Valerie Caine's blog

A brisk wind whistled through the site of Hango Hill as a crowd gathered in the winter sunshine to commemorate the execution of Illiam Dhone of Ronaldsway on the 2nd January, 1663, for his part in the Manx rising of 1651 against the Derby family. Although a Royal pardon was dispatched it arrived too late to save him from execution.

Believed to be an prehistoric burial ground with an artificial mound, the name Hango Hill is derived from the Norse hanga-haugr, meaning Gallow's Hill, but was renamed Mount Strange by the Derby family in honour of the Derby heir Lord Strange. The poignant remains are that of a castellated summerhouse built on the site during the late seventeenth century.

The event is a joint effort between the Manx branch of the Celtic League and the Manx Republican Nationalist Party Mec Vannin.

Following an introduction by Bernie Moffatt (Celtic League/Mec Vannin), the Manx oration was given by Mark Kermode (Mec Vannin) and that in English by Bill Henderson MHK (North Douglas) followed by a brief wreath-laying ceremony and a remembrance of some important players in the arena of Manx culture and language.

As the Isle of Man enjoys a brief respite after being pounded incessantly by ferocious winter storms, which forced an increasing number of cancelled sailings to the UK and Ireland and an unscheduled journey by the Isle of Man Steam Packet on Christmas Day, here's a selection of photographs from St Stephen's Day (Boxing Day) as people enjoyed Hunt the Wren and the annual Cammag Match in some much needed winter sunshine!

Blass (Manx Gaelic for flavour or taste) is a new CD which reaches out from the developing Manx traditional music scene, revealing a younger generation of musicians with their own ideas and interpretation of both traditional and original material.

Once again the annual Mollag Ghennal bridged the gap between Christmas and the New Year with a fine selection of  music, song and dance at the Masonic Hall in Douglas, Isle of Man (Mannin). Organised by the mighty Mollag Band (new CD out soon) it was, as usual, a sell-out as revellers enjoyed a range of Manx traditional music from the contemporary scene.

Lately there's been a surge of young musicians coming to the fore with their own unique approach to Manx folk music, many of whom entertained an enthusiastic audience with some of their latest arrangements.

Compered by Bob Carswell, the evening kicked off with some lively unaccompanied singing by Manx Gaelic choir Caarjyn Cooidjagh and was swiftly followed by Manx vocalist Ruth Keggin accompanied by David Kilgallon. Musicians ebbed and flowed throughout the night with appearances by the Barefoot Quartet (with special guest Cairistiona Dougherty), and some spirited entertainment by four young and energetic Manx dancers.

With scenic views of the Isle of Man becoming increasingly popular, a selection of desktop calendars, newly available for 2014, would make an ideal stocking filler this Christmas, and brighten up the office on any day of the year.

Designed by local photographer, John Bennett, his distinctive style has resulted in two compact desk calendars, one featuring a range of familiar scenes focusing on different areas of the Island and the other concentrating exclusively on his home town of Peel.

With reading methods becoming firmly embedded in modern technology, it’s encouraging that Manx Gaelic should join forces with a Scottish based media company who specialise in producing eBooks in Scottish Gaidhlig, Irish and Welsh.

Seen as a leader in eBook education, Giglets Limited, centred in Ayrshire, has developed its first Manx language, animated eBook, Giglets ayns Gaelg Peddyr Pan, in conjunction with the Manx Heritage Foundation to encourage the use and support of the Manx language.

Celebrating thirty years of helping disabled people back into the workplace, the Manx Workshop for the Disabled is about to launch a new website, as they continue to expand their profile and develop greater awareness within the Island’s community.

Earlier this year Manx singer Ruth Keggin and local fiddle player Tom Callister travelled to picturesque Western Norway as part of a musical collaboration with Norwegian singer Margit Myhr and hardanger fiddle player Erlend Apneseth. But during November these talented Norwegian musicians will be travelling to the Island to work with their Manx counterparts, providing a unique opportunity to hear the distinctive sound of traditional Norwegian music hand in hand with Manx melodies and songs at the Erin Arts Centre in Port Erin.

With the number of Manx language speakers increasing in many parts of the Isle of Man, extra opportunities to use the Island’s native tongue are always welcome as interest continues to grow.

This year’s Cooish Festival, to be held early in November, is a great chance for speakers of all ages and fluency to participate in a variety of events across the Island, with an emphasis on fun and enjoyment.