Bernard Moffatt's blog

DELARGY: THE 1954 CONGRESS RECORDINGS

Researching links between Professor J H (Séamus) Delargy of the Irish Folklore Commission and the Isle of Man I came across references to recordings made at the Celtic Congress in 1954 by Radio Eireann of Manx speakers and also Manx songs.

Kuno Meyer is one of the important figures in the Celtic revival in the late 19th century. He was one of a group of people who established the Irish Text Society to focus on the language in 1898 after the formation of the Gaelic League 1893. Meyer then at Liverpool University was often fulsome in his praise of the Manx in efforts to retain their language and folklore. In a paper for the 1901 Pan-Congress in Dublin he wrote:

The Norwegian Royal Family sought exile in Britain after the German invasion in World War Two. During that period the Norwegian Crown Prince Olav paid two visits to Mann. Prince Olav had a ceremonial role in the Norwegian Armed Forces in exile and the first visit was in connection with fundraising for wartime efforts and that took place in 1941.

The mystery surrounding the death of SNP member and environmental campaigner Willie McRae almost forty years after his death has an enduring focus. It even inspired a crime fiction novel some years ago by award winning Scottish writer Ian Rankin.

McRae was a prominent nationalist figure in the 1980s and a vocal critic of the UK nuclear lobby declaring on one occasion "nuclear waste should be stored where Guy Fawkes put his gunpowder." .

The great icon of Manx folklore Sophia Morrison is of course synonymous with the collection of folklore and dance and together with Mona Douglas ranks amongst the most immediately recognisable persons who were prominent in the movement in the early and (in Monas case the late 20th century.

The great Scottish nationalist Wendy Wood once famously remarked that ‘Nothing in the world has ever been gained without fanaticism’ certainly she was no stranger to controversy.

My Celtic League colleague Patricia Bridson forwards more background to the 1973 Fo Halloo Ballaleece railway bridge daubing which occurred on Tynwald Day (July 5th) of that year.

My Celtic League colleague Patricia Bridson forwards more background to the 1973 Fo Halloo Ballaleece railway bridge daubing which occurred on Tynwald Day (July 5th) of that year.

The Royal Navy was at fault in an incident two years ago when a nuclear submarine almost collided with a Stena Ferry on passage between Britain and Ireland.

The MAIB has finally published a report which found that:

News from the Celtic League:

One hundred and twenty years ago in 1900 the Irish radical nationalist womens organisation Inghinidhe na hÉireann was founded by Maud Gonne

The Inghinidhe's objects were defined as follows:

The re-establishment of the complete independence of Ireland

To encourage the study of Gaelic of Irish literature, history, music and art, especially among the young, by the organising and teaching of classes for the above subjects.

To support and popularise Irish manufactures.