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 episodes highlighted are from Traveling in Ireland and Mostly Folk. We have a list of new albums as well. The featured articles include ones with an interview with Sarah Allen of Flook, Isle of Man Tourism, & a town in Cornwall being named the happiest place to live. The festival I call attention to is the Stirling Classic & Scottish Festival taking place this weekend May 30 – June 1, 2025 at Mollie Spencer Farm in Yukon, OK. We hope you enjoy this issue. Until next time, slàinte mhath!
IRISH & CELTIC MUSIC PODCAST #711: MONDAY MORNING FUN
- Olivia Barrett, Banda Gaites Camín de Fierro, Old Blind Dogs, Jocelyn Pettit & Ellen Gira, Crikwater, Hanneke Cassel, The AML Trio, Celia Farran, Willowgreen, Ghost Of A Banshee, Highlander Celtic Rock Band Australia, Journey North, Phoenyx, Kinnfolk
- 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 Spotify
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 #299: WILD KITTY TURNS 20: PAWS, PINTS, & PARODIES
- 2025 is the 20-year anniversary of the release of Irish Drinking Songs for Cat Lovers. We’re resharing the Cat Lovers Podcast along with stories about the song that launched that album, “Wild Kitty”. You’ll also enjoy the music of Jesse Ferguson in this week’s show.
- This is Folk Songs & Stories #299
NEW CDS
- Sword in Stone – by Medieval Tales
- THE PIPER'S STONE – by Declan Masterson
- Vehicles – by Shiven Blue
- Vehicles Volume #2 – by Shiven Blue
- Recueil Intérieur – by SweetSulegna
- Notes from Beara – by Mary Donegan
- Celtic Reverie – by Piccina Dreamer
Attn Bands: Go to 4celts.com to submit your band to the podcast.
TRAVELING IN IRELAND: DISCOVERING LOOP HEAD PENINSULA: IRELAND’S RUGGED BEAUTY WITHOUT THE CROWDS
- If you've ever longed for a corner of Ireland that feels untouched, authentic, and refreshingly uncrowded, set your sights on the Loop Head Peninsula in County Clare. Tucked away from the tourist-heavy paths of the Wild Atlantic Way, Loop Head offers a blend of natural beauty, history, and heartfelt hospitality that rewards those who take the time to explore.
- Continue reading at Discovering Loop Head Peninsula: Ireland’s Rugged Beauty Without the Crowds | Ireland Family Vacations
TEN MINUTES WITH SARAH ALLEN OF FLOOK
- FOR three decades, Flook have been at the cutting edge of folk music, blending dynamic energy with inventive musicality.
- Flook's fifth album Sanju was released in May and is available on all digital platforms and on www.flook.co.uk
- The band also just been awarded prestigious ‘Group of the Year' title at the annual TG4 Gradam Ceoil Awards which can be viewed online at tg4.ie
- Flute player Sarah Allen took time out to answer our questions
MOSTLY FOLK EPISODE 728: TIM GRIMM PART 2 AND MORE
- The second half of my interview with Tim Griimm as well as additional music. Three final songs celebrate Bob Dylan's birthday.
2024 CONFIRMED AS STRONGEST YEAR FOR TOURIST NUMBERS ON THE ISLE OF MAN IN AT LEAST A DECADE
- The Isle of Man recorded its best year for tourism in a decade in 2024, welcoming 329,613 visitors – the highest annual total since at least 2014.
- And visitors pumped more than £210 million into the local economy, according to the latest figures from the Isle of Man Passenger Survey.
CORNWALL TOWN DUBBED ‘MINI URBAN BUBBLE' NAMED AMONG HAPPIEST PLACES TO LIVE
- A Cornish town dubbed a “mini urban bubble among the wild outer reaches of Cornwall” has been named among the happiest places to live in Britain. The Guardian reckons access to nature, a sense of community and culture on your doorstep all help when it comes to putting a smile on your face.
- It's drawn up a list of places that fit the bill across the country – including our very own Penzance. Now comparing it to a “quintessential English seaside town” might raise some hackles. But it points out that the list is very firmly focused on what the Guardian believes its own readers would want.
STIRLING CLASSIC & SCOTTISH FESTIVAL
- The annual Stirling Classic & Scottish Festival at the Mollie Spencer Farm is a unique celebration of Celtic culture, complete with music, dance, food, and good ‘old-fashioned Scottish fun!
- Throughout the weekend attendees enjoy a taste of Scotland and other Celtic nations through many available activities and entertainers, including heavy athletics, sheepherding demonstrations, Celtic dance, roving pipe bands, Celtic bands, traditional Scottish food, Celtic-themed vendors, kid crafts and games, genealogy research, clan tents, and a crafters’ village.
- Some entertainment acts you will see are Flowers of Edinburgh, Ceo’l Braw, Waxie Dargles, & Raven’s Three.
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
May 29, 2025
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