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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: Fiona's Findings

This week's episode of The Thistle & Shamrock features music by De Dannan. Damien Stenson/Courtesy of the Artist hide caption

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Damien Stenson/Courtesy of the Artist

The Thistle & Shamrock: Fiona's Findings

Some unique tracks from Celtic roots, including an Irish traditional version of "Bohemian (Hibernian) Rhapsody" by De Dannan.

The Thistle & Shamrock: Fiona's Findings

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The Thistle & Shamrock: Live From Ireland

This week's episode of The Thistle & Shamrock features music by Cherish the Ladies. David Knight/Courtesy of the Artist hide caption

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David Knight/Courtesy of the Artist

The Thistle & Shamrock: Live From Ireland

Enjoy the pure energy and innovation of Eileen Ivers, the joy and virtuosity of Cherish the Ladies and the pioneering crossover spirit of The Chieftains.

The Thistle & Shamrock: Live From Ireland

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The Thistle & Shamrock: Cathy Jordan

This week's episode of The Thistle & Shamrock features music by Cathy Jordan. Folklore Productions/Courtesy of the Artist hide caption

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Folklore Productions/Courtesy of the Artist

The Thistle & Shamrock: Cathy Jordan

Join Fiona Ritchie as she chats to singer songwriter Cathy Jordan about her musical life globetrotting with the popular band Dervish.

The Thistle & Shamrock: Cathy Jordan

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The Thistle & Shamrock: From The Archives Part 2

This week's episode of The Thistle & Shamrock features music by Archie Fisher. Courtesy of the Artist hide caption

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Courtesy of the Artist

Review

The Thistle & Shamrock: From The Archives Part 2

Join Fiona Ritchie for a chance to explore more highlights from the past decade of radio shows. This week, we feature music and interviews with Solas, William Jackson and Archie Fisher.

The Thistle & Shamrock: From The Archives Part 2

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The Thistle & Shamrock: From The Archives Part 1

This week's episode of The Thistle & Shamrock features music by Cathie Ryan. Paul H. Camp/Courtesy of the Artist hide caption

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Paul H. Camp/Courtesy of the Artist

The Thistle & Shamrock: From The Archives Part 1

Join Fiona Ritchie for a chance to explore highlights from the past decade of radio shows. This week, we feature music and interviews with John Doyle and Cathie Ryan.

The Thistle & Shamrock: From The Archives Part 1

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The Thistle And Shamrock: The Long View

Alan Stivell Gael Kerbaol/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Gael Kerbaol/Courtesy of the artist

The Thistle And Shamrock: The Long View

Hear extended medleys from multi-instrumentalist Alan Stivell and Irish fiddler Kevin Burke.

The Thistle And Shamrock: The Long View

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The Thistle & Shamrock: ThistleRadio New

Luka Bloom Claire Burge Dublin/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Claire Burge Dublin/Courtesy of the artist

The Thistle & Shamrock: ThistleRadio New

When the Celtic rhythms go quiet on your radio, you can always stream great songs and tunes through the night and day on ThistleRadio.

The Thistle & Shamrock: ThistleRadio New

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The Thistle & Shamrock: Dougie MacLean: New Tomorrow
Graham Knowles/Redferns/Getty Images

The Thistle & Shamrock: Dougie MacLean: New Tomorrow

Scottish singer-songwriter Dougie MacLean has been a Thistle favorite for decades. Join us as Fiona talks with her old friend about his newest album "New Tomorrow."

The Thistle & Shamrock: Dougie MacLean: New Tomorrow

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The Thistle & Shamrock: Ballads Of The Border
Steve Eason/Getty Images

The Thistle & Shamrock: Ballads Of The Border

Cattle raids, battles, betrayals and family loyalties are all commemorated in the ballads of the borderlands between Scotland and England, sometimes referred to as "the debatable lands".

The Thistle & Shamrock: Ballads Of The Border

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The Thistle & Shamrock: Len Graham

Len Graham is featured on this week's episode of The Thistle & Shamrock. R.L. Geyer/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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R.L. Geyer/Courtesy of the artist

The Thistle & Shamrock: Len Graham

Meet Len Graham, the legendary singer and songwriter from Northern Ireland who carries an equal number of songs and stories in his heart.

The Thistle & Shamrock: Len Graham

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The Thistle & Shamrock: Singer-Songwriters

Karine Polwart is featured on this week's episode of The Thistle & Shamrock Reed Ingram Weir/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Reed Ingram Weir/Courtesy of the artist

The Thistle & Shamrock: Singer-Songwriters

In addition to the traditional music you hear on 'Thistle', there is also an abundance of contemporary songwriting talent.

The Thistle & Shamrock: Singer-Songwriters

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The Thistle & Shamrock: Music Migration

Grammy-winning guitarist Al Petteway is featured on this week's episode of The Thistle & Shamrock. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Courtesy of the artist

The Thistle & Shamrock: Music Migration

Join Fiona Ritchie to uncover the deep roots that run through a family tree of songs from Scotland and Ireland to the Southern Appalachians.

The Thistle & Shamrock: Music Migration

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The Thistle & Shamrock: ThistleRadio Classic

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

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Chloe Garrick /Courtesy of the artist

The Thistle & Shamrock: ThistleRadio Classic

Great songs and tunes are always available to stream on ThistleRadio's 24-hour music channel. Span the decades on ThistleRadio with classic tracks.

The Thistle & Shamrock: ThistleRadio Classic

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The Thistle & Shamrock: Dear Jean

This week's episode of The Thistle & Shamrock features music by Jean Ritchie. Photo Courtesy of State Archives of Florida hide caption

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Photo Courtesy of State Archives of Florida

The Thistle & Shamrock: Dear Jean

Artists celebrate Jean Ritchie (1922-2015) by singing the songs she taught them.

The Thistle & Shamrock: Dear Jean

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The Thistle & Shamrock: The Songs of Robert Tannahill

The Tannahill Weavers, who are named in tribute to poet Robert Tannahill, are featured in this week's show. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Courtesy of the artist

The Thistle & Shamrock: The Songs of Robert Tannahill

Hear the music and learn about the short life of an 18th century poet who wrote in the style of Robert Burns and composed well-loved songs that are still widely sung today.

The Thistle & Shamrock: The Songs of Robert Tannahill

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The Thistle & Shamrock: Combos

This week's episode of The Thistle & Shamrock includes music from Salsa Celtica. Salsa Celtica hide caption

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Salsa Celtica

The Thistle & Shamrock: Combos

What goes with what? When it comes to Celtic music combos, almost anything goes, as long as it sounds good.

The Thistle & Shamrock: Combos

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The Thistle & Shamrock: The Strange Undoing Of Prudencia Hart
Pete Dibdin/National Theatre of Scotland

The Thistle & Shamrock: The Strange Undoing Of Prudencia Hart

Hear music from an acclaimed National Theatre of Scotland production that celebrates traditional poetry, storytelling and music woven through a supernatural tale.

The Thistle & Shamrock: The Strange Undoing Of Prudencia Hart

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