Reih Bleeaney Vanannan award winner 'truly lives and breathes Manx culture'

Annie Kissack has been awarded the Isle of Man’s highest cultural honour

'If there is one person who truly lives and breathes Manx culture, and deserves to be Manannan’s Choice of the Year, it is Annie Kissack.'

That's from Culture Vannin, who have named Annie as this year's Reih Bleeaney Vanannan winner.

She's been awarded the Isle of Man’s highest cultural honour for her 'lifelong contribution to creativity and education in Manx culture, with a particular emphasis on the Manx language, traditional and original song, music and choral arranging, poetry, literature and folklore'.

The organisation describe her as 'an encouraging voice to all who seek to discover Manx culture' and say her impact on the Isle of Man is 'immeasurable'.

The Reih Bleeaney Vanannan or Manannan’s Choice of the Year is the Isle of Man’s highest cultural honour, awarded by Culture Vannin, and decided by a selection panel made up of representatives from Yn Cheshaght Ghailckagh, Yn Chruinnaght, Manx National Heritage, IOM Arts Council and Culture Vannin itself.

Annie was presented with the medal at a concert at Barregarrow Methodist Chapel, along with £500 prize money from Culture Vannin.

She also nominated Mooinjer Veggey Manx language educational charity for a further donation of £500.

We'll be hearing more from the ceremony in Manx Radio's Breakfast programme on Monday morning (17 March).