Episodes
Following the 1906 poem of William Gell, Mannin Veg Veen, he's brought us to St Patrick's Isle, and he mentions the figure of Fenella from Sir Walter Scott's 1823 novel, Peveril of the Peak. We look at part of Sir Walter's description of Fenella from Chapter Sixteenth, as it appears in his book, before resuming a rapid journey up the west coast to the Point of Ayre.As it is pantomime season, we have a Manx translation of a story from the Brothers Grimm which has been used as the basis for many a seasonal presentation. As usual with the Brothers Grimm, there is a rather grittier element to i...
William Gell's 1906 poem, Mannin Veg Veen, has brought us to Port Erin, and here we pause to look at the work of a frequent visitor to the Island, and particularly to Port Erin, the writer Arnold Bennett. We then compare what he has to say about the view from Bradda with what William Gell writes, but Gell bustles us up the coast to St Patrick's Isle.We conclude the Manx translation of the story by the Brothers Grimm about the band of six, of whom five are men of extraordinary specialist traits, and they're led by a disgruntled soldier, discharged from the army after sterling service, who's ...
From the Calf, William Gell's attention switches to the Chickens in his 1906 poetic tour of the Island, Mannin Veg Veen. Going round to Port Erin, we look at William Milner's association with it, including the tower on Bradda Head. Though Gell doesn't mention him, we also look at Arnold Bennett, who set a chapter of his 1902 novel, Anna of the Five Towns, in Port Erin, and that was by no means the only work of his set in the village.In a translation into Manx, we're looking at the rather odd tales of the Brothers Grimm, and a disgruntled discharged soldier has collected a motley crew of fiv...
William Gell has brought us from Douglas Head to Derbyhaven and Castletown in his 1906 publication, Mannin Veg Veen, a poem in which he paid tribute to the Three Legs with his three-legged rhyming scheme. He's no sooner given a nod to Castle Rushen than he takes us back out to Langness.Although they're called Fairy Tales, the stories collected by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm are sometimes odd, sometimes gruesome. Even when the stories have come to be known to us in milder forms which are often the basis of pantomimes, they often contain extra details or incidents which you probably wouldn't want...
In 1906 William Gell of Onchan had his third book published containing his lengthy poem, Mannin Veg Veen, which made a poetical tour of the Island. In honour of the Three Legs, William Gell decided to write his poem in rhyming triplets. However, before embarking on the tour, we look at a full-page photograph, the title page and William Gell's dedication and Preface.We come to the final episode in our Manx translation of Bram Stoker's Dracula, with Jonathan Harker and Quincey Morris valiantly pushing forward through the Szganee to reach the leiter-wagon on which is the box containing Count D...
One of the sensations of its day was a trial in Douglas of George Barker James Cooper, the scion of a Manchester business family, whose relationship with Edith Annie Cooper, his wife, was volatile, going from apparent harmony to drunken violence in an instant. In one such episode, Edith was killed in their room at the Regent Hotel in Douglas. The Cooper Trial took place from 14th to 22nd November 1892, and we hear what came out in court.It's the penultimate episode of our translation into Manx of Bram Stoker's Dracula. Professor Van Helsing has found a refuge between rocks for Mina Harker a...
Politics during the years following the death of Godred Crovan in 1097 were only too literally cut-throat, as various rivals fought savagely for the throne of the Kingdom of Man and the Isles. We follow the Chronicles of the Kings of Man and the Isles for 90 years from the death of Godred Crovan to the death of Godred Olafson on 10th November 1187.Our Manx translation of Bram Stoker's Dracula has only two episodes to run after this one. Professor Van Helsing has been undertaking the gruesome work of making the Undead die, as he deals with three beautiful Vampires in Castle Dracula, as well ...
We hear from yn Greinneyder, Culture Vannin's Manx Language Development Officer, Ruth Keggin Gell, about the events which go to make up the Cooish Manx Language Festival, being held from Wednesday 6th to Sunday 10th November.Professor Van Helsing has left Mina Harker protected in a Holy circle whilst he goes alone to undertake the task of destroying the Vampire women who recently materialised before him and Mina, and whom he recognises from the description given in Jonathan Harker's journal. The fourth from last episode in our Manx translation of Bram Stoker's Dracula.As y kiaull ain, dy ya...
We find out something about a newspaper called the Manx Liberal, which was published from 1836 to 1851. We turn to an edition of October 1843 and hear of a tragedy in Union Mills. In our Manx translation of Bram Stoker's Dracula, Professor Van Helsing has protected Mina Harker within a circle sprinkled with pieces of communion wafer to keep away evil presences. They're not long in coming to them - but which of them has most to fear?Shoh dooin y kiaull ain y cheayrt shoh -SKEEAL - UshteyLUCY BURROW - The labourer's yearMARY BERGIN - The floggin reel/The ivy leaf/Trim the velvetBOIS Y FELIN -...
We finish the short story by P M C Kermode about John the Priest of Corna dale, set against events of the year 1210. It was intended as one of a series of unconnected short stories, perhaps more as a vehicle to give lots of historic colour. However, he was persuaded to continue to follow the life of his main character in subsequent episodes.Professor Van Helsing is preparing a memorandum to Dr John Seward to explain all that is happening as he and Mina Harker draw nearer to Castle Dracula. The Professor is concerned about changes in Mina, who has been a victim of Count Dracula. More from a ...
P M C Kermode sets his story about John the Priest of Corna dale against the historic events of 1210, which saw war galleys sent to the Island by King John of England, when unfortunately the strong Manx king Reginald (Ragnvaldr) was absent with his forces in the western isles of Scotland.In our Manx translation of Bram Stoker's Dracula, we first join Mina Harker and Professor Van Helsing on the road towards the Borgo Pass and beyond to Castle Dracula. Though it's becoming more difficult to put Mina under hypnosis, Count Dracula is still travelling by river towards his home. Professor Van He...
We've followed Juan the Priest of Corna Dale into Thorkell's cabin on the slopes of Barrule, where he finds Thorkell's wife with her children and a sickly baby. The mother thinks it won't survive for long, but Juan has other ideas. A story written by P M C Kermode, with lots of historic detail.In our Manx translation of Dracula by Bram Stoker, we hear from Jonathan Harker how his and Lord Godalming's journey is going by boat; from Dr John Seward about progress made by himself and Quincey Morris on horseback; and from Mina Harker about her journey with Professor Van Helsing towards Castle Dr...
In the first edition of Sophia Morrison's magazine, 'Mannin', in May 1913, P M C Kermode contributed what was intended to be the first of a series of short stories to give an impression of day to day life in the Island's history. However, it became the story about John the Priest and starts 'In Corna Dale'.In our Manx translation of Bram Stoker's 'Dracula', Professor Van Helsing explains why he is intending to go with Mina Harker to Castle Dracula itself, despite the dangers. Meanwhile, Jonathan Harker is sailing up river on a steam launch with Lord Godalming whilst Quincey Morris and Dr Jo...
Christopher Shimmin's story, The Smuggler, continues with Juan Robin, skipper of the Mauthe Dhoo, arranging to go and bring in a consignment of smuggled rum, despite the presence of a revenue sloop, Hawk, under the command of his old Royal Navy shipmate, Bill Bartlett.Whilst the others rest, Mina Harker has gone through all the accounts of Count Dracula, what he's said and what he's done. By the time the others are revived, she's composed a memorandum giving carefully reasoned judgements regarding the Count and his arrangements for getting back to Castle Dracula. From a Manx translation of ...
In the early 20th century, Christopher Shimmin wrote plays for Peel Players. When Sophia Morrison launched the magazine Mannin for Yn Cheshaght Ghailckagh in 1913 his story The Smuggler appeared in the first edition. We hear the first part of that story in this edition of Claare ny Gael.Having reached the port of Galatz, the friends hear how the box in which Count Dracula is shipping himself back home has been taken by a shipping agent called Hildesheim, who has let it go in the hands of another agent, Skinsky. Even as they try to trace Skinsky, news comes of his violent death, his throat r...
We come to the end of the section of 'The Fairy-Faith in the Celtic Countries' in which American scholar W Y Evans Wentz recounts some of the stories he heard on his visit to the Island in 1909. He also collected in the other Celtic countries, and the result was an Oxford PhD thesis which he subsequently published in 1911.In our Manx translation of Bram Stoker's Dracula, the friends have come to the port of Galatz in the hope of finding Count Dracula in a box of Transylvanian earth in the hold of a ship in which he travelled from London. On reaching Galatz, the commence their enquiries.As y...
On Christmas Day of 1909, American scholar W Y Evans Wentz has been out to Glen Maye to collect stories, and has now walked back into Peel to the house of William Cashen, who tells him more for what became Evans Wentz's 1911 publication, 'The Fairy-Faith in the Celtic Countries'.After hearing from Mina Harker under hypnosis that Count Dracula is emerging from his box of Transylvanian soil, the friends are anxious to reach the port of Galatz, where the Count is attempting to stay clear of opposition and make for his home. Another episode in the Manx translation of the story by Bram Stoker.As...
It's Christmas Day 1909, but American scholar, W Y Evans Wentz, is still out visiting people in Glen Maye and Peel to hear stories which he retold in 'The Fairy-Faith in the Celtic Countries', which he published in 1911.In our Manx translation of Dracula by Bram Stoker, Mina Harker has understood something of the character of Count Dracula, from some of the things the Count had told her husband, Jonathan, when he was visiting the Count in Castle Dracula - seemingly unimportant at the time, but actually an unguarded insight into the way he thinks and operates.As y kiaull ain -COWBOIS RHOS BO...
We rejoin W Y Evans Wentz in Ballasalla where he hears more stories about what he calls 'fairies', though Sophia Morrison points out that the Manx people had lots of names for them, but that 'fairies' was not used. Evans Wentz visited the Island in 1909 to take evidence for his book, 'The Fairy-Faith in the Celtic Countries', which was published in 1911.In our Manx translation of Dracula by Bram Stoker, Professor Van Helsing and Dr John Seward are talking about Mina Harker, who has just gone to get some information her husband, Jonathan, had written about his time in Castle Dracula. When sh...
American scholar W Y Evans Wentz visited the Island in 1909 when Sophia Morrison took him to meet people from whom he took evidence for his PhD thesis which he published in 1911 as 'The Fairy-Faith in the Celtic Countries'. We join him on his collecting trip.Our party of friends have been intent on boarding a ship as soon as it arrives in Varna on the Black Sea so that they can arrange to destroy Count Dracula. But they still await the ship's arrival - shouldn't it be here by now? More from our translation into Manx of Bram Stoker's renowned story.As nyn giaull, smooinaghtyn er ny Manninee ...
We come to the end of Sophia Morrison's Introduction to the section of W Y Evans Wentz's 1911 publication, 'The Fairy-Faith in the Celtic Countries', dealing specifically with the Isle of Man, and we hear what he wrote down of whom he met and what they told him when he visited the Island in 1909.Our band of friends are talking about what will need to be done when the boat carrying the box of earth in which Count Dracula is travelling arrives in Varna. Lord Godalming uses his influence which they hope will give them access to the box so that they can destroy the Count. But first they have to...
American scholar, W Y Evans Wentz, published 'The Fairy-Faith in the Celtic Countries' in 1911. Information from the Island was supplied by Sophia Morrison, and we find out what she sent to him, writing in September 1910.Mina Harker explains why she wants her husband, Jonathan, to be willing to swear to end her life and to go on to take the gruesome steps necessary to protect her immortal soul, should she go on to become a creature of Count Dracula.As y kiaull ain -BRIGITTE & KATELL KLOAREG - Pauvre marinEMMET SPICELAND - Nora bheagMABON - Welsh morris/Twm JonesCAARJYN COOIDJAGH - Eubonia s...
We find out what happened in the harvest service at Ronague when Isaiah Cregeen was struggling in the pulpit to answer a question put by his brother, Martin - better known as Fairy. This is the penultimate of Dorothy Manley's short stories under the title, Fairy's Ground, and we also move on to the opening of the final story.In our episode from Bram Stoker's Dracula in a translation into Manx, Professor Van Helsing is bracing himself to tell Mina Harker that she must no longer be in on the friends' discussions, though he doesn't want to say why. However, Mina seems to be aware of the diffic...
Dorothy Manley has introduced us to Isaiah Cregeen, one of the seven Cregeen siblings. Isaiah is a Methodist preacher, and his wife is very proud to take her place in chapel on a Sunday. However, she doesn't welcome the presence of the youngest of the brothers, Martin - known to all as Fairy, and who gives his name to the collection of short stories, 'Fairy's Ground'.Professor Van Helsing and Dr John Seward share a concern that Count Dracula will be able to know, from his connection with Mina Harker's mind, whatever she knows - including anything she's told or finds out about the friends' i...
We finish the case involving the Trespass Jury in Dorothy Manley's short story, 'The Lawyer', involving Benjamin Cregeen and his brother, Jonah. The youngest brother, Fairy Cregeen, after whom Dorothy Manley names her collection, 'Fairy's Ground', is actually only mentioned completely incidentally. We then move on to the fourth story called 'The Preacher'.Mina Harker's Journal gives us an account of what Professor Van Helsing has to say about the way Count Dracula's mind has been growing, and though he began with a child-like outlook, he asks her to think of what he might do with expanded b...
We've been introduced to the Cregeen family in the first of Dorothy Manley's collection, 'Fairy's Ground : Homely Tales', told by her narrator, a young man training to be a teacher. The second tale concentrated on Joshua Cregeen, and in the third we become better acquainted with his brothers, Jonah and Benjamin. The figure of Matthew Cregeen, better known by all as 'Fairy' for his small stature and nature, features across the stories, though not necessarily prominently.In our episode from the translation into Manx of Bram Stoker's 'Dracula', Professor Van Helsing has been describing how th...
Dorothy Manley has made the narrator of her collection, 'Fairy's Ground : Homely Tales', a young man. In the first story, 'The Chimney-Sweep', he was a young lad. The second story, 'The Farmer', has taken us forward by seven years, and the narrator is training to be a teacher - which he has become by the time of the third story, 'The Lawyer'. Professor Van Helsing tells of how he, Arthur Holmwood (Lord Godalming) and Quincey Morris managed to trace the identity of the boat on which Count Dracula has left London bound for his castle in Transylvania. He obviously enjoys giving an account of w...
Dorothy Manley's collection, 'Fairy's Ground : Homely Tales', contains five stories involving a character called Fairy Cregeen. In the second tale, Joshua 'Joss' Cregeen is working for a farmer called Charley Willie, where Charlie's daughter, Alice, takes on a lot of the work.As we move on through Bram Stoker's story, 'Dracula', Professor Van Helsing has stopped Lord Godalming and Quincey Morris from rushing out to hunt for Count Dracula as all they know is that he's on a ship and there are hundreds in the port of London. Also, the ship was just sailing out on the morning tide, so the Coun...
Dorothy Manley's story, 'The Chimney Sweep', is the first in her collection called 'Fairy's Ground : Homely Tales and Poems'. In the 'Homely Tales' she creates a male narrator who brings the first tale to an end and embarks on a second, entitled 'The Farmer'.Jonathan Harker's journal is describing how he is pleased that his wife, Mina, is sleeping dreamlessly, but that he himself is tired but not sleepy. However, he realises that he needs to sleep to be ready for whatever the next day brings. We continue exploring Bram Stoker's story of 'Dracula' in a translation into Manx.As y kiaull 'sy c...
We looked at the poetry from the booklet, 'FAIRY'S GROUND : Homely Tales and Poems : by Dorothy Manley', and now we turn to the first of the 'Homely Tales' which is called 'The Chimney Sweep'.In our extract from the translation into Manx of Bram Stoker's 'Dracula', after the escape of Count Dracula from his house in Piccadilly, the five friends return to Purfleet and are much moved by the words of Mina Harker, who has been awaiting them there.As y kiaull ain 'sy chlaare shoh -FIONA MACKENZIE & ANAM - In oTONY TRUSCOTT & CORNISH SONGWRITERS - The old timerCARLOS SWEENEY McCARTIN - The Stig j...