Blue Sun, 5 Things to Do in County Mayo, Ireland #264 — PUB SONGS & STORIES (Atlanta, Georgia)

The itinerary for my Celtic Invasion of Westport, Ireland is now online. Find out what my Firefly song, "Blue Sun", has to do with Monopoly and Walmart. Get an Atlanta Food Recommendation. Then go out to eat with your own Celtery.

This is Sci Fi Pub Songs & Stories #264.

0:20 - Kilted Kings "Blue Sun" from Flower of Scotland

WELCOME TO SCI FI PUB SONGS & STORIES

I am Marc Gunn. This is the audio edition of my newsletter as well as the liner notes for the songs I record. You can follow this show at PubSong.net or send an email to pubsong@celtfather to sign up and get the MP3s for my songs featured in this episode.

3:10 - WHAT'S NEW: A NEW SHOW NAME

One of my weaknesses is sometimes I have to try something before I can see how effective it is. The past two episodes were called Atlanta Pub Songs & Stories because I wanted and still want to highlight things around Atlanta, where I currently live. The problem is I wasn't sure what to do. Yes. I have a food recommendation coming up. But when I put myself in the shoes of potential listeners, like you, I just don't see the Atlanta part as being useful for reaching an audience. More than likely, you're interested in Sci Fi, fantasy, Celtic music and culture, or pop culture because that is what I do. Atlanta is not as essential to the music story even though most of my shows are located in this city.

And so, I'm pleased to introduce Sci Fi Pub Songs & Stories.

5:15 - UPCOMING SHOWS

FEB 9: Drinking Songs Concert on Bandcamp @ 7 PM ET
FEB 11: Pontoon Brewing, Sandy Springs, GA @ 12-3 PM
JUN 3-10: Celtic Invasion Vacations, County Mayo, Ireland

6:25 - CELTIC INVASION OF WESTPORT, IRELAND

This June, I'm bringing a small group of people to Westport, Ireland. I'd like you to join me.

Westport is part of the Wild Atlantic Way. That's a spectacular, scenic route from Irishowen in County Donegal all the way down the west coast of Ireland to Kinsale in County Cork. It's broken up into 14 stages, two of which are in the area we are staying, Achill Island and Clew Bay, and Westport to Clifden.

5 Things You Should Do in County Mayo, Ireland

Go to Matt Malloy's Pub in Westport.
Visit Westport House and take a train around town to get to know the history behind the Irish of County Mayo
Hike up Croagh Patrick, This pilgrimage area has a story that St. Patrick himself scaled this mountain and fasted atop it for 40 days way back in 441 AD. It's definitely a revered site in this area of the country, and can make for a great stop on any trip to the region.
Take a boat out to Clare Island to visit O'Malley Castle, one of the castles owned by the Pirate Queen, Grace O'Malley.
Take pictures all along the Wild Atlantic Way.

I completed the itinerary for the trip and already I think I scheduled way too much. There are so many fine castles, cliffs, and amazing things to see, not to mention the time I hope to spend in Matt Malloy's listening to music. It's gonna be an incredible trip.

I still have space for just two more people. If you'd like to join me in Ireland, hear me perform live in your living room, you won't be sorry. It's gonna be spectacular.

Check out the itinerary for the Celtic Invasion Vacations of Ireland 2023 and drop me an email to let me know that you want to go!

10:35 - Marc Gunn & Jamie Haeuser "Gypsy Rover" from How America Saved Irish Music

13:50 - DOWNLOAD MY FREE EP

You can download all of my songs in this show. Just send me an email to pubsong@ celtfather. You will get an auto responder with a link to download this month's album. You can also subscribe to the podcast if you're not already subscribed. It's quick and easy.

While you're emailing me to get your free EP, let me know what you're doing while listening to this episode.

14:35 - STAND AGAINST BLUE SUN CORPORATION AND GET LOCAL

I loved Monopoly as a kid. I taught Kenzie it. After just two games, I was kinda done. The game drags on just way too long. Unfortunately, Kenzie is not done with it. She loves it and makes us play as often as we will let her.

So I finally figured out how to endure the game. It's a quick win or lose strategy. If you're lucky enough to buy all the property as soon as possible, then demolish and win. If you're not, do your best to lose and get out of the game as soon as possible.

Kind of sad. But that's what a monopoly is. If you learned about early 20th century monopolies, it wasn't much better. In fact, the woman who created the game was trying to teach people the evils of monopolies. Yet, we haven't learned.

The government allowed Live Nation to create a monopoly of concert venues. Ticket sales for Taylor Swift's summer tour busted their online system. Well, actually, it was already busted thanks to bootleggers.

Monopolies are one of the reasons I finished "Blue Sun". But the song actually goes back before that, all the way back to