Alastair Kneale's blog

Media release from Culture Vannin:

STEPHEN MILLER RBV

Stephen Miller’s scholarship and dedication to Manx folklore and culture over many decades are recognised in the award of the Reih Bleeaney Vanannan this year.

There are many wildlife organisations working throughout the Celtic lands and waters that do a tremendous job in trying to protect endangered species. They bring together volunteers from across the communities in which they live who are interested in the conservation of wildlife. One such group is the Yn possan Manninagh son craitnaghyn (Manx Bat Group) and they have a very distinctive logo (see below) of a bat in Celtic design flying over a map of the Isle of Man (Manx: Mannin). Craitnag is the Manx Gaelic name for a bat.

Predictably much of the English press and their servile followers have been squealing with indignation at the decision for children starting school in the Western Isles to be taught in Gaelic, unless their parents opt-out. Until now parents had to opt in to Gaelic-medium education (GME) on the islands, where lessons in English was the default. The truth is that the history of English rule in the Celtic lands has always had the design to make the Celtic people less Celtic. Part of this process has been their centuries old policies of destroying the language.

A star and planet will be given Manx Gaelic names after being chosen in an international competition. The International Astronomical Society held the competition, to name a star and planet. The winners were two classes of eight and nine-year-olds from Cronk-y-Berry school in the Isle of Man (Manx: Mannin). The star, WASP-13, will be named Gloas, the Manx for 'shine', and planet WASP-13b will be now be known as Cruinlagh, which is Manx for 'orbit'.

Media Release from Culture Vannin:

A Thousand Years in Man – a new book about the Island from a Norwegian perspective

A Thousand Years in Man offers unique insights into the history of the Isle of Man from a Norwegian perspective. Written by Jon Leirfall and published in 1979 to coincide with the Millennium of Tynwald celebrations, it has only been available in his native Norwegian as Tusen år på Man until now.

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                                                         Mann’s Green Footsteps Launch

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Brian Stowell’s Autobiography

Gaelg as Fishig: Skeeal my vea

Culture Vannin is privileged to announce the publication of Brian Stowell’s autobiography - Gaelg as Fishig: Skeeal my vea – which is the final work produced by this prolific author of Manx and which is published in the year he sadly passed away.

MEDIA RELEASE FROM CULTURE VANNIN

Who will you choose as your Manx cultural hero?

November is the time to get your nominations together for the ‘Reih Bleeaney Vanannan’ Manx cultural award. Named after the seagod Manannan, this annual award is made to an individual or group who has made the greatest contribution to the Island’s culture. A small group of judges from various Manx cultural organisations gather together in December to make the decision, with the winner usually announced in January.

The Celtic League have an interesting article on the new inquest about to take place in Cornwall on the sinking of the Breton trawler Bugaled Breizh. The League has long campaigned on the issue of the dangers posed to Motor Fishing Vessels (MFVs) by military submarine activity. The Celtic League has monitored and recorded possible accidents between fishing vessels and military submarines over many years and has estimated that no less than 20 boats have been lost together with the lives of over 150 fishermen.

Cooish 2019 – Press Release

The Cooish Manx Language Festival sees a number of events over the 1st and 2nd of November that enables people to enjoy and use Manx Gaelic.

The last few years have seen a dramatic increase in interest towards the language and throughout the year there are events where both young and old can use some Manx.

The Cooish provides an ideal opportunity for everyone to engage with, speak a little (or a lot of Manx) and find out more about this remarkable cultural asset that we have in the Isle of Man.