Alastair Kneale's blog

There is a terrible arrogance prevailing in the Manx government at this time. They really do not seem to have understood how very unpopular they are amongst the Manx population. Or, even worse, perhaps they do understand but just don't care! That certainly appeared to be the case when Manx Chief Minister Allan Bell seemed to question the whole purpose of a public demonstration against Post Office closures which took place in January 2015 (as reported on Manx Radio).

Glen Innes is the site of the remarkable Australian Celtic Standing Stones and a testament to the importance of the Celtic people in Australian life and history. In the Celtic lands of north west Europe standing stones are a feature of the landscape. Of huge significance to the ancient ancestors of the peoples of Brittany, Cornwall, Isle of Man, Ireland, Wales and Scotland they were an essential part of ceremonial and spiritual life. They were aligned to reflect significant features of the landscape, the stars and the winter and summer solstices.

Press Release from Culture Vannin: Launch of Manx History App for Secondary Schools

Culture Vannn are pleased to announce the release of a new app that has been developed to encourage students in secondary schools to find out more about our unique history.

This Saturday (January 17th) the 10th Arrane son Mannin competition will be held at the Douglas Freemasons' Hall as part of a concert and ceili starting at 7.30pm. This will not only celebrate 10 years of Arrane son Mannin but also 40 years of the Manx dance group Bock Yuan Fannee. The song competition is held annually to find a winning new song for a prize sponsored by Culture Vannin and also to perform that winning song at the 44th Pan-Celtic Festival at Derry on April 9th in Easter week 2015.

The Manx Language Christmas Service will be held at St Olaves Church, Ramsey Sunday 4th Jan 2015 starting at 3pm. All welcome

Other links:

http://www.learnmanx.com/

https://twitter.com/greinneyder

https://www.facebook.com/LearnManx

http://www.youtube.com/gaelg

Song of the Celts - Wolf Tones

A researcher from the United States has praised language "warriors" in the Isle of Man for the work undertaken to promote Manx Gaelic. Lecturer Dr David Harrison travels to remote corners of the globe to help revive endangered native languages.

According to a recently published United Nations study there is an 80 per cent probability that by 2100 the world population will increase from 7.2 billion to between 9.6 and 12.3 billion. A considerable amount of this increase is expected to take place in Africa, with two billion babies being born during the next 35 years, doubling the continent's population. The British Isles has also seen an increase in population. The south-east of England has witnessed the consequences of such population growth.

Some news of coming Gaelic events on Mannin supplied by Adrian Cain Manx Language Development Officer Culture Vannin:

It’s the Bunscoill (Manx-language primary school) Christmas Service tomorrow night (Wednesday, 3rd) and all are welcome. The service starts at

Laa-ruggyree sonney, Radio Vannin!

'The Nations Broadcaster celebrated its 50th anniversary earlier this week. Report from Radio Vannin (Manx Radio):

Jelune, haghyr y mullagh jeh jannoo ardeailley jeh'n jeihoo chione-bleeaney as daeed jeh Radio Vannin.

Coraaghyn caarjoil as cooinaghtyn ennoil orroo veih'n lieh-cheead blein hie shaghey, haink ad ry-cheilley feiy'n laa marish ny toyrtee t'ain nish.

Jedoonee, v'eh dy jeeragh lieh-cheead blein neayr's ren Radio Vannin creeley hoshiaght.