Céad Míle Fáilte
Hello readers, it is your editor, Todd, once again. In this issue we have new episodes of our own Irish & Celtic Music Podcast and the Brobdingnagian Bards Podcast. The other spotlighted podcasts are Wild for Scotland and Gerry Quinn Irish Radio Show. We have included a list of new albums as well. The highlighted articles are about the founder of Irish Dolls, Spring at Cornwall’s National Trust Estates, & a new exhibit at the Rushen Heritage Centre. The featured festival is Colorado Tartan Day. It takes place on April 11 & 12, at the Boulder County Fairgrounds in Longmont, CO. We hope you enjoy this issue. Until next time, Sláinte mhaith!
IRISH & CELTIC MUSIC PODCAST #753: SPRING CELTIC CHALLENGE
- The Bow Tides, Olivia Barrett, The Haar, Tarren, The Munster Men, Wolf Loescher, Arise & Go, Enda Reilly, Alexander James Adams, Griffin, Highlander Celtic Rock Band Australia, Clover's Revenge, The Leftovers, CaliCeltic
- 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?
BROBDINGNAGIAN BARDS PODCAST #98: FIREFLY REBOOT, I'M COMING HOME
- Welcome to the Brobdingnagian Bards podcast! Andrew's deep in the magic of Sherwood Forest Faire, and Marc's heading there himself this weekend. We're diving into the Firefly animated series reboot — what has us excited, what has us cautious — plus the story behind “I'm Coming Home” from Another Faire to Remember, a song born from Samwise Gamgee's dream of returning to Rosie. Pull up a chair, Bards. This one's got heart.
NEW CELTIC ALBUMS
- Bärge – by Alissia Milena
- Remembering Bob Rowley (1938-2026) – by Jane Stokes
- Reykjavik Dreams – by jimeddy
- Runes – by Sophie Brown and Friends
Attn Bands: Go to 4celts.com to submit your band to the podcast.
WILD FOR SCOTLAND: EPISODE 99: ‘ISLAND HOPPING’ – AN ADVENTURE TO IONA, STAFFA AND TRESHNISH ISLES
- “Island Hopping” tells the story of a day trip by boat to visit the Isles of Iona, Staffa and the Treshnish Isles – all from our home base on the Isle of Mull. That’s 4 islands in one day!
- We explore the medieval ruins and moorlands of Iona, enjoy (more or less) a thrilling boat ride to the Isle of Lunga to meet puffins, and walk in the footsteps of giants as we stride across the Isle of Staffa.
- After the story, I share with you my top tips for a trip to Iona, Staffa and the Treshnish Isles.
THE FOUNDER OF IRISH DOLLS IN LONDON ON BUILDING A 6,000-STRONG COMMUNITY
- WHEN Gemma Hayde left her home in Rosegreen, Co. Tipperary, she planned to stay in London for just three months.
- Nearly a decade later, she has built one of the biggest Irish women's networks in the city.
- “I sold my Toyota Yaris and moved over with €1,000 and a suitcase,” she says. “I said I’d see how it goes, and now it’s been nine years.”
- Like many young Irish emigrants, Gemma arrived with few connections. Having studied early years education in Waterford, she took up nannying but quickly found herself navigating a new city alone.
To read more, go here!
GERRY QUINN IRISH RADIO SHOW: MARCH 29, 2026
- Mark Owens, Honorary Consul of Ireland, Ohio
- John Kilkenny, Auxillary Police Officer
SPRING BURSTS TO LIFE AT CORNWALL’S NATIONAL TRUST ESTATES
- SPRING has burst into life across Cornwall with the National Trust unveiling a packed programme of Easter and half-term events at Antony, Cotehele and Lanhydrock.
- At Antony, families are invited to step straight into a Wonderland-inspired adventure with its Easter trail running from now until April 16. Visitors can design their own party outfits, take on giant garden games, enjoy a quirky tea party and even try their hand at croquet in a playful, immersive setting.
To read more, go here!
FAMILIES OF CREGNEASH EXHIBITION OPENS AT RUSHEN HERITAGE CENTRE
- A new exhibition exploring the rich history of Cregneash has opened the 2026 season at Rushen Heritage Centre in Port Erin.
- Titled ‘Families of Cregneash’, the exhibition shines a light on some of the village’s most prominent families from the 19th and early 20th centuries, including the Crebbins, Faraghers, Karrans, Kellys and Quirks.
To read more, go here!
CELEBRATE COLORADO TARTAN DAY!
- Join us for a weekend of Scottish heritage, history, and community.
- Whether you are a descendant of the Highlands or just a fan of Celtic culture, there is something for everyone. From the skirl of the pipes to the clash of broadswords, come experience the spirit of Scotland right here in Longmont.
- Some of the entertainment you will see is Indigent Row, Ren Scots (Live Steel Show), Bleed’N Green, Kirkin of the Tartan, 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 2, 2026
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