Céad Míle Fáilte
Hello all, it is Todd once again. In this issue we have new episodes of our very own Irish & Celtic Podcast & Pub Songs & Stories. The other podcasts we feature are Travelling in Ireland & Celt in a Twist. We also have new albums. The highlighted articles are about Sean Griffin, Philip Woodford, & Brian Ó Muirí. The festival spotlighted is the IBAM! Festival that will be taking place November 22 – 23, at the Irish American Heritage Center in Chicago, IL. We hope you enjoy this issue. Until next time, Sláinte mhaith!
IRISH & CELTIC MUSIC PODCAST #735: THE SPIRIT OF IRISH FOLK MUSIC
- Gerry O’Connor, Eloise & Co., The Gothard Sisters, Elizabeth Sutherland, The Irish Rovers, May Will Bloom, The McDades, Celia Farran, Faoileán, Piskey Led, Larkin & Moran Brothers, Derina Harvey Band, Caliceltic, Callán, Ashley Davis Band
- A special thanks to these Celtic Legends: Shawn Cali, Mike Schock, Kelly Garrod, John Sharkey White, II, Lynda MacNeil, Gary R Hook, Nancie Barnett, Miranda Nelson, Gerald F Boyle, Jeff A, Dan mcDade, Emma Bartholomew, Margreta Silverstone, Alan Schindler, Marti Meyers, Brian McReynolds, Daniel Ide, Bruce, Rick Boyce, Dave and Rosie Donnelly
IRISH & CELTIC MUSIC: BEST OF 2024 PLAYLIST
- Every week, Patrons of the Podcast vote in the Celtic Top 20. Those votes are tabulated two weeks later. The most-popular songs are added to these playlists.
- You can vote for your favorite by following the link in this week's show.
Listen on Youtube
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 #311: MANUFACTURING INSPIRATION, THE SONGWRITING HABITS OF MIKEY MASON
- Geek-rock musician Mikey Mason joins me to talk about writing songs on schedule, his New Music Monday ritual, and how to stay creative every single week. Music by Caliceltic, May Will Bloom, The Gothard Sisters, and Mikey Mason.
NEW CELTIC ALBUMS
- Songs of Middle-Earth Vol 2 – by Asha's Ambient Realms
- Songs of Middle-Earth Vol 1 – by Asha's Ambient Realms
- Fairy Realms of Light – by Asha's Ambient Realms
- Garden Of Falling Light – by Aisha Vaughan
- Alignment – by Stone Row
Attn Bands: Go to 4celts.com to submit your band to the podcast.
TRAVELING IN IRELAND: BEST PLACES TO STAY IN IRELAND: FIND THE PERFECT FIT FOR YOUR TRIP
- Ireland vacation accommodations are as varied as the landscape. You'll find everything from charming rural hostels and homey B&Bs to luxury resorts and castles that invite you to feel like the lord (or lady) of the manor. Most Ireland travelers find themselves somewhere in between the two extremes and choosing the best places to stay in Ireland is based on your vacation dreams, your planned itinerary, and your budget.
TEN MINUTES WITH… SEAN GRIFFIN
- VETERAN rocker and songwriter Seán Griffin has just released his seasonal single I’m in Love for Christmas, a warm, fiddle-laced reflection on love, hope and holiday magic.
- The single is a prelude to his forthcoming solo album, arriving March 2026.
To read more, go here!
Celt In A Twist: November 16, 2025
- It shore ain't grandpappy's playlist. It's the Contemporary Celtic Countdown, your chance to catch up with today's Celtic taste-makers, innovators and fusionists – 10 of our top tracks from our latest chart, plus a debut or two. Keep it fresh, Canada! You got yer Celt In A Twist with Patricia Fraser!
TRIBUTES PAID TO MANX ARTIST CELEBRATED FOR HIS FAMILIAR CARTOONS
- Tributes have been paid to respected Manx cartoonist Philip Sidney Woodford who has died at the age of 88.
- Mr Woodford, of Port St Mary, was widely known across the island for his long-running career as a cartoonist and satirist, producing humorous illustrations that accompanied local news stories for many years.
To read more, go here!
BRIAN Ó MUIRÍ GOES BACK TO THE FUTURE IN LONDON’S WEST END
- ACTOR Brian Ó Muirí has gone Back to the Future in London’s West End.
- This week he took time out to talk to the Irish Post about his many roles…
- What are you up to at the moment?
- I am currently in the auditorium of the Adelphi Theatre, looking at the set after doing one show already today, and about to do another. It is Saturday night in the West End, one of the busiest nights in London. I can already feel the buzz from the audience.
To read more, go here!
IBAM! (IRISH BOOKS, ARTS & MUSIC) FESTIVAL
- Be carried into Ireland’s living tradition—where stories unfold, voices rise, and creativity bridges past and present.
- For one extraordinary weekend each November, Chicago becomes a gathering place of imagination and connection, crowned by the iBAM! Awards Gala that shines a light on those who keep Irish culture thriving.
- Performers who will be performing are Derek Warfield, Seán Cleland and the Kilgubbin Project, The Three Leaf Clovers, Declan McShane, & Mark Piekarz.
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
November 20, 2025
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