Blogs

In a spectacular finale to this year's Lorient Interceltique Festival, two Manx bands swept the board in their bid for the coveted Trophée Loic Raison, topping off a special year for the Isle of Man at the annual festival in Brittany.

Power trad trio, Barrule, clinched first prize and the Ruth Keggin Band was right behind them in second position, showing that the Isle of Man, despite its size, can hold its own in the world of Celtic music.

NEWS FROM THE CELTIC LEAGUE

I have said on many occasions that we don’t simply like to do reposts or links on Celtic News but sometimes an article pops up that is just to good not to recycle.

‘Wee Ginger Dug’ (aka Paul Kavanagh) has excelled himself in this piece (link below) in which he literally ‘takes out’ those who demean or oppose Gaelic and Scots.

He starts by reference to comments made recently about bilingual signage.

NEWS FROM THE CELTIC LEAGUE

Four women have appeared in Court in North Wales charged with painting ‘anti-drone graffiti’ at Llanbedr airfield in June.

The women were part of a group which has painted slogans and displayed protest banners at the airfield following a deal between Defence Contractor QinetiQ with Llanbedr Airfield Estates to develop their UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) at the airfield.

They are alleged to have painted daubed slogans such as “death drones” on the runway at the Airfield.

NEWS FROM THE CELTIC LEAGUE

A call from the Isle of Man Infrastructure Minister Phillip Gawne for more land to be released to stimulate economic growth has prompted a strong attack from Nationalists.

The Minister made his appeal in an interview carried by radio station 3FM earlier this week (see link):

http://www.three.fm/news/isle-of-man-news/release-land-or-economy-will-stall-says-minister/

Billed as the Island's biggest family day out, the much anticipated Royal Manx Agricultural Show proved a resounding success, as crowds flocked to the west of the Island to enjoy this annual two-day event at Knockaloe Farm in Patrick.

The showfield's main entertainment ring provided an almost constant programme of events, including gymnastics, Isle of Man Police Dogs demonstrations, the Steve Colley Motorcycle Show and the magnificent Glebe View Clydesdales shire horses.

The popping of champagne corks and the chink of wine bottles heralded the opening of TNT Theatre Britain's celebrated interpretation of Shakespeare's play The Merchant of Venice, with performances at Peel Castle and Rushen Abbey.

Despite differing weather conditions, patrons unveiled assorted hampers and picnic baskets as Grantly Marshall introduced TNT Theatre Britain's latest production, which had brought them to the Island for a seventh, consecutive year.

Although the Isle of Man has been represented for many years at the Festival Interceltique Lorient in Brittany, this is the first time in the festival's forty five year history that the Island has been the main focus, sharing the status of 'honoured nation' with Cornwall.

With a population of over ninety million, and listed as the thirteenth most densely populated country in the world, Vietnam's economy has experienced rapid growth in recent years, but it's not good news for everyone; which is why local woman, Fiona Hill-Heaton, is fundraising for the Christina Noble Children's Foundation.

Millions of families in the poor, rural and ethnic minority communities continue to be at risk, as high inflation leaves them struggling to pay for basic daily needs, such as food, water, transportation, schooling and health care.

Touting itself as the largest free Irish Fair in the States, this weekend the Irish fair of Minnesota takes off with a wide array of entertainment and educational activities. This year’s line-up of entertainment includes the Wild Colonial Bhoys, Finbar Fury, Tim Malloys, Sweet Colleens, Dubliner Katie MccMahon, Cherish the Ladies and Socks in the frying Plan from County Clare. 

The modern era of Gaelic Medium Education in Scotland’s primary schools took off in the 1980s. Since that time the number of children attending Gaelic Medium schools has been growing and this week the announcement was made that the fourth Gaelic Medium primary school will open in Portree on the Isle of Skye.