Ireland's Struggle #697

Ireland's struggle for freedom on the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast #697 . Subscribe now!

Sorcha, Mac and Cheese, Socks in the Frying Pan, David Mitchell, Kyle Carey, Celtic Conundrum, Katie Jane Band, Charlie O'Brien, Joseph Carmichael, Ryan Dunne, Juha  Rossi, Blackwillow Starling, Drumspyder, Hounds of Finn, Santiago Molina

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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 - Sorcha "LUX" from Storm the Gate / Lux

3:15 - WELCOME

4:43 - Mac and Cheese "Whiskey Before Breakfast" from Big Fun

7:25 - Socks in the Frying Pan "Ireland's Struggle" from Waiting for Inspiration

11:47 - David Mitchell "Ward’s Brae, Holmes’ Fancy" from Contours

14:53 - Kyle Carey "Nach Muladach, Muladach Duine Leis Fhèin" from The Last Bough

17:51 - FEEDBACK

21:46 - Marc Gunn “Lord of the Pounce” from Irish Drinking Songs for Cat Lovers

26:06 - Celtic Conundrum "Bean Nighe (Washer Woman)" from Lore

29:52 - Katie Jane Band "Highlands of Scotland / Jenny Dang the Weaver" from Wild One

33:09 - Charlie O'Brien "Donovan's Mount" from The Trackless Wild, Irish Song of the Pampa

36:05 - Joseph Carmichael "The Ghosts of Hilbert's Hotel" from Single

39:03 - Ryan Dunne "Marie's Wedding" from One Day By Your Side

44:31 - THANKS

47:50 - Juha Rossi "Mr O'Connor" from O'Carolan Tunes on Mandolin

50:24 - Blackwillow Starling "Matty Groves" from Blackwillow Starling

54:43 - Drumspyder "Strathspey Drummers" from Oak and Ash

58:48 - Hounds of Finn "Gravity Pulls" from Gravity Pulls

1:02:11 - CLOSING

1:03:25 - Santiago Molina "Pasodoble de Catoira" from single

1:05:59 - CREDITS

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.

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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 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.

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If you are a Celtic musician and want your music featured on the show, please submit your band to be played on the podcast. You don’t have to send in music or an EPK, and You will get a free eBook called Celtic Musicians Guide to Digital Music. It’s 100% free. Just email follow@bestcelticmusic

THANK YOU PATRONS OF THE PODCAST!

I am in awe of your generosity. You are the heartbeat of this podcast—the reason I bring you fresh, captivating episodes every single week. And you make it all possible.

Your support isn’t just appreciated—it fuels everything. It covers our brilliant engineer, the talented graphic designer, the dedicated Celtic Music Magazine editor, and the promotion that helps this music reach more ears. Your kindness lets me buy the music you love, and it gives me the time to craft each episode just for you.

And as a patron, you don’t just support the show—you step into the heart of the music. You get exclusive, ad - free, music - only episodes before anyone else. You shape the Celtic Top 20 with your votes. You unlock free music downloads, sheet music, and your own private feed to listen your way—whether through Patreon or your favorite podcast app.

All of this, for as little as $3 a month. Three dollars. That’s less than a cup of coffee, yet it keeps the music alive. It keeps this community thriving. And it keeps you at the center of it all.

Join us today. Let’s make this music last forever.

A special thanks to our new and continued Patrons of the Podcast: Richard, Kavan Kucko

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, $3, $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

Imagine stepping into a land where time slows down, where the whispers of ancient legends dance on the breeze, and every corner holds a story waiting to be discovered. This is Wexford, Ireland, your gateway to an unforgettable Celtic adventure in 2025.

With Celtic Invasion Vacations, you won’t rush from site to site like a typical tourist. Instead, you’ll immerse yourself in the soul of Ireland, experiencing its music, history, and breathtaking landscapes like a true traveler.

Why Wexford? Because it’s where the past and present blend in a symphony of hauntingly beautiful coastlines, medieval castles, and hidden gems untouched by time. It’s where you’ll hear the melodies of Celtic legends come to life, taste the rich flavors of Irish culture, and feel the magic of a land that has enchanted hearts for centuries.

Join a select group of like - minded explorers as we venture deep into Wexford’s folklore, traditions, and music. Can’t travel with us? You can still follow the journey through exclusive podcasts and videos, letting your senses drink in the magic from wherever you are.

But don’t wait. Spots are limited, and Wexford is calling. Will you answer?

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

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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.

Davida emailed about Patreon: "Hi Marc, I have been a listener of your show for several years and really love it! You do such a fantastic job of bringing us varied and beautiful music, I can’t thank you enough. I listen to it while I’m knitting old and new Scottish patterns. I don’t think that I have any Irish or Celtic ancestry, but I’ve felt the music since I was a little girl. I have been supporting you on Patreon, but I just received a notice that they are changing the monthly donation to only one dollar. I remember hearing you say that donations could be made a different way and it would be more beneficial for you, so can you let me know how that would be? It doesn’t make sense to me to give you less money! Thank you so much and again please know that you do a fantastic job."

Sean Malloy of Band o'Brothers emailed photos from the studio: "Merry Christmas Marc!  And thanks so much for including "Christmas Time Again" in Episode #690, "Light a Candle in the Window." We're honored to have our music played alongside all the wonderful musicians on your podcast.

When I saw the title of this week's podcast I thought perhaps you had included our song "On Christmas Day," which begins with the line "We light a candle in the window for weary travelers to find their way."  But I was pleasantly surprised to hear that you also have a tune featuring the Irish Christmas image of a candle in the window.  I find it to be such a lovely symbol of hope, hospitality, and mindfulness of people who are not with us but hold important places in our hearts.

We've been spending some time at Bonehead Studio in our hometown of Cheshire, CT lately (pictures attached) and we hope to have our new album ready by February  -  so new music in time for St. Patrick's Day.  You'll be among the first to know when we release it.

Thanks again and Merry Christmas,"

David Tustin had a song request: "Marc, You asked an interesting question. Don was a God loving person, loved his family and encouraged cat and dog rescues. He also enjoyed Scotch Whisky! The best song could be one of your cat drinking songs or maybe you know of something better for your podcast.

Taing mhòr!