Shiaght Laa

As we approach y Chegeesh Ommidjagh, the Foolish Fortnight of y Nollick, the Manx Christmas, we listen to some seasonal pieces that have been composed in comparatively recent years. We hear - S'feayr yn oie (Annie Kissack); Carval Chreneash (Annie Kissack); Christmas Star (Marilyn Cannell); Shinyn ny deiney (Annie Kissack); Deiney creeney (Bob Carswell); Yn Joarree (Philip Leighton Stowell, tr...

Maralyn Crellin introduces a programme in which James Franklin, the Online and Educational Resource Officer of Culture Vannin, tells us about a new publication, 'A Guide to the Folklore Sites of the Isle of Man', the result of a five-year project between Katie Newton, Sam Hudson and himself.  Margaid Bird is a founder-member of Ramsey-based Manx Gaelic choir, Cliogaree Twoaie, and she...

Fiona McArdle is your host for this edition. The Isle of Man Poetry Society has monthly meetings at the Archibald Knox public house in Onchan, and there's one on Sunday 3rd December at 7.30pm. Chair of the Society, Bethany de Legh Runciman, talks about poetry and about opportunities to write and perform it. And as the programme goes out on Laa'l Andreays, St Andrew's Day, we look at th...

There's an important date coming up on 1st December, because that's the deadline for two important matters.  It's the final day by which to nominate a person or a group for the prestigious annual award, the Reih Bleeaney Vanannan, to be awarded early in the New Year. Breesha Maddrell of Culture Vannin tells us about that. Coming up from 10th February to 10th March will be another...

In the final programme in this series, Maralyn Crellin gives an overview of musical events during the coming week, and we dip into musical treats of yesteryear with songs by Florrie Forde - the final 'Kelly' song from 1920, 'Kelly's Got Married Today' and from 1930 asks, 'What Happened to the Manx Cat's Tail?'. As we often say in Shiaght Laa, people in the Island ar...

Fiona McArdle is our guide through the programme this week. Loaghtan Books have published a book that takes us to many unexpected corners and fascinating facts about the Island and its people. It's called 'Manx Myths, Mysteries and Miscellanies'. It's based on the research and articles of journalist and author, the  late Robert Kelly. We hear about Robert and his work from his...

As well as hearing about other opportunities to enjoy a range of music, Yn Chruinnaght is in full swing and we hear from Jo Callister and Chloe Woolley about events from Thursday evening 27th July to Sunday 30th July.  Almost on the eve of the Southern District Agricultural Show, we hear from show Secretary, Zoe Hampton, this year's President (and former Secretary), Sarah Comish, and from...

We look to the west for the most part this time, as Maralyn Crellin tells us about the Peel Traditional Boat Weekend from Friday 21st to Sunday 23rd July, and that's followed by Yn Chruinnaght Celtic Gathering from Monday 24th to Sunday 30th July. However, in addition to events in Peel, Yn Chruinnaght also includes a series of events in Douglas and a packed day in St John's. Chloe Woolley...

Since 1979, the North American Manx Association has made an annual award of a series of specially-minted silver medals to young people of the Island who display eminence in aspects of the Island's cultural and community life. This year the ceremony to award these medals, plus two prizes of the Department of Education, Sport and Culture for the most progress in the Manx language, was held on Fr...

This is the last programme in this series of 'Shiaght Laa' and it's presented by Fiona McArdle, RBV. IOM Post Office has just issued a set of ten stamps to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Manx Wildlife Trust with designs by MWT Artist in Residence, Clare Payne. We hear more about the work of MWT from Community Ranger, Hannah Phillips, including its role in The Manx Nature Show in...

Jen Adams, the Outreach and Education Manager for the Manx Whale and Dolphin Watch talks about the three-month project, The Manx Nature Show, which the Watch is steering and which opens in St German's Cathedral on 18th February, running through till 6th May. Taking part in The Manx Nature Show will be 22 environmental organisations, including the Manx Wildlife Trust. Community Ranger Hannah Ph...

We join the ceremony for the investiture of Shiaght Laa presenter, Fiona McArdle, as Reih Bleeaney Vanannan, the Island's highest cultural award. We hear from Breesha Maddrell, Director of Culture Vannin, and briefly from the Culture Vannin Chairman, Chris Thomas MHK, before we hear from Fiona herself. Moylley as soylley da Fiona McArdle, RBV!  In association with a piano recital by...

Fiona McArdle introduces the programme in which we hear from the Young Singer of Mann competitions. Congratulations to Anna Tamarova, winner of the junior category (7-12) and Eve Puzzar, winner of the senior category (13-18). We also hear of Laa'l Moirrey ny Gainle, the Manx Candlemas (2nd February) and of Black Saturday, when Dumbell's Bank failed to open (3rd February 1900). James Frankl...

After a brief overview of events into the weekend, we join Pip Rolfe of the Erin Arts Centre to hear about the Young Singer of Mann competition, in two categories this year, the young age group on Saturday 28th January and the older age range on Sunday 29th January. The panel of adjudicators is chaired by Angela Stewart, who tells us about the judging criteria. As we approach the end of the month,...

There are interesting exhibitions running at the Manx Museum in Douglas and the House of Manannan in Peel, and we hear of a concert in Bride. Mostly, though, we look forward to Wednesday 25th January, which happens to be Laa'l Paul. Can the weather on that day really foretell the state of the world? Wednesday 25th January sees a presentation by David Bellamy of the Manx Wildlife Trust about th...

Son dhooragh, shoh claare er ny chebbal liorish Fiona McArdle myr red frea ec jerrey yn straih dy chlaareyn y cheayrt shoh. 'Sy chiaghtoo chlaare shoh (ayns straih as shey claareyn ayn!) ta shin clashtyn mychione y scansh jeh Shenn Houney (11 & 12 Mee Houney), as eisht ersooyl lhien gys 'Rhumsaa - Eisht as Nish', son yn chiaroo lioar ayns straih liorish Lioaryn Loaghtan mychione ca...

From the official opening of the Museum 100 exhibition, eighth Manx Bard, Michael Manning, gives his poem about the Manx Museum, and HE Lieutenant-Governor, Sir John Lorimer, gives an overview of his predecessors' involvement in promoting the Manx Museum, culminating in its opening in its current iconic building in Douglas on 2nd November 1922. Charlotte Jane Henry took us through the etching...

Maralyn Crellin is your host for this edition of 'Shiaght Laa'. 'Museum 100' is an exhibition at the Manx Museum in Douglas to celebrate 100 years of the Manx Museum in that very building. The exhibition is now open, ready for the centenary, but there was a preview, at which we hear Director of the Manx Museum, Connie Lovel, and the Chairman of the Manx Museum and National Trust, J...

Fiona McArdle introduces the programme, reminding us that on Friday 21st and Saturday 22nd October there are more opportunities to see the musical presentation about the Star of India by Ramsey-based theatre group, Cloiederyn.  We heard last time about the recent official re-starting of the Great Laxey Wheel. Whilst the Wheel was being re-started, historic building architect and project leade...

After two years of work, the first phase of repairs to the Great Laxey Wheel has been completed. A ceremony was held on Wednesday 12th October to re-start the Lady Isabella, as she was dubbed when the Wheel opened in 1854. We hear from: the Chairman of the Manx Museum and National Trust,Jonathan Hall; the Director of the Manx Museum, Connie Lovel; and Lady Philippa Lorimer, who unveiled a memorial...

Maralyn Crellin gives an overview of the second Port Erin Jazz Festival (7th & 8th October) and a visit by Yorkshire bluesman, Howlin' Mat, with concerts in Peel on Saturday 8th and Port Erin on Sunday 9th. The major part of the programme is given over to Brian King talking about he became involved in research about HMS Racehorse, which went down with loss of life, including three of the r...

Fiona McArdle is your host as we hear about the Isle of Man Poetry Society's Poetry Trail 2022 - available until 28th October - and hear two poems from it. David Martin and Charles Guard open an exhibition of painting by the late David Fletcher at the House of Manannan in Peel. Artist Kate Jerry tells us of an open studio day at the Artreach Studios in Peel, and Kirsty Neate of Manx National H...

Final edition of the present series with Fiona McArdle. The Manannan Festival, the publication of a new collection of poetry and Tynwald - how does it work? 

This week, the team take a look at the Manannan Festival, Loughtan Books and Laa Columb Killey 

In this week's edition, Bob looks at Make Music Day, the Sophia Morrison Award and he hears about the life of James Alfred Curphey.