Alastair Kneale's blog

Entries for the 2015 Mannin (Isle of Man) Shooyl ny Skeeraghyn have now closed and participants are in training for this years event. Every year, close to the time of the northern summer solstice (Manx Gaelic: shass greiney souree), hundreds participate in Shooyl ny Skeeraghyn (Walk of the Parish’s). This is the Manx Parish Walk (sponsored by Manx Telecom), the biggest walking event on the Island, which passes through every parish on Mannin. It covers a distance of 85 miles (137 km).

Press Release on behalf of the Manx Language Development Officer for Culture Vannin :

The continued growth of interest in Manx Gaelic and the international recognition this has engendered for the Island was further illustrated last week when  Adrian Cain, the Manx Language Development Officer for Culture Vannin, was invited to Guernsey to join the Guernsey Language Commission.

Many Manx people are puzzled why they should pay a licence fee to a foreign (United Kingdom) broadcaster given that the Island is not part of the United Kingdom. The broadcaster in question is the British Broadcasting Corporation. As anyone who watched the coverage of the Scottish referendum campaign last year knows, it might as well be called the English Broadcasting Corporation given what many saw as the bias against Scottish independence it demonstrated at that time.

Another success for the Irish rugby team. A great and deserved result that saw Ireland retain the RBS Rugby Championship and bring the trophy back to one of the Celtic nations. As reported in the Irish Times all of the teams involved in the championship played today.

Naight - Radio Vannin

Burgleyrys faggys da leval jeh "gear-cheim ashoonagh"

Yn thooilley dy vurgleyrys-thie ayns yn Ellan ec y traa t'ayn, t'eh bunnys ec y leval jeh "gear-cheim ashoonagh".

Shen y credjue jeh eear-veoir-shee va ny chaairliagh jeh Barrantee Phurt Çhiarn, Ged Power.

Problems found during refuelling in Reactor 1 of Wylfa Nuclear Power Station (Welsh: Atomfa'r Wylfa) in Anglesey (Ynys Môn), North Wales has forced the plant to shut down. As reported today (10 March 2015) in the Welsh newspaper the Daily Post a Magnox spokeswoman said: "After preliminary investigations it is now expected that Reactor 1 will be offline for approximately four weeks.

A plan to develop the Isle of Man (Mannin) into an example of sustainable living has been officially launched. The EcoVannin initiative, is a joint venture between environmental groups, local businesses and Government departments. The aim is to encourage cooperation and long-term planning to preserve the environment and achieve sustainable economic growth. The group’s priorities have been divided into categories that include: business, energy, food, the environment, transport, media and Government.

There is a terrible arrogance prevailing in the Manx government at this time. They really do not seem to have understood how very unpopular they are amongst the Manx population. Or, even worse, perhaps they do understand but just don't care! That certainly appeared to be the case when Manx Chief Minister Allan Bell seemed to question the whole purpose of a public demonstration against Post Office closures which took place in January 2015 (as reported on Manx Radio).

Glen Innes is the site of the remarkable Australian Celtic Standing Stones and a testament to the importance of the Celtic people in Australian life and history. In the Celtic lands of north west Europe standing stones are a feature of the landscape. Of huge significance to the ancient ancestors of the peoples of Brittany, Cornwall, Isle of Man, Ireland, Wales and Scotland they were an essential part of ceremonial and spiritual life. They were aligned to reflect significant features of the landscape, the stars and the winter and summer solstices.

Press Release from Culture Vannin: Launch of Manx History App for Secondary Schools

Culture Vannn are pleased to announce the release of a new app that has been developed to encourage students in secondary schools to find out more about our unique history.