Céad Míle Fáilte
Hello readers, it is your intrepid editor, Todd, once again. In this issue we have new episodes of our own Irish & Celtic Music Podcast and Pub Songs & Stories. The other spotlighted podcasts are Erin’s Isle & Copperplate. The featured articles include ones about how Ireland marked the anniversary of the Easter Rising, a new visitor and museum at the Calanais Standing Stones, & drag act Vida Lafierce’s new residency in Douglas. The highlighted festival is Loch Norman Highland Games taking place April 18 – 19, at Historic Rural Hill in Huntersville, NC. We have also included a list of new Celtic Albums. We hope you enjoy this issue. Until next time, Sláinte mhaith!
IRISH & CELTIC MUSIC PODCAST #754: RAISE ANOTHER PINT FOR HOPE
- Arise & Go, Carroll Sisters Trio, Faoileán, Cedar Dobson, Seasons, Seán Heely, Skara Brae, W. Ed Harris, Chloe Matharu, Pressgang Mutiny, Mànran, Bluestack, Jarmila Xymena Gorna, Santos Letalone
- A special thanks to our Celtic Legends: Fuzzy, Dave and Rosie Donnelly, Rick Boyce, Bruce, Daniel Ide, Brian McReynolds, Marti Meyers, Alan Schindler, Margreta Silverstone, Emma Bartholomew, Dan mcDade, Jeff A, Gerald F Boyle, Miranda Nelson, Nancie Barnett, Gary R Hook, Lynda MacNeil, Kelly Garrod, Mike Schock, Shawn Cali
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 #314: FIREFLY DRINKING SONGS
- A month without a voice. A question about Firefly Drinking Songs. And a highwayman riding the moor. Pub Songs & Stories returns with stories to tell, from the Celtic folk tradition to the far reaches of the ‘verse. Music from Marc Gunn, Faoileán, CaliCeltic, Whiskey Bay Rovers, May Will Bloom.
NEW CELTIC ALBUMS
- Love of the Isles – by Abby Newton & Selma Kaplan
- New World Disorder – by Awakend
- Celtic Lofi: Afternoon Before Sunset – by YUNOKIA
- Ascend The Veil – by Elemental Magic
- Medieval Bard Travels Fantasy for Folk Lute, Guitar, Celtic Violin & Flute – by Andrei Krylov
- Abbot's Way – by Byed
Attn Bands: Go to 4celts.com to submit your band to the podcast.
ERIN’S ISLE: TAKING THE PLUNGE !!!
- While fitness gurus act as if they just invented cold plunging…it’s been a part of Irish culture for generations. There are sea swimming tidal pools just offshore, all around the Emerald Isle.
- It’s one of those things some people love, and others never would even consider. And while I am one of those who adores a hot bath to relax, I had the chance and couldn’t pass it up. Man is it cold!!!!
IN PICTURES: HOW IRELAND MARKED THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE EASTER RISING 1916
- COMMEMORATIONS took place in Ireland over the weekend marking the 110th anniversary of the Easter Rising.
- A state commemoration was held outside the General Post Office (GPO) in Dublin's O'Connell Street, where President Catherine Connolly laid a wreath.
To read more, go here!
COPPERPLATE TIME 532
- Bothy Band, Simon & Garfunkel, Danu, Brendan McAuley, Richie Dwyer, Bert Jansch, Michael Hynes & Kirsten Allstaff, Gerry Diver, Seamus Begley & Steve Cooney, Colm O’Donnell, Maggie Boyle, Christy Moore, Ralph McTell, Liam O’Flynn& Catherine Ennis, The Waterboys, Dylan Carlos, Cein Sweeney & John McCartin, Dezi Donnelly, & Bothy Band
OLDER THAN STONEHENGE—THIS MYSTERIOUS SCOTTISH WONDER IS READY FOR THE SPOTLIGHT
- A new visitor center and museum are opening at the Calanais Standing Stones on Scotland’s Isle of Lewis, making a visit to these 5,000-year-old stone structures much more enticing.
To read more, go here!
DRAG ACT VIDA LAFIERCE RETURNS WITH DAZZLING NEW RESIDENCY IN DOUGLAS
- Island drag act Vida LaFierce is celebrating more than 10 years of performing with a brand-new series of regular shows at Encore at Sir Norman’s Bar.
- Known as the island’s ‘Original Queen Diva,’ Vida is bringing her signature blend of glamour, humour and powerhouse vocals to audiences every two weeks at the venue located within the Sefton Hotel.
To read more, go here!
LOCH NORMAN HIGHLAND GAMES
- The Loch Norman Highland Games at Rural Hill is a family friendly event presented by Historic Rural Hill. Come and experience all the fun with Highland Dancing, Bagpipe Bands, Highland Athletics, a Giant Kid’s Zone, Scottish Merchants, Haggis, Celtic Rock and Traditional Performers, Historic Reenactments, Scottish Country Dancing, Sunday Church Service, Hearth Cooking, NC Beer and Wine, Whiskey Tastings, Kilted Running Events, Scottish Clan Societies, Shoot Long Bows and Blowguns, Throw a Battle Axe and so much more!
- Some of the entertainers you will see are the Piper Jones Band, Steel City Rovers, and others.
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
April 9, 2026
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