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Artwork for Irish Music Stories Podcast

Irish Music Stories Podcast

Shannon Heaton
Irish Music
Perfect Maze
Irish Traditional Music
The Mountain Streams Where the Moorcocks Crow
Monarch Butterflies
Community
Family Heritage
Music Education
Biddy Travers
William Of Orange
Deforestation
Honey Bees
Supernatural Lore
Fairy Forts
The Kesh Jig
The Humours Of Glendart
Down the Broom
Social Dynamics
Spontaneity
Technique

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 her... more

PublishesMonthlyEpisodes96Founded9 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Places & TravelSociety & CultureMusic

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Artwork for Irish Music Stories Podcast

Latest Episodes

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 the song becomes just a tune). In this episode, sing... more

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 classics. _________________ For playlists, transcripts, li... more

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 names and name calling. Above all, it's a celebrati... more

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 that, a piper lured 130 children with his sweet play... more

Key Facts

Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Recent Guests

Niamh Parsons
Traditional Irish singer, active musician and advocate
Musicians' Union of Ireland (president since 2021)
Episode: Episode 91-Doherty, Norah, and Ma
Sorcha Costello
East Clare fiddler and musician featured in the episode
Independent musician from East Clare
Episode: Episode 90-Sweeping Through the Classics
Tara Connahan
A fiddle player and host of In Tune With Tradition, Perspectives on Session Etiquette and Irish Traditional Music
Episode: Episode 89-Singing Out and Lifting Up
John Tunney
A singer from Donegal with a deep connection to Irish folk traditions.
Episode: Episode 80-The Winning Hand
Mary MacNamara
Concertina player who learned traditional tunes from her family.
Episode: Episode 80-The Winning Hand
Nathan Gourley
Boston-based fiddle player with a focus on traditional Irish music.
Episode: Episode 77-The Bunch of Keys
Brendan Mulholland
Flute player based in County Antrim, known for his engaging teaching style.
Episode: Episode 77-The Bunch of Keys
Sharon Murphy
Journalist and mother to host Shannon Heaton.
Episode: Episode 77-The Bunch of Keys

Host

Shannon Heaton
Flute player and host with a focus on traditional Irish music; engages in deep, contextual conversations with musicians, dancers, and scholars.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 129 ratings
  • A thoughtful podcast

    I love listening to Shannon’s podcast episodes. You can clearly tell she puts so much time and effort into them. Each episode has been lovingly curated.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    TaraConnaghan
    Ireland2 months ago
  • Absolute banger

    By far my favourite podcast! Comfort, joy, laughter, curiosity - the whole spectrum of emotion in one wee parcel. Absolutely delighted to see the sidequest episodes come on 💖

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ThistleNrose
    United States6 months ago
  • Extremely Well-Produced, Insightful View into a Vibrant Musical Tradition

    Shannon Heaton’s podcast is an excellent, insightful view into a vibrant musical tradition for those who know something about Irish music and those who are interested in learning more. Heaton, a noted flute player, offers a highly textured approach to each episode’s topic. In doing so, she weaves together many strands: a highly sophisticated appreciation for the music itself with a keen awareness of the social and community dynamics in which it’s played and performed; the complexities of keeping... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    msvt
    United States3 years ago
  • Thanks!

    I’m really enjoying this podcast cast. Keeps me engaged and going back to play my flute which has sat too long untouched.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Kesselflickr
    United States3 years ago
  • This is my all time favorite podcast!

    Shannon is a great storyteller and produces an amazing show. She weaves interviews and music throughout. I find something to love in each one and am enjoying learning more about the music I love in this engaging format. You can tell this is a labor of love and I wholeheartedly encourage us all to support this podcast so she can keep on producing more!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    beanie_boy
    United States4 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Fans appreciate accessibility for newcomers to Irish trad while staying rewarding for longtime aficionados.
The show is described as well-produced with rich storytelling and music.
Listeners praise the host's thoughtful interviewing and musical depth.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#206
Ireland/Music

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Episode 77-The Bunch of Keys
Q: So how do you teach other people to do that?
Nathan emphasizes the importance of immersion in music, listening, and sharing experiences.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Irish Music Stories Podcast

What is Irish Music Stories Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Traditional Irish music, storytelling, and community dynamics are the core throughlines across recent episodes. Conversations blend musicology, performer backgrounds, and social and cultural context, with a strong emphasis on heritage, transmission of tunes, and the evolving contemporary scene. Notably, the show continually pairs in-depth interviews with musical examples, weaving personal narratives into broader cultural discussions that appeal to both musicians and general listeners curious about Irish trad. A standout trait is the host's warm, curious interviewing style and a clear commitment to accessibility, making dense topics feel inviting while highlighting living traditions and recent musical developments.

Where can I find podcast stats for Irish Music Stories Podcast?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Irish Music Stories Podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Irish Music Stories Podcast and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Irish Music Stories Podcast get?

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What are the audience demographics for Irish Music Stories Podcast?

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How many subscribers and views does Irish Music Stories Podcast have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Irish Music Stories Podcast has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

How many episodes of Irish Music Stories Podcast are there?

Irish Music Stories Podcast launched 9 years ago and published 96 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Irish Music Stories Podcast?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Irish Music Stories Podcast?

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How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Irish Music Stories Podcast?

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What guests have appeared on Irish Music Stories Podcast?

Recent guests on Irish Music Stories Podcast include:

1. Niamh Parsons
2. Sorcha Costello
3. Tara Connahan
4. John Tunney
5. Mary MacNamara
6. Nathan Gourley
7. Brendan Mulholland
8. Sharon Murphy

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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