🎙️ In this episode of the Irish Snug Podcast, we sit down with legendary bagpiper Joe Brady —a cornerstone of Irish-American piping and a key figure in New York City’s rich musical and firefighting traditions.

Joe shares his journey from learning the pipes as a young boy in the Bronx to becoming an elite open-level piper by age 17. He reflects on decades of experience with the FDNY Pipe Band, founding the FBI Pipe Band, and his remarkable 33-year run leading the iconic Fighting 69th Regiment up Fifth Avenue in the NYC St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

We dive deep into:
• The legacy of Irish piping in New York
• The history and honor of the Fighting 69th
• Performing with world-renowned groups like The Chieftains and The High Kings
• Playing at historic events, including for Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Martin Dempsey
• The rise and fall of the Hunter Mountain Celtic Festival

This episode is packed with unforgettable stories, humor, and insight into a lifetime dedicated to music, tradition, and service.

👉 Whether you're a bagpiper, firefighter, or fan of Irish culture, this is an episode you don’t want to miss.

🔥 Episode Highlights
• [00:00:02] Introduction to the podcast and Joe Brady
• [00:00:16] Early days with the FDNY Pipe Band
• [00:01:38] Becoming an open piper at 17
• [00:02:22] Leading the Fighting 69th for 33 years
• [00:03:10] Joe Brady Sr. and Irish roots
• [00:05:44] First trip to Ireland at 17
• [00:07:26] Winning a drum major competition in Kilkenny
• [00:08:59] Stories about his father
• [00:11:24] Learning the pipes as a kid
• [00:13:30] Worcester Kiltie Pipe Band & flying to practice
• [00:15:50] Founding the FBI Pipe Band
• [00:19:10] Joining the Fighting 69th
• [00:20:46] First NYC St. Patrick’s Day Parade
• [00:22:30] Marching up Fifth Avenue
• [00:24:03] Playing the entire parade route nonstop
• [00:25:10] History of the Fighting 69th
• [00:26:49] Teaching the FDNY Pipe Band
• [00:29:51] Training FDNY drum major Liam Flaherty
• [00:33:04] Playing with The Chieftains & The High Kings
• [00:34:18] Performing for General Martin Dempsey
• [00:35:25] “The Parting Glass” performance story
• [00:37:20] Behind the scenes at The Jay Leno Show
• [00:43:14] Hunter Mountain Celtic Festival origins
• [00:44:53] Massed bands marching down the mountain
• [00:46:17] End of the festival and legacy

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In this episode of The Irish Snug Podcast, I’m joined by David Keohan, widely known as Indiana Stones, a man on a singular mission to revive the lost Irish tradition of stone lifting.

For centuries, these massive boulders—scattered across the Irish landscape in fields, graveyards, and coastal villages—served as rites of passage, tests of strength for jobs like stonemasonry, and even ways to honor the dead at funeral games. David discusses how this deep-rooted cultural practice was nearly erased by history and how he used archival research to track down these "stones of strength," some of which haven't been lifted in generations. We dive into the intersection of folklore, physical strength, and the spiritual connection to the land that comes with "getting the wind under the stone."

KEY TOPICS

• The Rediscovery: How David transitioned from a world-champion kettlebell lifter to a "cultural archaeologist" of Irish stone lifting.
• The Schools’ Collection: Using 1930s folklore archives to locate forgotten stones through the stories of schoolchildren.
• The Mythology of Strength: Understanding the legends attached to stones like the Fianna stone and the "manhood stones" of the Aran Islands.
• A Cultural Revival: How stone lifting is reawakening national pride and connecting people with their ancestry today.

LINKS & RESOURCES

• Follow David Keohan (Indiana Stones) on Instagram:
• Dúchas.ie: Explore the National Folklore Collection and the Schools' Collection David uses for his research.
• David’s Upcoming Book: The Wind Beneath the Stone: My Quest to Unearth a Piece of Ireland's Folklore (Available for pre-order/release in 2026):
  • Pre-order via Bloomsbury (Ireland & UK)
  • Pre-order via Penguin (US & Canada)
• Documentary: Made of Stone – Available on the RTÉ Player
• Film Inspiration: Fullsterkur (Icelandic Stones), Levantadores (Basque Stones), and Stoneland (Scottish Stones) by Rogue Fitness

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow The Irish Snug to get notified as new episodes are released.

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This episode of The Irish Snug is a masterclass in discipline, grit, and the deep-rooted connections within the Irish-American community. Today, Tim sits down with Paige Turilli, a five-time World Champion Irish dancer, to discuss her journey from a five-year-old beginner in Pearl River to standing on top of the world stage.

Whether you're an "Irish Dance Dad," a competitive athlete, or someone who loves a good story about heritage and hard work, this conversation offers a rare look behind the curtain of elite Irish dance.

☘️ Episode Highlights

• The FDNY Connection: Tim and Paige reminisce about their family ties within the FDNY and the bagpipe band, including a touching tribute to Paige's father—an exceptional firefighter and hero of 9/11.
• The Road to World Titles: Paige breaks down the sacrifices, injuries (including a near-torn hamstring), and the mental toughness required to win five World Championships.
• The Pivot for Growth: Why Paige made the difficult decision to switch dance schools at age 17 and how that drive for new challenges propelled her to the next level.
• Life After Competition: From balancing dance with college life at Villanova to her current role teaching "Jig and Swig" in London, Paige discusses finding joy in the "retirement" phase of her career.
• The Future of the Craft: Insights on the evolution of Irish dance—from increased athleticism to the rhythm-focused styles of the past—and Paige's aspirations to become an adjudicator.

🎙️ About Paige Turilli
Paige Turilli is one of the most decorated Irish dancers of her generation. Her resume includes:

• 5x World Champion
• 9x Oireachtas Champion
• 6x National Champion
• 2x All-Ireland Champion

🇮🇪 About The Irish Snug Podcast
Hosted by Tim Grant, The Irish Snug is a place for unscripted, deep-dive conversations about Irish culture, history, and the people who keep the traditions alive. We prioritize storytelling over soundbites, focusing on the "grey areas" of resilience, character, and the legendary Irish banter.

🇮🇪 Follow The Irish Snug Podcast:

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#IrishDance #WorldChampion #TheIrishSnug #FDNY #PaigeTurilli

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