Memorial Day in the US marks the unofficial start to summer, complete with barbecues and family picnics. But it’s a holiday that marks the solemn commemoration of those who died in battles. Celtic music is renowned for its songs celebrating those that fight in wars over the centuries and the sorrow of those left behind. The years may change but the reality of war remains the same.
This week, Katie and Joe play tracks from Ar Re Yaouank, Niamh Parsons, Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh, Mick Moloney-Jimmy Keane-Robbie O’Connell with Liz Carroll, Colleen Raney, Ruth Keggin, Frank Harte & Donal Lunny, FullSet, Christy Moore, Mason & Weed, The Wolfe Tones, Shantalla, and Gordon Duncan.
Our FairPlé score this week is 46.
Playlist:
| # | Track | Artist | Release |
| 1 | The Gleanntán Reel-The Sandymount Reel-The Beauty Spot-The Ravelled Hank Of Yarn-The Midnight Reel | Various Artists | Geantraí |
| 2 | Battle Swing | Ar Re Yaouank | Best of Ar Re Yaouank |
| 3 | The Wounded Huzzar | Niamh Parsons | Blackbirds and Thrushes |
| 4 | There Were Roses | Mick Moloney-Jimmy Keane-Robbie O’Connell with Liz Carroll | 20th Anniversary Collection |
| 5 | Johnny Has Gone for a Soldier | Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh | Foxglove & Fuschia |
| 6 | I Wish the Wars Were All Over | Colleen Raney | Linnet |
| 7 | Napoleon’s Chanter | Ruth Keggin | Turrys |
| 8 | The Gleanntán Reel-The Sandymount Reel-The Beauty Spot-The Ravelled Hank Of Yarn-The Midnight Reel | Various Artists | Geantraí |
| 9 | Lonely Waterloo | Frank Harte-Donal Lunny | My Name Is Napoleon Bonaparte |
| 10 | Both Sides the Tweed | FullSet | Notes After Dark |
| 11 | The Dying Soldier | Christy Moore | Ride On |
| 12 | Mace Bell’s Civil War March | Mason & Weed | Across The Pond |
| 13 | The Fighting 69th | The Wolfe Tones | The Anthology of Irish Song |
| 14 | John Riley | Shantalla | Seven Evenings, Seven Mornings |
| 15 | Battle O’ The Pass Of Creiff-Alex Duthart Drum Salute-Andy Renwick’s Ferret | Gordon Duncan | Thunderstruck |