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Irish Music Stories Podcast

Shannon Heaton launched Irish Music Stories in 2017 with podcasts, essays, and bonus content to explore Irish, Scottish, and other Celtic traditions. Each episode focuses on a different theme, weaving stories and music from some of the finest trad musicians from around the globe. 
🦋 SEASON 10 (2026) will feature notable tunes, and the bigger stories behind them.

“Irish musician Shannon Heaton knows that a good story told well can entertain, illuminate, even educate.”
Boston Irish Reporter
“Heaton does an excellent job of keeping the subject interesting to aficionados while at the same time engaging and accessible to non-initiates.”
IRISH ECHO
“One of the single best repositories of insight into Irish music, the scene surrounding it, and the people who populate it.”
Tim Britton
“Helps you understand the life behind Irish music… your heart is drawn in, your thoughts and imagination are captivated.”
Brian Benscoter
“Shannon’s podcast makes me crave family reunions (with real open fires) where we’d all find something really appealing in these stories of music, stories that carry us across emigration paths and emotional landscapes.” -
Deirdre Cronin
“A lovely, accessible window into the richness of the tradition.”
Steve Marantz

The Heaton List

no thanks, i'm good