Céad Míle Fáilte
It is Todd once again. Sorry about this running a little late this week. In this issue we have a new episode of our own Irish & Celtic Music Podcast. The other featured podcasts are Copperplate Time & Folk on Foot. The articles are about a new podcast featuring the journey of those who fled during the Great Famine, an interview with Joe Locke, & an interview with Conleth McGeary. The festival spotlight this week is a little different. We are spotlighting the Delaware Renaissance Faire. Their opening weekend is October 30 – November 1, 2026. The Faire takes place at Firebase Lloyd in Townsend, DE. We hope you enjoy this issue. Until next time, Sláinte mhaith!
IRISH & CELTIC MUSIC PODCAST #779: UNQUIET SPIRITS ARISE
- Caitlin Finley & Will Woodson, Trí, Jesse Ferguson, Tulua, Mairi McGillivray, Irish Millie, Celtic Underground, Avourneen, Slugger's Rule, Maggie MacInnes, Some One's Sons, Mick Flannery, Anaïs Mitchell, Boiled In Lead, The Elders, Jim Moray
- Thank you to every patron who gives each month. Members get a say in the best songs of the year, free copy of the Great St Patrick's Day Songbook, and a friendly place to talk Celtic music with people who love it as much as you do. All of it lives at SongHenge.com.
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?
FOLK ON FOOT: SUNTOU SUSSO AT DARTINGTON HALL GARDENS
- Suntou Susso, the griot and kora player from Gambia, now lives in Devon. On a glorious sunny day he takes Matthew for a walk through the beautiful gardens at Dartington Hall, explaining that this place often inspires him to compose new music. Suntou talks about the griot tradition handed down from generation to generation of his family, demonstrates how to play the West African harp – the kora – and sings his uplifting songs against the backdrop of flowers, trees, birds and insects. We also hear about the extraordinary history of Dartington Hall – set up as an experimental arts and crafts centre by one of the world’s richest women.
IRISH BROTHERS LAUNCH PODCAST EXPLORING THE JOURNEYS OF GREAT FAMINE EMIGRANTS
- TWO Irish brothers have joined forces to explore the experiences of those who fled Ireland during the Great Famine in a new five-part podcast.
- Across the Briny Ocean follows the journey of Irish emigrants from their preparations to leave home through to their arrival in the New World and shows the challenges they faced along the way.
- The series is based on The Coffin Ship, a book published in 2021 by Cian McMahon, a historian at the University of Nevada, whose research focuses on Irish and American immigration history.
To read more, go here!
COPPERPLATE TIME: 552
- BOTHY BAND, LONDON LASSES, CAUS, CARLOS, SWEENEY & McCARTIN, JOHN FAULKNER, BUMBLEBEES, GARY CURLEY & STEPHEN McKEE, LIZ CARROLL, TEADA & RTE ORCH, FERGAL SCAHILL & RYAN MOLLOY, MICK MULVEY, CAROLINE KEANE, JOHN FAULKNER & DECLAN O’ROURKE, CATHARINE KINGCOME, TOMMIE POTTS, LAOISE KELLY, RALPH McTELL, BOB DAVENPORT &THE RAKES, BOB DAVENPORT, BOB DAVENPORT & FLOWERS & FROLICS, BOTHY BAND
‘I CAN JUST BE HELEN’S SON AGAIN’: JOE LOCKE ON WHY HE LOVES THE ISLE OF MAN
- He may be an actor recognised the world over, but Joe Locke says one of the best things about returning to the Isle of Man is that nobody seems particularly bothered by his fame.
- The former Ballakermeen High School pupil has spoken about his love for the island in a new interview with international magazine GQ, four years after his first appearance in the publication.
To read more, go here!
CONLETH MCGEARY ON LOVE, LOSS AND FINDING HIS VOICE
- Tyrone singer-songwriter Conleth McGeary has opened up about the inspiration behind his new single Still Hers, a heartfelt tribute to his late aunt Kate, whom he describes as “a giant in my eyes”.
- The musician wrote the song as a thank-you to his aunt, reflecting on the lasting connection we have with loved ones after they are gone.
To read more, go here!
DELAWARE RENAISSANCE FAIRE
- Welcome fellow Wanderers and Seekers of Merriment!
- This is the home of the Renaissance festival taking place in the great land of Delaware!
- Magic, adventure, comedy, & fun for the whole family awaits you!
- Be amazed by professional shows spread over our five stages throughout each day!
- Explore our artisan marketplace with dozens of craft vendors.
- Enjoy a meal from our delicious food vendors, or sit down for a hearty drink at our locally sourced pub!
- Interact with one of the many strange characters of our village as you wander throughout the day, test your skill at archery, axe-throwing, or dagger toss,
- or even battle a knight in one-on-one combat!
- All this awaits you and 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
October 22, 2026
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