Alastair Kneale's blog

The Celtic nation of Ellan Vannin (Isle of Man) which is also known as Mannin has reached the final of the ConIFA World Football Cup in the Sápmi region of Sweden. Their place in the final came after securing a 4-1 victory over Arameans Suryoye in the semi-final.  The ConIFA (Confederation of Independent Football Associations) 2014 World Cup sees states that are unaffiliated with FIFA, stateless people and minorities competing. ConIFA is their umbrella association.

Preparations are underway for the forthcoming 2014 FIFA World Cup to be held in Brazil from 12 June to 13 July.  Meanwhile in Sápmi a different soccer World Cup is underway. It is the ConIFA (Confederation of Independent Football Associations) 2014 inaugural World Cup, which sees states who are unaffiliated with FIFA, stateless people and minorities competing. ConIFA is their umbrella association. Sápmi is the name of the cultural region that is traditional home to the Sami people (sometimes called Lapps or Laplanders in English).

Ratchyn TT Mannin. Y boayl share sy theihll son ratchal raaidey (Isle of Man TT Races. The best place in the world for road racing). This first week in June sees the world’s greatest motorcycle road race take place. The Isle of Man TT (Tourist Trophy) races began in 1907. The International Isle of Man TT (Tourist Trophy) Race was first held on the Island in 1907. The Snaefell Mountain Course was first used in 1911. The 37¾ mile long course rises to 1,385ft (422 metres) above sea level at its highest point.  There is nothing like the Isle of Man TT Races.

Every year, close to the time of the northern summer solstice (Manx Gaelic: shass greiney souree) hundreds participate in Shooyl ny Skeeraghyn (Walk of the Parish’s). This is the Manx Parish Walk (sponsored by Manx Telecom) which passes through every parish on Mannin (Isle of Man). It covers a distance of 85 miles (137 km). A Parish is a church unit of land that makes up a division of a diocese. 

The Celebration of Ireland’s International bestselling historical crime mystery series The Sister Fidelma Series is taking place at Cashel, Co. Tipperary, Ireland, from Friday, September 12, to Sunday, September 14, 2014. There are now twenty-five in the series which have been published in 18 languages. They are mainly set in 7th Century Ireland where the heroine is investigator Fidelma, sister of King Colgú of Munster. With her companion, a Saxon, Brother Eadulf, she is an advocate of the Brehon Laws of ancient Ireland.

The author of the Sister Fidelma series is Peter Tremayne the pseudonym of Peter Berresford Ellis. Under his own name he has published 34 books covering many aspects of Celtic history and culture. As Peter Tremayne, he has also published over 50 novels and over 90 short stories. Amongst his many international fans are those from the Celtic nations. His Sister Fidelma stories have been published in a number of Celtic languages. Those in Breton are Koulm ar Marv (The Dove of Death) and Absolvenn dre Vuntr (Absolution by Murder). Later this year a further book in Breton Kegid d’ar Gousperoú (Hemlock at Vespers) will be published by ABER.  

Mannin Branch of the Celtic Congress (Y Cohaglym Celtiagh) announce a meeting on Saturday afternoon 8th March at 2.30pm to take place in Purt ny h-Inshey (Peel). The topic is Sulby Uplands and the Cossacks an illustrated talk by Phillip Quayle and will be held at the Guild Room, Atholl Street (opposite the Centenary Centre).

On April 5th at the same time and venue there will be a discussion about Hall Caine, Internment and the Women of Knockaloe led by Pat Skillicorn.

Va'n Caggey Mooar ayn rish kiare blein. Ayns y chaggey hooar ymmodee beiyn baase. ‘Ayns cooinaghtyn jeh shirveish-chaggee ny beiyn oney ooilley as y surranse oc er nyn son. Cha row reih erbee oc’. Focklyn scruit ayns Gaelg er y slongan liorish Beiyn Lhiaght Cooinaghtyn Caggee ayns Lunnin.

A German social centre has banned a Scottish band ‘Oi Polloi’ because it performs in the Gaelic language as well as in English! The band was due to perform at the Strausberg Horte in eastern Germany on March 1st. This all came to light from the band themselves who called for a boycott of the music festival organised by a so called Left-Wing socio-cultural collective.

The storms that have battered the coasts around Brittany, Cornwall, Wales, Ireland, Isle of Man and Scotland over recent weeks have caused considerable damage. Our thoughts go out to all those affected by the atrocious conditions. It also brings into focus the perils faced by those whose livelihood depend upon fishing off our Celtic coasts.

Bannaghtyn y Shass greiney geuree ooilley Cheltiagh pobble ayns Kernow, Alba, Éire, Cymru, Breizh  voin ayns Mannin