Céad Míle Fáilte
Todd here again. In this issue we have new episodes of our own Irish and Celtic Music Podcast & Pub Songs & Stories. The other podcasts we showcase are The Irish Pagan School Podcast and Celt in a Twist. We also have a list of new albums. The articles we highlight are about Short plays by Irish Authors, a 1950’s American styled diner in Truro, & Scotland’s Horror Con. The spotlighted festival is the Scottish Highland Festival, taking place February 20th & 22nd taking place in Downtown Mount Dora, Fl. We hope you enjoy this issue. Until next time, Sláinte mhaith! We hope you enjoy this issue. Until next time, Sláinte mhaith!
IRISH & CELTIC MUSIC PODCAST #745: BROOKLYN KINGS & GOLDEN GEESE
- Tulua, Adrianna Ciccone, Ellen Gibling, The Druids Irish Folk Band, Poitin, Alex Sturbaum, Nick Metcalf, Zac Léger, Caitríona Lagan, Eddie Biggins, Aisling Drost Byrne, Brendan McCarthy, Conal O'Kane, Stephen MacDonald, Turf Fire Liars, Sean Heely, Beth Patterson, The Inland Seas, Julien Loko Irish Band, Shannon Heaton
- A special thanks to our new and continued Patrons of the Podcast: Thomas A. Bannan
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?
PUB SONGS & STORIES #312: FOUR LIGHTS AND REBEL SONGS
- What do Irish rebel songs and Star Trek have in common? This week on Pub Songs & Stories, we raise a glass to courage, truth, and the songs that refuse to obey. From the Easter Rising of 1916 to a Cardassian interrogation chamber, today’s songs ask one dangerous question: Do you trust your own eyes? Music from Kinnfolk, Erin Ruth, Marc Gunn, The Irish Lassies
NEW CELTIC ALBUMS
- Home – by Tom Richardson
- Vau Cureñas – by NAHEBA
- Folk Songs, and the Ninety-Five Moons of Jupiter – by Erik Johnson-Scherger & Kyle Jordan
- Alchemize My Soul – by J. Yentle
- Wildwood Mist – by Brumavia
- O'Carolan In Song – Coda & Freda Hatton – by Coda
- Faerie Folk [VHT87 x Fiadh Productions] – by Faerie Folk
- Stare At A Wall – by Chris Greve
- As It Is Now, As It Was Then – by Kyntra
- Hearth & Harvest – by The Druid's Hound Inn
- Nara – La flamme qui ne s'éteint pas – by Anthony Guérin
- The Hanshaw Trio – by Marcy Prochaska, Craig Higgins & Jerry Drumheller
- The Shrouded Isle – by Elyvilon
- Story of Ghosts – by Fiona Joy Hawkins
- Morwr / Sailor – by Three Legg'd Mare
Attn Bands: Go to 4celts.com to submit your band to the podcast.
THE IRISH PAGAN SCHOOL PODCAST: WHEN IS IMBOLG?
- When is Imbolc? Jon O’Sullivan from the Irish Pagan School answers this commonly debated question and explains why understanding what Imbolc represents may be more important than pinpointing an exact date.
SHORT PLAYS BY IRISH WRITERS WILL BE SHOWCASED AT IRISH CULTURAL CENTRE
- A SELECTION of short plays by Irish writers will be showcased at the Irish Cultural Centre (ICC) in Hammersmith this weekend.
- The popular west London venue is bringing back its Little Gems: Small Plays – Big Stories show for 2026 and promises a “dynamic showcase of ten-minute plays spanning comedy, tragedy, and the wonderfully surreal”.
- All the plays that feature in the showcase are new works by Irish writers who are affiliated with the ICC, with Irish actors.
To read more, go here!
CELT IN A TWIST: FEBRUARY 1, 2026
- Patricia introduces Firkin's album of pub songs, all in Hungarian, a sublime pairing of harp and fiddle from Adrianna Ciccone and Ellen Gibling, Haggix X-1's 3rd single, We Can See The Sun, and our winter visit from The MicroOrganism. Rest and drink plenty of fluids. You got your Celt In A Twist!
1950S AMERICAN INSPIRED DINER HAS OPENED IN TRURO, CORNWALL
- If you’re a fan of 1950s American diner vibes, a new inspired restaurant in Truro could be just the place for you.
- Ruck ‘n Roll Diner has opened in Cathedral Lane, welcoming its first customers on Saturday. The restaurant is located between The Scentstore and Cathedral Jewellers Ltd.
- Owned by Ed Ruck and Jenna, Ruck ‘n Roll Diner brings all the nostalgia of a classic American diner while staying firmly rooted in its Cornish heart.
To read more, go here!
SCOTLAND'S ‘LARGEST DEDICATED HORROR EVENT' RETURNING TO GLASGOW THIS APRIL
- Scotland's “largest dedicated horror event” is returning to Glasgow for a highly anticipated day of frightful fun.
- Horror Con Scotland, founded and independently run by Northern Frights, will take place on Friday, April 11 at Glasgow's SEC.
To read more, go here!
SCOTTISH HIGHLAND FESTIVAL
- Celebrate Scottish culture in Mount Dora with bag pipers, highland athletes, Celtic music, dancing, society and heritage village and much more! Featuring musical guests: Albannach, The Harp Twins, Tom Keefer, Sean Heely, Celtica Nova & more! Sponsored by Guinness, Discover Lake, WJRR 101.1 and Real Radio 104.1.
- Some of the entertainers you will see are The Harp Twins, Poehemia, Celtic Nova, Albannach, 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 (he/him) & Marc Gunn (he/him), The Celtfather
February 5, 2026
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