Orkney – born fiddler Louise Bichan joins the show to talk about Binnorie, her third solo album, arriving October 30 on Adhyâropa Records. It grew out of her All Hallows’ Eve live show and gathers Scottish folk tales, trowie legends, and eerie ballads. Three tracks from the album anchor an hour of Halloween music from Scotland, Ireland, and beyond. It’s the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast #780. – – Subscribe now at CelticMusicPodcast.com!
Tan and Sober Gentlemen, Clann An Drumma, Tallymoore, Adam Agee & Jon Sousa, Niamh Dunne, Louise Bichan, Across The Pond, Mary – Grace Autumn Lee, Brobdingnagian Bards, Willos’ & Massimo Giuntini, House of Hamill, Seán Heely, Marys Lane, Aaron Dolan, The Bordercollies, Matt & Shannon Heaton
GET CELTIC MUSIC NEWS IN YOUR INBOX
The Celtic Music Magazine is a quick and easy way to plug yourself into more great Celtic culture. Enjoy seven weekly news items with what’s happening with Celtic music and culture online.
Subscribe now and get 34 Celtic MP3s for Free.
VOTE IN THE CELTIC TOP 20 FOR 2026
This is our way of finding the best songs and artists each year. You can vote for as many songs and tunes that inspire you in each episode. Your vote helps me create this year's Best Celtic music episode. You have just three weeks to vote this year. Vote Now!
Voting is important. Whether for the podcast or for your government. I’ll tell you why.
We visited the canyons on family vacation at the start of October.
A woman at Hell's Backbone Grill in Boulder, Utah, told me about a couple who love the land as much as we did. But didn’t realize their voting hurt the land they loved
They didn't know their candidate's record on public lands.
In July, Grand Staircase – Escalante lost about 90% of its protection.
One election choice. And some of the land they loved was no longer available.
They just didn't have the full picture.
We need these lands federally protected.
Early voting in Georgia runs through October 30. Election Day is November 3.
The climate is on every ballot.
Please take ten minutes today. Look up your candidates. Then vote.
THIS WEEK IN CELTIC MUSIC
0:02 – Intro: Louise Bichan
0:10 – Tan and Sober Gentlemen “Samhain’s March” from Regressive Folk Music
Pronunciation: Samhain = SOW – in (rhymes with “cow”)
2:58 – WELCOME
4:40 – Clann An Drumma “Samhain” from Boudica’s Revenge
Pronunciation: Boudica = BOO – dih – kah
7:36 – Tallymoore “The Sons of Molly Maguire” from Drive
11:30 – Adam Agee & Jon Sousa “Maids of the Mourne Shore / Niel Gow’s Lament for the Death of his Second Wife” from Suantraí
Pronunciation: Suantraí = SOON – tree
19:12 – Niamh Dunne “When Autumn Comes” from Portraits
Pronunciation: Niamh = NEEV
22:05 – FEEDBACK
25:01 – INTERVIEW – Louise Bichan
31:38 – Louise Bichan “Greenwood Sidie – O” from Binnorie.
Pronunciation: Binnorie = bin – OR – ee
37:12 – INTERVIEW – About the Album
41:28 – Louise Bichan “Trowie Tale” from Binnorie.
Pronunciation: Trowie = TROW – ee (rhymes with “cow – ee”)
45:32 – INTERVIEW – Rapid Fire Questions
48:58 – Louise Bichan “Spooky Night Cat” from Binnorie
53:01 – INTERVIEW – Closing
53:31 – Across The Pond “October Winds” from Little Beggarman
57:01 – Mary – Grace Autumn Lee “Autumn’s Fall: Drummond Castle / Brendan Tonra’s / The Yellow Wattle (Jigs)” from Eyre
1:01:21 – Brobdingnagian Bards “Dragon’s Graveyard” from Another Faire to Remember
Pronunciation: Brobdingnagian = brob – ding – NAG – ee – un
1:03:52 – Willos’ & Massimo Giuntini “The Ghost” from From Now On
Pronunciation: Giuntini = joon – TEE – nee
1:09:09 – House of Hamill “Unquiet Grave” from Wildfire
1:13:49 – THANKS
1:15:29 – Seán Heely “Dr. Midnight, Death, and the 10th Life” from Dramagical
1:19:27 – Marys Lane “Road Less Traveled / Harvest Home” from Wild Unknown
1:22:29 – Aaron Dolan “The Banshee’s Wail: Lament for the Departed” from Farewell to Tír na nÓg
Pronunciation: Tír na nÓg = teer na NOHG
1:23:35 – The Bordercollies “Twa Corbies” from To The Hills and Back
Pronunciation: Twa Corbies = twah KOR – beez
1:27:08 – CLOSING
1:28:49 – Matt & Shannon Heaton “Buried My Wife and Danced on Her Grave / Paddy Fahey’s / Aherne’s Egg (Jigs)” from Whirring Wings.
1:33:00 – CREDITS
Support for this program comes from International speaker, Joseph Dumond, teaching the ancient roots of the Gaelic people. Learn more about their origins at Sightedmoon.com
Support for this program comes from John Sharkey White, II.
Support for this program comes from Cascadia Cross Border Law Group, Creating Transparent Borders for more than twenty five years, serving Alaska and the world. Find out more at www.CascadiaLawAlaska.com
Support for this program comes from Dr. Annie Lorkowski of Centennial Animal Hospital in Corona, California.
Support for this program comes from Hank Woodward.
The Irish & Celtic Music Podcast was produced by Marc Gunn, The Celtfather and our Patrons on Patreon. The show was edited by Mitchell Petersen with Graphics by Miranda Nelson Designs. Visit our website to follow the show. You’ll find links to all of the artists played in this episode.
Todd Wiley is the editor of the Celtic Music Magazine. Subscribe to get 34 Celtic MP3s for Free. Plus, you’ll get 7 weekly news items about what’s happening with Celtic music and culture online. Best of all, you will connect with your Celtic heritage.
Please tell one friend about this podcast. Word of mouth is the absolute best way to support any creative endeavor.
Early voting is open in many states right now. It’s a great time to think about the power bills and the air in your own neighborhood.
Here’s some good news. According to Wall Street firm Lazard, solar and onshore wind are still the lowest – cost new sources of electricity in the U.S., even without subsidies.
Many of the people who decide how your power gets made are on your local ballot. That means city councils, county commissions, state legislators, and in nine states this year, the utility commission that sets your electric rates.
So before you vote, look up where candidates stand on clean energy and a healthy environment. Early voting dates vary by state, and Election Day is November 3. Find yours at vote.gov.
Thanks for listening, and thanks for voting.
Promote Celtic culture through music at http://celticmusicpodcast.com/.
WELCOME THE IRISH & CELTIC MUSIC PODCAST
* Helping you celebrate Celtic culture through music. I am Marc Gunn. I’m a Celtic songwriter and musician and also host of Pub Songs & Stories, your backstage pass to Celtic songwriters and the stories they’d only tell you after a few pints.
Every artist on this show is an independent voice, sharing their music from a kitchen, a studio, or a little stage near you. When a song or a tune moves you, tell them. Send an email and say you’re listening on the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast. A few kind words can fuel a musician all season long.
This is more than a radio show. It’s a gathering of people who love Celtic music and culture, and like any good gathering, it thrives when everyone brings something. Support the musicians you love. Buy a CD, an Album Pin, a shirt, or a digital download. Or join their community on Patreon.
You can find a link to all of the artists in the shownotes, along with show times, when you visit our website at celticmusicpodcast.com.
Pull up a chair. The music is about to begin.
CELTIC PODFEST AND NERDY ARTS MARKET
Mark your calendar. The Second Annual Celtic PodFest and Nerdy Arts Market is coming to The Lost Druid Brewery in Avondale Estates, Georgia. It’s Sunday, February 28, from 11 am until 6 pm.
Enjoy live Celtic music from Olivia Bradley, The BorderCollies, and May Will Bloom, plus a solo set from me, The Celtfather. Wander the Nerdy Arts Market, packed with independent makers. Grab a pint, meet the artists, and spend the day with your Celtic community.
Get all the details at celticmusic.org
ALBUM PINS ARE CHANGING THE WAY WE HEAR CELTIC MUSIC
Looking for a fresh way to support the music you love? Meet the Album Pin.
Album Pins are lapel pins themed to a specific album — and each one comes with a digital download. Wear your music. All of my latest pins are wood – burned and locally produced, which means a smaller footprint and a one – of – a – kind feel you won't find anywhere else.
Pick yours up at magerecords.com
THANK YOU PATRONS OF THE PODCAST!
Every episode of this podcast gets made because of our patrons. Your monthly support helps me promote the show so more people find great Celtic music. It buys music from the artists we feature. It even covers the server costs that keep everything running. Thank you.
Patrons also get to be part of a friendly community of Celtic music fans, with a place to chat about the music we all love. There’s free stuff too, like Emerald Wave, our 2026 field guide to modern Celtic music.
Thanks to our newest Patrons of the Podcast: Band o’Brothers
HERE IS YOUR THREE STEP PLAN TO SUPPORT THE PODCAST
- Go to our Patreon page.
- Decide how much you want to pledge every month, $4, $12, $30.
- Keep listening to the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast to celebrate Celtic culture through music.
You can become a generous Patron of the Podcast on Patreon at SongHenge.com.
TRAVEL WITH CELTIC INVASION VACATIONS
Every year, I take a small group of Celtic music fans on the relaxing adventure of a lifetime. We don't see everything. Instead, we stay in one area. We get to know the region through its culture, history, and legends. You can join us with an auditory and visual adventure through podcasts and videos.
In 2027, we're hiking the Isle of Skye. Head on over to http://celticinvasion.com/.
#celticmusic #irishmusic #celticmusicpodcast
I WANT YOUR FEEDBACK
What are you doing today while listening to the podcast? Send me a photo. If you’re in a Celtic band, send me an audio recording of you performing live. Just audio. I’ll use it in a podcast episode later this year.
Email me at follow@bestcelticmusic.
Keith Muhlenkamp emailed: “Hello Marc!
I've been listening to the podcast since the original songhenge days, but have never reached out before today. I just finished listening to the Celtic Protest Songs episode, and I wanted to say thank you. I really enjoyed the back stories of the songs, and how they're especially relevant today. I increased my subscription, to help offset any losses you have as a result of that episode. Hopefully there won't be many! Thanks for speaking up regardless.
I listen to the podcast while doing many things! From planting a garden to harvesting ducks to having a beer with friends, the podcast is a consistent companion. Thanks again for sharing this wonderful, powerful music.
If your hip can handle it and you find yourself in Portland, Oregon, I'll happily take you for a run and a beer! ”
Woodland Folk sent a bunch of pictures:
Mary Donahue emailed back in March: “Hi Marc,
I'm glad you reached out as I have been meaning to email you specifically about the protest songs episode. I love getting this podcast on a regular basis, it is joyful and reminds me to continue to celebrate my deep Irish roots. But Episode 749 was really special. Besides loving that you opened with the Dropkick Murphys, the song selection reminded me that our ancestors lived through horrific times, such as those we are currently experiencing, and survived to write songs for us to remember and honor their hard times and ultimate successes.
I found that episode to be encouraging and inspirational. And thank you for reminding us to work to save our planet and our democracy, even when others don't agree with this sentiment. Please keep up the great work, I appreciate all that you do!”
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
