Blue Sun, 5 Things to Do in County Mayo, Ireland #264

01/31/23 • 42 min

1 Listener

The itinerary for my Celtic Invasion of Westport, Ireland is now online. Find out what my Firefly song, “Blue Sun”, has to do with Monopoly and Walmart. Get an Atlanta Food Recommendation. Then go out to eat with your own Celtery.

This is Sci Fi Pub Songs & Stories #264.

0:20 - Kilted Kings “Blue Sun” from Flower of Scotland

WELCOME TO SCI FI PUB SONGS & STORIES

I am Marc Gunn. This is the audio edition of my newsletter as well as the liner notes for the songs I record. You can follow this show at PubSong.net or send an email to pubsong@celtfather to sign up and get the MP3s for my songs featured in this episode.

3:10 - WHAT’S NEW: A NEW SHOW NAME

One of my weaknesses is sometimes I have to try something before I can see how effective it is. The past two episodes were called Atlanta Pub Songs & Stories because I wanted and still want to highlight things around Atlanta, where I currently live. The problem is I wasn’t sure what to do. Yes. I have a food recommendation coming up. But when I put myself in the shoes of potential listeners, like you, I just don’t see the Atlanta part as being useful for reaching an audience. More than likely, you’re interested in Sci Fi, fantasy, Celtic music and culture, or pop culture because that is what I do. Atlanta is not as essential to the music story even though most of my shows are located in this city.

And so, I’m pleased to introduce Sci Fi Pub Songs & Stories.

5:15 - UPCOMING SHOWS

FEB 9: Drinking Songs Concert on Bandcamp @ 7 PM ET
FEB 11: Pontoon Brewing, Sandy Springs, GA @ 12-3 PM
JUN 3-10: Celtic Invasion Vacations, County Mayo, Ireland

6:25 - CELTIC INVASION OF WESTPORT, IRELAND

This June, I’m bringing a small group of people to Westport, Ireland. I’d like you to join me.

Westport is part of the Wild Atlantic Way. That’s a spectacular, scenic route from Irishowen in County Donegal all the way down the west coast of Ireland to Kinsale in County Cork. It’s broken up into 14 stages, two of which are in the area we are staying, Achill Island and Clew Bay, and Westport to Clifden.

5 Things You Should Do in County Mayo, Ireland

Go to Matt Malloy’s Pub in Westport.
Visit Westport House and take a train around town to get to know the history behind the Irish of County Mayo
Hike up Croagh Patrick, This pilgrimage area has a story that St. Patrick himself scaled this mountain and fasted atop it for 40 days way back in 441 AD. It’s definitely a revered site in this area of the country, and can make for a great stop on any trip to the region.
Take a boat out to Clare Island to visit O’Malley Castle, one of the castles owned by the Pirate Queen, Grace O’Malley.
Take pictures all along the Wild Atlantic Way.

I completed the itinerary for the trip and already I think I scheduled way too much. There are so many fine castles, cliffs, and amazing things to see, not to mention the time I hope to spend in Matt Malloy’s listening to music. It’s gonna be an incredible trip.

I still have space for just two more people. If you’d like to join me in Ireland, hear me perform live in your living room, you won’t be sorry. It’s gonna be spectacular.

Check out the itinerary for the Celtic Invasion Vacations of Ireland 2023 and drop me an email to let me know that you want to go!

10:35 - Marc Gunn & Jamie Haeuser “Gypsy Rover” from How America Saved Irish Music

13:50 - DOWNLOAD MY FREE EP

You can download all of my songs in this show. Just send me an email to pubsong@ celtfather. You will get an auto responder with a link to download this month’s album. You can also subscribe to the podcast if you’re not already subscribed. It’s quick and easy.

While you’re emailing me to get your free EP, let me know what you’re doing while listening to this episode.

14:35 - STAND AGAINST BLUE SUN CORPORATION AND GET LOCAL

I loved Monopoly as a kid. I taught Kenzie it. After just two games, I was kinda done. The game drags on just way too long. Unfortunately, Kenzie is not done with it. She loves it and makes us play as often as we will let her.

So I finally figured out how to ...

This is Sci Fi Pub Songs & Stories #264.

0:20 - Kilted Kings “Blue Sun” from Flower of Scotland

WELCOME TO SCI FI PUB SONGS & STORIES

3:10 - WHAT’S NEW: A NEW SHOW NAME

And so, I’m pleased to introduce Sci Fi Pub Songs & Stories.

5:15 - UPCOMING SHOWS

FEB 9: Drinking Songs Concert on Bandcamp @ 7 PM ET
FEB 11: Pontoon Brewing, Sandy Springs, GA @ 12-3 PM
JUN 3-10: Celtic Invasion Vacations, County Mayo, Ireland

6:25 - CELTIC INVASION OF WESTPORT, IRELAND

This June, I’m bringing a small group of people to Westport, Ireland. I’d like you to join me.

5 Things You Should Do in County Mayo, Ireland

Go to Matt Malloy’s Pub in Westport.
Visit Westport House and take a train around town to get to know the history behind the Irish of County Mayo
Hike up Croagh Patrick, This pilgrimage area has a story that St. Patrick himself scaled this mountain and fasted atop it for 40 days way back in 441 AD. It’s definitely a revered site in this area of the country, and can make for a great stop on any trip to the region.
Take a boat out to Clare Island to visit O’Malley Castle, one of the castles owned by the Pirate Queen, Grace O’Malley.
Take pictures all along the Wild Atlantic Way.

I still have space for just two more people. If you’d like to join me in Ireland, hear me perform live in your living room, you won’t be sorry. It’s gonna be spectacular.

Check out the itinerary for the Celtic Invasion Vacations of Ireland 2023 and drop me an email to let me know that you want to go!

10:35 - Marc Gunn & Jamie Haeuser “Gypsy Rover” from How America Saved Irish Music

13:50 - DOWNLOAD MY FREE EP

While you’re emailing me to get your free EP, let me know what you’re doing while listening to this episode.

14:35 - STAND AGAINST BLUE SUN CORPORATION AND GET LOCAL

So I finally figured out how to ...

Previous Episode

Green Grow the Rashes | Robert Burns #263

Was Robert Burns a Vulcan? Learn more about one of the most-famous songs by the great Scottish poet, Robert Burns. Get ready for the pub that’s not really a pub. Catch a bus at a Buzz Stop. It might help beautify your neighborhood and fight climate change.

0:20 - “Ride On” from Flower of Scotland by Kilted Kings

4:40 - WELCOME TO ATLANTA PUB SONGS & STORIES

I am Marc Gunn. This is the audio liner notes for the songs I record and play and for the stories I gather and the people I meet in the city of Atlanta. It’s also the audio edition of my newsletter. You can subscribe at pubsong.net, you’ll get the written version of this podcast, along with quick access links to many of the stories listed I’m telling you about.

5:10 - WHAT’S NEW?

Interviewed Heather Dale at GaFilk
Check out the Folk on Foot podcast
Kilts, Celts and Rock’n’Roll on the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast
2022 Year in Review
Atlanta Irish & Celtic Music
Free Irish Music
Published my Daily Journal from Celtic Invasion of Loch Lomond, Scotland

7:40 - “She’s Shiny” from As Long As I’m Flyin’

11:56 - MAGGIE MCGUINNESS PUB

Maggie McGuinness Pub is not your typical Irish pub. Not unless your typical Irish pub is located in the basement of an Irish American home in the suburbs of Hunstville, Alabama.

“To The Irish!”

That’s their slogan. And you best be ready to shout when the time comes. Aside from that, the Pub is just a fun place to play.

For over a decade, I have packed that basement, decorated to look the most-traditional of Irish pubs. I am excited to return there once again in January.

12:50 - UPCOMING SHOWS

Here are some more shows happening this month:

JAN 21: Maggie McGuinness Pub, Huntsville, AL @ 7 PM
JAN 25: Coffee with The Celtfather on YouTube @ 10:30 AM EST
JAN 28: The Lost Druid, Avondale Estates @ 6:30-9:30 PM
FEB 11: Pontoon Brewing, Sandy Springs, GA @ 12-3 PM
JUN 3-10: Celtic Invasion Vacations, County Mayo, Ireland

Is there a venue that you think I should perform at? Please let me know about it.

I’m looking for new places to play this year. Maybe there’s a spot near you. And if you live in the Atlanta area, then it’s even more possible. Let’s make it happen!

13:35 - “Loch Lomond” from Selcouth

16:27 - GREEN GROW THE RASHES

I got a t-shirt at a Highland Games as a kid. It read, “Spock is a Scot.” I never understood that until I heard Scottish singer, Ed Miller, introduce “Green Grow the Rashes”. He joked, “I know a Scotsman who loved a woman so much. He almost told her.”

The joke is that Scots are not very emotional. And yet, this song by Scotland’s National Poet, Robert Burns, is one of the most beautiful, touching, and emotional songs ever written.

There's naught but care on every hand, In every hour that passes, O! What signifies the life o' man, And 'twere not for the lasses O?

Green grow the rashes O! Green grow the rashes O! The sweetest hour that e'er I spent Were spent among the lasses O!

The war'ly race may riches chase, And riches may soon fly them, O! And tho at last they catch them fast, Their hearts can ne'er enjoy them, O!

But gie me a cannie hour at e'en My arms about my dearie, O! And war'ly cares and worldly men, May all gae tapsalteerie, O!

For you sae douce wha sneer at this, Ye're not but senseless asses, O! The wisest man the world e'er saw, He dearly loved the lasses, O!

Auld Nature swears the lovely dears, Her noblest work she classes, O! Her apprentice hand she tried on man, And then she made the lasses, O!

I don’t remember who I learned this song from. But I’ve always been a hopeful romantic. I loved it. Brobdingnagian Bards performed it regularly even before we recorded it for our alb...

Next Episode

When She Held Me In Her Arms, Running Tips #265

Happy Valentine’s Day! I have a love song story to share with you from my newest CD, Selcouth. Find how my next album, Come Adventure With Me, is progressing. I added another February gig to my calendar. I share things no one ever told me about running. And is Arbor Day in February?

This is Sci Fi Pub Songs & Stories #265

0:24 - “Galway Shawl (live)” by Marc Gunn from Camping Trip 2022

6:13 - WELCOME TO SCI FI PUB SONGS & STORIES

7:19 - UPCOMING SHOWS

FEB 17: Ironshield Brewing, Lawrenceville, GA @ 7-10 PM
MAR 10: Tucker Brewing Company, Tucker, Ga @ 6:30-9:30 PM
MAR 15: St Patrick’s Day Concert on Bandcamp @ 7 PM EST
MAR 18: Pontoon Brewing, Sandy Springs, GA @ 1-4 PM
MAR 18: Ironshield Brewing, Lawrenceville, GA @ 7-10 PM
JUN 3-10: Celtic Invasion Vacations, County Mayo, Ireland

WHAT’S NEW?

Thanks to everyone on Patreon who voted for the next Internet Concert theme. Next month’s theme is Irish music for St Patrick’s Day. In April, we’ll sing Irish Drinking Songs for Cat Lovers.

Read the Daily Journal from my Celtic Invasion of Loch Lomond.

Oh! Make sure you subscribe to Sci Fi Pub Songs & Stories. I’m sharing songs I recorded on a camping trip last fall. They’re kinda romantic too!

8:47 - COME ADVENTURE WITH ME...

Is the title of my next album. I did a Kickstarter for it about this time last year. It was a huge success, fully funded a few days into the campaign. I gave myself until July to actually release the album to supporters. But that’s not good enough. I’m gonna try to release the digital music to supporters by my birthday, March 17.

Will that happen? We shall see.

Right now, I have 8 songs fully completed. I have four more that are being edited. So I’m well on the way to completing it by that date. There are several other tracks. I still haven’t come up with a good album pin idea. But I’m hopeful I can figure that out in the next few weeks.

But I am super excited that the project is almost done. Because I have three other albums to work on: Dancing With Hobbits, Another Faire to Remember by Brobdingnagian Bards, and whatever the next album will be... I have an idea or two...

12:07 - “Wherever I May Roam (live)” by Marc Gunn from Selcouth

14:55 - DOWNLOAD MY FREE EP

You can download all of my songs in this show. Just send me an email. pubsong@ celtfather You will get an auto responder with a link to download this month’s album. You can also subscribe to the podcast if you’re not already subscribed. It’s quick and easy.

While you’re emailing me to get your free EP, let me know what you’re doing while listening to this episode.

15:06 - WHEN SHE HELD ME IN HER ARMS

In 2001, the Brobdingnagian Bards were performing at a lot of faires. Kansas City Renaissance Festival was one of the biggest and the coolest gig we had booked to that date. They paid us to fly to KC from Austin, Texas for several weekends. They put us up in a hotel. We hung out with 3 Pints Gone. We made a lot of new fans. We were even hired to perform at a wedding.

I don’t remember all of the details surrounding the writing of “When She Held Me In Her Arms”. But that festival stands out in my mind. I remember writing the song in the hotel after a long day at faire. It flowed out of me, filled with so much hope, love, and romance about finding true love and never turning back.

Andrew and I recorded it shortly after that. We went into the studio. The Bards recording was decent enough, but the performance was way too fast. So it did not end up on A Faire to Remember or Songs of Ireland. But when I was trying to put together a compilation of music so we could book some wedding gigs, I added that song to A Celtic Renaissance Wedding. But I was never really happy with it as a recording.

Nevertheless, I continued to sing the song over the years. When I met Gwen in 2009, I sang it to her at MileHiCon in Denver. She was living in Virginia at the time. But she flew to ...