Céad Míle Fáilte

It is Todd again. This week we have a new episode of our own Irish & Celtic Music Podcast. We have also included episodes of Folk on Foot & Jock’s Celtic Calamity. The articles are about Ireland’s cultural heart, historic Scottish pub Joseph Pearce on Elm Row’s reopening, and a cottage on Welsh’s clifftops. We have a list of new albums. The festival we highlight is the Dublin Irish Festival taking place July 31 – August 2, 2026, at Coffman Park in Dublin, OH. We hope you enjoy this issue. Until next time, Sláinte mhaith!

IRISH & CELTIC MUSIC PODCAST #767: WATER-BOUND FOR IRELAND

• Arise & Go, Boxing Robin, Blackwillow Starling, Tulua, Dervish featuring Cathy Jordan, Leevy, Colin Steele, CaliCeltic, The Tan and Sober Gentlemen, River Driver, Dropkick Murphys, Sean Griffin

• A special thanks to our newest Patron: Manuel Duarte

Listen to the Show

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.

Vote in the Celtic Top 20

WHAT'S NEW WITH CELTIC MUSIC
& CULTURE ONLINE?

NEW CELTIC ALBUMS

• Naebams Bouzoukis – by the naebams band
• In The Wild – by Kenn Gordon & Raven
• We Are Gordons – by Kenn Gordon & Raven
• Medieval Bard Songs in the Gothic Castle – byAndrei Krylov
• A Little Shire for a Big Hobbit – by Atmospheric Mood
• Liffey EP – by Liffey
• Fairy Tales – by Jura Dja
• Dark Fairy – by Gary Stadler & Ffion Elisa
• Green Field Promise – by Polly Musichantres
• Celtic Fantasy: Study on the Celestial Branch – by YUNOKIA
• Tríd an bhForaois Tine – CHARITY FOR THE FONTAINEBLEAU FOREST – by Tristan an Arzhig
• Keltic Drive – by Keltic Drive
• Essential Arthur – by Arthur Davenport

Attn Bands: Go to 4celts.com to submit your band to the podcast.

FOLK ON FOOT: BOB COWEN AND JOHNNY FLYNN AT THORNBOROUGH HENGES

• We’re going back to Neolithic times with the award winning author Rob Cowen (“Common Ground” and “North Road”) and his friend the actor and singer Johnny Flynn. For two thousand years the Thornborough Henges in what is now Yorkshire were used as ceremonial spaces and later became Bronze Age burial grounds. As we walk through these enormous circular monuments, Rob explains why he’s fascinated by their history and Johnny sings songs of burial and deep time. The pair reflect on their approach to creativity and shared passion for music.

Listen here

WHERE THE WILD ATLANTIC MEETS IRELAND'S CULTURAL HEART

• IF YOU come by the Rosslare ferry, you arrive at the outskirts of Tipperary and a sign declares: “Welcome to Tipperary. You’ve come a long way”. But you've still some way to go before reaching Galway.
• On the Wild Atlantic Way, Galway is about an hour’s drive from Shannon Airport. Ireland West Airport Knock is also around an hour away by road. Or fly to Dublin and enjoy one of Ireland's finest cross-country drives, taking nearly three hours across the heart of the country.
• As the song says: “From Bantry Bay up to Derry Quay, and from Galway to Dublin town.”

To read more, go here!

JOCK'S CELTIC CALAMITY: SHOW NO 592

• Crawford and Vallely, Corrina Hewat, Conal Ó Gráda, Simon Thoumire, Jim Sutherland, Paolo Nutini, The Glengarry Bhoys, Laurence Nugent, Isaac Alderson, Dave Curley, Tarahan, Alana Wilkinson, The East Pointers , Bua, Chris Stout, Catriona McKay, Blazin' Fiddles, Brian Finnegan, Ali Levack, Gina Jeffreys, Brendan Quinn, Anna McGarrigle, Kate McGarrigle, Craobh Rua, Ímar, Kathleen MacInnes, Hanneke Cassel, The McGoldrick Family, Karen Marshalsay, Seamus Egan, Barrule , TRIP, The Canny Band

Listen to the Show

FIRST LOOK INSIDE HISTORIC SCOTTISH BAR AHEAD OF IT REOPENING AFTER MAJOR REFURBISHMENT

• A much-loved Category A listed Edinburgh pub will reopen following a major refurbishment by Heineken-owned Star Pubs.
• The investment has turned Joseph Pearce on Elm Row into a ‘top-class’ neighbourhood pub with a stunning new décor.
• The landmark pub formally opens its doors at 12pm on 24 July following nearly seven weeks of closure for the extensive works. Edinburgh born-and-bred Paul Henderson – a local resident and former regular – is moving from a career in social care to take the reins as the new operator running Joseph Pearce on behalf of Star Pubs.

To read more, go here!

LITTLE COTTAGE ON TOP OF WELSH CLIFFTOPS WHERE DAREDEVILS COME FROM ACROSS THE WORLD TO THROW THEMSELVES OFF

• If location is king to create a memorable property then this pretty white-washed stone cottage can easily accept a crown for being a beachside beauty but with a truly unique neighbour.
• The cottage can boast a wonderful location on the cliff-top above Abereiddy beach, a quiet cove on the north Pembrokeshire coast but it's not just a mesmerising sea view as a backdrop and rugged rocks in the foreground at this traditional Welsh cottage, or the one minute walk to the beach, that make its location exceptional.
• On the far side of the small cove, accessed via a wooden bridge is a man-made feature that has been overwhelmed by nature to create a place where people come from countries around the world not just to visit but to experience.

To read more, go here!

DUBLIN IRISH FESTIVAL

• Experience the music, dance and culture at the award-winning Dublin Irish Festival, July 31 to August 2, 2026. Since 1988, the first weekend in August has been reserved for what is now one of the largest Irish Festivals in the world. This annual event transforms the city of Dublin, Ohio, into a lively and colorful tapestry of beloved Irish traditions. Within the swell of music and dance, festival-goers can also explore the richness of Irish culture through savory foods, delicious Irish whiskeys, history re-enactors, hands-on workshops and several athletic demonstrations.
• Some of the entertainment acts you will see are Eileen Ivers & The Brigideens, Gaelic Storm, SCYTHIAN, Ally the Piper, Fanore, The Prodigals, All Those Who Wander, Brigid's Cross, & more!

Find out more information

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 23, 2026

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