Céad Míle Fáilte
Hello all it is Todd once again. Apparently, I messed up and we didn’t have a new episode of The Irish & Celtic Music Podcast last week we do this week, however. The other podcasts showcased are The Irish Pagan School Podcast and The Celtic Indy Podcast; hosted by yours truly. The articles this week are about the American Irish Historical Society, a new initiative in Cornwall to help nesting birds, and an Irish writer being shortlisted for a literary prize. The featured festival is The Smoky Mountain Scottish Festival and Games, which takes place May 16 – 17, at the Greater Smokies Event Grounds in Townsend, TN. We have also included a list of new albums this week. We hope you enjoy this issue. Until next time, Sláinte mhaith!
IRISH & CELTIC MUSIC PODCAST #757: SELKIE WOMEN OF THE NORTHERN SHORE
- One Street Over, Gillian Boucher & Bob McNeill, Fialla, Eloise & Co., The Leftovers, The Bow Tides, Low Lily, Tara's Folk, Sue Spencer, Eimear Arkins, Sora, Louise Bichan, Kim Carnie, THE DIVINERS
- 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?
NEW CELTIC ALBUMS
- Green Renaissance – by Roxane Genot
- From: Ireland To: West Virginia – by The Mud Larks
- Remember how we fall – by Tara's folk
- Melancholy Music Fantasy for Medieval Lute – by Andrei Krylov
- Among Friends – by Holly Sternberg Kozan
- The Druid & The Dryad II – by Caleb Hennessy
Attn Bands: Go to 4celts.com to submit your band to the podcast.
THE IRISH PAGAN SCHOOL PODCAST: DOES STUDYING AT THE IRISH PAGAN SCHOOL MAKE YOU PAGAN?
- In this thought-provoking discussion, Jon O'Sullivan, co-founder of the Irish Pagan School, explains what it truly means to study Irish mythology, culture, and spirituality with the school.
INSIDE THE NEW YORK SOCIETY PRESERVING IRISH AMERICAN HISTORY
- THE American Irish Historical Society in New York has been showcasing the depth of Irish influence in the United States, with materials in its care stretching back more than 400 years.
- Mark Lindenburg, who has worked at AIHS for just over a year, said the society is crucial in preserving stories that go far beyond the usual narratives of Irish migration.
- Originally from Seattle, Lindenburg said his interest in Irish history grew through his ancestry and his love for the country. “I studied Irish literature in undergrad and graduate school,” he said.
To read more, go here!
CELTIC INDY PODCAST: EP 3.1.14 – FAOILEÁN ALBUM RELEASE
- In this episode, we feature songs from Faoileán's new album: Why Should I Not.
- Faoileán , Pub Runners, Alli Johnson, Faoileán, Jenny and the Weazels, Celtucky, Faoileán, Marc Gunn & Jamie Houser, The Kissers, Fialla, Faoileán
NEW INITIATIVE IN CORNWALL AIMS TO HELP NATIVE NESTING BIRDS
- Local bird populations could soon take off thanks to a new conservation initiative that spread its wings on Friday.
- Bird Friendly Cornwall, the Raisin Region Conservation Authority and Holy Trinity Catholic Secondary School have teamed up to install nesting boxes across the city to attract native bird species. Representatives from the RRCA, the City of Cornwall, and Bird Friendly Cornwall marked the occasion with a ceremonial bird house raising on May 1.
To read more, go here!
IRISH WRITER SHORTLISTED FOR NEW LITERARY PRIZE WORTH £50K
- AN Irish author is among a six-strong shortlist for a new literary prize.
- Dublin based Mary Minnock is in the running to win The Libraro Prize.
- Launched earlier this year the new award is designed to find ‘the next bestselling author’– with the shortlist selected from unpublished novels uploaded to the Libraro platform.
- Run in partnership with Hachette UK and LoveReading, the winner will receive a £30k prize and £20k in marketing support, as well as a book deal with Hachette.
To read more, go here!
SMOKY MOUNTAIN SCOTTISH FESTIVAL & GAMES
- Scotland in the Smokies is calling you!!! Celebrating its 44th year in 2026, the Smoky Mountain Scottish Festival and Games is Tennessee’s oldest festival of Scottish, Irish and Celtic culture. Presenting folk, roots, rock & pop music, highland athletics, pipes & drums, highland and Irish dance. Whisky tastings, vendors and a great selection of beer and food from the Scottish, Irish and British homelands. Enjoy a weekend of family fun in the beautiful foothills of Townsend, Tennessee, just outside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
- Some of the entertainer’s you will see are Pictus, Jacobites By Name, Celtic Conundrum, Bill Mullen, & 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
May 7, 2026
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