Welcome to the Best Celtic Music of 2024! The Irish & Celtic Music Podcast just released the Celtic Top 20 for 2024. It features the 10 most-popular Celtic tunes and 11 most-popular Celtic tunes of the year. Since my music made the Top 20, I added two more tracks to the list. These were all voted on by fans of the podcast.

I assembled a list of great music that you can listen to as you ring in the New Year—or check out as you have time this holiday season. The tracks vary from traditional fare, to instrumental only tracks, to those that are just plain fun…and much that is in-between! I tried to lift out the very best music, but as you well know, there’s always so much more that I can’t include.

Thanks to all the great bands and musicians out there that produce such great work. Listening to you is always an honor.
Here we go:

The Gothard Sisters “Alaska Set” from Dragonfly

As a nod to the vast state of Alaska, this cut from The Gothard Sisters album Dragonfly is majestic as the mountains. The energy in the fiddle here is palpable—almost as energizing as the brush of cold air on skin. This band often draws inspiration from nature, and it works so well as a way to inform and infuse their playing with a bright energy that has become one of their trademark sounds.

We Banjo 3 “The First Second Gentleman” from Open The Road

As the band’s name implies – banjo lovers are in for a real treat when they listen to the music of We Banjo 3, and this song is a particularly good example of their delightful sound. Light-hearted and easy, but with plenty of skill and expertise, this Galway-based group has been together for a decade—and it definitely shows.

“The First Second Gentleman” is one of the ten tunes off their Open The Road album, released in 2022. It’s perfect for those who enjoy listening to a smart mix of Americana and Irish sound…and…banjo!

Poitín “Aquarius Rhapsody” from One For The Road

This gentle song starts out with a dreamy, instrumental portion that’s “narrated” by strings and flute. It’s simple and pretty, but then evolves into a high energy romp with fiddle and a very marked tempo increase that’s unexpected – but welcome at the same time. The complex arrangement has the strings harmonizing, and the blistering pace must be quite the challenge to play!

“Aquarius Rhapsody” is a great tune by the Czech Republic-based band who has been playing together since the late 1990s. They are always a great pick for a solid listen, and this song definitely highlights the skill of the group quite well.

The Drowsy Lads “Derry Reel Hooley (feat. Cathal Ó Curráin, David Howley, Fergal Scahill, Conor Mallon, Shane Hayes, Fiachra Hayes, Aodán Coyne, Katie Grennan)_The Drowsy Lads_Time Flies” from Time Flies

For a preview of the energy level of “Derry Reel Hooley”, look no further than the list of names that are in parentheses above! This track is jam packed with outstanding musicians who all contribute to the high-energy feel of the tune. It’s over six minutes long, and nobody’s stepping on anyone else’s toes here…there’s room and time for everyone to shine.

The Drowsy Lads just celebrated their 20th anniversary and it seems like they wanted everyone to hear them at their best. This song is one example, but there’s more to offer on the album. You just can’t go wrong with these guys!

Hanneke Cassel “Katrina McCoy's Jig / Sierra Fiddle Circle's Compliments to the Girls of Mudzini Kwetu” from Dot the Dragon's Eyes

Being a modern fiddler can be a tricky thing – it means coming up with your own blend of style, traditional, and forward-thinking music. Not everyone accomplishes this well, much less masters it. But then again, Hanneke Cassel isn’t just anyone.

“Katrina McCoy's Jig / Sierra Fiddle Circle's Compliments to the Girls of Mudzini Kwetu” is an instrumental track from Dot the Dragon’s Eyes, and it shows the ease with which Cassel can play. With more than two decades of experience, she has earned the hard-won ability to make playing her chosen instrument sound like an easy thing to do—which of course—it isn’t!

Sorcha “Waterman's / Luke Skywalker Walks on Sunshine” from Stomp the Floor

Any album titled Stomp the Floor has a lot to live up to right out of the gate, but fortunately Sorcha is up to the task at hand. “Waterman's / Luke Skywalker Walks on Sunshine” is an absolute treat to listen to – full of verve and punch. Fans of instrumental music that is original and fresh will nod their heads in agreement that this tune has what it takes to set feet a-tappin’!

This three-member band is experienced, and you’ll hear that easily here. The musicians effortlessly blend guitar, fiddle and Irish whistle/flute together in their music very naturally while retaining enough surprise in arrangement to keep things intriguing.

Arise & Go “Strathspeys & Reels: Lennox's Love To Blantyre / Captain Campbell / The Iron Man / Elizabeth's Big Coat / The Bird's Nest” from Meeting Place

You have to love a good Celtic trio, and Arise & Go makes the list with their compilation of “Strathspeys & Reels” here.
The musicians work their way through everything without issue, and the fiddle rings out so clearly—super crisp! The three play tightly together—it’s a pleasure, really.

It’s ever-amazing when this much sound can come out of just three players. That’s something in Celtic music that always impresses me. This is a great example of that.

Natalie Padilla “Larkspur” from Montana Wildflower

I’m not sure what a Larkspur would sound like if it were music, but I definitely won’t argue with Natalie Padilla’s floral-titled song. It’s such a fascinating tune! While a lot of spunk is present immediately in the track, it takes some engaging twists and turns that may not be entirely expected—but that also really add depth and dimension to the track.

Original music says a lot about an artist, and this song just has so much personality that it makes you want to know the musician behind the curtain. Spectacular!

Ian Fontova “Woods of Anam” from Tales of Olden, Vol. 2

“Woods of Anam” is a hauntingly beautiful track from Tales of Olden, Vol. 2 from Ian Fontova. It feels theatrical and big and beautiful—expanding as it goes to fill the room. I find it so interesting that, outside of some guitar training early on, this is a self-taught musician…because it feels so very professional and polished. Impressive.

Although this is a shorter musical offering, it’s well worth the time. It will transport you and get your imagination rolling—it just has that movie-feel to it. You’ll instantly hear it when the song begins.

Matt & Shannon Heaton “In Tune with Reality/Aileen Dillane/Brown Weasel (reels)” from Whirring Wings

This Boston-based duo offer up a delicious bit of instrumentation here in “In Tune with Reality/Aileen Dillane/Brown Weasel (reels)” from Whirring Wings. In this track the flute takes center stage, but the guitar is by no means a mere background sound. These two skilled musicians both play their hearts out here, and it whirs and strums and sings—even without vocals!

Fluttering flute combined with bright guitar make for a wonderful combination of sounds, and whenever the tune happens to be Celtic—it’s all the better for it!

Dancing With Hobbits “Old Took's Victory Dance” from Dancing With Hobbits

Close your eyes and picture a field of flowers with dancing Hobbits…it’s joyous! The goal of “Old Took’s Victory Dance” (among other tunes on the Dancing With Hobbits album) is to bring a smile to your face while bringing the Shire to life in one’s imagination. Middle-earth is good for brining a little bit of magic to the day to day, and hopefully you’ll hear that here…

The collaboration between myself, and top-notch fiddler Sam Gillogly is always a good time, and just as importantly, we believe it spreads happiness to all—Hobbit-lovers and regular folk alike. After all, you don’t need to know anything about Hobbits to enjoy our music!

Now on to the top songs!

RUNA “The Fox Went Out on a Chilly Night” from When The Light Gets In

RUNA has a charmer here with “The Fox Went Out on a Chilly Night”! The title lets you right on in to the subject of the tune…it tells of the fox who went into town and grabbed himself some supper (grey goose) for him and his little fox family. Despite the potential for the gravity of the subject to overwhelm the tune, it’s delightful and light-heartedly played by the band, as it should be!

The upbeat melody and skilled harmonies make everything sound easy as RUNA dances their way through the song. They paint a picture in your head of what is going on in town—and back at “home” for the fox once he brings dinner back after his outing this chilly night. Even though it’s a familiar traditional song, they’ve managed to make it their own on this album.

Altan “Liostáil mé le Sáirsint (Song)” from Donegal

You don’t have to be fluent in the language to enjoy this song from Altan. “Liostáil mé le Sáirsint (Song)” is deftly played and sang by the band—it’s melodious, progressing from a simple start to a fuller sound complete with beautiful harmonies and a flow that the music has built up along the way.

This is a band with a deep knowledge of music and a lot of experience playing it over the many years they’ve been together. Faithful to their musical roots in Donegal, they are always an enjoyable listen, and this song is certainly a highlight.

Vicki Swan & Jonny Dyer “Folk Club Song” from Twelve Months & A Day

“Folk Club Song” is a breath of fresh air. Vicki Swan & Jonny Dyer sing together on this tune from their album, Twelve Months & A Day, and they have a great synergy between them here. Marked by fluid musical accompaniment and sweet harmonies, it’s just a really wonderful song. There’s a sense of the personal in their music that really comes through—on this track in particular—but in all their music.

Both of these musicians have serious technical “chops”, but there’s nothing too showy or overworked in their catalogue. Instead they rely on crisp playing and develop a sense of camaraderie that shines through in each song they play. They have hit on a great recipe!

Cherish The Ladies “The Cameronian Set: Tha M'Intinn Raoir/Duke of Gordon/The Cameronian/Lady of The House” from One And All, The Best of Cherish the Ladies

This set by Cherish The Ladies shows them at their best – harmonizing clear as a bell and showing why they’ve been able to span a career that has lasted for over four decades. If you don’t already know their music, this is a great introduction to it! They are an award-winning, Grammy nominated band that exhibits a skillful mastery of their chosen instruments.

There’s a feeling of joy in “The Cameronian Set” which is very representative of the group’s overall vibe. Even after many years, it’s apparent that these ladies still love what they do—and you can feel that coming through here.

Marc Gunn “Come Adventure With Me” from Come Adventure With Me

In need of something to encourage you to face your fears and live a better life? My song, “Come Adventure With Me” might be just the song you would want to hear. This tune was originally inspired by The Hobbit, which is probably not a big surprise to those who know my musical tastes and background!

After all, don’t we all have dragons we have to slay? In one way or another, we do indeed. Have a listen and see what you think. It’s full of hope and encouragement. Thank you Bilbo Baggins.

Mànran “Briogais” from Ùrar

Meandering lyrics and simple accompaniment start off this track, which then picks up a harmony and expands in sound and feel as the song continues. There’s some unusual percussion here, alongside stellar fiddle work. This Scottish band has a distinct sound and style, but they aren’t showy—because they don’t need to be. “Briogais”

Is a great listen just as it is.

There’s a reason this group has a wide reach—they have a bespoke way of playing that truly is forward-thinking and innovative. Such a difficult task to do well, but it seems to come easy to them. You’ll hear it in this song.