How are you?

I gotta say. I'm getting tired of quarantine. I miss knowing when my regular work day is. But we're in the height of the pandemic. We need to persist at least another month. Ugh!

Fortunately, there's a lot to do. I'm completing a ton of things around the house that I put off. It's beautiful outside. So I'm walking more. I have lots of podcasts to complete and videos to edit. And let's not forget all of the live streaming shows to watch.

Let's get on with some news.

CELTIC MUSIC FOR ARBOR DAY

April holds both Earth Day (22nd) and Arbor Day (24th).

The planet is important to all of us. But it's long been important to the Celts as I jokingly share with “Johnny Jump Up.” But it's true.

Even in lock down, we need to fight Climate Change as best as we can.

That's why I dedicated the latest episode of the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast to “Planting a Tree” for Arbor Day. This week's Pub Songs Podcast does the same.

In fact, I sing songs about trees in “Celtic Music for Arbor Day”, the latest offering from the Pub Songs Podcast.

Give it a listen. And if you're not yet subscribed… what are you waiting for?

The easiest way is to subscribe through Apple Podcasts. While you're there, you can post a review!

BALLINCOLLIG CASTLE IN COUNTY CORK

There's a happy side too. To quote Monty Python, “Always look on the bright side of life.”

I'm editing videos I should've edited months ago. The latest is from Ballincollig Castle. This was the first official stop on the way out of Cork during my Celtic Invasion of Ireland last summer.

I found it on Google Maps. We had two vans. We met up near this castle as we drove towards Dingle.

But just because it's on Google Maps does not mean it's easy to find. It turned out there was no easy access to the castle. We almost turned around until a couple of Invaders decided to jump the fence. They found an easier path. It was well worth exploring too.

I confess, my videography skills kinda suck in this video. But I think you get a nice glimpse at how it all went down.

You can watch my video of Ballincollig Castle here.

RANDOM BITS

If you're missing Sherwood Forest Faire, they are hosting a Virtual Renaissance Faire on YouTube. They filmed a bunch of shows the weekend before the faire was closed down due to the pandemic. It's a lot of fun.

I shared a new rough cut in my Gunn Runners Club this week. It's a recording of the Scottish song “Come By The Hills“.

There are over 40 rough cuts that you can listen to and download when you're a member. There's also an extended audio version of this week's Pub Songs Podcast. Subscribe at marcgunn.net.

I updated my store with several Celtic Heartstrings. There's the Butterfly, the Dragonfly, and even one I call a dragon… Let me know if you agree with that definition. Another butterfly just didn't seem right. I might have to explore this dragon design in future Heartstrings. Shop for Celtic Heartstrings now.

Finally, I plan to live stream tomorrow at 10:30 am Eastern / 9:30 am Central on Facebook. I hope you'll join me.

Thank you for your continued support.

Slainte!
Marc Gunn, The Celtfather

#celtfathernews #marcsmusings

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