Céad Míle Fáilte
It is Todd once again. In this issue we have a new episode of our own Irish & Celtic Music Podcast. The other podcasts we highlight are Traveling in Ireland & Celt in a Twist. We have a list of new albums as well. The featured articles include ones about Trump’s Tariffs cost to Guinness, the Summerland tragedy, and Wigtown Book Festival. The festival we showcase is the Fergus Scottish Festival & Highland Games taking place 8/8 – 8/10, in Fergus, ON at the Centre Wellington Sportsplex. We hope you enjoy this issue. Until next time, Sláinte mhaith!
IRISH & CELTIC MUSIC PODCAST #721: FAREWELL TO BELFAST
- Andrew Finn Magill, Adam Agee & Jon Sousa, Willowgreen, Ghost Of A Banshee, The Gothard Sisters, The AML Trio, The Lilies of the Midwest, McFloosey, Celia Farran, The Langer's Ball, Chloe Matharu, Austral, Jaywalkers, Journey North, The Friel Sisters
- A special thanks to our new and continued Patrons of the Podcast: Cascadia Cross Border Law Group, Kyle Darpel, Genevieve Slunka, Tubaphonium, Jennifer Van Boxel, Shawna Courter
Episode Photo
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?
NEW CDS
- Celestial path – by EThem music
- Hey You: FAWM 2025 vol 2 – by Jen Midkiff (she/her)
- Danu’s Eye – by jøurney celtic
- A Moorland Suite – by Michael Neil
- Currently – byScottish Fish
Attn Bands: Go to 4celts.com to submit your band to the podcast.
TRAVELING IN IRELAND: GUINNESS STORIES: WHAT YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW ABOUT IRELAND’S ICONIC BREW
- Guinness might be one of the most iconic Irish exports, but did you know it's the number one selling draft beer in the United States? It’s growing at an impressive rate – so much so that Guinness Brewery Ambassador Zach Berger proudly shared the news at Iowa Irish Fest. That creamy pint? It’s not just a nod to Ireland—it’s a thriving, evolving brand with deep roots and global appeal. And here’s something most people don’t realize: all Guinness Draft sold in the U.S. is brewed in Dublin at St. James’s Gate. While there are Guinness breweries in Baltimore and Chicago, those are innovation hubs – think limited-run beers and culinary pairings – not production sites for the classic stout.
- Continue reading at Guinness Stories: What You Might Not Know About Ireland’s Iconic Brew | Ireland Family Vacations
TRUMP TARIFFS EXPECTED TO COST GUINNESS PARENT COMPANY 200 MILLION
- DIAGEO, the global drinks giant behind Guinness and Johnnie Walker, is facing a tough year shaped by trade tariffs and shifting consumer trends.
- Despite these challenges, Guinness continues to be a strong performer for the company.
- The company now expects a $200 million annual hit from US tariffs introduced under President Trump, a jump from the $150 million impact it previously forecast.
- Diageo says it can absorb around half of the blow through supply chain improvements and inventory management.
CELT IN A TWIST: AUGUST 3, 2025
- Celtic characters aplenty this hour, from the Sweet Bonnie Lass From Belfast and the Celtic Girl, a tribute to Shane McGowan from the Dropkicks, a Raggle Taggle Gipsy, Neil Ewart Of Ardnamuchan, Rakish Paddy and Willie Reilly. Don't worry, Patricia Fraser takes care of the introductions on Celt In A Twist.
PICTURES AS ISLE OF MAN REMEMBERS SUMMERLAND TRAGEDY 52 YEARS ON
- The Isle of Man fell silent on Saturday evening as two services were held to mark the 52nd anniversary of the Summerland fire, one of the worst peacetime tragedies in British history.
- On August 2, 1973, a devastating blaze tore through the Summerland leisure complex on Douglas Promenade, claiming the lives of 50 people and injuring many more.
NICOLA STURGEON TO APPEAR AT WIGTOWN BOOK FESTIVAL
- Nicola Sturgeon and Del Amitri frontman Justin Currie are among the big names heading to Dumfries and Galloway later this year for Wigtown Book Festival.
- Unveiling the line up for the 2025 festival, organisers described it as its “largest and most varied programme ever”.
- Comedians, politicians, and broadcasters will appear alongside novelists, poets and non-fiction writers during the 10-day event beginning on 26 September.
FERGUS SCOTTISH FESTIVAL & HIGHLAND GAMES
- Fàilte Air Ais! | Welcome Back!
- The Fergus Scottish Festival & Highland Games is an annual three-day event that celebrates local Scottish heritage and features world-renowned talent and entertainment in the beautiful town of Fergus, Ontario. This year’s Festival features Heavy Events Competitions, Pipe Band Competitions, Highland Dancers, over 50 Clans & Heritage Village, Whisky Tasting, McKiddie’s Centre, Celtic musicians and international vendors featuring Scottish wares and fares!
- We look forward to seeing you for the 80th edition August 8 -10, 2025!
- Some of the entertainer’s you will see are Jill Chambless & Scooter Muse, Rogerson Family, Albannach, Mudmen, The Crowded Table, Bob Mclean, David Leask, and 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
August 7, 2025
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