Celebrate your Celtic heritage and bring something a little different to the festivities by doing one or more of the following:

• Decorate your tree in a “Celtic” theme. This can really be anything you want–get creative! Whether you make ornaments by hand or start a tradition of buying decorations with a Celtic theme, it can be fun to create a look that is all your own.
• Make a Celtic slideshow. If you are computer-savvy, why not do a slideshow of photos that reflect on your family’s Celtic heritage? You can add some appropriate music and create copies for everyone in the family. This is a project that can double as a gift!
• Write a Celtic carol. Do you play an instrument? Can you sing? Amuse friends and family by coming up with your own Christmas carol–Celtic-style! It’s fun at parties!
• Host a theme party. You don’t have to restrict costumes to Halloween. Why not have a holiday party with a Celtic costume theme? It makes for great pictures and good memories.
• Do Celtic cards. Head out to a Celtic store (or shop online) and get some cards with a theme that reflects your heritage–or pen something appropriate yourself if you have the gift. It’s nice to send something out besides snowmen and Santa Claus.
• Give Celtic gifts. Support the Celtic marketplace by giving gifts from merchants that sell related products. You can get anything from a nice sweater to a piece of lovely crystal–and don’t forget the Celtic MP3s!

My best wishes to all for a wonderful holiday season!

Oh, and if you have a way of infusing a little “Celtic” flavor into your holiday season, please do share it here!

Catherine L. Tully specializes in writing about the arts, lifestyle and travel. She is the Owner of 4dancers, a blog for those who love dance, and Editor for Freelance-Zone, an award-winning site for freelance writers. Catherine also reviews music for Celtic Music Magazine.

Now that my radio is off I’ve been playing my favorite Christmas albums. Below are some of my favorite Celtic Christmas albums. I couldn’t live without them. If you want to purchase the albums to listen to them for your own enjoyment, you’ll have plenty of time before Christmas. You’ll also have time to order a second album after you have worn the first one out, or as a Christmas gift for someone.

“Winter in Scotland: A Highland Christmas” Steve McDonald
With his deep voice and his unique arrangements of traditional songs, Steve has created an incredible, unforgettable Christmas album. The talented Holly Smith adds her sweet voice to this amazing album. My favorite songs: Silent Night, Happy Xmas (War is Over) and Angels We Have Heard on High

“I’ll Be Home For Chistmas” Paul Byrom
(frequently out of stock, but well worth any wait) Paul lends his beautiful velvet voice to an array of holiday songs and adds a charming flair that is all his own. He throws out a few surprises as well. Paul can also be heard on Celtic Thunder “Christmas.” To hear a Christmas concert staring Paul Byrom and Hayley Westenra visit RTE Radio 1 archive files (RealPlayer required for listening). My favorite songs: On Saviour’s Day, A Winter’s Tale and O Holy Night

“Celtic Christmas” and “Winter, Fire And Snow: A Celtic Christmas Collection” Orla Fallon
These two spectacular albums by Orla (formerly of Celtic Woman) cover many standard Christmas songs and several new ones. Each song is clearly performed with genuine emotion that is hard to miss. Méav, Vince Gill, David Archuleta and Anúna join Orla to gift us with their enchanting sounds on “Celtic Christmas.” Orla Fallon is also on the Celtic Woman “Christmas Celebration” album.
My favorite songs: Bells of Christmas, Oíche Chiúin (Silent Night), It Came Upon a Midnight Clear/The First Noel and Winter, Fire and Snow

The Irish Tenors “Christmas”
The voices of Finbar Wright, Anthony Kearns and Karl Scully come together in several brilliantly arranged songs to make some one-of-a-kind medleys. They also perform some traditional and newer Christmas songs with dramatic results.
My favorite songs: Mary Did You Know, Fairytale of New York, Sleigh Ride/Feliz Navidad Medley and Jingle Bell Rock/Round the Christmas Tree Medley

“Beyond the Star” Michael Londra
Michael’s crystal-clear voice creates a delightful blend of traditional and non-traditional songs in an album that shows a genuine love for the songs and the season.  My favorite songs: Winter, Fire and Snow and With Strings of Lights

Not an album, but a truly amazing Christmas single I recommend is Ryan Kelly‘s “Not Far Apart.” This beautiful song can help you cope with the loss of loved ones during the difficult holiday season.

Alicia Coller is an avid listener of many types of music. She writes music reviews for Celtic Music Magazine, for The Celtic Radio Network and for her own personal blog. 

Enjoy more Celtic Christmas music with the Celtic Christmas Podcast.

Spfld Irish Fest 2008 Ladies of Longford Lone Raven twins. Photo by Cindy Funk.

One of the great things about indie Celtic music that no one really talks about is the approachability of the Celtic artists.  If you go to pop rock show, it’s highly unlikely that you will ever meet the lead singer face-to-face.  You’ll be lucky if you meet the drummer who was only hired to fill in for one gig.

In the Celtic music world, it is completely different.  Many times the only way you will not meet the artist is if they are surrounded by other fans.  That’s what I learned when I asked that question last month on facebook.  Most Celtic musicians love to meet their fans at shows.

In fact, when I posed this question on facebook, I was flooded with names of friendly musicians like Emerald Rose, Red McWilliams, Ed Miller, Mark Stone, Mark McMillan, Albert Alfonso, Alex Beaton, Emily Dugas of Clandestine, Deanna Smith Scotland of Jiggernaut, Wolf Loescher, Wade Harper, Linda Relph of Nine-8ths Irish, Constant Billy, The Tea Merchants, and Sean Orr.

Yet, when it comes to the internet, things are a wee bit different.  Many traditional Celtic musicians who aren’t online at all.  Some of those who are can take months to respond.  But every now and then, you email an artist and something incredible happens.  You get a response.  I learned this nine years ago when I compiled my first Celtic compilation CD for the Celtic Music Magazine.

I was looking for a big name to attract contributors.  I emailed two bands: Dropkick Murphys and Black 47.  The Dropkick Murphys never emailed me back.  Nor their manager.  I have emailed them several times over the years.  I’ve heard not a peep.

So I was blown away one hour later when Larry Kirwan of Black 47 responded to my email.  He was kind, generous, and extremely personable.  He’s that way every time I email him.  I also hear he is just as personable on his Celtic Crush radio program on SiriusXM.

The only problem I have run into with my fans is time.  I consider it essential to respond to every email I get.  Unfortunately, it can take anywhere from two days to two months to respond.  So I’m sure you can understand why this list is so much smaller.

Here are some of the most-accessible Celtic musicians online: Poitin, MacTalla Mor, Máirtín de Cógáin, Eric Bogle, Scrum, Black 47, Anne Roos, Diane Linn, Bow Triplets, and Mairéid Sullivan.

I am certain those lists are much bigger.  So tell me.  What Celtic musicians have you met at festivals and shows?  What Celtic musicians surprised you surprised with an email back?  I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Marc Gunn is the Chief Editor of the Celtic Music Magazine at www.celticmp3s.com. He is an award-winning acoustic Celtic folk musician  and was donned “The Celtfather” by the media for being a champion of indie Celtic music. He has given away over ten million free MP3s through his music and podcasts since he began his Celtic music career in 1999. His Irish & Celtic Music Podcast has won two awards for “Best Podsafe Music” in the annual Podcast Awards and is one of the most-popular music podcasts on iTunes.

• The Celtic Crier
• Fanrealm
• 67 Celtic Music Promotions
• Celtic Music Fan
• Celtic Radio
• The Celtic Link

Do you know of any indie Celtic music websites, blogs, forums?  Post your suggestion below.

The Ireland.com App shown here highlights events occurring throughout Ireland and Nothern Ireland.

When my friend Betty suggested, “You should take my iPad for a few weeks. Find all the good apps and then show me how to use them,” I hid my excitement by grunting, “Are you sure?”

For the last two weeks I’ve been tapping and swiping my way across the iPad and iPhone testing over 150 apps… the ones that crashed, the ones that were copycats, the ones that had nothing to do with Irish travel, the ones that were Wikipedia in disguise, and the ones that delivered as promised.

My criteria was pretty straightforward. The apps had to work, they had to be useful for either traveling or planning travel to Ireland, and they got bonus points if they could be used without requiring a connection to the Internet. Here are the standouts:

THE TRAVEL GUIDES

Belfast In Your Pocket

Dublin In Your Pocket

iPhone – $2.99 each

No matter which capital city you visit, In Your Pocket has created two full-service apps that don’t require an internet connection to access their core content which includes restaurants, nightlife, sightseeing, transport, maps, and plenty more. Meanwhile, when connected to the internet, users get currency conversion, weather, and location-specific details. The only thing missing is access to the publications archive of articles… I guess we’ll still need to browse the web for those.

Lonely Planet Dublin City Guide

Lonely Planet Belfast City Guide

iPhone – $5.99 each

Although their entire Ireland guide is only available as an e-book, Lonely Planet has put all their Dublin and Belfast info into two snazzy apps. Their collection of background info is perfect for reading on the plane, and their interactive maps pinpoint all the recommended places to eat, sleep, site see, shop, and experience the cities… just tap the pin and read more about the attraction… the most popular spots even include phone, web, transportation and email info.

Ireland.com Travel

iPhone & iPad – FREE

With an emphasis on events, restaurants, pubs, and places to stay, this digital extension of IrishTimes.com focuses what’s hip and happening. The format is especially enjoyable on the iPad. Unfortunately, both versions require an internet connection to access the info which can be parsed by county.

Ireland – Travel Guide

iPad & iPhone – FREE

The info in this app is straightforward and basic, but it does a nice job of incorporating maps and places nearby. It also includes a feature that lets you share your travels via email… unfortunately, it once the one feature that crashed when I tried to use it on the iPad.

WALKS & SPECIALTY GUIDES

Trail Kilkenny

iPhone – FREE

For those taking to the trails of County Kilkenny, this app currently features 14 hikes with excellent overviews, tips, maps, points of interest (food and shopping), photos and even videos. It also allows you to add photos, text, and GPS tracking to your trip to share with friends. They’ve thought of everything and even allow the information to be downloaded to your device for access without an internet connection.

GoExplore Northern Ireland

iPhone – FREE

This app delivers five tours in Northern Ireland: road racing, Bushmills whiskey, Belfast and the Titanic, the Causeway Coast, and Derry/Londonderry. The well-produced video narrative at each stop are a nice touch and the fact that tours can be pre-downloaded or streamed gives users some nice options. The “Attractions” section is a bit light, but the events calendar offers a variety of suggestions, and the integration helps get user to their next stop.

iSpySculpture Dublin’s Public Art

iPhone – $3.99

You never know when you might stumble upon some of Dublin’s public art. Well, unless you’ve got the iSpy Sculpture app loaded. Great photos and descriptions put 50 of the city’s most notable sculptures in the spotlight. They even include some of the clever “unofficial” names Dubliners have coined like calling the Molly Malone statue “The Tart with the Cart” or “The Trollop with the Scallops.”

Festivals Guide 2011 IE

iPhone – $.99

Pick a day and see what festivals are going on in Ireland. Each listing includes a brief description and a map location. It’s not a comprehensive list, but it does include some items that a visitor might otherwise miss.

Clare Ecclesiastical Trails

iPad & iPhone – FREE

County Clare on Ireland’s West coast has a little bit of everything for the visitor, and this app offers insight into some of the more interesting historic, Christian sites in the region. The app divides the county into four regions, and the featured stops are a wonderful mix of known and lesser-known sites.

Dezzie’s Guide to Pinting in Dublin

iPhone – $1.99

This app took me completely by surprise by offering a lot more information than I expected. It taps Dublin’s reputation as the center of the universe for the “black stuff” and includes a full assortment of pint descriptions, tidbits, and vernacular, as well as a useful list of exceptional Dublin pubs and even more tips for exploring the city.

Dublin Walking Tours and Map

Galway Walking Tours and Map

Dingle Walking Tours and Map

Waterford Walking Tours and Map

Cork Walking Tours and Map

Dublin Literary Walking Tour

iPhone – $4.99 each

Each of these walks offer different experiences in their respective towns and cities. The information is a bit dry, but they get the job done with decent maps and walking instructions, and if you’re completely disoriented, the “Find Me” feature will get you back on course.

TRANSPORTATION

iTrainLive Ireland

iPhone – $.99

If you’re traveling by train, this simple app takes your start and end points and gives you a timetable including transfers… very handy when you simply need to know when the trains run.

CoPilot Live UK & Ireland

iPhone -$32.99

Offering turn-by-turn GPS navigation in Ireland without requiring an international data plan, this app does a great job of keeping travelers on-course… or off-the-beaten-path if you choose the “shortest route” feature. Read our full review.

EXTRAS

Titanifacts

iPhone – $1.99

Built in the same country as the Titanic — Northern Ireland, Titanifacts looks at the history of the memorable ship and it’s tragic maiden voyage through documentary clips, photos, and trivia. The app also connects travelers with attractions connected to the Titanic in Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, England, and the US. You can also check out their FREE Titanic Dock iPad App.

Get The Focal Irish Translator

iPhone – $3.99

This app will come in especially handy when you approach a public toilet and don’t know if you should go in the door marked “Mná” or “Fir.” The offline dictionary includes 13,000 words and the online list covers over 200,000 terms. Will you use when you travel? Probably not. Will you impress your friends when you send them messages with Irish words? It’s likely.

PODCASTS

You can bring along your favorite Ireland-related podcasts using these apps.

Irish Fireside Podcast

iPhone – $1.99

The Engaging Ireland Podcast

iPhone – $1.99

Hotels & Transportation

Several hotels, attractions, airports, taxi companies and the bus system have hopped on the app bandwagon. These basic apps often include contact, booking, and special offers information. It doesn’t hurt to do a quick search to see if a service you’ll be using offers an app.

Every effort was made to assure the information presented here was accurate when published (remember, apps are quickly updating). A portion of app sales that come from clicking these links may benefit the Irish Fireside through our iTunes Store affiliate program.

The website was started nearly a decade ago by Marc Gunn of the Texas Celtic internet superduo, Brobdingnagian Bards. The duo got their start playing Renaissance festivals but soon became a force to be reckoned with through their online popularity. Their music and popularity shot them up the MP3 charts on MP3.com and they became one of the top 20 most-downloaded groups of all time with several million downloads of their music. However, it was, in part, their Celtic Lyrics directory that set them apart and established their name online.

Gunn explains, “I don’t read music. I learn by listening to others. So I thought it’d be awesome if there was a resource where people could read the lyrics and listen to a song in its entirety all online.”

Thus was born the Celtic Lyrics Directory. Gunn added lyrics and chords to each song as well as streaming MP3s so Irish song lyric hunters could listen and learn the melody by ear.

Eventually, the Celtic Lyrics webpage on the Brobdingnagian Bards website was replaced with it’s own domain, Irish-Song-Lyrics.com. The number of lyrics grew from forty to over one hundred songs. Gunn recently added Scottish song lyrics to the list, as well as a few of his own original Celtic songs. He also added the “Free Celtic Songs” podcast so new songs and lyrics could be downloaded as they were released.

The popularity of the Irish Song Lyrics website has grown by leaps and bounds. It is now the most-popular website for anyone searching for Irish song lyrics for St. Patrick’s Day or any day of the week.

Find out more about Marc Gunn at www.marcgunn.com and about the Irish Song Lyrics website at www.irish-song-lyrics.com.

Supporting our community is important. It is one of the reasons why the Celts have flourished around the world. Because we are involved. We interact. We support one another.

Earlier this year, I wrote a blog called “How Can You Get Involved in 2011?” for my fans and for fans of bands. Many of these same tips are useful for people who want to get involved in their community.

However, here are a few ways you can get involved:

1. Join the board of your local Celtic non-profit organization.
2. Volunteer to work at your local Celtic festival.
3. Help a board member organize and promote an upcoming event.
4. Do you know Gaelic? Share your gift by teaching workshop on the basics of speaking the language.
5. Pass out fliers about your your Celtic community at a St. Patrick’s Day celebration (make sure to ask permission if it’s at a pub).
6. Got a special talent? Donate your talents to your community. It doesn’t have to be Celtic related. Just share.
7. Promote your favorite band.
8. Attend a live Celtic music show.

I’d like to hear your thoughts on the topic.

Are you a member of your local Celtic non-profit?

How do you get involved?

Marc Gunn “The Celtfather” is an indie acoustic Celtic folk musician–-Celtic music, the Traditional and the Twisted–and Chief Editor of the Celtic MP3s Music Magazine. He fun his own record label, Mage Records, which rusn the Celtic Music CD Store. Gunn is a champion of indie Celtic music and has given away over ten million MP3s through his music and podcasts since he began his Celtic music career in 1999. His Irish & Celtic Music Podcast won “Best Podsafe Music” two years in a row in the Podcast Awards and is one of the most-popular music podcasts on iTunes.

In World War I, the 27th Infantry Division was called O’Ryan’s Roughnecks after the commanding general, John Francis O’Ryan. The arm patch for the Division is round and features a red circle over a black background with red stars in the shape of the constellation, a visual pun on O’Ryan’s name.

In Greek mythology, Orion was a skilled hunter who boasted that he had the ability to kill any creature on Earth. To humble him, the gods sent a giant scorpion to battle, defeat and kill him. Out of pity for him, the gods placed him in the sky as one of the major constellations.

The Colorado band is a five-member group of talented musicians who create a highly textured instrumental sound unique to the local Celtic music scene. Having come together four years ago, the five members, Star Edwards, Ruth Chaikin, Rebecca Beshore, John Lowery and Ben Williams play a mixture of musical styles that is primarily folk-based and includes Celtic, Renaissance, contemporary, Jewish and South American influences. Ben suggested the name after the band concluded that the first name they chose – Dagda – was hard for people to remember and spell – and that most people recognize the constellation and know about Orion’s belt and forget that he was a hunter and has a bow, too.

With Star on harp and bodhrán, Ruth on recorder, mandolin and penny whistle, John on the electric bass and acoustic guitar, Rebecca on recorder and accordion and Ben on the fiddle, cello, maracas and potato, the band enjoys making music for the pleasure of their audiences and believes that music is a force in the world and has the power to heal and make the world a better place. Each is a skilled musician with solo-playing talent that makes their usual set list of upbeat, fun songs a multicultural folk music experience.

All work full time at other jobs that require the use of interpersonal skills and caring for people. An accomplished teacher, Star writes music and arrangements and books on music (nine so far) and is a gemologist and a Certified Music Practitioner and has done much work in hospice settings. Ruth is a program assistant in the Art Department of the University of Colorado at Denver, Rebecca a critical care nurse at Lutheran Medical Center, John in the parts department at Rickenbaugh Cadillac and Ben is a chemical engineer who also sings with the Colorado Symphony Chorus (but not with the band).

The band works out arrangements and set lists together for their 15 or 16 appearances a year at festivals, weddings and private parties. The members also sometimes work in duos or trios as schedules and events permit and require and still produce the same gentle sound that is strong on melody that carries each piece through with an emotional, evocative impact.

For information about tickets, future appearances, music samples and links to YouTube, visit their website at www.orionsbowmusic.com.

Rodger Hara is a real estate development consultant in Denver and a contributing writer to the monthly Celtic Connection magazine there as well as for the Celtic MP3s Music Magazine.  He covers local news including pub bands, pipe bands, Celtic dance, fairs and festivals and merchants offering Celtic products.  He sings with his group Celtic Friends whenever possible.

For example:

“Wild Mountain Thyme”. It’s a love song that says I’ll do anything for you, but if you don’t love me back, screw you!

“Peggy Gordon” is a beautiful song that tells the story of a man madly in love with a woman who doesn’t care much for him as well.

Fortunately, I write a lot of my own love songs which are perfect for my Celtic Valentine’s Day. Below is a short list of of some of the songs that I love to sing.

1. Wild Mountain Thyme – I will love you always… unless you don’t love me, then screw you!
2. Another Lonely Night – Missing your love.
3. An Irish Lullaby – Parental love and longing.
4. Lish Young Buy-A-Broom – Falling in love on the road, but not being able to stay with them.
5. The Bridge – A lover’s apology.
6. When She Held Me In Her Arms – Falling in love with someone in a market place and living happily ever after.
7. Peggy Gordon – Falling in love but being rejected.
8. Nation Once Again – Love for one’s country.
9. Star of the County Down – Falling in love with someone and doing your all to marry them.
10. Loch Tay – Being in love with someone who is not commited to you.
11. Mairi’s Wedding – Going to a wedding.
12. Maid Went to the Mill – Lustful love.
13. My Love Is Like A Red, Red Rose – Loving someone whole-heartedly until they no longer love you.
14. Lusty Young Smith – In love with sex.
15. Gypsy Rover – A love stolen away from you.
16. Salley Gardens – Falling in love with someone who is not yet ready to love.
17. Galway Shawl – Falling in love with someone and finding you can’t stay with them, but you will always remember them.

What about you? What are your favorite Irish love songs?

—–

Marc Gunn “The Celtfather” is an acoustic Celtic folk musician–-Celtic music, the Traditional and the Twisted. Gunn is a champion of indie Celtic music and has given away over ten million MP3s through his music and podcasts since he began his Celtic music career in 1999. His Irish & Celtic Music Podcast won “Best Podsafe Music” two years in a row in the Podcast Awards and is one of the most-popular music podcasts on iTunes. He is also Chief Editor of the Celtic MP3s Music Magazine. Subscribe today at www.celticmp3s.com.

Pandora Celtica, while no more visible from afar than any other group still manages to stand apart from the rest. Comprised of musically-educated and talented singers like other groups, they are one of Colorado’s aural wonders. Singing a skin- tight five part harmony, they have an a capella sound like the John Renbourn Group blended with the Manhattan Transfer by way of Lambert Hendricks and Ross. The group has been around for five years and the current five members, Rion Bergquist (aka “Requiem”), Amanda Efron (aka “Discordia”), Melissa Scheel (aka “Rubiee”) Emily Atherton (aka “Nessa”) and Chaz Kemp (aka “Shadowcat”) have been together for less than year but sound like they’ve sung together much longer.

When the group first formed, they sang traditional Celtic songs and included many chanties and other songs of the sea to go with their name – “Pandora” for HMS Pandora, the ship sent by the British Admiralty to chase down the mutineers on the Bounty that sank off the coast of Australia – and “Celtica” for the Celtic music. Their song list now includes more original songs written by members of the group and their families and they have shifted their onstage persona from the original pirate flavor with a dark edge to one that instead goes with the Pandora of Greek mythology.

Rather than treating her “box” as one that released troubles into the world, they are using it as a vehicle for opening the door to a variety of musical sounds, styles and structures, liberating themselves from being locked into a single idiom or form.

All the members have extensive experience in choral singing in high school and college and participate equally in contributing to arrangements that tend to grow organically from their weekly rehearsals. Rion, works for satellite TV firms by day, has a four-plus octave range to go with his height and is the business manager and “resident microphone tyrant”. Amanda works in the Longmont Library when she’s not adding her distinctive touch to the harmony of the group – hence “Discordia”. Melissa is the Keeper of the Keys to Pandora’s box and is a cosmetology student the rest of the time. A recent graduate of CSU, Emily works for a call center and is in charge of morale for the group. Chaz is the group’s artist and does all the album artwork when not painting, drawing, acting and writing. The winner of a Regional Emmy, Chaz also occasionally plays a doumbek hand drum for percussion back up.

You can hear some of their songs and catch their act on YouTube – but to get the full flavor and effect you need to see them live. Read the “back story” for each of their adopted stage names, find out where they are performing next and buy their CDs at www.pandoraceltica.com.

Rodger Hara is a real estate development consultant in Denver and a contributing writer to the monthly Celtic Connection magazine there as well as for the Celtic MP3s Music Magazine.  He covers local news including pub bands, pipe bands, Celtic dance, fairs and festivals and merchants offering Celtic products.  He sings with his group Celtic Friends whenever possible.