Episodes
At 6.00am on Monday 10th May 1897, the morning shift of 35 miners climbed down into the shaft of the Great Snaefell Mine. Within a short time, 19 of them were dead, overcome by a build up of carbon monoxide after a fire which had occurred some time after the final shift on Saturday and during the Sunday when the mine was not being worked.
Our short story in Manx is about a tourist in Florence and the caprices of fate - is it wise to know the future or not?
As nyn giaull -
RUTH KEGGIN - Holdfast
THEO LE MAGUET - Les gars de Locmine
DA CAMERA - The Irish ground (Thomas Tollett)
MAGI TUDUR -...
A party of 37 men left Peel aboard a two-masted schooner called the Vixen to sail to Melbourne in Australia. The idea was that they would seek their fortune in digging for gold. We hear a poem about their departure and then entries in the diary kept by Henry Maddrell Graves about some of the events on their voyage. After 92 days - which included 21 days becalmed - they reached Melbourne on 2nd May 1853.
Our short story in Manx is about a self-confessedly boring man, rather old-fashioned and lacking in confidence, whose life is changed when he's unexpectedly tempted to buy an electric tooth...
We look back 200 years to the first edition of a newspaper called The Rising Sun, or, Mona's Herald, which was published on Tuesday 24th April 1821. We then look at the sweep of the history of the newspaper itself, which ran from 1826 to 1906 as The Manx Sun. Our informant is the man who was the final editor of the newspaper, and later Librarian and Director of the Manx Museum, William Cubbon.
Our short story in Manx takes us back even further, to the days of the cavedwellers, but enjoys, and makes the most of, some amusing anachronisms.
As y kiaull ain -
MAC-TALLA - Barcelona
KLERVI RIV...
Having looked last time at the enthronement in April of a Bishop appointed the previous November, we do the same this time, but rather than going back to 1697-8 in the case of Thomas Wilson, we look only as far as 1911-12 in the case of James Denton Thompson. His enthronement took place in St George's Church in Douglas on Thursday 18th April 1912.
Our short story in Manx is about a young scientist, new out of university, whose expertise enables him to attach a radio signal to a tachyon - tachyons theoretically travel faster than the speed of light - to try to contact an alien from a planet...
The figure of Bishop Thomas Wilson looms large in Manx history. We go back to the very start of his episcopacy, with his appointment in November 1697 and the other official stages leading up to his installation and enthronement in St German's Cathedral on St Patrick's Isle on 11th April 1698. There then followed a long tenure of office until his death in 1755.
Our short story is based on one written originally in English by Simon J Wood - but without the emphasis on a heavy Scottish accent. In this translation it's called Cheer Cooie da Treanee - A Land Fit for Heroes.
As nyn giaull:
PLET...
We look at the background to yn Chaisht, the Eastertide - , starting with the origin of the names of this moveable feast of the church in English and in the Celtic languages. The Manx traditions of Jeheiney Caisht, Good Friday, include an apparently pagan element. Overall Manx farmers were pessimistic about stock born at this time and by some it was considered an unlucky time.
Our short story in Manx is another of Virginia Woolf's allusive pieces about Miranda sleeping 'In the Orchard'.
As nyn giaull -
SAMLING - Giulleachan/Gakkori
LINDA GRIFFITHS A SORELA - Can Mered
MILLADOIRO - Axeitam...
Johnson's Guidebook of 1850 describes Laxey as a cluster of cottages down by the shore, with a dangerous, steep approach down from Fairy Cottage on the south side and Minorca on the north. Leech's Guide of 1861 shows a larger, bustling Laxey with a mining industry. Contemporary newspapers tell of the New Road, opened 28th February 1854, with its magnificent viaducts, giving travellers a view up to the Great Laxey Wheel.
Our story is a Manx translation of an English translation from the original Spanish of Colombian writer, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, about a dentist and a mayor.
As y kiaull...
The steamer Victoria from Fleetwood for Belfast had run aground at Port Mooar in Maughold. Edward and Isabella Christian of Baldromma were fined for keeping goods from the wreck. However, two servants at Baldromma stashed away more loot in the adjacent churchyard. This led to a parochial visitation and remonstrance by Bishop Thomas Vowler Short with the police and other officials on 21st March 1842.
Our short story in Manx is about an actor whose fantastic skills - and one particular role - brought him only too closely to the attention of an unscrupulous politician.
As nyn giaull :
KEVIN ...
We recap and hear more from brilliant academic and author, Dr Jennifer Kewley Draskau, about her latest novel, 'Transportee', available as a book or in a Kindle edition. Jennifer explains how she has based it on the transportation of felons from Castle Rushen to Jamaica in 1698, and on her research into slavery and indentured servitude and much more.
With the feast day dedicated to St Patrick on the 17th March, we hear of a man who was involved in the foundation of Irish language and musical societies and who did much to encourage the formation of similar support for the Manx language and ...
We hear from academic and author, Dr Jennifer Kewley Draskau, about the background to her recently-launched novel, 'Transportee', taking as its starting point the decision in 1698 to commute the death penalty on a dozen felons lying in chains in Castle Rushen to one of transportation to Jamaica.
In celebration of Gool Piran, the Feast Day of St Piran (5th March), patron saint of Cornwall, we hear of a Cornish academic, Henry Jenner, and how he gives us a view of the Manx language in 1874, as well as all he did to promote the Cornish language.
As dy yannoo ard eailley jeh'n Noo Piran neesh...
Bishop Mark Hildesley and his household were greeted on the morning of 28th February 1760 by the thunder of cannon. From Jurby Head they witnessed the sea battle between three Royal Navy vessels under Commander John Elliot and three vessels of the French Royale under Francois Thurot - a battle in which Thurot was killed. Despite celebrating with the Royal Navy, Thurot was widely mourned in the Island, where he was known from the running trade.
As 1st March is Dydd Dewi Sant, St David's Day, we celebrate a Welshman, A S B Davies, who, in 1952 and 1954, produced two booklets of stories in Ma...
Bishop Thomas Wilson enjoyed a long episcopacy from 1697 to 1755. However, relations with his former tutorial charge, James Stanley, who became the Tenth Earl of Derby in 1702, became strained in the early 1700s. We hear of one point of friction over the case of Mary Hendricks.
Our short story in Manx is a translation of a mysterious piece by Virginia Woolf. In fact, it's shorter than usual, so we also go back to three pieces of flash fiction based on work by Sheila Elliott, Jenn Linning and Kate Fellowes.
As nyn giaull -
BARRULE - Illiam boght
SOWENA - Jim Stacey
DEAF SHEPHERD - Finbarr ...
The efforts by the Douglas Fire Brigade to deal with a fire in the belfry of St Thomas's Church in Douglas attracted some negative comments from the newspapers of the day. We find out why as we hear a description of the events of Sunday evening, 11th February 1912.
Our story in Manx is by a social worker from Sheffield, Amanda Marples, who won a prize as a new author. In this Manx translation the story is called 'Fer y Tattoo'. Even better, it all takes place on a tram.
As y kiaull ain:
CRIW 1985 - Dwylo dros y mor
JULIE FOWLIS - A ghaoil, leig dhachaigh gum mhathair mi
BAGAD KADOUDAL - K...
We open at random a copy of George Jefferson's Manks Advertiser and Weekly Intelligencer for Thursday 8th February 1821 to get a flavour of what Island life was like at that time. It cost over twice as much per year to licence a greyhound (£2 2s) as it did to have a four-horse carriage on the road (£1), and all the details of owners and how much they paid on what was there for all to read in the newspaper.
In Manx, we have the opening two chapters of a modern thriller by Peter James.
As y kiaull ain :
KATHLEEN MacINNES - Gaol ise gaol i
KISTINIDIZ - Gweharral
KING CHIAULLEE - Continental ...
In celebration of Noo Breesha, St Bridget, we hear about the custom associated with households vying to attract the saint to lodge with them overnight, which would bring good luck on the household for the rest of the year. We hear an abridged version of the story as told by Kathleen Killip, read by Ian Cottier.
In Manx, we hear the short history of what was reckoned to be the finest vessel ever launched in the Island up to that point, the Parkfield - launched 8th January 1833, left Douglas at 9.00pm on Friday 2nd February, returned to Douglas because of a sudden storm, but was driven on t...
Henry Bloom Noble wrote a letter on 25th January 1886 saying that his wife, Rebecca, would present the site and that he would pay for building a hospital in Douglas (now the Manx Museum building in Kingswood Grove). Their offer was announced and accepted on 27th January. Unfortunately, Rebecca didn't live to see the completion and opening of the hospital in 1888.
Our story in Manx is another by Simon J Wood. He lives in Lincolnshire and his story about a famous author is set in Boston - but in this case, Boston, Massachusetts.
We celebrate the birth of Robert Burns on 25th January 1759 le...
The 'Lord Hill' was a vessel which traded between Douglas and Liverpool in the early nineteenth century, carrying passengers as well as cargo. She appears to have been wrecked somewhere off the mouth of the Ribble in the early hours of Sunday 17th January 1819 with the loss without trace of 29 passengers and crew on board.
Our story in Manx is from a poignant original in English by Amber Sparks, an American author inspired by the #MeToo movement.
As y kiaull ain y cheayrt shoh -
ANNE LORNE GILLIES - An ataireachd ard
YWS GWYNEDD - Sebona fi
JAMES KELLY & DAITHI SPROULE - The Duke of Leins...
We visit the northern parish of Kirk Andreas and hear about how the Murray family as Dukes of Atholl indulged in nepotism to hasten the advancement of George Murray in the church. However, our main focus is on the church building, and particularly on the very tall tower, designed by Ewan Christian and built in 1869. There was a slap-up supper for the workmen and a party for their wives and family on 6th and 7th January 1870 to celebrate the tower's inauguration.
Our story in Manx is a translation of one written by American horror writer H P Lovecraft about three robbers and The Terrible Ol...
We focus on Manx hero William Christian, known as Illiam Dhone, who was put to death by firing squad at Hango Hill near Castletown through the machinations of Charles Stanley, the Eighth Earl of Derby, on 2nd January 1663.
Our story in Manx is a translation of one by Steve Caplin about a bar with an unusual clientele.
As nyn giaull :
CAARJYN COOIDJAGH - Baase Illiam Dhone
GREG JOUGHIN - Hango Hill
TIM PRICE - Langness (from his 'Gem of God's Earth' suite)
RUTH KEGGIN - Little red bird in the pines
GRAHAM & NIGEL CROWE - Orry the Dane
SCRAN - Fathaby
SKEEAL - Ny laghyn foddey shen
KATE DO...
We hear of traditions of Yn Chegeesh Ommidjagh, the Foolish Fortnight of the Manx Christmas, in the Manx language, but also of traditions in the English language. The White Boys are groups of mummers performing versions of a play they would have found in chapbooks printed in Britain and Ireland sold by chapmen. Hunting the wren is a tradition widespread throughout Britain, Ireland and other European countries. The Mollag Band also appeared at Christmas.
As nyn giaull -
BRIAN MAC STOYLL - Brig Lily
GREG JOUGHIN & HILLARY GALE - Roie, ben Juan Tammie
MANX FOLK DANCE SOCIETY - St George's Sw...
Our story in Manx (author unknown) follows the snowy footsteps of the tradition of telling ghostly tales at the Christmas time. The snow falls, too, in William Kennish's description of the Oie'll Verree in Maughold Church in the early 1800s, which gives us a glimpse of Yn Chegeesh Ommidjagh, the Foolish Fortnight of the Manx Christmas. As nyn giaull son y Nollick : CAARJYN COOIDJAGH - Tra va ruggit Creest : JOHN, GUTO & ANGHARAD LEWIS - Clychau Bethlem : FIONA J MacKENZIE - Duan Nollaig (Heire bannag) : KANERION PLEUIGNER - Kanomp Noel : EMMA CHRISTIAN - Oikan ayns Bethlehem : KESCANA & MER...
Agricultural leases came to an end at Hop tu Naa, the end of the agricultural year. New ones began Laa Souney. With the change of calendar in 1752, that became Shenn Laa Souney, the modern calendar's 12th November. On the South Side of the Island, possession had to be taken on or before Shenn Laa'l Catreeney (modern 6th December). On the North Side, the date was Shenn Laa'l Andreays (corresponding to 11th December).
Our story in Manx is about a girl called Leilani, exotically enticing to another girl at a private Catholic school in California. This translation is from the story by Kesia A...
We celebrate Shenn Laa'l Catreeney, St Catherine's Day by the old-style calendar, which coincides with 6th December by the modern reckoning, with a visit to the well, keeill and present church dedicated to her in Port Erin and then a fair at Bell Abbey in Colby, where there was also a well and keeill, and devotees seem to have been notoriously thirsty.
Our story in Manx begins and ends in hospital, whilst a story develops in the interim. This is a translation of a story in English by Simon J Wood, living in Lincolnshire, but writing about London.
As y kiaull ain y cheayrt shoh :
GOITSE -...
We go along to Gooseneck-lane in Douglas for the opening of what has been a very useful building for all sorts of purposes over the years, and now houses the Family Library. Shortly after the opening of Noble's Hall on 26th November 1906, Gooseneck-lane was developed and renamed Westmoreland Road.
Our short story in Manx is a translation from a poignant tale of seeking solace after death by former American primary school teacher, Theresa Cecilia Newbill.
As nyn giaull (celebrating Laa'l Andreays, St Andrew's Day!) :
LORNA ANDERSON & HAYDN TRIO EISENSTADT - Tam Glen
ALASDAIR GRAHAM & CON...
We hear about the reason the Mona's Isle Steam Packet Company was founded, and about its early competition with the St George's Steam Packet Company of Liverpool. That rivalry ended dramatically with the wreck of the St George on Conister. Fortunately, all aboard were rescued by Douglas lifeboat, though Sir William Hillary suffered six broken ribs in the rescue in the early hours of 20th November 1830.
We have a shortish story in Manx from an original by Sherwood Anderson, then four more pieces of flash fiction translated from stories by Bruce Gunther, Pamela Kennedy, I M Cameron and Nori...
Via the 1825 Potato Riots and lazy beds for seed potatoes on Peel Hill to restore Ireland's blighted stock after the 1840s we arrive at Archibald Cregeen. In his dictionary he refers to 18th November as Laa'l Spitlhin Geuree. We explore who or what was Spitlhin.
Rather than one story in Manx threaded through the programme, we have eight pieces of flash fiction.
As shoh nyn giaull :
SKEEAL - Mannin veg veen
THE MOLLAG BAND - Graih my chree
BIRLINN JIARG - Octopus jigs
BRIAN MAC STOYLL - Arrane sooree
MARLENE HENDY & DILYS SOWREY - Arrane ben vlieaun
TIM PRICE - The Chasms
BARRULE -...
Hovering as we are between Laa Souney and Shenn Laa Houney, we look at the Ramsey Fair which was traditionally held until the early twentieth century on 8th November - Shenn Laal Simon as Jude, the Feast Day of St Simon and Jude. Biblical references, apocrypha, lost archaeology, murder and lost causes later, we move on to Laal Martin, 9th November.
Our story in Manx is from one in English by American, Samuel Barnhart - satirising the relationship between an incoming supply teacher and pupils, it's called 'Ta Dagh Laa myr Caggey'.
As y kiaull ain :
MARY BLACK & GENERAL HUMBERT - Mo ghile ...
In 1825, the Bishop of Sodor and Man, George Murray, imposed a tithe on green crops and set tithes far higher than in Great Britain or Ireland. This resulted in riots throughout the Island. We hear part of the account written by the Bishop's wife, Lady Sarah Murray, of the very real dangers and of avoiding the wrath of the mobs.
Our story in Manx is a translation of a satire by American writer Elizabeth Eve King on television talk shows and the uncritical embracing of facile answers to life's difficult questions. She creates two brothers with a name based on that of Deepak Chopra, whilst i...
Two Peel men, James Moore and Thomas Siddleton, were sentenced to hang for robbery with violence in 1832. Moore confessed but Siddleton protested his innocence, even with his feet on the trapdoor and his neck in the noose. We look at the case and their execution which took place on 22nd October 1832.
Our story in Manx is all about strange goings on on 31st October, so perhaps a week in advance. It's a translation of a story written by an American writer currently based at the University of Glasgow, Alexandra Grunberg. It's called 'Ta Cuirrey Creeoil Erriu'.
As nyn giaull :
JIMMY RODGERS...
James Stanley, 7th Earl of Derby, was known as Yn Stanlagh Mooar ('the great Stanley') by the Manx people, not from affection but as an acknowledgement of the power he exercised, not just in the Isle of Man and the north-west of England and North Wales, but in the royal court and in the House of Lords. He fought for the crown in the civil war. After his capture, Oliver Cromwell gave an order that he should be tried at Chester - and executed at Bolton. The verdict was pre-ordained and he was executed, though among scenes that must have surprised the Parliamentarians, on 15th October 1651.
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