Alastair Kneale's blog

The UrbanKelt Sunday Pan-Celtic Sessions - Sunday Nov 30th 8.00 - 11pm (free entry). An open session for Celtic musicians from the Celtic nations. For anyone with an interest in enjoying Celtic music and dance or just wants to enjoy the atmosphere. Welsh, Scottish, Irish, Manx, Cornish, Breton, Galician, Asturian musicians at The Harrison 28 Harrison Street, Kings Cross, London WC1h 8JF

The new First Minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon, has made her first visit to the Isle of Man (Mannin). She was taking part in the British Irish Council Summit being held in Douglas this morning (Fri 28th). The British-Irish Council was established as part of the multi-party agreement reached in Belfast on 10 April 1998. The Celtic nations that are included in the membership of the Council at this stage are Wales, Ireland, Isle of Man and Scotland.

So they think it is a great thing to have posted pictures of mass murder (they call it beheading)! These grinning idiots who have perpetrated these crimes are very warped and evil people. Our sympathy goes out to the families and friends of those murdered today by ISIL (Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant). Our sympathy also goes out to the minority peoples across Syria and Iraq suffering mass extermination at the hands of this disgusting cult.

Using data from the Unesco Languages in Danger project a list drawn up by  Christopher Moseley, University College London School of Slavonic and East European Studies points to 33 languages in Europe in danger.

However, Manx (Mannin/Isle of Man) and Cornish (Kernow/Cornwall) are pointed out as examples of what can be done to support languages seen to be at risk. In both Celtic nations concerted efforts are being undertaken to promote their languages.

Caarjyn ny Gaelgey  is a Manx Gaelic language organisation established in 1991. The aim of the organisation is to provide opportunities for people to use and learn the language. On Saturday November 15 they will hold a book sale. The sale will include books written in Manx as well as on Manx topics and will run from 11am until 4pm in the Old Schoolhouse at St John’s (Manx: Balley Keeill Eoin).

November 11th 1918 marked the end of the First World War, one of the deadliest conflicts in history. It is estimated that about 10 million members of the armed forces and 7 million civilians were killed over the four year duration of the War. Many millions were wounded. Around the Celtic lands and other parts of the world memorial services are taking place to commemorate this disastrous event. This year of 2014 also marks one hundred years since the start of the conflict. We quite correctly remember the carnage and death suffered by people in the First World War.

Naight - Radio Vannin:

Shirveishagh Albinagh cur shilley er yn Ellan son co-haggloo

Y Shirveishagh son bree, ventyr as turrysid ayns reiltys Nalbin, hug eh shilley er yn Ellan yn çhiaghtin shoh chaie.

Fergus Ewing, Oltey jeh'n Pharlamaid Albinagh, v'eh ayns yn Ellan d'eddyn magh mychione kianglaghyn oddys ve jeant ayns cooishyn gollrish bree, turrysid as dellal eddyrashoonagh.

The Scottish Minister for Energy, Enterprise and Tourism visited the Isle of Man last week. Fergus Ewing Scotland's Economic Development Minister met Manx Chief Minister Alan Bell and Minister for Economic Development Laurence Skelly. They discussed strengthening links between Scotland and the Isle of Man in such areas as energy, tourism and international trade.

The Manx hills were filled with the sound of drumming at sunset yesterday. A Celtic drumming circle was created, like the ones our ancestors used at significant gatherings, including the celebrations of equinoxes in the times of our pre-Christian past and carrying on into the Christian period. In the build up to the event Drumming workshops have been held for young people as an Island of Culture event. The Isle of Man Arts Council has sponsored youth worker, Cathi Wareing, to lead a number of Celtic drumming workshops across the island this month.

We know that great strides are being made in developing Celtic language education for those of school age. Well let's not forget adult learners and here's an item from Scottish newspaper the Aberdeen Press and Journal: 'A Skye teacher who only started learning Gaelic in earnest after he retired has scooped one the language’s biggest prizes.