Archive - Stories. Songs. Seasons.

The rocky road to Creggan

I first met Rory Gallagher in August 1999, in the Slieve League bar in Carrick, southwest Donegal.

May 10 • Tom Shiels

7:18

The year I was stalked by Seamus Heaney's ghost

All the little coincidences.

May 3 • Tom Shiels

6:19

Dialann #8: Dodgy Dungiven Dentist

Strange food offers, tooth extractions, and Paul Rankin growling like a dog.

May 3 • Tom Shiels

April 2026

Remembering Moya Brennan.

Apr 26 • Tom Shiels

5:06

Dialann #7: Life Changes

A set of lyrics from lockdown times

Apr 26 • Tom Shiels

Pre-order Stories. Songs. Seasons. now

Early bird tickets for Leeds, UK event also available, and Substack Live coming soon.

Apr 14 • Tom Shiels

Grá Mór, Jamie

Second chances, prepping octopus, and Jamie’s Italian 2.0.

Apr 12 • Tom Shiels

6:36

Dialann #6: Buy a whoopee cushion

Old setlists, fighting pigeons, and the enshittification of everything continues.

Apr 12 • Tom Shiels

Tell me there'll be Saturdays

The death of Saturday night TV, hipster stomping grounds, and custard creams.

Apr 5 • Tom Shiels

4:46

Dialann #5: I'll never darken the doorway of this place again

A lengthy hangover, John McGahern's wise words, and beware the Ides of March.

Apr 5 • Tom Shiels

Introducing... Stories. Songs. Seasons.

Reflective essays on memory, music, and place.

Apr 4 • Tom Shiels

February 2026

Aiste #10: Hot Press at 50

Dirty classifieds and dodgy stairwells

Feb 12 • Tom Shiels

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