Alastair Kneale's blog

The Isle of Man (Manx: Mannin) has many sites of great archaeological significance that are quite remarkable for an island of approximately 33 miles long by 13 miles at its widest point. The earliest traces of humans on the Isle of Man can be traced back to the Mesolithic Period, after the ice sheets melted following the end of the last glacial period. In this part of Europe that would have been about 11,000 years ago. Small flint tools of stone or bone were used during this period some of which can be found in collections at the Manx Museum (Manx: Thie Tashtee Vannin). 

There is no doubt that the Isle of Man (Manx: Mannin), situated as it is the middle of the Irish Sea, was a strategically very important place during the years of Norse Viking rule. The Viking interventions began along the northern and western coast of Scotland and into the Irish Sea in the 8th century AD. The Isle of Man fell under Viking control in 1079 with the Vikings settlers integrating into the existing Celtic community. Many on the Island are proud of having a mixed Gaelic and Norse ancestry and culture.

The UEFA European Football Championship Final between Italy and England is being played on Sunday 11th July. This map probably gives a good indication of which team those outside England would like to see win.

In the semi - final of the UEFA European Championship being played tomorrow (7th July 2021)  Denmark are playing England. Aigh Vie Danvarg - Good Luck Denmark!

In the semi - final of the UEFA European Championship being played tomorrow (7th July 2021)  Denmark are playing England. Aigh Vie Danvarg - Good Luck Denmark!

Tynwald Day (Manx: Laa Tinvaal), the National Day of the Isle of Man (Mannin) is held on the 5th of July. It is traditionally when the government for the Isle of Man go to Tynwald Hill to read a summary of the laws passed over the last year. The reading is given in Manx Gaelic and English. The artificial hill, which is thought to have started as a Bronze Age burial mound, is made up of four circular platforms. It is said to have been a meeting place for the Celtic midsummer assembly. Hence there is a large Celtic Cross on the site representing the Celtic god, Lugh.

Here we are in the year 2021 and the Isle of Man (Manx: Mannin) still has a Lieutenant Governor!  A representative of the British monarchy (head of state), styled as "His Excellency". A topic that is to the fore at the moment as the five year term of the present governor has come to its end. After advertising for a new one, their identity is due to be announced. A nice little number for a civil servant who will get an official residence, all expenses paid, at Government House and receive an annual salary of around £108,208.

The UEFA European Football Championship contended by the men's national teams are now underway. The Celtic national teams that have qualified for the tournament are Wales and Scotland. There are twenty-four teams now battling through the group stages of the competition. Wales had their first match on Saturday (12th June) with a 1-1 draw with Switzerland. Scotland play their first match against the Czech Republic this afternoon (14th June).  Although this tournament is being played in 2021, it was scheduled to take place last year but had to be postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Australian Celtic Festival is an annual event that celebrates the Celtic nations. Brittany (Breizh), Cornwall (Kernow), Ireland (Éire), Isle of Man (Mannin), Scotland (Alba) and Wales (Cymru) feature strongly in the Festival. There is also a recognition that other Nations have a Celtic history and so the Australian Celtic Festival continues to recognise all Celtic heritage  Each year up to twenty different Scottish Clans and representatives from the Celtic Nations turn out in force to hold their annual Celtic ceremonies and spectacles. The Festival also normaly draws large crowds.

There is no doubt that the Isle of Man (Manx: Mannin) is a beautiful place. A Celtic Island in the middle of the Irish Sea with a rich culture and heritage.  However, it is an Island under threat from within in the form of greed motivated interest groups and poor government decisions. Not least of which is the allowing of inappropriate building developments and plans to allow unfettered increases in population growth. So at the moment the Isle of Man government are putting out plans for so-called "consultation"  on an area plan for the north and west of the Island.