Alastair Kneale's blog

News from the Breton Branch Celtic League:

Bugaled Breizh:

INQUEST in January-2017 in Britain 

Members of London Manx Society (Manx: Yn Cheshaght Vanninagh Lunnin) attended a Mhelliah Service at St Bride's Church in London's Fleet Street on Monday 10th October. A Mhelliah is a traditional Celtic harvest festival that remains popular on the Isle of Man (Manx: Mannin), and is celebrated annually by London Manx Society. In his novel 'The Manxman', a 1894 novel by the Manx writer Hall Caine (14 May 1853 – 31 August 1931), he describes the festival:

Press Release From Culture Vannin

Manx Words: a new dictionary for learners of Manx

Culture Vannin is pleased to announce the publication of a new dictionary for learners of Manx.

Entitled Manx Words this pocket dictionary is a fantastic addition to the growing material available for both learners and speakers of the language.

The Manx Litfest 2016 celebrated Celtic literature in a night of storytelling, myths and fairy tales in the town of Peel (Manx: Purt ny h-Inshey) in the Isle of Man (Manx: Mannin) on Saturday, October 1. The event featured visiting Celtic authors Dr Sharon Blackie and Kevin MacNeil, in conversation with lecturer Dr Catriona Mackie. Readings of myths and poetry, along with live Celtic music entertained the audience. Sharon Blackie is a writer, psychologist and mythologist, specialising in Celtic Studies. Once a crofter on the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides, Sharon now lives in Donegal.

News from Mannin Branch Celtic League:

Media release from Culture Vannin:

North Barrule (Manx Gaelic: Baarool Twoaie) is the second highest peak in the Isle of Man (Mannin). It stands at 1842 ft (561.4 m) and from its summit you can get commanding views across the flat Northern plain of the Isle of Man toward the coastline and hills of south west Scotland. There is also a South Barrule (Manx: Baarool Jiass), which though not as tall, standing at 1,585 ft (483 m), is significant in Manx legend as the home of the Celtic god of the sea  Manannán mac Lir.

With the Isle of Man's General Election taking place on September 22nd 2016 the Manx Wildlife Trust (Manx: Treisht Bea-Feie Vannin) has called on prospective MHK's to make a stand for the environment. The election is for the The House of Keys (Manx: Y Chiare as Feed), which is the Lower Branch of the Isle of Man parliament, Tynwald (Manx: Tinvaal).

The General Election on the Isle of Man (Manx: Mannin) will be held on September 22nd 2016. The election is for the The House of Keys (Manx: Y Chiare as Feed), which is the Lower Branch of the Isle of Man parliament, Tynwald (Manx: Tinvaal). The Keys is made up of 24 members who represent 12 constituencies. The members of the House of Keys (MHK’s) are directly elected by the people of the Isle of Man once every five years. All 24 seats will be up for election. 

News from the Mannin Branch Celtic League:

The Chamber of Commerce were to the fore recently issuing entreaties about voting wisely to the hoi polloi. The reaction was so hostile that the admin side of the IOMToday Comments section had to ‘ride to the rescue’ and effectively damp down criticism.

The Chamber also helpfully has a section on its web pages providing advice for us ‘thicko’s’ amongst the electorate as to the sort of questions we should press candidates on if any pop up on our doorsteps.

The link is here: