THE STORY TELLERS
- Welcome to the first Episode for Season 3 of the National Leprechaun Museum's podcast, The Storytellers.
- This episode we discuss the roll of the storytellers and bards within ancient Ireland and how they changed over throughout the centuries.
THE UNSUNG DUBLIN AUTHOR OF THE RAGGED TROUSERED PHILANTHROPISTS
- Mal Rogers pays tribute to the Dublin writer Robert Tressell, and looks at a graphic version of The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists by the Rickard Sisters
- TRIBUTES will be paid across the globe this month marking the 155th anniversary of the birth of Robert Noonan, known generally under his pen name Robert Tressell, in Dublin.
- His book The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists is regarded as one of the most influential publications in shaping working class consciousness in the 20th century.
CELT IN A TWIST APRIL 20, 2025
- Celtic energy resonates and permeates the world! Explore its influence on Finland, Denmark, Breton and even Belarus! New spins this week from Nevrida and Ivatra Quartet. Broadcasting the coolest contemporary Celtic for more than 25 years. You've got your Celt In A Twist!
FIRST CRUISE SHIP OF THE SEASON TO ARRIVE ON MANX SHORES AS ISLE OF MAN PREPARES FOR RECORD-BREAKING YEAR
- The Isle of Man’s 2025 cruise season will officially set sail this weekend as Silver Endeavour, one of the world’s most luxurious expedition vessels, arrives on Saturday.
- Operated by Silversea Cruises, Silver Endeavour will call at the Calf of Man on April 26, where guests will embark on specialist Zodiac wildlife tours.
THIS HIDDEN CELTIC VILLAGE IN BRITTANY PRESERVES ANCIENT TRADITIONS JUST 30 MINUTES FROM FRANCE’S TOURIST-PACKED COAST
- Tucked away in France’s northern Brittany region lies Bourbriac, a captivating small town in the Côtes-d’Armor department that remains refreshingly untouched by mass tourism. This hidden gem offers an authentic slice of Breton life that feels worlds away from the crowded coastal resorts just a short drive away.
SOUTHERN MARYLAND CELTIC FESTIVAL
- On the banks of the Patuxent River at Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum, in beautiful Southern Maryland, you will find on a cheery Saturday in late April, the sound of the bagpipes calling you home. Whether it be the music, food, dance or other Celtic attractions, there is something for everyone – we beckon you to join us as we celebrate the spirit of the 7 Celtic Nations in our 46th Annual Celtic Festival on April 26th!
- Enjoy the sounds of internationally known Celtic Bands performing on multiple entertainment stages throughout the grounds, offering continuous music, dance and jam sessions throughout the day! Check out our Clan Row, where more than 50 clans and societies have information to share with you about your Celtic heritage! Watch Scottish/Irish country dance performances, listen to harp and Scottish fiddling all while storytellers weave tales alongside historical displays, craft demonstrations and living history reenactments. Stop by the Celtic Marketplace for a wide selection of traditional and non-traditional Celtic foods and gifts providing an old world atmosphere. Be sure to check out the Celtic Kids' Activities and the all-day competitions taking place throughout the Park including Pipers, Drummers, Pipe Bands, Highland Dancers, Highland Athletics, and Rugby games!!
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
April 24, 2025
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