220. The Tipsy Fiddler: Celtic Music in Shanghai
8 June 2026
About This Episode
What happens when a Scottish musician opens a Celtic pub in Shanghai?
In Episode 220 of The Ireland Podcast, Fender Jackson visits The Tipsy Fiddler and sits down with owner Alan Cowell to discuss life in modern China, running a pub abroad, traditional Irish and Scottish music, and the growing interest in Celtic music among Chinese musicians.
From Shanghai's expat community to Irish flute players in Beijing and traditional music sessions in China, this conversation explores an unexpected cultural connection between East and West.
The Tipsy Fiddler, Shanghai
The Tipsy Fiddler is a Celtic-themed pub in Shanghai owned by Scottish musician Alan Cowell. Since opening in 2014, it has become a gathering place for musicians, expats and lovers of Irish and Scottish traditional music, hosting live performances, sessions and cultural events in one of China's most international cities.
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