From Highland Gatherings to jazz festivals and everything in between, there is something for everyone to do this month, whether you want to embrace your own Celtic roots or learn more about Celtic culture. If you know of any upcoming events, either in April or otherwise, please reach out!
A tribute album celebrating the songs of Shane MacGowan has been announced. “20th Century Paddy: The Songs of Shane MacGowan” is set to be released on November 13, 2026. The album was announced on March 12, 2026. Bruce Springsteen’s cover of “A Rainy Day in Soho” was released the same day.
On Monday, March 16, 2026, it was announced that Irish folk singer Dolores Keane died at the age of 72 at her home in Galway. She will be remembered as a leader in the Irish music world, receiving accolades for her contributions to the genre. She will be remembered for her musical legacy and her enduring spirit.
Philadelphia’s Nanny Goat Festival is set to take place on May 9, 2026. The festival will be held at American Street and Master Street in the Kensington section of Philadelphia, PA. It will feature live music, food and drink vendors, Irish dance, cultural exhibits, and activities for the whole family to enjoy.
From kilt runs to Irish festivals and everything in between,
there is something for everyone to do this month, whether you want to embrace
your own Celtic roots or learn more about Celtic culture. If you know of any
upcoming events, either in March or otherwise, please reach out!
The 2026 Winter Olympics have now come to a conclusion. It was a great couple of weeks of the best athletes in the world coming together to compete in front of a global audience. Congratulations to all athletes for your accomplishments, whether you won a medal or not. Just having the opportunity to compete in the Olympics is something so special. That said, here is a rundown of the Celtic athletes who did win medals for their performances in their chosen sport.
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Scottish folk quartet Dallahan is seeking fan support after losing £8,500 due to a canceled flight. The band was scheduled to take a flight from Scotland to the United States on January 7, 2026, with a connection in Amsterdam. However, due to cold weather and storms that hit Amsterdam, the flight was canceled the day before departure.
As someone who lives in a small town in Pennsylvania, it is quite rare that anything pertaining to Celtic culture makes the front page of my local newspaper, especially outside of March and St. Patrick’s Day. However, on a Friday in late January 2026, this exact thing happened.
From magic festivals to Highland Games and everything in between, there is something for everyone to do this month, whether you want to embrace your own Celtic roots or learn more about Celtic culture. If you know of any upcoming events, either in February or otherwise, please reach out!
On January 20, 2026, Breton musician Yann Tiersen released “Harmony,” a single in which Tiersen collaborated with French band Odenzenne. The album is a reimagining of Tiersenn’s song, “Liquid Hour,” which was released on his latest album last year. It is available to stream across streaming platforms online.
Irish-American Celtic punk band Dropkick Murphys is releasing an anti-I.C.E. song called “Citizen I.C.E.” The song will be a part of a tour-only split LP with Haywire, a fellow Boston band. The LP is called “New England Forever” and will be available on an upcoming tour which features Haywire and Dropkick Murphys.
On April 18, 2026, the National Archives of Ireland is releasing the 1926 Census of the Irish Free State online for free. This was the first census in Ireland after it was established as a free state. The release includes over 700,000 individual household returns that will be available online for free and will be searchable.
From highland gatherings to Burns Night celebrations and everything in between, there is something for everyone this month, whether you want to embrace your own Celtic roots or learn more about Celtic culture. Start 2026 out in Celtic style! If you know of any upcoming events, either in January or otherwise, please reach out!
VOCAL, a charity supporting unpaid caregivers, is hosting the 12 Dips of Christmas fundraiser. Participants are encouraged to take 12 cold-water plunges throughout December to help raise awareness and funds for the organization.
2025 was an amazing year for Celtic music and artists from the Celtic nations. From rap to traditional Celtic music, this year’s releases encompass multiple genres. As we look back on this year, let’s take a look at some of the best and most memorable albums of the year.
2025 was a great year for Celtic music. From traditional Celtic music to pop and rock and everything in between, this year’s releases truly had something for everyone to enjoy. These songs were the standout songs for me from the year. This is my opinion, so it is okay if you disagree and think other songs deserve to be here. These are my favorite songs. The songs are in no particular order.
1. “Up Hope” by Deacon Blue
“Up Hope” is from Deacon Blue’s tenth studio album. This
whole album is phenomenal and upbeat, but this song perfectly captures the
essence of the album. It is a song of hope, unity, and bringing people
together. In a world of darkness and division, this song reminds us that there
is still love and light in the world that unite us.
2. “Take A Sexy Picture Of Me” by CMAT
This song is an anthem for all women who deal with so much
on a regular basis. Women are expected to do so much and look good doing so.
Society puts so much pressure on women to look good from an early age. This
song questions the importance of that when women have so many other important
things to do. The second verse of the song was a hit across social media,
becoming the soundtrack to a viral dance and video trend.
3. “Hey Brother” by the Red Hot Chilli Pipers
I was lucky enough to hear this song live, even before I
listened to the album. I discovered the band in September of this year and went
to see them in concert. This song was an absolute standout in the concert. It
was played early on in the set. I was drawn into other songs that were played
prior to the song, but this song solidified my love for the band for me.
4. "A
Mother's Heart for Palestine" by Mothers Against Genocide
2025 was an amazing concert year for me. I got to see Mary
Black perform with the High Kings back in March, which was a great experience.
She is featured on this song, among other musicians. Not only is the song a
beautiful song in its own right, but the message behind it and the awareness it
is raising make it even better. The original song, “A Mother’s Heart,” is one
of my favorites, but this rendition adds a new layer of meaning to it.
5. “Lovers and Friends” by Varo
This song is about the current political climate around the world. It was written by Sean Mone about politicians who only work for themselves, ignoring the needs of their constituents. The song says that our social connections will get us through. Though the song was written and released by other musicians prior to this year, Varo’s rendition is timely for all that is going on in the world currently.
Related Articles:
-Album Review: "The World That I Knew" by Varo: https://kiltedowl.blogspot.com/2025/05/album-review-world-i-knew-varo.html
-Mothers Against Genocide Release "A Mother's Heart for Palestine": https://kiltedowl.blogspot.com/2025/08/mothers-against-genocide-release-mothers-heart-for-palestine.html
-Concert Review: Red Hot Chilli Pipers: https://kiltedowl.blogspot.com/2025/09/concert-review-red-hot-chilli-pipers.html
On December 12, 2025, Spiders For Ukraine will host the “Written In Light” charity concert. The night features Scottish and Ukrainian music through caroling and a concert as well as homemade Ukrainian food and crafts. This is a family-friendly event.
On December 6, 2025, ManxSPCA is hosting its ManxSPCA Christmas Fair. This year’s event will take place at The Hub in Onchan on the Isle of Mann to increase foot traffic and accessibility for attendees. The event will feature local crafters, fun holiday treats, and gifts for anyone on your list.