Alastair Kneale's blog

Scottish Highlands Band The Placks release new single - My Dearest Friend

In January of last year Transceltic featured an interview with The Placks. The band, based in the Highlands of Scotland, described themselves as "An original mix of melodic punk rock and folk music with a big dollop of rock & roll."

Easter 2020 celebrated in midst of global pandemic

Easter is a Christian festival and holiday commemorating the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. This is described in the New Testament as having occurred on the third day after his burial following his crucifixion by the Romans at Calvary c. 30 AD. The Old Testament and the New Testament combine to make up the Holy Bible. The Holy Bible is defined as a book believed by Christians to contain the revelations of God and is the guiding holy text of the Christian religion.

Manx Government closes Island's borders

The Government of the Isle of Man has announced that it is closing its borders to all but residents. All Manx residents returning from trips abroad (including Britain and Ireland) already have to self isolate for 14 days, even if they are not showing symptoms of the Coronavirus. In the Isle of Man, which is self governing, measures are in place to enforce self-isolation. A 26-year-old on the Island has been arrested for allegedly failing to self-isolate against coronavirus. It is thought the man had just arrived on the island on a ferry.

Strengthening ties between Irish and Manx Gaelic speaking communities

Media release from Culture Vannin:

Building Bridges and strengthening communities

Establishing a strong and long-term relationship between the Gaelic speaking communities of the Isle of Man and the Lower Mourne Area of County Down in Northern Ireland was at the heart of a recent visit to the area by Adrian Cain, The Manx Language Development Officer for Culture Vannin, and Aalin Clague of the Bunscoill Ghaelgagh.

Australia: Sydney Highland Gathering 15 March 2020

On Sunday 15 March 2020, The Scots College in Bellevue Hill is hosting the Sydney Highland Gathering. The venue is at the Scots College, 53 Victoria Road, Bellevue Hill 2030. Gates open at 11am and entry is free. Visitors are promised an exciting day of Pipe Band Competitions and Highland Dancing Competitions, Highland Dancing, traditional Scottish Highland games events including carrying the stones and toss the caber.

Stephen Miller presented with 2020 Manx culture award Reih Bleeaney Vanannan

Media release from Culture Vannin:

STEPHEN MILLER RBV

Stephen Miller’s scholarship and dedication to Manx folklore and culture over many decades are recognised in the award of the Reih Bleeaney Vanannan this year.

Yn possan Manninagh son craitnaghyn (Manx Bat Group) welcome new species to the Island

There are many wildlife organisations working throughout the Celtic lands and waters that do a tremendous job in trying to protect endangered species. They bring together volunteers from across the communities in which they live who are interested in the conservation of wildlife. One such group is the Yn possan Manninagh son craitnaghyn (Manx Bat Group) and they have a very distinctive logo (see below) of a bat in Celtic design flying over a map of the Isle of Man (Manx: Mannin). Craitnag is the Manx Gaelic name for a bat.

English controlled media squeal in indignation at Gaelic first decision for Scotland's Western Isles Schools

Predictably much of the English press and their servile followers have been squealing with indignation at the decision for children starting school in the Western Isles to be taught in Gaelic, unless their parents opt-out. Until now parents had to opt in to Gaelic-medium education (GME) on the islands, where lessons in English was the default. The truth is that the history of English rule in the Celtic lands has always had the design to make the Celtic people less Celtic. Part of this process has been their centuries old policies of destroying the language.

Manx Gaelic language reaches for the stars

A star and planet will be given Manx Gaelic names after being chosen in an international competition. The International Astronomical Society held the competition, to name a star and planet. The winners were two classes of eight and nine-year-olds from Cronk-y-Berry school in the Isle of Man (Manx: Mannin). The star, WASP-13, will be named Gloas, the Manx for 'shine', and planet WASP-13b will be now be known as Cruinlagh, which is Manx for 'orbit'.

How the Isle of Man is seen from a Norwegian perspective

Media Release from Culture Vannin:

A Thousand Years in Man – a new book about the Island from a Norwegian perspective

A Thousand Years in Man offers unique insights into the history of the Isle of Man from a Norwegian perspective. Written by Jon Leirfall and published in 1979 to coincide with the Millennium of Tynwald celebrations, it has only been available in his native Norwegian as Tusen år på Man until now.

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