PUB SONGS & STORIES
Geek-rock musician Mikey Mason joins me to talk about writing songs on schedule, his New Music Monday ritual, and how to stay creative every single week. Music by Caliceltic, May Will Bloom, The Gothard Sisters, and Mikey Mason. This is Pub Songs & Stories #311 0:18 - "The Beer from St James Gate" from 2023 and Me 5:25 - WELCOME TO 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. I am your bard, Marc Gunn, also host of the . Today’s episode dives into...
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Over 3,000 stones rise from the fields of Carnac. They stand silent, waiting, like the trees of Fangorn Forest, patient and alive beneath their stillness. In this episode of Quest & Chorus, we walk among ancient alignments, uncover old legends, and listen to what endures. Featuring music from The Irish Lassies, Dublin Gulch, and Brobdingnagian Bards. This is Quest & Chorus #310 0:27 - “Hammer Up Whisky Down” from Immigration Stories 5:20 - WELCOME TO QUEST & CHORUS Welcome to Quest & Chorus, where ancient stones still speak and songs remember what trees never forget....
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The sea around Skellig Michael never rests. Waves slam the cliffs like a heartbeat, and mist rises from the rocks like breath from some sleeping giant. Eight miles off the Kerry coast, this jagged island looks less like a piece of earth and more like a fragment of another world. More than a thousand years ago, monks climbed 600 stone steps to live here, chasing silence, prayer, and the edge of heaven. Today, visitors come for the same reason, though they may not know it. Whether you’re drawn by faith, history, or a galaxy far, far away, Skellig has a way of making you listen to what the sea...
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The Quiraing is not a gentle place. Stone spires jut skyward, cliffs crumble toward the sea, and paths twist like they’re still being carved by giants. It’s a landscape that doesn’t promise safety—it dares you to take another step. On Skye, they say even dragons once hid in these folds, rising to defend the island from invaders. And standing here, staring into that mist and stone, you can feel it: adventure isn’t slaying dragons. It’s choosing to face the one within. Music from Kinnfolk, Ed Miller, and Marc Gunn. This is Quest & Chorus #308 0:39 - - “Highland...
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Welcome to Quest & Chorus, where songs remember what history forgets. I’m your bard, and today, we climb a legendary cliff—where myth and memory blur. To Tintagel. Some say King Arthur was born here. Others say he died here. And whether that’s true or not doesn’t really matter… Because this place feels like the kind of place where someone says goodbye. Today, we raise a glass—to stories that fade, and the people who carry them. This is Quest & Chorus #307 0:30 - “Mordred's Lullaby” from The Trial of Lancelot and The Secret World of Celtic Rock 3:41 - WELCOME TO QUEST...
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The Calf of Man, just off the southern tip of the Isle of Man. There’s a decayed building there. And on its wall hangs a strange thing. A life preserver—round, red and white, worn by time. It made me wonder: What do we leave behind to save the ones who come after us?” This is Quest & Chorus #306 0:21 - "Alive With You" from Open The Road 3:14 - WELCOME TO QUEST & CHORUS Where every place has a story, every story has a song, and every song is a step in the quest. I’m your bard, Marc Gunn, also host of the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast, and typically host of this show as...
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Quest & Chorus is a six-part series where I share songs, stories, and places along with a game to make the adventure even more fun. This is the first episode in your quest. A reminder to be present with those who you love, while we travel through time to Kilmartin Glen in Scotland. This is Quest & Chorus on Folk Songs & Stories #305 0:12 - “All the Time” from Regressive Folk Music 4:18 - WELCOME TO QUEST & CHORUS Where legends meet lyrics, and every place sings a story. I’m your bard, Marc Gunn, also host of the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast, and typically host of...
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Wanna hear a Harry Potter inspired cat song? Plus learn some facts about whether you should declaw your cat. Celebrate Irish Drinking Songs for Cat Lovers’ 20th anniversary with this special podcast of the new and the old. This is Folk Songs & Stories #304 0:34 - “” from 2:40 - WELCOME TO FOLK SONGS & STORIES I am Marc Gunn. I’m a Celtic folk musician living in Atlanta, Georgia and host of the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast. I’m also a cat lover as you’ll hear later on in the show. If you’re new to the show, please subscribe. You can do that or Just send me an email...
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Make sure your cat is drinking water. Cats love to pounce. It’s another 20th anniversary celebration of Irish Drinking Songs for Cat Lovers as I share the story behind “Lord of the Pounce”. This is Folk Songs & Stories #303 0:29 - “Lord of the Dance” from 3:05 - WELCOME TO FOLK SONGS & STORIES I am Marc Gunn. I’m a Celtic folk musician living in Atlanta, Georgia and host of the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast. I’m also a cat lover as you’ll hear later on in the show. If you’re new to the show, please subscribe. You can do that or Just send me an email to...
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What happens when a kitty passes from this life to the next? It’s filled with milk and catnip and all the luxuries a cat could possibly enjoy. Hear the story of “Catnipping Green” as we celebrate 20 years of Irish Drinking Songs for Cat Lovers. This is Folk Songs & Stories #302 0:34 - “” from 4:38 - WELCOME TO FOLK SONGS & STORIES I am Marc Gunn. I’m a Celtic folk musician living in Atlanta, Georgia and host of the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast. I’m also a cat lover as you’ll hear later on in the show. This show is for fans of my music. If you’re new to the...
info_outlineSt. Patrick’s Day is almost here. So it’s time to definitively answer the old question. Is it Saint Paddy‘s day or Saint Patty‘s day? Plus, I’ll give you 17 amazing Celtic bands that you should listen to for St. Patrick’s Day. Music from Socks in the Frying Pan, Marc Gunn & Jesse Ferguson, and Blackwillow Starling.
This is Folk Songs & Stories #296
0:25 - Socks in the Frying Pan "Ireland's Struggle" from Waiting for Inspiration
4:47 - WELCOME TO FOLK SONGS & STORIES
I am Marc Gunn. I’m a Celtic and Folk musician and also host of the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast, an hour-long radio show of some of the best indie Celtic music online. That was…
If you’re new to this show, please subscribe. You can do that PubSong.com or Just send an email to follow@celtfather.

5:39 - IS IT ST PADDY’S DAY OR ST PATTY’S DAY
St Paddy’s Day is the shortened version of St Patrick’s Day. However, that shortened name is often misspelled. It should be spelled Paddy. Not Patty. Patty is a girls name. Paddy is short for the Irish name Padraig.
That’s from my 11 St Patrick’s Day Facts episode of this podcast.
I learned from The Daily Difference, the newsletter of the Carbon Almanac that the Episocopal Church used their environmental voice with their wallet.
In 2015, the Episcopal Church made a commitment to divest fossil fuel investments from its holdings of around $500 million. And they honored that commitment just before the end of 2024.
We all have the power of our voice, our wallet and our time to support climate initiatives.
We are all in a weird position these days. There’s a billionaire stripping government services from people who need them, just so he can get a huge tax cut.
No matter where you stand on that situation, I don’t think there’s a single person in America who think that billionaires and corporations need a tax cut. Let me know if I’m wrong.
Sadly, we may not have the power to stop corporate entitlements. But we do have the power of our wallets. We can support businesses and organizations who are doing good things to protect the environment and protect individuals like you and me.
Take a moment and think about where your money is going. If you’re gonna play the stock market, will you consider divesting your fossil fuel investments?
9:02 - Marc Gunn “Blue Sun” from As Long As I’m Flyin’
- Learn more about Blue Sun in this episode.
- Also check out Rebellion Songs of 2019 and Rebel Pub Songs
11:29 - VOTE: Favorite songs on As Long As I’m Flyin’?
12:20 - UPCOMING SHOWS
- MAR 16: The Wings Cafe & Tap House, Marietta, GA @ 3-7 PM
- MAR 17: The Wings Cafe & Tap House, Marietta, GA @ 6-9:30 PM
- APR 4-6, StellarFest, Duluth, GA
- APR 12-13: Sherwood Forest Faire, Paige, TX
- APR 19-20: Sherwood Forest Faire, Paige, TX
- APR 25-27: Jordan Con, Atlanta, GA
- MAY 3: Maggie McGuinness Pub, Huntsville, AL
- JUL 19: Fiddler's Green Coffeehouse Concert series @ 8 PM
- JUN 21-28: Celtic Invasion of Wexford, Ireland
- SEP 24-28: ALEP 6, Harrodsburg, KY
- Gen Con!
12:51 - LATEST NEWS
See pictures from my Celtic Invasion of Scotland’s Whiskey
Merch of the Month: Limited Edition Album Pins for Come Adventure With Me.
14:23 - THANK YOU GUNN RUNNERS
Your support on Patreon isn’t just a game-changer—it’s the reason I get to make music, podcasts, and all kinds of Celtic mischief!
For just $5 a month, you unlock a treasure trove of exclusive, unreleased songs, behind-the-scenes blogs, and a massive vault of video concerts. It’s like a backstage pass to all things me!
Not ready to pledge just yet? No worries—your first mission is to take care of yourself. You can still join the club for free and get weekly snapshots of my Celtic invasions, plus updates from my wild musical adventures.
Either way, I’d love to have you along for the journey! 🍀🎻
Email follow@celtfather to get more details!
15:36 - Marc Gunn & Jesse Ferguson “Molly Malone” from Come Adventure With Me
- Interviewed Jesse Ferguson on Irish & Celtic Music Podcast
Please leave a comment on the podcast show notes at pubsong.com or wherever you're listening. You can also message me on Facebook. Email me, send me pictures of where you're listening. follow@celtfather

18:13 - 17 CELTIC BANDS YOU SHOULD LISTEN TO THIS ST PATRICK’S DAY
- The Gothard Sisters
- Kinnfolk
- The Langer’s Ball
- Jesse Ferguson
- Blackwillow Starling
- Socks in the Frying Pan
- Matt & Shannon Heaton
- The Byrne Brothers
- Cherish the Ladies
- Sorcha
- The Drowsy Lads
- Celtic Wood & Wires
- The Friel Sisters
- Enda Reilly
- The Haar
- Tradify
- Poitin
- Brobdingnagian Bards
23:50 - TODAY’S SHOW IS BROUGHT TO BY CELTIC INVASION VACATIONS
Every year, I take a small group of people on a relaxing adventure to one of the Celtic nations. 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 me with an auditory and visual adventure through podcasts, blogs, videos, and photos.
In 2025, you can join me for a Celtic Invasion of Wexford, Ireland. Sign to the Celtic Invasion Vacations mailing list at CelticInvasion.com.
24:31 - Blackwillow Starling "Matty Groves" from Blackwillow Starling
28:55 - CREDITS
Thanks for listening to Folk Songs & Stories. This episode was edited by Mitchell Petersen. It was produced by Marc Gunn and my Gunn Runners on Patreon. Follow my Patreon blog for free updates and to listen to the podcast. Sign up to my mailing list for monthly updates and to discover where I’m performing.
Please tell one friend about this podcast. Word of mouth is the absolute best way to support any creative endeavor.
And Remember. Reduce, reuse, recycle, and talk with others about how you can make a positive impact on climate change and your community.
Have fun and sing along at www.pubsong.com!
#folksongs #celticsongs