Alastair Kneale's blog

Press Release

Launch of Manx Gaelic version of 'Neen y Ghruffalo / the Gruffalo's Child

The continued growth in support and interest in the Manx Language will receive another boost shortly with the release of 'Neen y Ghruffalo/ the Gruffalo's Child.

The remarkable success story in the growth in the fortunes of the Manx Gaelic Language has been the subject of international interest for a number of years. This continues with the visit to the Island of Peter Muhlhausler, professor of liguistics at the University of Adelaide, Australia. As reported in 'IOM Today' Peter Muhlhauser has a particular interest in the language and people of Norfolk Island in the Pacific. Norfolk Island has a historical link with the Isle of Man having been settled by people from Pitcairn Island.

An online Cornish language radio programme is just under £1000 and four days away from meeting a £5000 fund raising target to build a new website to host the free downloadable podcasts that aim to boost fluency among speakers.

Scotland’s government has given funding of £2m for an online Gaelic dictionary. Source material for a digital archive containing 30 million words has already started.

Sabhal Mor Ostaig UHI,Skye’s Gaelic language centre, is managing the project called Faclair na Gaidhlig. It will be in partnership with Aberdeen, Glasgow, Strathclyde and Edinburgh universities. Bord na Gaidhlig the Gaelic national body has been supporting the work for a number of years with contributions of £75,000 per year.

The Scottish referendum vote for independence is being looked at with interest by the other Celtic nations. This is also the case in Cornwall. Cornwall is recognised as one of the six Celtic nations and takes its place in both the ‘Celtic League’ and the ‘Celtic Congress’, along with Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Isle of Man and Brittany.

On Sunday, April 28th, 2013 at the 14th annual Newport Beach Film Festival there will be an evening celebration of Celtic cinema and culture. The festival will present its Irish Spotlight that will feature the world premiere of the Irish film the O'Briens. The event will be followed by a reception.

The independent feature film is set in the west of Ireland where a family return to their home town. Two years after the death of his wife a father calls his two sons (Liam McMahon & Emmett Hughes) and daughter (Slaine Kelly) home where he has important news for them . The comedy looks at the dilemmas faced by each family member as they return home. Emmett Hughes and Slaine Kelly co-wrote the script for the film.

In a blistering attack on other political parties Mebyon Kernow has launched its 2013 Election Manifesto. The document entitled 'Putting Cornwall First' accuses the coalition United Kingdom Government of ignoring the needs of Cornwall and pursuing policies that are detrimental to Cornish people.

Late March 2013 has seen the Isle of Man experiencing some of the heaviest snowfalls since the early 1960s. The cohesive Manx community have rallied around to support Manx farmers who are facing catastrophic livestock losses. The severe weather conditions have also hit the south of Scotland and north of Ireland.

As part of the effort to raise funds for the Isle of Man Agricultural Benevolent Trust, Manx Music Trio 'Barrule' are releasing a track early from their forthcoming album. The track is poignantly entitled 'Ny Kirree fo Niaghtey' (The Sheep Under The Snow).

Wales achieved a stunning 30 - 03 victory over England in Cardiff's Millennium Stadium on Saturday 16th March and were crowned champions. Their successful championship defence was achieved after a staggering performance. A rampant Wales dominated the match to deny England a Grand Slam in the six nations rugby championship.