Episodes
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 George Todica, Pip Rolfe of the Erin Arts Centre has organized a masterclass earlier in the day in which George Todica will talk about his repertoire and his experience as a leading young professional musician....
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 Franklin of Culture Vannin tells us about the sources for the folkore and other interesting tales of Port Erin and its environs.
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, we look ahead to folklore associated with Laa'l Breeshey, the celebration of the saint to whom Kirk Bride is dedicated. Laa'l Breeshey is 1st February.
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 the Agri-Environment Scheme, and we hear from him about that. It's also the first night of three when Rushen Players will perform Peter Gordon's comedy, 'Secondary Cause of Death'. We hear from director...
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 caghlaaghyn ayns ny baljyn harrish ny bleeantyn, soit er shenn jallooyn ayns chaglym Ray Stanfield, lesh co-chaslyssyn soilshey noa-emshiragh liorish George Hobbs as teks liorish Sara Goodwins.
As a perk, here is a...
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 process in Shiaght Laa some time ago, using nitric acid and zinc sheets. Throughout November she has an exhibition at Studio 42 in Port St Mary, not only of etchings, but also of some of her paintings...
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, Jonathan Hall. The centenary actually falls on 5th November, so more next time.
There's an opportunity to find out more about the Manx language, learn something of it, and to use what you know during the Cooish M...
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 leader, John Paul Walker, gives an overview of the Wheel and a commentary on its re-starting.
Museum 100 is a new exhibition opening at the Manx Museum in Douglas on Saturday 22nd October. Art and Socia...
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 plaque.
Another engineering feat was the launch of an iron-hulled ship, the Euterpe, from Ramsey shipyard in 1863. Renamed Star of India, she is now the oldest, sea-going iron-hulled ship in the ...
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 rescue party, in 1822. Brian researched historic documents and led an underwater team to plot and recover artefacts. His research work, including charts and photographs, is now published by Loaghtan Books ...
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 Heritage tells us about Heritage Open Days in the first two weekends in October.
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.
Bob Carswell brings us voices from the TT and Manx Grand Prix, also news of the Celtic Media Festival and Manx involvement and looks at 40 years of Culture Vannin.
Fiona McArdle presents the programme as Shiaght Laa hears from Phil Craine about Praying the Keeills 2022, and about two art exhibitions - Chief Executive of Hospice IOM, Anne Mills, tells us about The Big Splash Art Trail and how it will help support the work of the Hospice; and artist Paul Parker and curator Hannah Murphy of Manx National Heritage explain the background of the exhibition at the Manx Museum Art Gallery, 'Speed & Light : A Painted Journey Round the World Famous TT Course'. Author Paul Quayle talks about his latest publication, '2020 Haiku'.
Shiaght Laa returns for a new series. Marilyn Crellin gives an overview of some of the events happening on the Island over the next few days, including Praying the Keills, Isle of Man History Day and a look at this weekend's celebration of 40 years of Culture Vannin / Manx Heritage Foundation
Fiona McArdle introduces a programme which takes quite a dramatic turn. Rushen Players present readings of ghost stories; Dilys Sowrey presents her musical, 'Ayres and Braces'; and President of the Manx Amateur Drama Federation, Michael Lees, tell us about a Festival of One-Act Plays and the Young Actor of Mann 2022
Maralyn Crellin gives a brief overview of animals and birds in Manx music, after we hear from Liam Rice of the ManxSPCA about Dress Up As An Animal Day (Fri 18 Feb), fund raising, the welcome to volunteers and an opportunity for a varied role working full-time for the ManxSPCA.
We find out something of the background to 'Ayres and Braces', a musical presentation by well-known musician and singer, Dilys Sowrey.
This week, the House of Keys debated whether prayers should remain part of the proceedings. The former Chaplain was also Archdeacon of Man, and we hear from the new Archdeacon. We also hear some prayers in Manx song.
The Director of Culture Vannin, Breesha Maddrell, talks to Phil Gawne about the history and work of Culture Vannin as it celebrates a significant anniversary with extra support for new projects. The deadline for applications is 14th February
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 Natio...
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 C...
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...
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...
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 ...