Chill Celtic Folk Songs for a New Year #741

Need something calm, human, and heartfelt? We’re starting the year with chill Celtic songs… gentle voices, meaningful lyrics, and music that feels like coming home, all on the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast #741  -  -  Subscribe now!

Enda Reilly, The Druids Irish Folk Band, Brobdingnagian Bards, The Haar, Charlie O’Brien, Socks in the Frying Pan, Tiffany Schaefer, Whiskey Bay Rovers, Boxing Robin, Bealtaine, Goitse, Rambling Sailors, Heather Dale, Jesse Ferguson, The Gothard Sisters

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The Celtic Music Magazine is a quick and easy way to plug yourself into more great Celtic culture. Enjoy seven weekly news items with what’s happening with Celtic music and culture online.

Subscribe now and get 34 Celtic MP3s for Free.

VOTE IN THE CELTIC TOP 20 FOR 2026

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 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

0:07 - Enda Reilly "Red Is The Rose" from Whisperings

2:57 - WELCOME

5:01 - The Druids Irish Folk Band "Farewell to Bellaghy" from The Starry Plough

8:02 - Brobdingnagian Bards "I'm Coming Home" from Another Faire to Remember

12:34 - The Haar "Spancil Hill" from The Lost Day

17:34 - Charlie O'Brien "The Pampa's Fairest Child" from The Trackless Wild, Irish Song of the Pampa

21:20 - FEEDBACK

25:28 - Socks in the Frying Pan "Suffer in Silence" from Waiting for Inspiration

28:29 - Tiffany Schaefer "Si Do Mhaimeo I" from Tara's Halls

30:54 - Whiskey Bay Rovers "Away Rio" from Taverns and Tides

34:08 - Boxing Robin "One Autumn Morning" from The View From Here

37:52 - Bealtaine "Grafton Street" from Factories & Mills, Shipyards & Mines

41:59 - THANKS

45:06 - Goitse "Write Me Down" from Rosc

Goitse pronounced "Go - wit - cha"

48:47 - Rambling Sailors "Hi Ho Come Roll Me Over" from Kenway's Favorites

50:27 - Heather Dale "The Morrigan" from Fairytale

53:46 - Jesse Ferguson "Yankee Whalermen" from Ten

57:15 - CLOSING

58:34 - The Gothard Sisters "See You Down the Road" from Moment in Time

1:02:29 - 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.

Support for this program comes from Dr. Annie Lorkowski of Centennial Animal Hospital in Corona, California.

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. Clean energy isn’t just good for the planet, it’s good for your wallet. Solar and wind are now the cheapest power sources in history. But too many politicians would rather protect billionaires than help working families save on their bills. Real change starts when we stop allowing the ultra - rich to write our energy policy and run our government. Let’s choose affordable, renewable power. Clean energy means lower costs, more freedom, and a planet that can actually breathe.

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 Pub Songs & Stories. Every song has a story, every episode is a toast to Celtic and folk songwriters. Discover the stories behind the songs from the heart of the Celtic pub scene.

This podcast is for fans of all kinds 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 the artists to let them know you heard them on the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast.

These musicians are not part of some corporation. They are small indie groups that rely on people just like you to support their music so they can keep creating it. Please show your generosity. 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.

IRISH & CELTIC MUSIC PODFEST

Today’s show is brought to you by Irish & Celtic Music PodFest. Our first ever festival will feature three Celtic bands, including yours truly, Marc Gunn. It’s happening Sunday, March 8, 2026 at The Lost Druid Brewery in Avondale Estates, GA. Follow our event page on Facebook for more details. Or even better, Follow us for Free on our Patreon page.

While you’re there, you’ll also find out about the Kickstarter we’re launching for an album of the Best Celtic Music of 2025. Find out how You can get involved.

ALBUM PINS ARE CHANGING THE WAY WE HEAR CELTIC MUSIC

I got an email from Discmakers, my CD manufacturer, saying they were forced to raise their prices because of tariffs by our president. This is a tax on Americans. So if you love CDs, remember that the prices will go up. So please support those higher priced CDs.

But there is an option for those who don’t want to buy CDs and for those who want a better alternative for the environment. It’s the Album Pin.

Album Pins are lapel pins themed to a particular album. You get a digital download of the album. Then you can wear your album. All of my latest Album Pins are wood - burned and locally produced. This makes them better for the environment. And they are fun and fashionable. If you want to learn more about Album Pins, you can read more about them on my celtfather.Substack.com or just buy one 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 new and continued Patrons of the Podcast: Rob Burns, SJM

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. 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? Is there a new Celtic CD or Celtic band that you heard of or saw? I’d love to see a  picture of what you're doing while listening.

Email me at follow@bestcelticmusic.

Eliza emailed me on Kickstarter: “Hello Marc…I love your podcasts and all of the music! OMG! It’s fantastic!

I attended the Asheville Robert Burns Birthday Celebration and started searching for newer Celtic music. I listen to it constantly! You ask what folks are doing while listening to your show…I paint “bouquets of sunshine” watercolor cards — they’re 3 dimensional. Celtic music enlivens my heart and soul and that joy comes through in my art & flowers!

I included a few pics below and the thistle card was made for Deni & Will McIntyre who produced the new 3rd season of My Music With Rhiannon Giddens for PBS. I was invited to attend the preview party and got to meet her! Their thank you card had to have thistles and shamrocks!

I was delighted to contribute to your kickstarter! Sorry I didn’t do the survey -  I would give everything high marks! My address is below. Do you ever play in western NC? I’m an hour south of Asheville and several villages close to me have music series  - maybe in the autumn or next spring -  summer. I’m happy to send you contacts if you’re interested. I found a great Celtic jam session that plays at Trackside Brewery in Hendersonville NC late afternoon on Mondays for free! I’m a regular patron!

All the best”

Tiffany Wyatt mailed a letter: “Dear Marc Gunn, I have always wanted to reach out to you to say THANK YOU!!), not only for your amazing celtic music podcast, but just for being the awesome person and presence you are!

My husband and I have listened to the Irish & cellic music podcast for so many years , and now we also have two Kids who enjoy Celtic music. Our oldest even plays the high and low D whistles.

Needless to say, without being aware of it, you have been a tremendously positive influence in our family, and we appreciate you so much! It's more than just the music  -  you have used your platform to champion stewardship of the land, nature, and all the diverse humans who inhabit this earth. Thank you for being a voice for ALL.

A few years ago, I stopped my job in healthcare to pursue art, and its been a completely new chapter. I wanted to share a piece with you that was created to celebrate celtic music, and my home state, Oregon. I hope you enjoy!

Again thank you for all you have given us over the years  -  it’s been a real gift!

Love from Oregon

Tiffany, Steve, Connor, & Shawn Wyatt