Céad Míle Fáilte
Good day, it is Todd. In this issue we have a new episode of our own Irish & Celtic Music Podcast. The other podcasts featured are a new podcast titled Lost Songs of Ireland Podcast and Copperplate Time. The articles we spotlight include are about Catherine McEvoy’s new album, tributes for The Pogues’ drummer Andrew Ranken, & “The Fields of Athenry”. The highlighted festival is the Panama City Beach Scottish Festival taking place March 6th and 7th at Frank Brown Park in Panama City Beach, FL. We hope you enjoy this issue. Until next time, Sláinte mhaith!
IRISH & CELTIC MUSIC PODCAST #747: DONEGAL JIGS & MODERN CELTIC VOICES
- Boxing Robin, Alex Sturbaum, Vienna Scheyer, The Drowsy Lads, Nerea The Fiddler, Erin Ruth, Autumn Rhodes, Tulua, ISHNA, Sue Tillotson, Jim Cunningham, Altan, Low Power Trio, Ian Alistair Gosbee, Ironwood music, Callán, Irish Millie, The Irish Rovers
- A heartfelt thanks to our newest and ongoing supporters: Maia Lazar, Fuzzy, and Ellen Duran.
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?
LOST SONGS OF IRELAND PODCAST: THE RESCUE OF SEAN HOGAN AT THE STATION OF KNOCKLONG
- The epic story of the rescue of IRA man of the Tipperary 3rd Battalion man Sean Hogan in 1919. Sean Hogan along with Dan Breen, Seamus Robinson and Sean Treacy were known as the Big Four and highly active in the Irish War of Independence. This story tells of how they rescued Hogan from the RIC while in transit to Cork after his arrest for taking part in the Soloheadbeg ambush which left two RIC men dead and is widely acknowledged as the event that triggered the War of Independence.
- This daring rescue took place in Knocklong Station situated in Co. Limerick close to the Tipperary border.
CATHERINE MCEVOY RETURNS WITH A TRIUMPHANT NEW ALBUM
- “I DID not think I would be able, nor had I intended, to record again” flute player Catherine McEvoy says in the sleeve notes of her new album.
- After a gap of 18 years since her last solo album, the excellent The Home Ruler, was released and 15 years after the lauded collaboration Comb Your Hair and Curl It, with Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh on fiddle and Mícheál Ó Raghallaigh on concertina, Catherine has, thankfully, got back in the studio. The resulting album is a triumphant delight.
To read more, go here!
COPPERPLATE TIME 527
- Bothy Band, Donal Lunny Band, Brock Magiure Band, Eilis Kennedy, Cillian Vallely & David Doocey, Mary Costello & Pjoe Hayes, Kevin Burke, Pj & Marcus Hernon, Eamonn & Geraldine Cotter, Irla O’leonard, Tommy Peoples, Mick Sands & Clive Carroll, Liam O’lynn, Eleanor Shanley/Garadice, Luke Kelly/Dubliners, Doc Watson, Martin Carthy, The Watersons, Bothy Band
‘HEARTBEAT OF THE POGUES': TRIBUTES AS BAND'S DRUMMER ANDREW RANKEN PASSES AWAY
- ANDREW RANKEN, drummer with folk punk band The Pogues, has died at the age of 72.
- A statement on the band's website and social media channels revealed that Ranken, a founder member of the band, passed away on Tuesday.
- The statement described Ranken as the ‘heartbeat of The Pogues'.
- Born in London in 1953, Ranken first began playing drums at the age of 14.
To read more, go here!
HOW “THE FIELDS OF ATHENRY” BECAME IRELAND’S MOST FAMOUS SONG
- “The Fields of Athenry” is the most famous Irish song of its generation, perhaps the most popular ever, yet very few seem to know its history and background.
- “The Fields of Athenry” has more than 846 versions on YouTube and has been translated into 50 languages.
To read more, go here!
PANAMA CITY BEACH SCOTTISH FESTIVAL
- The largest and longest-running Scottish festival in Florida’s Panhandle, featuring top tier entertainment, Highland games, piping, artisan vendors, children activities, delicious food and so much more. Continuing again for two-days!
- What began over 30 years ago on the grounds of Grace Presbyterian Church, has blossomed into a vibrant celebration of heritage and fun, drawing crowds from all over the world.
- Some of the entertainers you will see are Devil’s Brigade, Poehemia, Gilleran’s Island Band, 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 19, 2026
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