Céad Míle Fáilte
It is Todd once again. Be sure to check out the Kickstarter for the Celtic Podfest. This week’s issue includes new episodes of our own Irish and Celtic Music Podcast and Pub Songs and Stories. The other highlighted podcasts are In Tune with Tradition and Copperplate Time. The articles this week are an interview with A.S. Fanning, The Prodigals claiming a Guinness world record, and the Georgina Campbell Irish Food and Hospitality Awards. We included a new list of albums. Also our spotlight shines on the Harpers Ferry Highland games taking place October 3rd and 4th at Sam Michaels Park in WV, with a kickoff party on October 2, at The Barn of Harpers Ferry. We hope you enjoy this issue. Until next time, Sláinte mhaith!
KICKSTART THE CELTIC PODFEST
The 2027 Kickstarter for the Celtic PodFest and Nerdy Arts Market is now live. We need you to make this a successful event. All you have to do is a make a pledge to support the festival. Any amount is great and will help us reach our goal. But you can get some great rewards when you pick a reward level.
We are currently at $2,886 of our $3,700 goal; that's only $814 away. Also announced are our stretch goals:
✅ $6,000 - Bonus Concert for Backers
Every supporter gets a second full concert delivered as a podcast, just for backers. More of that live festival magic, yours to keep.✅ $7,000 - Bigger, Better Promotion
We grow the advertising budget so more Celtic music lovers hear about the festival. A fuller room, a bigger day, and a stronger crowd for the bands you're helping fund.✅ $8,000 - Celtic PodFest on Video
We bring cameras to the stage. Each band gets 3 to 5 songs filmed live, so you can watch the festival, not just hear it. Backers get the video performances to keep.✅ $9,000 - Band Interviews on the Podcast
Short, fun interviews with each band, recorded around the festival and released on the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast. More stories, more spotlight, more love for the artists.✅ $10,000 - Concerts for the World
We release a full concert to the official Irish & Celtic Music Podcast for everyone, not just backers. The music travels far beyond one Sunday in Georgia.
As soon as we hit our goal, I will confirm with the artists I picked for this latest festival.
IRISH & CELTIC MUSIC PODCAST: FAREWELL TO THE DRUNKEN PIPER #776
Aaron Dolan, Blazin' Fiddles, Niamh Parsons, Flynn Cohen, The Sternwheelers, McFloosey, Téada with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra, Clay Babies, Adagio Trio, Moor of Dundee, The Crazy Rogues, Celtic Cross, First Highland Watch, Gaelic Mishap, Dallahan
Raise a glass to our latest patrons of the podcast: Mark Huffman, Jammon, Maureen P Devine
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.
WHAT'S NEW WITH CELTIC MUSIC
& CULTURE ONLINE?
PUB SONGS & STORIES #318: THOSE CHARACTERS DIED, HOUSE OF HAMILL STORY, VIDEO PUB SONGS
Sally Brown sails in from Balscadden Bay. Those characters died... again.. in song. And Malloy gets his story told. Pub Songs & Stories tries something new: video. Music from McFloosey, Marc Gunn, House of Hamill. This is Pub Songs & Stories #318.
NEW CELTIC ALBUMS
Ruin - by Syr
Devoted - by Andy Irvine
Vous reviendrez! - by Antoine Gauthier
The Four Seasons of the Emerald Isle - by Elian Whispers
Celtic Acoustic: Melodies of the Spring Square - by YUNOKIA
Bio (Live 2026) - by Aile
Tartan Rants and Rhapsodies - by Isabel Oliart, Sammy Wetstein, Anne Hooper
Tales of the Realm - by Ciara Quinn
Attn Bands: Go to 4celts.com to submit your band to the podcast.
IN TUNE WITH TRADITION - PERSPECTIVES ON SESSION ETIQUETTE IN IRISH TRADITIONAL MUSIC: PEOPLE FIRST, MUSIC SECOND
This episode of In Tune with Tradition was recorded in person in Miltown Malbay during Willie Clancy Week 2025, (shortly after the podcast was officially launched), where Clare fiddle player, teacher and broadcaster Joan Hanrahan joins Tara Connaghan for a warm, reflective conversation about what Irish traditional music sessions really are: shared spaces built on listening, trust, and people first. They talk through session etiquette, intergenerational learning, the role of repetition and repertoire, and why music can feel healing in moments of grief, joy, and everything in between.
TEN MINUTES WITH... A.S. FANNING
DUBLIN-born, Berlin-based singer-songwriter A.S. Fanning returns to Ireland this month for his first headline tour here in nine years.
The former frontman of The Last Tycoons, whose brooding baritone has drawn comparisons with Leonard Cohen, Nick Cave and Scott Walker, released his fourth solo album, Take Me Back to Nowhere, in February, while a new B-sides EP, Unbearable Miracle, arrives on September 18…
To read more, go here!
COPPERPLATE TIME 550
BOTHY BAND, LIAM FLYNN, PLANXTY, MICK, LOUISE & MICHELLE MULCAHY, LAOISE KELLY & TIARNÁN ÓDUINNCHINN, McCARTHY FAMILY, THE BONNY MEN, DAITHI GORMLEY & ELAINE O'REILLY, THE DUBLIN TRIO, DANNY O'MAHONY & MICHEAL O'RAGHAILLAIGH, MARTIN HAYES & DENNIS, RALPH McTELL & LAIM O'FLYNN, JOHN McEVOY, DANU, JOHN DOYLE, ANDY IRVINE, 4 MEN & A DOG, PLANXTY
THE PRODIGALS CLAIM GUINNESS WORLD RECORD FOR LONGEST BAND RESIDENCY AT NEW YORK VENUE
New York's The Prodigals have officially earned their place in the Guinness Book of World Records as the title holders for the longest annual residency by a band. The Celtic punk legends have called Paddy Reilly's Music Bar on Second Avenue home for 29 consecutive years, dating back to their first performance on St. Patrick's Day in 1997.
The band recently celebrated their historic certification with a special Half-Way to St. Patrick's Day performance on Friday, September 18th at Paddy Reilly's, the venue that has been their base for more than 1,500 performances. The evening brought together longtime fans, former band members, and special guests from New York's vibrant Irish music community to honor this remarkable milestone…
To read more, go here!
IRELAND'S BEST FINE DINING RESTAURANT REVEALED AT GEORGINA CAMPBELL AWARDS 2026
Ireland has long maintained a reputation for high quality hospitality and it is safe to say the restaurant industry remains in good hands.
Some of the country's leading eateries and hotels have been crowned at Georgina Campbell's 2026 Irish Food and Hospitality Awards, with plenty of famous faces in the mix…
To read more, go here!
HARPERS FERRY HIGHLAND GAMES
Step into the heart of Celtic heritage at the Harpers Ferry Highland Games, a celebration of the ancient Scottish traditions that test strength, skill, and spirit. Hosted by the Harpers Ferry Celtic Culture Society, this festival welcomes all to experience the vibrant culture, music, and athleticism that define the Highland Games.
Join us at Sam Michaels Park in Jefferson County, West Virginia, for a weekend filled with tradition, entertainment, and community.
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
September 24, 2026
TELL A FRIEND
Do you have a friend who loves Celtic music? Why not share the latest episode of the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast. Share this newsletter or your favorite episode. Tell them why you love it.
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