Each week, host Fiona Ritchie selects from the best singer-songwriters, dance tunes, rhythmic vocals, ballads, and chants, played on pipes, harps, and other stringed and struck instruments of Celtic persuasion, showcasing them for a rich listening experience.

The Thistle & Shamrock focuses not only on the great music of Scotland and Ireland, as its name celebrates, but all music with Celtic ties. And the Celtic roots of music run deep, spreading through England and Wales, to the United States, Canada, France, Spain, and further. New artists are building on a powerful style of music to create an entirely new and modern sound. Others carry on traditional Celtic music and find fresh ears for its timeless beauty.

With her authentic Scottish lilt, Fiona Ritchie taps into the burgeoning Celtic music world and presents it with an infectious love for the genre few WBFO listeners can resist. "There is nothing like folk music, because it explores the intimate nature of everyday life and celebrates the trials and tragedies of regular people," explains Fiona. "I realize that magical musical connections exist between my part of the world and many others, and I take great pleasure in sharing this remarkable music with people."