Blogs

As reported in the Scotsman newspaper a poll has put the support for Scottish independence at its highest level for six months. The question was asked how they would vote if the referendum was held today: 39.3 percent said Yes and 47.6 percent No, 13.1 per cent of those asked were undecided.

The Celtic Radio Music Awards is a program sponsored by Boston-based Highlander Radio to acknowledge and promote exceptional Celtic music. Nominations for this award are made throughout the year by listeners and members of Celtic Radio. This year nearly 700 songs were reviewed.  After a careful screening process based upon listener nominations, ratings, requests, and other radio statistics, three songs were selected in six categories for community voting.  Categories are Celtic Rock, Traditional, Jigs & Reels, Contemporary, Bagpipes and Roots Traditional.

The Isle of Man Steam Railway, which runs between Douglas and Port Erin, is always a popular mode of transport for visitors and local alike who have the time to fit in with its leisurely pace, but during this weekend there’s been an extra bonus for budding photographers.

Now in its third year, the Winter Photography Event is a joint venture between Isle of Man Railways and the Isle of Man Steam Railway Supporters’ Association, and attracted the support of enthusiastic local photographers, with staged sessions organised along the route of the Victorian transport system.

A company operated by the British government has been ordered by the High Court of Wales to reinstate Welsh language services to its customers.  The Court delivered its ruling against The National Savings & Investments (NS&I) as a result of an application for Judicial Review filed by the Welsh Language Commissioner Meri Huws in 2013.  The suit was in response to the NS&I decision to discontinue offering bank services in the Welsh language.

In true Celtic spirit two Manx groups will be heading across the Irish Sea to Wales to represent the Isle of Man at Cwlwm Celtaidd, the Celtic Festival of Wales.

Known widely for its focus as a family festival of music, song and dance, it attracts representative groups from each of the Celtic nations for a fun-filled weekend in the southern Welsh coastal resort of Porthcawl; which this year was well oversubscribed.

Mannin Branch of the Celtic Congress (Y Cohaglym Celtiagh) announce a meeting on Saturday afternoon 8th March at 2.30pm to take place in Purt ny h-Inshey (Peel). The topic is Sulby Uplands and the Cossacks an illustrated talk by Phillip Quayle and will be held at the Guild Room, Atholl Street (opposite the Centenary Centre).

On April 5th at the same time and venue there will be a discussion about Hall Caine, Internment and the Women of Knockaloe led by Pat Skillicorn.

Further to Transceltic’s article about the work being undertaken at Scotland’s Gaelic College Sabhal Mòr Ostaig www.transceltic.com/scottish/sabhal-mor-ostaig-scotlands-gaelic-college. Margaret Stewart, award winning Gaelic song specialist, folklorist and Gaelic singer, who was born on the Isle of Lewis, is teaching short courses in Highland History and Gaelic Song at the College during the summer months. 

As the interchange of Celtic music becomes more popular, there’s a unique opportunity to hear two of today’s leading instrumentalists, from Scotland and Brittany, in concert next Monday evening (10th March) at Bunscoill Rhumsaa.

Calum Stewart (Uilleann Pipes and Wooden Flute) from Scotland and Heikki Bourgault (Guitar) who hails from Brittany will be visiting the Island as part of a European tour to launch their latest CD Hunter’s Moon.

The Gaelic League (Conradh na Gaelige) have just concluded the organisations High Council (Ard-Fheis) over this past weekend in the Irish town of Killarney.  The Gaelic league is the main voluntary community organisation that promotes the Irish language in Ireland and abroad.

Under the headline “Cornwall Should Have Same Powers As Independent Scotland”, the website “WestBriton” is reporting on the latest fallout from the movement toward Scottish Independence. Recent press reports show a clear consensus emerging that an Independent Scotland, or a close vote, would have knock on effects on the nationalist sentiments of the remaining two Celtic nations, Cornwall and Wales, which are now part of the United Kingdom (setting aside the problematic Ulster).