Céad Míle Fáilte
It is Todd once again with your weekly newsletter. In this issue we have a new episode of our own Irish & Celtic Music Podcast. Streams of whiskey. A waltz in the Gaelic tongue. A flame called Lasair burning through it all. This week's episode takes you from Loch Maree to the streets of Toulouse, fifteen artists strong. Let's go. It's the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast #766.The other podcasts featured are Celtic Source & Celt in a Twist. Our articles this time around are about Afro-Gaelic music, King Charles’s visit to the Isle of Man, and Harris Distilleries new Whiskey. Per usual we have a list of new albums. The spotlight shines on the United Irish of Dayton Festival. The festival takes place July 24 – 26, 2026 at the RiverScape MetroPark in Dayton, OH. We hope you enjoy this issue. Until next time, Sláinte mhaith!
IRISH & CELTIC MUSIC PODCAST # 766: STREAMS OF WHISKEY
- The Here & Now, Trouz Bras, Gwendolyn Snowdon & Cathinca, Cedar Dobson and Debojyoti Sanyal, Mairi McGillivray, The McDades, Ned Bigham, The Edinburgh Quartet & Màiri Macmillan, Vicki Swan & Jonny Dyer, Donnie ‘Large' Macdonald, Hildaland, Mànran, Seán – Pól Ó Peatáin, O'Konrads band, Jiggy, Tara's Folk
- A special thanks to our Celtic Legends: Alan Schindler, Brian McReynolds, Bruce, Dan mcDade, Daniel Ide, Dave and Rosie Donnelly, Fuzzy, Gary R Hook, Gerald F Boyle, Jeff A, Kelly Garrod, Lynda MacNeil, Margreta Silverstone, Marti Meyers, Mike Schock, Miranda Nelson, Rick Boyce, 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
- À l'accordage ! – by Level Encre
- Ravenmere – by Anu
- Celtic Healing: Spark of the Inner Crystal – by YUNOKIA
- Across the Giant's Causeway – by Shepherd's Pipes
Attn Bands: Go to 4celts.com to submit your band to the podcast.
CELTIC SOURCE: THE OLDEST WELSH FAIRYTALE EXPLAINED: ELIDY…
- The story of Elidyr and the Tylwyth Teg is the oldest Welsh fairy tale on record. It tells of a boy's journey through ancient liminal spaces, encountering a deep realm of where the fairies have their own high ideals and ethics. But what does this story actually mean? What does it tell us about encounters with the extraordinary, about truth, childhood, and lost wisdom?
AFRO-GAELIC BEATS TO BRING AFRICAN AND IRISH RHYTHMS TOGETHER IN HAMMERSMITH
- A UNIQUE musical collaboration celebrating the shared rhythms of Africa and Ireland is set to take to the stage at the Irish Cultural Centre in Hammersmith this month.
- Afro-Gaelic Beats, curated by Osibisa frontman Gregg Kofi Brown, will see African grooves combine with Irish traditional music in a special concert on Saturday, July 18.
To read more, go here!
CELT IN A TWIST: JULY 14, 2026
- Join us for some fresh greens this week from The Cloverhearts, The Ollam, Edmonton family band The McDades and Scots bard Cabbie Drennan with a drink along, sing along. Check out Celt In A Twist with Patricia Fraser at a new time, new day and new station; FM96.1, Tuesdays at 9pm.
KING CHARLES SURPRISES LOCALS BY SPEAKING MANX DURING HISTORIC ISLE OF MAN VISIT
- King Charles showcased his linguistic prowess during his inaugural visit to the Isle of Man as monarch, even joking about “massacring” the Manx language.
- He addressed the island’s parliament, Tynwald, in the ancient Manx tongue, which is currently experiencing a revival.
- Acknowledging “Manx Language Year – Blein ny Gaelgey,” he lightened the mood by quipping: “So I very much hope I have not succeeded at this point in massacring this wonderful celebration of your language…!”
To read more, go here!
HARRIS DISTILLERY TO RELEASE ISLE OF HARRIS WHISKY – AN ‘EXCITING NEW CHAPTER’ FOR ISLAND BUSINESS
- After more than a decade of distilling, Isle of Harris Distillery has announced the launch of a new signature single malt Scotch whisky that captures its distinctive island character.
- Proudly made entirely on the Isle of Harris, the new core expression encapsulates the lightly peated, fresh and vibrant island style created by the team of local distillers and blenders behind Isle of Harris Gin and The Hearach Single Malt Whisky.
To read more, go here!
UNITED IRISH OF DAYTON CELTIC FESTIVAL
- Saturate your senses in the sights, sounds, and tastes of our Celtic heritage. Discover the magic that keeps people returning to Dayton’s Celtic Festival year after year. Come and experience the rich traditions that we Celtic folk hold dear to our hearts.
- Some of the entertainment acts you will see are Gaelic Storm, Socks In the Frying Pan, Bastard Bearded Irishmen, Dogwood Road, Larry Fortson, Father Son and Friends, The Roving Rogues, and many 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
July 16, 2026
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