Alastair Kneale's blog

A new album that will celebrate the cultural and musical links between the Isle of Man (Manx: Mannin) and Scotland (Scottish Gaelic: Alba) is to be recorded by a Scottish harpist and Manx Gaelic Singer. Scotland's Rachel Hair is seen as one of the world’s finest exponents of Scottish harp (clarsach) playing. She has performed internationally, released five critically-acclaimed albums and published four harp books. Ruth Keggin has released two critically-acclaimed solo albums in the Manx Gaelic language.

According to a report in the British Times newspaper today (18th March 2021) the United Kingdom (UK) is seriously looking at establishing centres abroad where asylum seekers could be sent for processing. The article also suggests that the British overseas territory of Gibraltar is under consideration by officials, as well as the Isle of Man and other islands close to the British coast.

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Keirdlannyn, loayrtyssyn as brastyllyn ayns Gaelg as Yernish! 

Workshops, talks and classes in Manx and Irish! 

On this day, 4th March in 1824 William Hillary’s vision for a service dedicated to saving lives at sea became a reality. Initially known as the National Institution for the Preservation of Life from Shipwreck, its name subsequently changed to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI). Motivated by the selfless aim to save lives, it has saved some 140,000 lives since its foundation, at a cost of more than 600 lives lost in service.

An internationally significant find of Viking Age artefacts were declared as Treasure by the appropriate authority in the Isle of Man (Manx Gaelic: Mannin) today (February 18th 2021). They were discovered in late 2020 by metal detectorist Kath Giles whilst metal detecting on private land. The Treasure is of international significance and consists of a gold arm-ring, a massive silver brooch, at least one silver armband and other associated finds. They were buried around AD 950. 

Media release from Jeebin, Manx Language Network via Culture Vannin.

A celebration of the Manx language and its sister Gaelic languages planned for June and July 2021

The Labour Party’s idea of federalism offers little hope for the people of the Celtic nations. In many ways it is too late for Labour to play the federalism card and particularly in Scotland it is not likely to stem the hemorrhaging in their support. Their decline has been quite startling. Once Labour in Scotland, before the growth of the Scottish National Party (SNP), dominated political life. Now Labour’s leader in Scotland, Richard Leonard, has just quit the post after three years.

Sophia Morrison (24 May 1859 – 14 January 1917) was a Manx cultural activist, folklore collector and author. She was a founder member of Yn Cheshaght Ghailckagh (The Manx Language Society) and played an important role in the Celtic revival in her Manx homeland and throughout the Celtic world.  She was an enthusiastic collector and recorder of all things related to Manx culture, including the island's ancient Gaelic language, its folklore, tales and music. In doing so this great patriot did not view her work as just a means to preserve the past.

It was on the 10th January 2000 that the fishing boat Solway Harvester set out from Kirkcudbright (Scottish Gaelic: Cille Chuithbeirt) in south-west Scotland. They fished off the Manx coast until the following day 11th January and planned to set sail home. Due to the stormy conditions they sought refuge in the shelter of Ramsey Bay (Manx: Baie Rhumsaa) on the northeast coast of the Isle of Man (Manx: Mannin). Facing gale force winds of Force 9 nothing further was heard of the vessel until an emergency beacon was picked up later that day.