Water-bound for Ireland #767

A playlist that goes from the Snug all the way to the Shannon. Blackwillow Starling brings Lughnasadh morning vibes, River Driver takes us to Donegal Bay, and Leevy delivers that Top Road energy. Plus new music from Sean Griffin to close things out. It's the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast #767.  -  -  Subscribe now at CelticMusicPodcast.com!

Arise & Go, Boxing Robin, Blackwillow Starling, Tulua, Dervish featuring Cathy Jordan, Leevy, Colin Steele, CaliCeltic, The Tan and Sober Gentlemen, River Driver, Dropkick Murphys, Sean Griffin

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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!

THIS WEEK IN CELTIC MUSIC

0:02 - Intro: Emily Huffman

0:10 - Arise & Go – "Munlochy Bridge / The Editor's Favourite / Portencross Castle / MacKinnon's Other Rant / Attwood O'Connor's / Dr. Alasdair MacKenzie's / The Lassie's Fashion / The Primrose Lass" from Moments of Light

5:48 - WELCOME

7:13 - Boxing Robin – "The Scots Guards Set" from Land of the Noon - Day Moon

11:17 - Blackwillow Starling – "Lughnasadh Morning" from Thornaeppel

16:33 - Tulua – "Ebb and Flow / Dawn of Dara / Scartaglen (Waltz / Jigs)" from In The Snug

21:54 - Dervish featuring Cathy Jordan – "The Broad Majestic Shannon" from The Great Irish Songbook Vol 2: Poets & Storytellers

26:04 - FEEDBACK

27:53 - Plastic Free July

30:46 - Leevy – "The Top Road Band" from Baile Mhúirne or the Soldiers March the Paps of Anú

34:45 - Colin Steele – "Elgin Laddie" from Stramash II

39:49 - CaliCeltic – "The Humours of Whiskey - Stick to the Craytur - Paddy's Panacea" from West of Shannon

44:21 - THANKS

46:11 - The Tan and Sober Gentlemen – "Waterbound" from Veracity

48:28 - River Driver – "Donegal Bay"

52:34 - Dropkick Murphys – "Chesterfields and Aftershave" from For The People (Expanded Edition)

56:59 - CLOSING

57:42 - Sean Griffin – "People Are Mad" from People Are Mad

1:00:44 - CREDITS

Support for this program comes from Hank Woodward.

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

Support for this program comes from John Sharkey White, II.

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

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: plastic isn't just a waste problem, it's a climate problem. Most plastic is made from oil and gas, and producing it releases greenhouse gases at every step. This July, take part in Plastic Free July. Swap single use plastics for reusable bags, bottles, and containers.

Solar and wind are now the cheapest power sources in history. Cutting plastic is another way to shrink demand for the fossil fuels behind it. Reduce your waste this month, one choice at a time.

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, where I share stories behind my songs and those of other Celtic and folk musicians.

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.

As with all things, it is important to support our community, whether that is local or in a small niche we love like "Celtic music". Skip the big corporate businesses and bands. Instead, spend your money where it will make a difference. You can do that with each of the artists on today's show OR your favorite artists. 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.

ALBUM PINS ARE CHANGING THE WAY WE HEAR CELTIC MUSIC

Looking for a fresh way to support the music you love? Meet the Album Pin.

Album Pins are lapel pins themed to a specific album — and each one comes with a digital download. Wear your music. All of my latest pins are wood - burned and locally produced, which means a smaller footprint and a one - of - a - kind feel you won't find anywhere else.

Pick yours up 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, including this one. 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, all while spotlighting artists like Arise & Go, Tulua, Dervish, and the rest of this week's lineup.

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 like the ones you heard today.

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

All of this lives over at SongHenge.com.

A special thanks to our newest Patron: Manuel Duarte

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, $30.
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 Celtic Invasion of Hiking the Isle of Skye in 2027 at http://celticinvasion.com/

#celticmusic #irishmusic #celticmusicpodcast

I WANT YOUR FEEDBACK

What are you doing today while listening to the podcast? Send me a photo. If you're in a Celtic band, send me an audio recording of you performing live. Just audio. I'll use it in a podcast episode later this year.

Email me at follow@bestcelticmusic.

Jonathan Dyer emailed: "Hey Marc, Thank you thank you.

Lovely programme as always (I'm currently listening … as far as Dál Riata so far… whilst sending the final DDP and artwork off for the album.  So it's really finished.… and trying not to melt in the unseasonably weather that we're really not cut out for. Much love"

John Mahony messaged on Patreon: "Mark, thanks and bravo for the stand on AI. It seems it's getting harder and harder to avoid, let alone the impact on the environment and people's jobs in other fields. Let's keep finding ways to support real people making real music! Slainte!"

John Sharkey White, II messaged in response to the Plastic Free July PSA: "Hi Mark, I was listening to one of your latest podcasts and, as a physician, thought I could add to your discussion of plastics. I wanted to share some important health information about plastic containers. New research shows that tiny pieces of plastic — called microplastics — may be getting into our bodies more than most people realize.

What Are Microplastics?

Microplastics are very small plastic pieces, usually smaller than a pencil eraser. They break off from larger plastics over time. Scientists have found these particles in human blood, lungs, liver, and even in unborn babies. This means most people are already being exposed.

How Do They Get Into Our Bodies?

Plastic food and drink containers are one of the main sources. When plastic containers get scratched, worn out, or heated up, they can release tiny particles into your food or drink. Bottled water and packaged foods are also common sources. Plastics also contain added chemicals — like phthalates and bisphenols — that can leak into what you eat and drink.

Why Does It Matter?

Scientists are still learning how harmful microplastics really are, but early studies suggest they may cause inflammation, cell damage, and problems with the immune system. Some research also points to possible links with heart disease and reproductive health. Most experts agree that more studies are needed before we fully understand the risks.

What Can You Do?

The good news is there are simple steps you can take to lower your exposure:

• Switch to glass, stainless steel, or ceramic containers when you can
• Never microwave food in plastic — heat causes plastic to release more particles and chemicals
• Use a reusable stainless - steel water bottle instead of single - use plastic bottles
• Cut back on bottled water
• Try to buy food with less plastic packaging
• Throw away old or scratched plastic containers
• Dust and vacuum your home regularly — microplastics can float in the air too

You probably can't avoid microplastics completely, but these small changes can

make a real difference while scientists continue to study the long - term effects."