It is the last Crafty Rogues episode for a while, so it felt appropriate to visit a place with a new beginning.  What was once Irish on Grand, is now Moloney's Irish Imports on Grand Avenue in St Paul.  Prior to officially opening, the conversation with new owners, Emma and James covered everything you need to know about opening a new business.  They also have great taste in music!  Check them out after you listen to their story here.  It will motivate you to head east to St Paul!

Mark Smith has been playing music since he was a wee lad in St Paul.  Now he is in bands and orchestras!  Many strings to his bows and he shares some stories that have lead him to great venues and playing with great artists over the years.  Merged with a couple of solid tune choices, grab a craft beer and enjoy!

Steve Brown, lead singer with rock legends, Johnny Clueless, visited the Crafty Rogues emporium to share stories of rock n' roll, spiritual experiences and kindness.  He still finds time to write songs, co-host a podcast called "The Kindness Chronicles" and work as well!  How does he do it?  Listen and find out.  The tunes he picked are pretty stellar too.  Maybe he does have a clue...

Shelagh Geraghty Mullen showed up this week with a beautiful fresh loaf of sourdough and a batch of stories and yarns that would warm the coldest heart.  From graphic design to cooking for friends to taking visitors to Ireland to all the cool places, Shelagh has taken it all in and is now ready to spill the beans.  Feast on that.

On the road again this week to DT Minneapolis and into O'Donvovan's Irish pub to chat with the force that is Dermot Cowley.  From the village of Monasterboice in Co. Louth to the mean streets of NYC to the even meaner boulevards of Minneapolis, Dermot has been bobbing and weaving his way through life in the world of hospitality.  He also has a strong sense of connection to the homeland and this all adds up to a great chat.  Stick the kettle on or pour yourself a strong one.  This one is a keeper...

At the Crafty Rogues we want to cater to your podcast tastes and this week we dish up a great guest.  Angela Ward from City Girl Catering joined the chat with some great stories about moving from MN to NYC and back to MN.  Ever wonder what it takes to start a catering business from an itch?  Listen here and enjoy the feast!

An action packed episode this week featuring Michael CA Dempsey.  A real character with many stories and we are lucky enough to enjoy three of them on the show.  If you want to know how to approach a large national organization with an idea you have burning in your soul, Michael Dempsey has some great advice.  He also has pretty decent taste in music and for that we are relieved and grateful.  Enjoy!

Guests this week on the Crafty Rogues feature a unicorn...a Kilkenny Football coach!   Did you know that there is a Kilkenny in Minnesota and it is "sistered" with Kikenny in Ireland??  Imagine!  Eon Hennessey and Shane Kavanagh joined the show this week to talk about that connection and an upcoming event at the Celtic Junction.  That and a review of the Kansas City Irish Fest means that the letter K features heavily in the show and the baseball play-offs haven't even started...If you know, you know.

Ruairi Barnwell stopped by for a quick chat and some exciting updates on what is going on with the Ireland Network home and in the homeland.  We reviewed the Irish Fair that was and Liverpool's chances of a two-peat.  A few tunes including a rouser for the Ireland World Cup Campaign that starts on September 6th.  Put 'em under pressure!

As we all still recover from the Minnesota Irish Fair, we are joined by world traveler and explorer, John O'Sullivan.  He has tips about what to look for when you visit a city and how not to be too niave when landing in a country, particularly Ireland.  The man has yars and he's not afraid to share them.  We have some reflections from the Irish Fair that was and that includes a couple of tunes.  Tune in!