Alastair Kneale's blog

Illiam Dhone Commemoration 2024

The annual Illiam Dhone commemoration is being held today at the site of his execution. Illiam Dhone (14 April 1608 - 02 January 1663) also known as William Christian was a Manx politician and patriot. For his part in the Manx rising of 1651 he was executed by firing squad at Hango Hill in the Isle of Man on 2nd January 1663. This poem by A. P. Graves was written 111 years ago in his honour and published in "A Book of Manx Poetry" by the Manx Language Society and the World Manx Society, 1913.

 

ILLIAM DHONE

THE Scot to mighty Wallace

Parthenon Marbles Should Be Returned to Greece and Celtic Treasures Held in English Collections Returned to Their Home Countries

The Greek government is right to seek the return of the Parthenon Marbles, which were illegally removed by agents of Thomas Bruce, 7th Earl of Elgin over 200 years ago. The Elgin Marbles are the Parthenon Marbles, a collection of Classical Greek marble sculptures that were originally part of the temple of the Parthenon and other buildings on the Acropolis of Athens. They were removed and shipped to England, in what the poet, peer and politician Lord Byron described as an act of vandalism or looting. 

Let’s celebrate Manx with the Cooish festival!

Media Release Culture Vannin: 

 

Let’s celebrate Manx Gaelic! The Cooish Manx language festival will be taking place between

Wednesday 1 st – Sunday 5 th November, and whether you’re brand new to the language, or a

seasoned Manx speaker, there’ll be something for you!

 

The Cooish is a fun and friendly festival which takes place annually, and is organised by the

community for the community. This year’s festival features 21 events across the island, from a

family-friendly bingo night, through to cocktail making in Manx!

Manx Viking Age Runestones

The Isle of Man is home to a remarkable number of carved crosses and monuments dating from the 5th century to the 12th century. Protected by the Manx National Heritage there are over 200 decorated stone crosses on the Island, most of which can be found in graveyards and churches. The earliest stones carry Celtic designs and inscriptions using an early Celtic script called Ogham. Later Norse sculptors decorated their crosses with both Christian icons and images from their own pagan mythology, along with Norse Runic inscriptions.

Gaelic Festival of Lughnasadh

The name of the month of August in all three Gaelic languages is derived from the Celtic god Lugh (also known as Lug and in Modern Irish: Lú). In Modern Irish August is called Lúnasa, in Scottish Gaelic: Lùnastal, and in Manx: Luanistyn. At the beginning of the month Lughnasadh is celebrated. It is one of the four Gaelic seasonal festivals, along with Samhain, Imbolc and Beltane. The festival of Lughnasadh, Lughnasa or Lúnasa, like August is named after the god Lugh.

Yn Chruinnaght Celtic Gathering 24th - 30th July 2023

The Isle of Man's top Celtic festival promises a gifted line up of artists for Yn Chruinnaght Celtic Gathering 24th - 30th July 2023. Information can seen on this link to their website Yn Chruinnaght. The origins of the Festival date back to 1924 and was the idea of William Cubbon, the first director of the Manx Museum, who was also the Honorary Treasurer of both Yn Çheshaght Ghailckagh (The Manx Gaelic Society) and the World Manx Association (WMA).

Celtic Triskel Celebrated on Stamps from Isle of Man Post Office

The ‘Three Legs of the Isle of Man’ triskelion (or triskel) is the Island’s national symbol. Derived from an ancient sun symbol, the triskelion is one of the oldest continually-used national symbols. The Celtic triskel was a symbol that had various meanings for the early Pagans: it was linked to the sun, triadic Gods and the three domains of land, sea, and sky and was also believed to represent the cycles of life, as well as the Triple Goddess - the maiden, mother and wise woman.

Laa Tinvaal Sonney Diu – Happy Tynwald Day!

Tynwald Day (Manx: Laa Tinvaal), the National Day of the Isle of Man (Mannin) is held on the 5th of July. It is traditionally when the government for the Isle of Man go to Tynwald Hill to read a summary of the laws passed over the last year. The reading is given in Manx Gaelic and English. The artificial hill, which is thought to have started as a Bronze Age burial mound, is made up of four circular platforms. It is said to have been a meeting place for the Celtic midsummer assembly. Hence there is a large Celtic Cross on the site representing the Celtic god, Lugh.

Sinking of Lusitania on May 7th 1915

The ocean liner RMS Lusitania was built by John Brown and Company of Clydebank, Scotland and was launched by Cunard in 1906. At one time it held the coveted Blue Riband, which is the accolade given to the passenger liner crossing the Atlantic Ocean in regular service with the record highest speed. Lusitania  was also briefly the world's largest passenger ship. The ocean liner was travelling from New York to Liverpool in 1915 on its 202nd cross Atlantic trip, when on the afternoon of 7th May it was hit by a torpedo fired from a German U-boat.

Happy Easter

Breton - Pask Seder

Cornish - Pask Lowen 

Irish - Cáisc Shona duit/Beannachtaí na Cásca ort

Manx - Caisht sonney dhyt

Scottish (Gaelic) - A' Chàisg sona

Welsh - Pasg Hapus

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