Valerie Caine's blog

This year's Arrane son Mannin (Song for Mann) competition took place at the Masonic Hall in Peel, where supporters gathered to hear a number of entries, from which just one would be chosen to represent the Isle of Man at the annual Pan-Celtic Song Contest in Ireland.

Sponsored by Culture Vannin, who also generously donated £300 prize money for the winner, the evening was interspersed with a variety of entertainment; including Scran, Matt Kelly, John Kilgallon, Manx Gaelic choir Caarjyn Cooidjagh and the Matt Creer Band.

The centenary of the death of Manx cultural champion, Sophia Morrison, was commemorated with a number of events organised by Roy Kennaugh, including local organisations Mec Vannin, the Celtic League, Yn Ҫheshaght Ghailckagh (Manx Language Society) and the local branch of the Celtic Congress.

A leisurely wander around the Isle of Man can often be a journey of self discovery, but some of the assorted curiosities and landmarks which flourish across the length and breadth of the Island often raise many questions.

Some of them may well be answered within the pages of a new publication entitled Wonders of Mann, which reveals more about a selection of both man-made and natural curiosities. Lavishly illustrated with stunning photography, the book has been compiled by Charles Guard who has brought together many of the curios which fascinate him upon his travels.

The annual Oie'll Verree held in Michael village on old Christmas Eve is a perfect opportunity to enjoy a Manx traditional, country concert; with a packed house indicative of its continuing success.

Tucked away in the old Ebenezer Hall, this much anticipated event was organised by the local branch of the Celtic Congress in latter years, but the baton has now been passed on to the Michael Heritage Trust.

The sinking of the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company's vessel Ellan Vannin in 1909 proved to be the worst day in the company's history, but despite time's intervention this tragic event remains deeply etched in the memory of many Manx people.

With the approaching centenary of the death of Manx pioneer Sophia Morrison, it's a good time to evaluate her achievements and review her remarkable legacy.

Born in Peel during 1859, Sophia had many siblings and was the daughter of well-respected, local grocer, merchant and fishing fleet owner Charles Morrison and his wife Louisa née Crellin. Sophia was gifted in music and language by her teenage years she was well read in European literature, possessed a working knowledge of Italian, Spanish, Irish, Scots Gaelic and was fluent in French.

An extensive crowd gathered at Hango Hill, situated between Castletown and Derbyhaven, for the annual ceremony commemorating the execution of William Christian (Illiam Dhone) on the 2nd January, 1662 (or 1663) for his part in the Manx rising of 1651 against the Derby family, who held the Island for the Royalist cause.

The long-running Mollag Ghennal has been a favourite crowd puller at a variety of venues, but this year the annual event was held in the Masonic Hall in Peel, retaining its winning formula of providing some of the best acts in both traditional and new music.

Although other cultural pursuits may have lapsed, the annual procession of dancers, singers and musicians gathered for the traditional Hunt the Wren, travelling through the streets and lanes of some of the main towns and villages of the Island.

Deemed the most prestigious awards ceremony in the traditional music calendar, sixteen awards will be presented to the best Scottish trad talent at the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards in a televised ceremony on the 3rd December, and amongst them will be a nomination with a Manx connection.