Alastair Kneale's blog

The government of the United Kingdom has apologised to the Isle of Man (Mannin). This followed Manx protests after the Island was included on a map of the UK. The Isle of Man is not part of the United Kingdom. The map was posted on the UK government twitter page as part of its campaign to keep the Scottish electorate from voting to leave the UK in the forthcoming referendum.

A tweet by the UK Prime Minister David Cameron in the run-up to Scotland's independence vote has been countered by the Manx government. His tweet includes a map which shows the Isle of Man (Mannin) as part of the United Kingdom with a message from David Cameron saying: 'By staying united we have much more to share and much more to gain'. Unfortunately for Cameron he does not even seem to know which Nations are in the United Kingdom! A tweet from the Manx government has pointed out that the Isle of Man is not part of the United Kingdom and asks for the map to be corrected.

On 9th June 2014 a successful Annual General Meeting of Mec Vannin was held on Mannin (Isle of Man).  It was a lively meeting with a full agenda that discussed a range of important national issues. On an international matter Mec Vannin also confirmed its support for Scottish independence wishing Scotland’s Yes campaign every success in the forthcoming referendum in September.

When there is a Celtic team playing in the FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) Football World Cup then the choice of who to support for me is an easy one. It can be one of the Celtic nations of Scotland, Republic of Ireland or Wales. At this stage Cornwall, Brittany and Isle of Man are not separately affiliated to FIFA. Although the Isle of Man (Ellan Vannin/Mannin) did get through to the final of the ConIFA (an umbrella body for teams outside of FIFA) World Cup final in Sweden this year.

The Celtic nation of Ellan Vannin (Isle of Man) which is also known as Mannin reached the final of the ConIFA World Football Cup in Sweden.  On the 8th June they lost a close match, which went to penalties, against Countea de Nissa and congratulations go to them. The Manx team started the competition as 250/1 outsiders and exceeded all expectations coming runners up in the competition. There was a big welcome for the footballing heroes when they landed at the Island’s Ronaldsway Airport.

The Celtic nation of Ellan Vannin (Isle of Man) which is also known as Mannin has reached the final of the ConIFA World Football Cup in the Sápmi region of Sweden. Their place in the final came after securing a 4-1 victory over Arameans Suryoye in the semi-final.  The ConIFA (Confederation of Independent Football Associations) 2014 World Cup sees states that are unaffiliated with FIFA, stateless people and minorities competing. ConIFA is their umbrella association.

Preparations are underway for the forthcoming 2014 FIFA World Cup to be held in Brazil from 12 June to 13 July.  Meanwhile in Sápmi a different soccer World Cup is underway. It is the ConIFA (Confederation of Independent Football Associations) 2014 inaugural World Cup, which sees states who are unaffiliated with FIFA, stateless people and minorities competing. ConIFA is their umbrella association. Sápmi is the name of the cultural region that is traditional home to the Sami people (sometimes called Lapps or Laplanders in English).

Ratchyn TT Mannin. Y boayl share sy theihll son ratchal raaidey (Isle of Man TT Races. The best place in the world for road racing). This first week in June sees the world’s greatest motorcycle road race take place. The Isle of Man TT (Tourist Trophy) races began in 1907. The International Isle of Man TT (Tourist Trophy) Race was first held on the Island in 1907. The Snaefell Mountain Course was first used in 1911. The 37¾ mile long course rises to 1,385ft (422 metres) above sea level at its highest point.  There is nothing like the Isle of Man TT Races.

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) which passes through every parish on Mannin (Isle of Man). It covers a distance of 85 miles (137 km). A Parish is a church unit of land that makes up a division of a diocese. 

The Celebration of Ireland’s International bestselling historical crime mystery series The Sister Fidelma Series is taking place at Cashel, Co. Tipperary, Ireland, from Friday, September 12, to Sunday, September 14, 2014. There are now twenty-five in the series which have been published in 18 languages. They are mainly set in 7th Century Ireland where the heroine is investigator Fidelma, sister of King Colgú of Munster. With her companion, a Saxon, Brother Eadulf, she is an advocate of the Brehon Laws of ancient Ireland.

The author of the Sister Fidelma series is Peter Tremayne the pseudonym of Peter Berresford Ellis. Under his own name he has published 34 books covering many aspects of Celtic history and culture. As Peter Tremayne, he has also published over 50 novels and over 90 short stories. Amongst his many international fans are those from the Celtic nations. His Sister Fidelma stories have been published in a number of Celtic languages. Those in Breton are Koulm ar Marv (The Dove of Death) and Absolvenn dre Vuntr (Absolution by Murder). Later this year a further book in Breton Kegid d’ar Gousperoú (Hemlock at Vespers) will be published by ABER.