Strange Affairs & Irish Traditions #728

From barndances with Téada to soulful ballads by Niamh Dunne, and a Donegal homecoming with The Byrne Brothers—this week brings songs and tunes to move your feet and your heart, on the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast #728 - - Subscribe now!

Téada, Eimear Arkins & Eileen Gannon, Niamh Dunne, Faoileán, Ashley Davis, Adrianna Ciccone & Ellen Gibling, The Byrne Brothers, Natalie Padilla, Toby Bresnahan, Dublin Gulch, Eamonn Flynn, Sylvia Platypus, The Irish Rovers, The Muckers, Ryan Roubison

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VOTE IN THE CELTIC TOP 20 FOR 2025

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 of 2025 episode. You have just three weeks to vote this year. Vote Now!

You can follow our playlist on YouTube to listen to those top voted tracks as they are added every 2 - 3 weeks.

THIS WEEK IN CELTIC MUSIC

0:06 - Téada "John Egan's/Saunders'/ Fort (barndances)" from Give Us a Penny and Let Us Be Gone

4:02 - WELCOME

5:43 - Eimear Arkins & Eileen Gannon "Comb Your Hair And Curl It/Boys Of Ballisodare/The Promenande (hop jigs)" from The Belles of St. Louis

9:00 - Niamh Dunne "Strange Affair" from Portraits

12:41 - Faoileán "An Bradán Feasa / Gan Ainm / The Changeling" from Far Hills

16:59 - Ashley Davis "Lessons In Irish (feat. Cathy Jordan)" from Down By the Sea

21:03 - FEEDBACK

23:59 - Adrianna Ciccone & Ellen Gibling "L'Abbiamo / Tu Scendi Dalle Stelle" from The Pear Tree

28:18 - The Byrne Brothers "Home to my Donegal (Patsy Cavanagh)" from Living the Dream

32:14 - Natalie Padilla "Ngen" from Eostre

34:48 - Toby Bresnahan "Raggle Taggle - Congress Reel" from All In Good time

39:21 - Dublin Gulch "Sarah Daly/The Copper King's Daughter" from Tap 'Er Light

43:43 - THANKS

46:06 - Eamonn Flynn "The Anne's" from Anywhere But Home

51:21 - Sylvia Platypus "9th Street" from Last Hurrah

55:08 - The Irish Rovers "The Ballad of Tom Archer" from No End in Sight

59:28 - The Muckers "Black Irish" from One More Stout

1:03:12 - CLOSING

1:05:10 - Ryan Roubison "Nyth Y Gog" from Songs from the Willow Glen

1:10:07 - 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 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 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.

Finally, remember—our planet's future is in our hands. The overwhelming evidence shows that human activity is driving climate change, from record - breaking heat waves to rising sea levels. But the good news? We have the power to fix it. Every choice we make—reducing waste, conserving energy, supporting clean energy, and lobbying our political leaders—moves us toward a more stable climate.

Start a conversation today. The facts are out there, and the future is ours to shape.

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 musician and also host of Folk Songs & Stories. This podcast is for fans of Celtic music.

We are here to build a diverse Celtic community and help the incredible artists who so generously share their music with you. If you hear music you love, please email artists to let them know you heard them on the Irish and Celtic Music Podcast.

Musicians depend on your generosity to release new music. So please find a way to support them. Buy a CD, Album Pin, Shirt, 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.

Email follow@bestcelticmusic to learn how to subscribe to the podcast and you will get a free music - only episode. You'll also learn how to get your band played on the podcast. Bands don't need to send in music, and you will get a free eBook called Celtic Musicians Guide to Digital Music. It's 100% free. Again email follow@bestcelticmusic

IRISHFEST ATLANTA

• Join us at IrishFest Atlanta on Nov 7 - 9, 2025. You'll enjoy exclusive concerts with Open the Door For Three on Friday and Teada on Saturday night.
• Plus enjoy music from Kathleen Donohoe, O'Brian's Bards, Olivia Bradley, Roundabouts, The Kinnegans, The Muckers, Irish Brothers, Celtic Brew, Station 1 2 3 and a special set from Inara and Marc Gunn.
• There are music and dance workshops, Irish cooking competitions, IrishTea, Irish Films, and of course, LOTS of Irish dancing.
• Celebrate your Irish heritage at IrishFest Atlanta in November. Bring a friend!

Learn more at IrishFestAtlanta.com

SHOP FOR NEW IRISH & CELTIC MUSIC PODCAST MERCH IN OCTOBER

From October 1–8 only, the Mage Records store has new Irish & Celtic Music Podcast merch. Pick up limited - edition CDs, exclusive album pins, and a special bundle. These are rare collections—once they're gone, they're gone. Don't miss this one - week chance to celebrate Celtic music and support the podcast.

Get yours at magerecords.com

THANK YOU PATRONS OF THE PODCAST!

Because of generous patrons like you, the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast releases new episodes nearly every single week. Your support doesn't just fund the show—it fuels a movement. It helps us share the magic of Celtic music with thousands of new listeners and grow a global community of music lovers.

Your contributions pay for everything behind the scenes: audio engineering, stunning graphics, weekly issues of the Celtic Music Magazine, show promotion, and—most importantly—buying the music we feature from indie Celtic artists.

And if you're not yet a patron? You're missing out! Patrons get:

• Early access to episodes
• Music - only editions
• Free MP3 downloads
• Exclusive stories and artist interviews
• A vote in the Celtic Top 20

Join us today and help keep the music alive, vibrant, and independent. 🍀

A special thanks to our Celtic Legends: Dave and Rosie Donnelly, Rick Boyce, Bruce, Daniel Ide, Brian McReynolds, Marti Meyers, Alan Schindler, Margreta Silverstone, Emma Bartholomew, Dan mcDade, Jeff A, Gerald F Boyle, Miranda Nelson, Nancie Barnett, Kevin Long, Gary R Hook, Lynda MacNeil, John Sharkey White, II, Kelly Garrod, Mike Schock, Annie Lorkowski, Shawn Cali

HERE IS YOUR THREE STEP PLAN TO SUPPORT THE PODCAST

1. Go to our Patreon page.
2. Decide how much you want to pledge every month, $4, $12, $25.
3. 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 2026, we're traveling to the Celtic nation of Galicia in Spain.

We'll dive deep into the history and legends of the Galician Celts, uncovering their connections to Ireland, Scotland, and beyond. We'll walk the same lands where Celtic warriors once roamed, hear the myths passed down through generations, and experience the magic of authentic Galician Celtic music, alive with passion and history.

This isn't just a trip—it's a journey into the heart of a Celtic culture unlike any other. Will you join us?

Learn more about the invasion at http://celticinvasion.com/

#celticmusic #irishmusic #celticmusicpodcast

I WANT YOUR FEEDBACK

What are you doing today while listening to the podcast? I'd love to see a picture of what you're doing while listening. Is there a new Celtic CD or Celtic band that you heard of or saw? Send a picture.

Email me at follow@bestcelticmusic.

Rich Hoffman replied to the Celtic Music Magazine to say, "Congrats on your anniversary Marc"

Andrew Pratt emailed: "Hi Marc. Congratulations on 20 years of sharing Irish and Celtic music. Because of you, I have discovered many new artists that I enjoy listening to, some of them in person at concerts and festivals. I wish you the best of luck in the coming years, both as a musician and as a podcaster. Slainte"

woodland folk emailed: "happy birthday my friend, listening to ur wexford rebellion episode,the clouds are darkening the night,the moon an iridescent strip of light grey,crows are cawing as they are also hearing something wildly beautiful .... "

Erin Nix sent a photo: "Hi Marc! Congratulations on 20 years! This podcast and what you have done through all your projects has brought so much light and joy to the world, and specifically to my life. I have discovered so many bands through this podcast, and my kids have been raised on Celtic music and enjoy your online concerts.

It was 16 1/2 years ago I discovered the Irish and Celtic Music podcast and your music. I had just come back from a two week trip visiting Ireland with my friend. I missed it so bad, that I went looking for Irish music.

Today, I'm one month into living in Dublin with my family. There have been many tears and joys with such a big move. Your podcasts have continued to bring me happiness and a sense of "home" in any country. Here's a picture of me walking back to my hotel in Four Courts Dublin after getting groceries while listening.

Thank you again for all you do! Someday I still hope to see you perform live.

~Erin (originally from Seattle)