Episodes 98
Avg. Duration 33m
Activity Highly Active
Apple Rating 4.8 (94)
Since Jan 2017
Latest Episode Jun 2026

Publishing Details

Schedule
Monthly
Format
Episodic
Consistency
90%
Hosting
rss.libsyn.com

Contact & Outreach

About This Podcast

The show about traditional music, and the bigger stories behind it. Host Shannon Heaton talks to musicians, dancers, and scholars about where Irish music has been, where it's going, and what it means to so many people around the globe. Whether you already play fiddle or know dance steps, or you don't know anything about traditional music, the emphasis of this show is creativity, community, and heritage.

Explore Statistics

Recent Episodes

S10E93 Episode 93-Woolen Pants and Grave Situations

Jun 01, 2026 21m

What's up with "I Buried My Wife and Danced on Her Grave?" It's an old tune with an interesting title, with connections to blind pipers, Clare fiddlers, pookahs, and… wool pants. To close out Season…

S10E92 Episode 92-Eagles and Eggplants

May 04, 2026 33m

Episode 92-Eagles and Eggplants--Going for the gold year round... Things change over the years. But a lot of the same stories (and tunes) just seem to keep coming up. Like a bad penny. Or a Golden…

S10E91 Episode 91-Doherty, Norah, and Ma

Apr 01, 2026 21m

As tunes and songs get passed around they transform. Airs and hornpipes turn into jigs or reels, entire parts get added or condensed, melodies change, words alter or are forgotten altogether (until…

S10E90 Episode 90-Sweeping Through the Classics

Mar 02, 2026 21m

For this episode of Irish Music Stories, host Shannon Heaton talks to Clare fiddler Sorcha Costello to dig down to the roots of a botanically named tune, And to explore the beauty of enduring…

S10E89 Episode 89-Singing Out and Lifting Up

Feb 06, 2026 13m

For this installment of Irish Music Stories, host Shannon Heaton tucks into an old jig that has become known as The Morning Lark. It's an exploration of cartoonists and journalists, and the power of…

S10E88 Episode 88-Dark Mysteries Bright Melodies

Jan 05, 2026 12m

Early 20th century musician George White painted the New York scene with dance tunes on his piccolo; and the tune bearing his name has gone on to enchant generations of Irish musicians. Well before…

Episode 87-Revisited Fairy Forts and Changelings

Nov 05, 2025 52m

As magical new Irish music podcasts emerge, as dark forces swirl around the world, and as much of the northern hemisphere enters into shorter, colder days, the Irish Music Stories re-investigates…

S9E86 Episode 86-King of the Bees (IMS Sidequest)

Oct 21, 2025 14m

In this six-episode "Sidequest" series, Irish Music Stories host Shannon Heaton shares music from her "Perfect Maze" album (pollinator-inspired compositions for flute, strings, piano, and voice). And…

S9E85 Episode 85: Red Rose and White Lotus (IMS Sidequest)

Oct 14, 2025 16m

In this six-episode "Sidequest" series, Irish Music Stories host Shannon Heaton shares music from her "Perfect Maze" album (pollinator-inspired compositions for flute, strings, piano, and voice). And…

S9E84 Episode 84: William of Orange (IMS Sidequest)

Oct 07, 2025 13m

In this six-episode "Sidequest" series, Irish Music Stories host Shannon Heaton shares music from her "Perfect Maze" album (pollinator-inspired compositions for flute, strings, piano, and voice). And…

S9E83 Episode 83-Copper Over Navy (IMS Sidequest)

Sep 30, 2025 12m

In this six-episode "Sidequest" series, Irish Music Stories host Shannon Heaton shares music from her "Perfect Maze" album (pollinator-inspired compositions for flute, strings, piano, and voice). And…

S9E82 Episode 82-Aristotle in Spring (IMS Sidequest)

Sep 23, 2025 9m

In this six-episode "Sidequest" series, Irish Music Stories host Shannon Heaton shares music from her "Perfect Maze" album (pollinator-inspired compositions for flute, strings, piano, and voice). And…

S9E81 Episode 81-Mapping the Perfect Maze (IMS Sidequest)

Sep 16, 2025 9m

In this six-episode "Sidequest" series, Irish Music Stories host Shannon Heaton shares music from her "Perfect Maze" album (pollinator-inspired compositions for flute, strings, piano, and voice). In…

S8E80 Episode 80-The Winning Hand

Dec 19, 2024 50m

When you're tracing a song through six generations, and you're digging into distinct versions of dance tunes carried by players from East Clare, you never know what card games and shipwrecks you…

S8E79 Episode 79-Kesh v Glendart

Oct 28, 2024 32m

What is the U.S. Electoral College? And what does it have to do with The Kesh Jig and The Humours of Glendart? This election adjacent exploration of two popular jigs takes a look at the stories…

S8E78 Episode 78-Tools of the Trad

May 31, 2024 50m

When you're making an instrument, you're forming something that can be used to design a melody. Or a musical life. This episode follows a precious flute's unexpected journey. And flute makers Patrick…

S8E77 Episode 77-The Bunch of Keys

Feb 29, 2024 34m

Irish musicians, and writers, and home makers can all benefit by learning some rules and technical skills—and by allowing a little spontaneity and flexibility. But how much great technique do you…

S7E76 Episode 76-The Power of the Local Pub

Oct 14, 2023 11m

Boston producer Brian O'Donovan made a lot of space for Irish music and culture. He was dedicated to sharing it widely. And though he presented music on formal stages and through his WGBH broadcast…

S7E75 Episode 75-Betting on the Punters

Sep 28, 2023 7m

Could traditional music sessions exist without listeners? Are the non-playing listeners in public spaces important for tune players? Here's a brief podcast adaptation of a video response to this…

S7E74 Episode 74-Leaning in and Branching Out

Aug 31, 2023 59m

Communities. Forests. Families. All of these different ecosystems contain a lot of different components that weave and work together. And as people, plants, and pests carry on and creep around, rich…

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does Irish Music Stories Podcast have?

Irish Music Stories Podcast has published 98 episodes since January 2017, covering topics in Music, Places & Travel.

Is Irish Music Stories Podcast still active?

Irish Music Stories Podcast is currently highly active with new episodes monthly. Average episode length is 33m.

How do I contact Irish Music Stories Podcast for sponsorship or guest appearances?

Sign up on Grep.FM to access contact details for Irish Music Stories Podcast, including email and social media links.

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