Blogs

The HebCelt Festival will be held on 15 to 18 July 2015 and celebrates its 20th anniversary. It takes place in the town of Stornoway (Scottish Gaelic: Steòrnabhagh) in the Outer Hebrides, also known as the Western Isles (Scottish Gaelic: Na h-Eileanan Siar). The location provides what must be one of the most spectacular backdrops of any festival in the world. 

Yn Chruinnaght the Isle of Man (Mannin) annual Inter-Celtic festival celebrates the cultures of the Celtic Nations of Ireland (Éire), Scotland (Alba), Wales (Cymru), Cornwall (Kernow), Brittany (Breizh) and the Isle of Man (Mannin). Yn Chruinnaght takes place from 15-19 July 2015 and welcomes artists and performers to Mannin. Those appearing at this years event include Mischa Macpherson Scottish harpist and winner of the Gaelic Singer of the Year Award at the MG Alba Scots Trad Music Awards.

Following on from a recent successful collaboration with Ayrshire based media enterprise company Giglets Limited, Culture Vannin has renewed its partnership with them to produce another Manx Gaelic ebook.

Giglets ayns Gaelg Lioar yn Jungle is a translation of Rudyard Kipling's classic story The Jungle Book, which is readily available to both Manx speakers and learners of all ages.

This news published by the Celtic League:

‘Your’ Country Needs You: Join the Army and Lay Bricks!

NEWS FROM THE CELTIC LEAGUE

During the Second World War the US Marines in the Pacific adopted a policy of ‘island hopping’ as they encircled the Japanese Empire ahead of its defeat.

Eighty years on in its desperate search for both full and part-time forces the British Military has honed its own version of the tactic. We revealed recently that with its FR2020 policy failing at home the MOD had taken the decision to target the colonies (aka the Crown Dependencies).

This news published by the Celtic League:

Has the Manx Government the Stomach for a Fight? We Doubt It.

NEWS FROM THE CELTIC LEAGUE

In the cacophony of abuse about ‘daring’ to challenge the title of the Lt. Governor or the suggestion that the IOM Constabulary should have more of a Manx identity, another resolution at this years Mec Vannin AGM was overlooked.

The resolution called for a more vigorous stance to be taken by the Manx Government with the UK over territorial limits and sea-bed mineral rights.

This wording said:

“This AGM:

This news published by the Celtic League:

Islanders’ Petition: Details Now Released

NEWS FROM THE CELTIC LEAGUE

The group from Orkney and Shetland who are pursuing a petition in the Courts against discredited MP Alistair Carmichael have released a link at which full details of the basis of their court action can be found. The link is here.

The groups attempt to raise £60,000 to launch the petition and cover any potential costs has been a huge success and with 20 days still to run the petition has raised over £55,000.

This news published by the Celtic League:

Opposition Grows to Glasgow Orange March

NEWS FROM THE CELTIC LEAGUE

Almost 30,000 people have signed one petition condemning Glasgow City Council for allowing the Orange Order to effectively take over George Square in the City tomorrow for a so-called ‘Orangefest’. Meanwhile another petition calling for all sectarian marches to be banned from the city has attracted 25,000 signatures so far.

A link to the two petitions is here:

Hold GCC to account on Orangefest – the people of Glasgow say ‘No More!’

This news published by the Celtic League:

Film and Files on the Easter Rising

NEWS FROM THE CELTIC LEAGUE

When the Celtic League gathered in Dublin for its AGM this year in April, despite it being twelve months away, the centenary of the Easter Rising was very much in everyone’s mind.

The building we met in (Conradh na Gaeilge in Harcourt Street ) was the old HQ of Sinn Fein and as part of the social interaction for delegates after the business sessions were over the focus was very much on the history of the Rising.

Manx trad power group Barrule has been exploring pastures new recently, after a visit to the music industry's WOMEX event in 2013 attracted attention to the trio's unique style of music, which reflects the Island's musical heritage in a contemporary fashion.

WOMEX is an annual showcase where musicians promote their music to industry professionals from around the world, and is a great opportunity to attend conferences, collect awards and network.

As many reflect upon World War I, members of Rushen Heritage Trust have been concentrating their efforts in bringing the memories of those involved with the Women's Internment Camp during World War II, to a wider audience.

It's difficult to imagine these days the impact this had on the area, as thousands of women were forcibly removed from their homes in the UK, and sent to the Isle of Man under the classification of 'enemy aliens'. Some were also joined by their children.