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The Thistle & Shamrock Award-winning radio host Fiona Ritchie explores evolving music from Celtic roots in Europe and North America.
Special Series

The Thistle & Shamrock

Host Fiona Ritchie explores Celtic roots music on her weekly radio program
The Thistle & Shamrock: The Road Of Tears

This week's episode of The Thistle & Shamrock features music by Battlefield Band. John Slavin/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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John Slavin/Courtesy of the artist

The Thistle & Shamrock: The Road Of Tears

Fiona Ritchie's selections this week include traditional broadsheet ballads and music hall choruses from artists like Dolores Keane, Mick Moloney, and Battlefield Band.

The Thistle & Shamrock: The Road Of Tears

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The Thistle & Shamrock: New Writing

This week's episode of The Thistle & Shamrock features music by John Doyle. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Courtesy of the artist

The Thistle & Shamrock: New Writing

Brand-new music, including festival commissions and soundtracks, from artists including Gillian Frame, Michael Rooney and The Macalla Orchestra, John Doyle, John McCusker and Mike McGoldrick.

The Thistle & Shamrock: New Writing

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The Thistle & Shamrock: Spring Is In The Airs

This week's episode of The Thistle & Shamrock features music by Liz Carroll. Marianne Mangan/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Marianne Mangan/Courtesy of the artist

The Thistle & Shamrock: Spring Is In The Airs

We feature your favorite Celtic artists including Nightnoise, Ossian, Liz Carroll, and Moving Hearts, as they create musical impressions and notions of springtime.

The Thistle & Shamrock: Spring Is In The Airs

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The Thistle & Shamrock: Harlaw

This week's episode of The Thistle and Shamrock features music by Bonnie Rideout. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Courtesy of the artist

The Thistle & Shamrock: Harlaw

Fiddler Bonnie Rideout and her musical guests perform ancient music commemorating the legendary events of the Battle of Harlaw in 1411.

The Thistle & Shamrock: Harlaw

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The Thistle & Shamrock: Singing The Land

This week's episode features music by Karine Polwart. Sandy Butler/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Sandy Butler/Courtesy of the artist

The Thistle & Shamrock: Singing The Land

Hear music from Karine Polwart's award-winning theatrical event "Wind Resistance" and excerpts from fiddler Duncan Chisholm's "Sandwood," named for the finest and least accessible beach in Scotland.

The Thistle & Shamrock: Singing The Land

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The Thistle & Shamrock: Swannanoa Memories - Part 2

This week's episode of The Thistle & Shamrock features music by Jean Ritchie. George Picknow/American Folklife Center Jean Ritchie and George Picknow Collection hide caption

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George Picknow/American Folklife Center Jean Ritchie and George Picknow Collection

The Thistle & Shamrock: Swannanoa Memories - Part 2

We mark the 10th anniversary of the Swannanoa Gathering's Traditional Song Week with more music and interview highlights from Julee Glaub Weems, David Holt, and Jean Ritchie.

The Thistle & Shamrock: Swannanoa Memories - Part 2

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The Thistle & Shamrock: Swannanoa Memories - Part 1

Cathie Ryan Paul Carroll/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Paul Carroll/Courtesy of the artist

The Thistle & Shamrock: Swannanoa Memories - Part 1

This week's episode features music from Cathie Ryan, Sheila Kay Adams and Brian McNeill.

The Thistle & Shamrock: Swannanoa Memories - Part 1

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The Thistle & Shamrock: Songs Of The Times

This week's episode of The Thistle & Shamrock features music by Karan Casey. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Courtesy of the artist

The Thistle & Shamrock: Songs Of The Times

Hear what today's songwriters with Celtic roots have to contribute to our understanding of current concerns.

The Thistle & Shamrock: Songs Of The Times

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The Thistle & Shamrock: Clear Sounds

This week's episode of The Thistle & Shamrock features music by Maura O'Connell. Gwendolen Cates/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Gwendolen Cates/Courtesy of the artist

The Thistle & Shamrock: Clear Sounds

On this week's episode, listen to the inimitable Scottish folk singer who covers Robert Burns, a Celtic balladeer and an Irish folk singer who adds contemporary twists to traditional songs.

The Thistle & Shamrock: Clear Sounds

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The Thistle & Shamrock: ThistleRadio Classics

This weeks' episode of The Thistle & Shamrock features music by Kris Drever. Genevieve Stevenson/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Genevieve Stevenson/Courtesy of the artist

The Thistle & Shamrock: ThistleRadio Classics

Listen to a mix of classic songs from Celtic music's newest, genre re-defining artists.

The Thistle & Shamrock: ThistleRadio Classics

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The Thistle & Shamrock: The Long View

This week's episode of The Thistle & Shamrock features music by Alan Stivell. FRED TANNEAU/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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FRED TANNEAU/AFP/Getty Images

The Thistle & Shamrock: The Long View

Join us as we revisit Breton harp player and multi-instrumentalist Alan Stivell and Irish fiddler Kevin Burke.

The Thistle & Shamrock: The Long View

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The Thistle & Shamrock: Songs Of The Bard

This week's episode of The Thistle & Shamrock features music by Robert Burns. Alexander Nasmyth hide caption

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Alexander Nasmyth

The Thistle & Shamrock: Songs Of The Bard

Listen to another installment of Songs of the Bard, celebrating Scotland's Robert Burns.

The Thistle & Shamrock: Songs Of The Bard

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The Thistle & Shamrock: New Year, New Music 2

This week's episode of The Thistle & Shamrock features music by Jim and Susie Malcolm. Courtesy of Jim Malcolm hide caption

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Courtesy of Jim Malcolm

The Thistle & Shamrock: New Year, New Music 2

Join us for our second week of new year releases, with artists including Jim and Susie Malcolm, Aurora Celtic, and the young musicians of Sgoil Chiùil na Gàidhealtachd.

The Thistle & Shamrock: New Year, New Music 2

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The Thistle & Shamrock: New Year, New Music 1

This week's episode of The Thistle & Shamrock features music by Appalachian musical duo Anna & Elizabeth. Brett Winter Lemon/Courtesy of Anna & Elizabeth hide caption

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Brett Winter Lemon/Courtesy of Anna & Elizabeth

The Thistle & Shamrock: New Year, New Music 1

Lift your winter spirits and warm your heart with the New Year's brand new releases, with artists including Anna & Elizabeth, Open the Door for Three, and Matthew Byrne.

The Thistle & Shamrock: New Year, New Music 1

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The Thistle & Shamrock: At The Edge

This episode of The Thistle & Shamrock features the Irish-American band Solas. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Courtesy of the artist

The Thistle & Shamrock: At The Edge

This week we explore the evolving sounds of Celtic music inspired by jazz and classical music, with artists including Solas, Kila and Shooglenifty.

The Thistle & Shamrock: At The Edge

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The Thistle & Shamrock: American Original: The Wisdom Of Pete Seeger
CBS Photo Archive/Getty Images

The Thistle & Shamrock: American Original: The Wisdom Of Pete Seeger

This special radio hour features Pete Seeger's music throughout his career, plus an interview during a visit to his home, where he shared his anecdotes, spirit and zest for life with Fiona Ritchie.

Listen Now

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The Thistle & Shamrock: Fiona's Holiday Celebration

Dunguaire Castle in winter. Francebluebird Photography/Flickr hide caption

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Francebluebird Photography/Flickr

The Thistle & Shamrock: Fiona's Holiday Celebration

Join us for a warm blend of festive songs, carols, stories and season's greetings featuring Rhiannon Giddens with The Gathering, Maddy Prior, Little Windows and Cherish the Ladies.

The Thistle & Shamrock: Fiona's Holiday Celebration

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The Thistle & Shamrock: The Gathering

Jennifer and Hazel Wrigley are featured in this episode of The Thistle & Shamrock. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Courtesy of the artist

The Thistle & Shamrock: The Gathering

We feature family torchbearers for tradition — and forces for innovation in vocal and instrumental music — the Brennans, the Fishers, the Cunninghams and the O'Domhnaills.

The Thistle & Shamrock: The Gathering

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The Thistle & Shamrock: Gifts

Violinist Nicola Benedetti is featured in this episode of The Thistle & Shamrock. Simon Fowler/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Simon Fowler/Courtesy of the artist

The Thistle & Shamrock: Gifts

Whether you're looking for gift ideas or simply looking for an hour of fine music, we have the perfect blend, featuring Cherish the Ladies, Nicola Benedetti and Pete Clark.

The Thistle & Shamrock: Gifts

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The Thistle & Shamrock: Music Migration

Amy White and Al Petteway. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Courtesy of the artist

The Thistle & Shamrock: Music Migration

Join host Fiona Ritchie as she uncovers the deep roots across several generations that run under a family tree of songs from the British Isles and Ireland to the Southern Appalachians.

The Thistle & Shamrock: Music Migration

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The Thistle & Shamrock: Dougie MacLean: 'New Tomorrow'

This episode of The Thistle & Shamrock features Scottish songwriting legend Dougie MacLean. Rob McDougall/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Rob McDougall/Courtesy of the artist

The Thistle & Shamrock: Dougie MacLean: 'New Tomorrow'

Fiona Ritchie catches up with Scottish legend Dougie MacLean to chat about his latest album. Hear songs from this much-anticipated collection New Tomorrow, the live album Caledonia Cantata and more.

The Thistle & Shamrock: Dougie MacLean: 'New Tomorrow'

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The Thistle & Shamrock: Hometown Song

Maura O'Connell. Gwendolen Cates/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Gwendolen Cates/Courtesy of the artist

The Thistle & Shamrock: Hometown Song

This week, artists from both sides of the Atlantic commemorate personal connections to their hometowns, including Ewan MacColl's "Dirty Old Town" and "Festival Lights" by the McCalmans.

The Thistle & Shamrock: Hometown Song

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