Alastair Kneale's blog

Song of the Celts - Wolf Tones

A researcher from the United States has praised language "warriors" in the Isle of Man for the work undertaken to promote Manx Gaelic. Lecturer Dr David Harrison travels to remote corners of the globe to help revive endangered native languages.

According to a recently published United Nations study there is an 80 per cent probability that by 2100 the world population will increase from 7.2 billion to between 9.6 and 12.3 billion. A considerable amount of this increase is expected to take place in Africa, with two billion babies being born during the next 35 years, doubling the continent's population. The British Isles has also seen an increase in population. The south-east of England has witnessed the consequences of such population growth.

Some news of coming Gaelic events on Mannin supplied by Adrian Cain Manx Language Development Officer Culture Vannin:

It’s the Bunscoill (Manx-language primary school) Christmas Service tomorrow night (Wednesday, 3rd) and all are welcome. The service starts at

Laa-ruggyree sonney, Radio Vannin!

'The Nations Broadcaster celebrated its 50th anniversary earlier this week. Report from Radio Vannin (Manx Radio):

Jelune, haghyr y mullagh jeh jannoo ardeailley jeh'n jeihoo chione-bleeaney as daeed jeh Radio Vannin.

Coraaghyn caarjoil as cooinaghtyn ennoil orroo veih'n lieh-cheead blein hie shaghey, haink ad ry-cheilley feiy'n laa marish ny toyrtee t'ain nish.

Jedoonee, v'eh dy jeeragh lieh-cheead blein neayr's ren Radio Vannin creeley hoshiaght.

The UrbanKelt Sunday Pan-Celtic Sessions - Sunday Nov 30th 8.00 - 11pm (free entry). An open session for Celtic musicians from the Celtic nations. For anyone with an interest in enjoying Celtic music and dance or just wants to enjoy the atmosphere. Welsh, Scottish, Irish, Manx, Cornish, Breton, Galician, Asturian musicians at The Harrison 28 Harrison Street, Kings Cross, London WC1h 8JF

The new First Minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon, has made her first visit to the Isle of Man (Mannin). She was taking part in the British Irish Council Summit being held in Douglas this morning (Fri 28th). The British-Irish Council was established as part of the multi-party agreement reached in Belfast on 10 April 1998. The Celtic nations that are included in the membership of the Council at this stage are Wales, Ireland, Isle of Man and Scotland.

So they think it is a great thing to have posted pictures of mass murder (they call it beheading)! These grinning idiots who have perpetrated these crimes are very warped and evil people. Our sympathy goes out to the families and friends of those murdered today by ISIL (Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant). Our sympathy also goes out to the minority peoples across Syria and Iraq suffering mass extermination at the hands of this disgusting cult.

Using data from the Unesco Languages in Danger project a list drawn up by  Christopher Moseley, University College London School of Slavonic and East European Studies points to 33 languages in Europe in danger.

However, Manx (Mannin/Isle of Man) and Cornish (Kernow/Cornwall) are pointed out as examples of what can be done to support languages seen to be at risk. In both Celtic nations concerted efforts are being undertaken to promote their languages.

Caarjyn ny Gaelgey  is a Manx Gaelic language organisation established in 1991. The aim of the organisation is to provide opportunities for people to use and learn the language. On Saturday November 15 they will hold a book sale. The sale will include books written in Manx as well as on Manx topics and will run from 11am until 4pm in the Old Schoolhouse at St John’s (Manx: Balley Keeill Eoin).