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The cover presents a green background framed by ornate curling designs. Gold lettering spells “Celtic Woman,” while Nollaig appears below in red with decorative accents. The subtitle “A Christmas Journey” sits in smaller gold type. Small clusters of red berries near the corners.

Album reviews

Celtic Woman Unwrap Nollaig – A Christmas Journey For 2025

Celtic Woman Nollaig – A Christmas Journey (Celtic Collections, 2025) Celtic Woman’s Nollaig – A Christmas Journey presents a 13-track Christmas studio album that brings…

The single cover for Johnny Jump Up by Ispíní na hÉireann features a large black cauldron set in a barren, rocky landscape. Pale green steam rises from the pot, curling into a fiery red-orange sky that fades to deep purple clouds. The band’s name appears in rustic orange lettering at the bottom right, while the song title arches across the top.

Music videos

Raise Your Glass: Ispíní Na hÉireann Drop “Johnny Jump Up” As Poxtail Soup Nears

World Music Central News Room October 27, 2025 No Comments Celtic music Irish music Ispíní na hÉireann world music

Dublin trad-rock outfit Ispíní na hÉireann has released a new single, a spirited take on the Cork standard “Johnny Jump Up.” The track arrives ahead…

Speyfest 2026 early bird banner. Blue background with a fiddle.

Events

Reel Deal: Speyfest 2026 Announces Debut Acts

World Music Central News Room September 3, 2025 No Comments Celtic music Irish music Scottish music Speyfest Speyfest 2026 world music

Speyfest has announced the first artists for its 2026 bill. The lineup includes Northern Ireland’s The Tumbling Paddies, Scotland’s Karen Matheson, Astro Bloc, and Dallahan.…

Landless - Lúireach cover artwork. The image features a vintage, sepia-toned aesthetic, framed by an orange border. The central composition depicts a delicate arrangement of botanical elements, including leaves, flowers, and ferns, appearing as though preserved or captured in a timeless, almost ethereal state.

Album reviews

Landless, the Enduring Power and Adaptability of Irish Traditional Music

Ryan Emmert March 4, 2025 No Comments Irish music Landless Lily Power Méabh Meir Ruth Clinton Sinéad Lynch world music

Landless – Lúireach (Glitterbeat Records, 2024) Landless is a grand Irish quartet that features Lily Power, Méabh Meir, Ruth Clinton, and Sinéad Lynch. This lovely…

This album cover by the Irish band Notify features an image of an orchestra bathed in purples and blues, with a hint of cosmic texture. The text highlights a collaboration between the Irish Concertina Orchestra, the MGCE Concert Orchestra, and Cormac McCarthy.

Album reviews

NOTIFY’s ‘Worlds Collide’: A Bold Fusion of irish Tradition and Innovation

Angel Romero February 14, 2025 No Comments Adam Taylor Celtic music Davie Ryan Hugh Dillon Irish folk music Irish music NOTIFY Pádraig Rynne Rory McCarthy Tara Breen world music

NOTIFY – Worlds Collide (Liosbeg Records, 2025) NOTIFY, a six-piece contemporary instrumental ensemble from Ireland, has released an ambitious and extraordinary new live album, Worlds…

Oisín Mac Diarmada - Lane to the Glen cover artwork. A misty photo of a pat through woods.

Album reviews

“Lane to the Glen” Celebrates Sligo’s Golden Age of Irish Traditional Music

Angel Romero January 11, 2025 No Comments Celtic music Irish music Oisín Mac Diarmada world music

Oisín Mac Diarmada – Lane to the Glen (Ceol Productions, 2024) Oisín Mac Diarmada, renowned fiddler from the band Téada, has released a new album,…

Illustration of an 18th century, high-born lady with a gypsy lover.

Articles

Gypsy Songs and Legends

John Philpott January 8, 2025 No Comments English Folk music Irish music Scots Irish Scottish music world music

Folk music has always followed people on the move, and this was particularly the case with the Scots Irish, many of whom left the British…

The Achill Sound - Paddy cover artwork. A photo from above of a man laying on the ground.

Music videos Single reviews

The Achill Sound Reinvent Irish Folk

Tom Orr May 11, 2024 No Comments Irish folk music Irish music The Achill Sound

Originating from an island off Ireland’s west coast, The Achill Sound gives a darker take on traditional Irish balladry but achieves the best of both…

Album reviews

Pól Brennan and Colleagues Craft Gripping Score for Irish War of Independence Series

Douglas Sanders September 22, 2023 No Comments Celtic music Clannad Irish folk music Irish music Pól Brennan world music

Pól Brennan – The Irish Revolution (ARC Music, 2023) Pól Brennan, a highly talented multi-instrumentalist and composer from Donegal, draws from both tradition and innovation…

Album reviews

Karan Casey’s “Nine Apples of Gold” Album Explores Themes of Resilience and Female Empowerment

Angel Romero July 6, 2023 No Comments Americana Irish folk music Irish music Karan Casey world music

Karan Casey – Nine Apples of Gold (Crow Valley Music, 2023) Karan Casey, the brilliant Irish vocalist, put together her new album “Nine Apples of…