Shiaght Laa

The Island's rich cultural life in both Manx and English. This week features recordings and interviews from last Friday's ceremony to recognise Nigel Crowe as Reih Bleeaney Vanannan 2022. 

We start with a dance associated with what appears on the modern calendar to be 17th January. The tune, Mylecharane's March, is a spritely version of a song long popular in the Island. The story of Mylecharane, a miser in the Jurby Curraghs, who found a treasure of some sort, is well-known in Manx tradition. A traditional song in the Manx language says that he used his wealth to give a dowry to his daughter - and was cursed by Manx fathers for doing so. The song is known to have been a great favourite with Manx people, and it was described from the early nineteenth century as the Manx National Air. W H Gill used his arrangement of the tune to set his words which, from 1907, were widely accepted as the Island's National Anthem. However, it wasn't until 22nd January 2003 that Tynwald designated it as such.

The Island's vast tourist industry needed entertainment, and leading artistes popularised songs which led to large sales of sheet music and promoted the emerging recording industry. Florrie Forde spent many summer seasons in the Island and popularised a number of songs related to it. Her big hit song in 1909 was 'Has Anybody Here Seen Kelly?'. Songs about 'Kelly' had become popular since 1887, but Florrie Forde's success also inspired 'answer' or 'follow-up' songs by Billy Merson and Billy Williams, which we hear. 

The judicial murder of Illiam Dhone, William Christian of Ronaldsway, by firing squad on Hango Hill on 2nd January 1663 has resounded down through history in song and story. We hear songs old and new and poetry made about his death and how that is viewed to the modern day.

Fiona McArdle presents the final edition in this series of Shiaght Laa. We hear from Professor Hugh Davidson about William Milner, known mainly in connection with the iconic tower on Bradda Head. An exhibition about his life and work, 'William Milner : The Man and the Tower', can be seen in St Catherine's Church Hall until 4.00pm on Sunday 31st October.  With the change of clocks this weekend and shortening days, dark skies are very much in evidence. We hear from Howard Parkinson about his recent publication, 'Space for Dark Skies : An astronomical miscellany from the Isle of Man'. The Cooish Manx language festival will be taking place 4th-7th November, and Yn Greinneyder, Culture Vannin's Manx language development officer, Ruth Keggin Gell, outlines the programme of ten events. Culture Vannin is inviting nominations for the Island's highest cultural award, Reih Bleeaney Vanannan. Culture Vannin's Director, Breesha Maddrell, tells us about the award, how to go about ma

The Maughold Crosses Group was formed in May to look at how the collection of carved crosses, currently housed in the churchyard under a shelter designed by Armitage Rigby in 1906, can be protected, preserved and presented for the future. We hear from Chairman of the Maughold Crosses Group, Martin Royle, and member, Pam Kerruish.  The Isle of Man Poetry's Society Poetry Trail 2021 consists of 30 poems on display in Douglas, Peel and Ramsey. We've heard 24 of the poems so far in Shiaght Laa, and in this edition we hear the remaining six winning entries. All 30 poems will be on display until 31st October.

Maralyn Crellin introduces this edition, with an overview of three very different forthcoming events, three more pieces from the Isle of Man Poetry Society's Poetry Trail (continuing in Douglas, Ramsey and Peel until 31st October), and the story behind the song, Illiam y Thalhear, which is also performed by Caarjyn Cooidjagh. 

On the eve of the first Port Erin Jazz Festival, Jerry Carter reminds us of the opportunity to enjoy an afternoon of music in the Bay Hotel and the Falcon's Nest. Thanks to James Franklin of Culture Vannin, we have an opportunity to hear a little of the theatre pieces by Cori Philips and Annie Kissack, with the prospect of being able to enjoy the videos of them soon. The latest publication by Loaghtan Publications is 'Castletown : Past and Present', based on Ray Stanfield's collection of postcards and other images, paired with modern photographs by George Hobbes and information researched and written by Sara Goodwins, who tell us about working on the book. 

We look at a presentation at the Erin Arts Centre called 'At the Season's Edge' by Tholtan Theatricals and Caarjyn Cooidjagh. The evening comprised two works commissioned by Culture Vannin: Cori Philips's short, amusing piece called 'Our Loch-y Charm' and a one-act play by Annie Kissack, 'The In-Between Times', both set in the 1860s.   We hear two more of the successful poets who have contributed to this year's Isle of Man Poetry Society's Poetry Trail, including Peel and Ramsey as well as Douglas this time. Jerry Carter is a saxophonist and jazz lover who has been involved in organising the first Port Erin Jazz Festival. He tells us about special guests, Alan Barnes and Dave Newton, Beccy Rork and the Leeds College of Music Jazz Band, as well as about the many Island musicians who'll be performing. 

The Isle of Man Poetry Society's Poetry Trail was officially launched with an event in St George's Church in Douglas on Saturday 11th September. Thanks to Ernie de Legh Runciman, we can hear some of the 20 winning entries for this year's trail introducing themselves and reading their work. The Isle of Man Food and Drink Festival is into it's 13th year. Food Marketing Executive to the Department of Agriculture, Food and Agriculture, Hayden Armour, gives us a preview of this year's event. 

The Isle of Man Poetry Society has been organising an annual Poetry Trail for some years, placing ten poems in shops and other public places round Douglas. This year, the trail is expanding. Chair of the Isle of Man Poetry Society, Bethany de Legh Runciman tells us about the trail and the official launch. Adrian Cain tells us about Brian Stowell, about the Aundyr Brian Mac Stoyll, a prize to be awarded for creative work incorporating the Manx language, and about the group which awards it, Pobble. 

We visit the barn at Paul Costain's farm, Moorhouse, in Colby to join the ceremony at which the Seventh Manx Bard was named, robed and chaired. We hear Owen Atkinson reading some of his poetry and then telling us about how he works. By the end of September, entries have to be in for Aundyr Brian Mac Stoyll, an award for creative work incorporating the Manx language made by the group, Pobble, in honour of the late Brian Stowell. Adrian Cain tells us about the sort of work that can be submitted.

The Isle of Man Arts Society was founded in 1953 with 28 members, but now has about 300. We hear the opening of this year's exhibition with Society President, David Sayle, and Chief Executive of sponsors, Ramsey Crokkall, Joanne Crookall, before David Sayle tells us more about the Society's activities. Over the long bank holiday weekend, Rushen Heritage Trust is organising a series of exhibitions and events to reflect Port Erin's experiences in the Second World War. Pam Crowe describes the events and some of the history on which they're based.

We visit the bell-tower of St Thomas's Church in Douglas in the company of Judith Ley and Charles Guard as tower captain Edwin Creer talks about the carillon system there played with the Ellacombe apparatus, which celebrated its 200th anniversary in 2021. The Snaefell Mountain Railway was opened on 21st August 1895, and we hear from Andrew Scarffe about its history and a description of the day itself. Then it's over the mountains from Laxey to Peel, and Peter Jones tells us about Cycle 360's Corrin's Folly Challenge, taking place on 22nd August, including a tough ascent from the Coastguard Cottages at Knockaloe Beg, up to Corrin's Tower. 

Carol Kennaugh, the Secretary of the Royal Manx Agricultural Show, and Dennis Quirk, one of the many voluntary helpers, talk about putting the show together, what's on this year, and Dennis tells us about the all-important judging.   We hear about Manx-Breton musical collaboration of David Kilgallon and Mera Royle with Lors Landat and Thomas Moisson, their forthcoming CD and how they will be taking to an international stage.  And the first Sunday in Harvest - Matt Creer explains what it's all about, and he plays guitar and Josephine Evans her cello in a piece recorded by Culture Vannin.

We have some of the history connected with Laa Colum Killey before there's a reminder about Laa Colum Killey Beg in Arbory School from Julie Young. Online and Educational Resources Officer for Culture Vannin, James Franklin, tells us about the film, Island Utopias, by Sarah Mercer, which has been shortlisted for an award in the Celtic Media Festival. We also hear a little more about Gaelg 21, including an award-winning song in praise of the Manx language, Gaelg Aboo!

Maralyn Crellin introduces a programme which looks at the Colmcille Eireann is Albain initiative, which is increasingly involving the Island, and joins Ruth Keggin Gell to look at events in Gaelg 21, a Manx language festival which is part of the Colmcille 1500 celebrations. One of those events is a Bree session, and we hear from Chloe Woolley about what will be involved, not only as part of Gaelg 21 but also to prepare for Make Music Day on Monday 21st June.  After a summary of events over the weekend, we look ahead to this year's Laa Columb Killey event in Kirk Arbory with Secretary of the event, Julie Young. Head of Arbory School, Jonathan Ayres, explains how it fits into the wider Colmcille events, though the issue with Covid-19 has prevented link-ups with other school communities elsewhere.

Finch Hill Church in Buck's Road, Douglas was opened on 10th June 1868. It closed for worship in the 1970s, and, despite being registered for its historic and architectural interest in 1989, no-one was able to adapt a use for its facilities and it was demolished in 1997. St Barnabas's, in the heart of old Douglas, could seat up to 1,500 people. It's congregation dwindled and it was closed for worship in 1959, and it was demolished in 1969. The foundation was laid on the Feast Day of St Barnabas, 11th June in the year 1830. Colum Killey, St Columba of the Church, was born in 521, so is being celebrated in Ireland and Scotland with a year-long initiative, Colmcille 1500. The Island also celebrates Colum Killey, with the parish church of Kirk Arbory dedicated to him. From his feast day on 9th June until 9th July, the Island is holding a celebration of the Manx language, Gaelg 21, and Yn Greinneyder, Culture Vannin's Manx Language Development Officer, Ruth Keggin, tells us about that.

The Erin Arts Centre presents a range of cultural events, but with the current difficulties of bringing performers to the Island, we are fortunate to have so many first-class artists here in the Island. International concert pianist Olga Stone and Cleveland Medal winning mezzo-soprano Mandy Griffin are in concert on Friday 4th June. Belle Abbey in Colby takes its name either from an Irishman called Bell or from a Sarah Bell of Douglas, both of whom are said to be former owners of the property. It used to be the venue for an annual fair which involved the ritual funeral procession and burial of a hen. However, this Sunday it hosts the Southern Vintage Engine and Tractor Club Rally. 9th June is the feast day dedicated to Colum Killey, St Columba of the Church. That will be the date of the opening  event of a month-long celebration of 1500 years since the birth of Colum Killey. Yn Greinneyder (Manx Language Development Officer to Culture Vannin), Ruth Keggin Gell tells us about Yn Chruinnaght's contri

Maralyn Crellin introduces the programme, as Phil Craine, chairman of the oecumenical group that organises the annual Praying the Keeills event, tells us of the final two days, Friday 28th and Saturday 29th May. Saxophonist Jerry Carter and trombonist Jacqui Morrey-Grace are members of jazz group Blue Vannin, which will be holding what they hope will be the first of a regular Erin Arts Centre Jazz Club event on Saturday 29th May - tickets £10, u-18s £2. Last time we heard a Scottish song translated into Manx by Doolish y Karagher. This time we find out the story behind the song.