Claare Ny Gael - Manx Radio

We focus on Manx hero William Christian, known as Illiam Dhone, who was put to death by firing squad at Hango Hill near Castletown through the machinations of Charles Stanley, the Eighth Earl of Derby, on 2nd January 1663. Our story in Manx is a translation of one by Steve Caplin about a bar with an unusual clientele.  As nyn giaull : CAARJYN COOIDJAGH - Baase Illiam Dhone GREG JOUGHIN - Hango Hill TIM PRICE - Langness (from his 'Gem of God's Earth' suite) RUTH KEGGIN - Little red bird in the pines GRAHAM & NIGEL CROWE - Orry the Dane SCRAN - Fathaby SKEEAL - Ny laghyn foddey shen KATE DOWMAN - The fairy washing song (Arrane ny niee) BIRLINN JIARG - Juan y jaggad keeir/Jerrey yn theihll

We hear of traditions of Yn Chegeesh Ommidjagh, the Foolish Fortnight of the Manx Christmas, in the Manx language, but also of traditions in the English language. The White Boys are groups of mummers performing versions of a play they would have found in chapbooks printed in Britain and Ireland sold by chapmen. Hunting the wren is a tradition widespread throughout Britain, Ireland and other European countries. The Mollag Band also appeared at Christmas. As nyn giaull - BRIAN MAC STOYLL - Brig Lily GREG JOUGHIN & HILLARY GALE - Roie, ben Juan Tammie MANX FOLK DANCE SOCIETY - St George's Sword Dance THE WHITE BOYS - The White Boys' Carol DAVID FISHER & HILLARY GALE - Creg Willy Syl  CLASH VOOAR - Roie, ben Juan Tammie FRANK WOOLLEY - Wandescope FRANK WOOLLEY - Hunt the wren JO & WINIFRED WOOD - Hunt the wren STEELEYE SPAN - Hunt the wren SHEILA CORKILL & CHARLES GUARD - Hunt the wren ANNIE KISSACK, DAVID FISHER & GREG JOUGHIN - Hunt the wren MANX FOLK DANCE SOCIETY - Hunt the

Our story in Manx (author unknown) follows the snowy footsteps of the tradition of telling ghostly tales at the Christmas time. The snow falls, too, in William Kennish's description of the Oie'll Verree in Maughold Church in the early 1800s, which gives us a glimpse of Yn Chegeesh Ommidjagh, the Foolish Fortnight of the Manx Christmas. As nyn giaull son y Nollick : CAARJYN COOIDJAGH - Tra va ruggit Creest : JOHN, GUTO & ANGHARAD LEWIS - Clychau Bethlem : FIONA J MacKENZIE - Duan Nollaig (Heire bannag) : KANERION PLEUIGNER - Kanomp Noel : EMMA CHRISTIAN - Oikan ayns Bethlehem : KESCANA & MERV DAVEY - Carol Sen Day : HORSLIPS - Rug Muire Mac do Dhia : BRIAN MAC STOYLL - Arrane oie vie : BUNSCOILL GHAELGAGH - Shinyn ny deiney : CHARLES GUARD, MICK KNEALE & BOB CARSWELL - Tra va ruggit Creest

Agricultural leases came to an end at Hop tu Naa, the end of the agricultural year. New ones began Laa Souney. With the change of calendar in 1752, that became Shenn Laa Souney, the modern calendar's 12th November. On the South Side of the Island, possession had to be taken on or before Shenn Laa'l Catreeney (modern 6th December). On the North Side, the date was Shenn Laa'l Andreays (corresponding to 11th December).  Our story in Manx is about a girl called Leilani, exotically enticing to another girl at a private Catholic school in California. This translation is from the story by Kesia Alexandra, an African-American mother and teacher from Washington DC. As y kiaull ain y keayrt shoh: MOOT - Hop tu naa YANN-BER PREMEL - Son ar c'hafe THE PENGUIN CAFE ORCHESTRA - Oscar Tango FERNHILL - Ffarwel i Aberystwyth DEEELYTED! - Leis a' lurgainn ANAO ATAO - Fyslek/Porth Lystry THE CITY WAITES - Chi passa MEIC STEVENS - Tryweryn MEC LIR - Flashback

We celebrate Shenn Laa'l Catreeney, St Catherine's Day by the old-style calendar, which coincides with 6th December by the modern reckoning, with a visit to the well, keeill and present church dedicated to her in Port Erin and then a fair at Bell Abbey in Colby, where there was also a well and keeill, and devotees seem to have been notoriously thirsty. Our story in Manx begins and ends in hospital, whilst a story develops in the interim. This is a translation of a story in English by Simon J Wood, living in Lincolnshire, but writing about London. As y kiaull ain y cheayrt shoh : GOITSE - Emerald (Isle of Gola) IWAN B - Son nevez EDUARDO PANIAGUA & MUSICA ANTIGUA - Monja y caballero/La venganza BUNSCOILL GHAELGAGH - Snieeu, wheeyl, snieeu ARTHUR CORMACK - Thoir an t-soraidh seo bhuam BUCCA - St Malo/Zeak waltz/Sunny Corner TAMMY JONES - Atgofion melys BRIAN Mac STOYLL & PRASH - Kiark Catreeney marroo GOITSE - The burst togs

We go along to Gooseneck-lane in Douglas for the opening of what has been a very useful building for all sorts of purposes over the years, and now houses the Family Library. Shortly after the opening of Noble's Hall on 26th November 1906, Gooseneck-lane was developed and renamed Westmoreland Road. Our short story in Manx is a translation from a poignant tale of seeking solace after death by former American primary school teacher, Theresa Cecilia Newbill. As nyn giaull (celebrating Laa'l Andreays, St Andrew's Day!) : LORNA ANDERSON & HAYDN TRIO EISENSTADT - Tam Glen ALASDAIR GRAHAM & CONGREGATION - Psalm 79, V.3&4 SKIPINNISH - Box and fiddle set NA GATHAN - Ruigidh sinn Mars EMILY SMITH - Molly, lovely Molly RACHEL HAIR & RON JAPPY - Redford Cottage RUNRIG - He mandu : MOIRA ANDERSON - The auld Scotch sangs MacMASTER/HAY - Hook

We hear about the reason the Mona's Isle Steam Packet Company was founded, and about its early competition with the St George's Steam Packet Company of Liverpool. That rivalry ended dramatically with the wreck of the St George on Conister. Fortunately, all aboard were rescued by Douglas lifeboat, though Sir William Hillary suffered six broken ribs in the rescue in the early hours of 20th November 1830.  We have a shortish story in Manx from an original by Sherwood Anderson, then four more pieces of flash fiction translated from stories by Bruce Gunther, Pamela Kennedy, I M Cameron and Noriko Jayasekera.  As nyn giaull : JOHN BOLITHO - Tek o an blejenn MOOT - Curdled bainney SKOLVAN - Joauste ar c'heiste GRAHAM CROWE & FENELLA BAZIN - Mona, I'm coming back BRENDA WOOTTON - Fish, tin and copper SHOTTS & DYKEHEAD CALEDONIA PIPE BAND - March, strathspey & reel DRYMBAGO - Daw'r dydd CONNLA - River waiting PARR BRASS BAND - Three saints: St Petroc, St Breward &

Via the 1825 Potato Riots and lazy beds for seed potatoes on Peel Hill to restore Ireland's blighted stock after the 1840s we arrive at Archibald Cregeen. In his dictionary he refers to 18th November as Laa'l Spitlhin Geuree. We explore who or what was Spitlhin.  Rather than one story in Manx threaded through the programme, we have eight pieces of flash fiction. As shoh nyn giaull : SKEEAL - Mannin veg veen THE MOLLAG BAND - Graih my chree BIRLINN JIARG - Octopus jigs BRIAN MAC STOYLL - Arrane sooree MARLENE HENDY & DILYS SOWREY - Arrane ben vlieaun TIM PRICE - The Chasms BARRULE - Illiam boght CLARE KILGALLON - Irree seose (Arrane ny jinnyn) CLASH VOOAR - Lhig eh bullad

Hovering as we are between Laa Souney and Shenn Laa Houney, we look at the Ramsey Fair which was traditionally held until the early twentieth century on 8th November - Shenn Laal Simon as Jude, the Feast Day of St Simon and Jude. Biblical references, apocrypha, lost archaeology, murder and lost causes later, we move on to Laal Martin, 9th November. Our story in Manx is from one in English by American, Samuel Barnhart - satirising the relationship between an incoming supply teacher and pupils, it's called 'Ta Dagh Laa myr Caggey'. As y kiaull ain : MARY BLACK & GENERAL HUMBERT - Mo ghile mear PARTI CUT LLOI - Tre Porthmadog PIPEDOWN - In with the bricks AHANAN - Ow leski BUNSCOILL GHAELGAGH - Ushag veg ruy ANTON DAVILA & XOSE LIZ - Muineras ALAN STIVELL - Skoit 'n tried! MISIA - Duas luas RACHEL HAIR TRIO - Kilmartin sky

In 1825, the Bishop of Sodor and Man, George Murray, imposed a tithe on green crops and set tithes far higher than in Great Britain or Ireland. This resulted in riots throughout the Island. We hear part of the account written by the Bishop's wife, Lady Sarah Murray, of the very real dangers and of avoiding the wrath of the mobs. Our story in Manx is a translation of a satire by American writer Elizabeth Eve King on television talk shows and the uncritical embracing of facile answers to life's difficult questions. She creates two brothers with a name based on that of Deepak Chopra, whilst in this version, a woman by the name of Danielle Egnew becomes Danielle Oohnoa. As y kiaull ain : MIKE O'CONNOR - The best of autumn ROIE MYGEAYRT - Moghrey mie, ghrian BAGAD KEMPER - Kerne ton da Gerzed CARA MacNEILL - Illean, bithibh sunndach LLEISIAU'R FROGWY - Y deryn pur THE MOOD ORCHESTRA - My Lagan love MARC LLOYD ELLERY & CAMBORNE TOWN BAND - Kernow BRIAN MAC STOYLL - Graih my chree SULB

Two Peel men, James Moore and Thomas Siddleton, were sentenced to hang for robbery with violence in 1832. Moore confessed but Siddleton protested his innocence, even with his feet on the trapdoor and his neck in the noose. We look at the case and their execution which took place on 22nd October 1832.  Our story in Manx is all about strange goings on on 31st October, so perhaps a week in advance. It's a translation of a story written by an American writer currently based at the University of Glasgow, Alexandra Grunberg. It's called 'Ta Cuirrey Creeoil Erriu'. As nyn giaull :  JIMMY RODGERS - Standin' on the corner (Blue Yodel No 9) JEAN TURRIFF - What can a young lassie dae wi' an auld man CAMBORNE TOWN BAND - Calling Cornwall EMMA CHRISTIAN - Ushag veg ruy TUDUR HUWS JONES - Dal i drio COIS LOCHA - Hornpipes THEO LE MAGUET - Les gars de Locmine LORNA CAMPBELL - Aye waukin o' MEC LIR - Chase the ace

James Stanley, 7th Earl of Derby, was known as Yn Stanlagh Mooar ('the great Stanley') by the Manx people, not from affection but as an acknowledgement of the power he exercised, not just in the Isle of Man and the north-west of England and North Wales, but in the royal court and in the House of Lords. He fought for the crown in the civil war. After his capture, Oliver Cromwell gave an order that he should be tried at Chester - and executed at Bolton. The verdict was pre-ordained and he was executed, though among scenes that must have surprised the Parliamentarians, on 15th October 1651.  Our story confusingly jumps back to the third episode - having stupidly given the fourth part by mistake last time! It's a version in Manx called 'Scapail!' of a story by an American writer, Mike Scofield.  As nyn giaull : FAIRPORT CONVENTION - Sickness and diseases TRIO FROGER - Marguerite au bord de mer ALANA CLINE - Micho Russell's/Rip the Calico TECWYN IFAN - Cariad MAIRI NIC GHOB

It's a poetic edition of Claare ny Gael with pieces of poetry read by their authors : Kerron Clague - untitled : Ruth Baxendale - Tholt-y-Will Glen : Vinty Kneale - When I were young : Stacey Astill - Cronk ny Arrey Laa : David Kelly - The buggane : Annie Kissack - When the wind blows : Kerron Clague - Cartography in wire. It's the final part of our story in Manx, a translation from Mike Scofield's English original, about the new app which has taken over people's lives. Will Eric be able to fight against it? As nyn giaull : CHARLIE MURPHY - Burning times LIZ JEFFERIES - Rosemary Lane ROBIC & GUILLARME - Gavotte BERNARD CAINE & CHARLES GUARD - Eisht as nish MEI GWYNEDD & ELIN FFLUR - Cwm ieuenctid RUA MACMILLAN - Jigs DALLA - Mar euhella ew an gweeth JIMMY CROWLEY - Nil na la CLASH VOOAR - Magh ass e kishtey

In 1263, King Hakon of Norway brought a large fleet together to attack King Alexander III of Scotland. King Magnus of Man was among the followers of Hakon. The Battle of Largs of 2nd October 1263 was indecisive, but following it Hakon became ill and died, and his fleet sailed back to Norway. King Magnus had no option but to agree to Alexander III as his overlord. Magnus died in 1265, and in 1266 Norway formally transferred its suzerainty over Man and the Isles to Scotland. This was the end of the dynasty of Godred Crovan. We have the second part of our short story in Manx  - short, but not short enough for just one edition, so it'll be over four or five - about an invasive app for smartphones and computers. As nyn giaull : RUTH KEGGIN - Heeym y geurey GRAHAM HART - Going up Camborne Hill, coming down ANGUS LYON - Angel of the south side AR C'HOAREZED GOADEG - Pach pi GRAHAM CROWE, NIGEL CROWE & FENELLA BAZIN - Steamers three HOGIAU'R GORORAU - Y Cambro Brython/Dic y Cymro MARGARE

When poor weather brought a poor harvest, some Manx landowners wanted to ship grain off the Island to take advantage of higher market prices elsewhere - but leaving the Island with a shortage and prices beyond the reach of many people for their staple food. The outcome was rioting, which started in Peel on 29th September 1821 and spread to Douglas soon after.  Our story in Manx is the opening part of a tale, originally in English by Mike Scofield, about someone who enjoys solitude in the wilderness, but after a month away returns to find people behaving very strangely - thanks to new software on mobile phones. As nyn giaull : ALTAN - 'Stor, a stor, a ghra CARREG LAFAR - Baban bach MARK LAWRENCE - Dooraght OLL AN GWELLA - Cadgwith anthem ISHBEL MAC ASKILL - Mor a'cheannaich EDUARDO PANIAGUA & MUSICA ANTIGUA - El rey pescador PHIL TANNER - The four-hand (Gower) reel RUTH KEGGIN - She 'neen aeg mish as aalin FORZH PENAOS - TKTK (polka)

Mona Douglas was born on 18th September 1898, and we remember her in this edition of Claare ny Gael. On a more sombre note, Laa'l Mian, St Matthew's Day (21st September) is the anniversary of the wreck of the herring fleet in the mouth of Douglas Harbour. We hear contemporary reports about it and the song in Manx made on the tragedy. Our story in Manx is a little shorter, and it's a string of sentences, a translation of those written in English by John Heggelund, that build up to give a picture of an individual through thoughts and feelings. As y kiaull ain : GREG JOUGHIN & MONA'S ISLE - Thie ny Garee CATRIN ANGHARAD - Cob Malltraeth MACFECK - Arta Ganbaran KAN HA BISKOUL - E Garnison MONA DOUGLAS & DAVID KILGALLON - Arrane ny niee ROS KELTEK - Dance of the Red River PHIL GAWNE & SKEEAL - Coayl jeh ny baatyn skeddan MAIRI Mac INNES - Puirt e beul : KING CHIAULLEE - Galicia

We hear about a tragedy at the mouth of Douglas Harbour when three men on board a smack, 'Hero', were drowned on 13th September 1873. The event also caused the resignation of the coxswain of Douglas lifeboat, William Curphey, who had been critical of the position of the lifeboat house, on the Harris Promenade below St Thomas's Church. He was proved right when the lifeboat was unable to launch to help the 'Hero', though right at the harbour mouth. Our story in Manx, 'Cre Cho Doo as ta'n Speyr', is about a grandfather and his grandson in a world and time where people are cut off from nature - a translation of a story by an American, K J Kabza. As nyn giaull : CATHERINE-ANN McPHEE - Canan nan Gaidheal MASSED CORNISH MALE VOICE CHOIRS - Take me home GOITSE - Siobhainin seo FIONA McARDLE, CLIOGAREE TWOAIE & KING CHIAULLEE - Arrane ben vlieaun/Churnal jiu as churnal jea PLU - Arthur RAKESH CHAURASIA & ZAKIR HUSSAIN - Music from northern India FINLAY MacNEILL - Dh'

In January of 1901, S K Broadbent & Co published an announcement that the manuscript of a new book by A W Moore had been received and would be published later that year. It was to contain the biographies of over 200 distinguished Manx people. The book was 'Manx Worthies' and duly appeared on Tuesday 27th August 1901. We dip into the Isle of Man Examiner and Mona's Herald reports of early September celebrating the publication. Our story in Manx is about an artist's imperative to paint - even though the end of the world is nigh. As nyn giaull : BRIAN MAC STOYLL & SHORYS Y CREAYRIE - Mannin veg veen LINDA GRIFFITHS & BRIGYN - Fy nghan i ti THE NEW SCORPION BAND - The new rigged ship/Off she goes GILLES SERVAT - Ar rosenn hag ar lili STAA - Kishtey ny yindyssyn THE CHIEFTAINS - Year of the French, theme & march DALLA - Three sisters AVEL DRO - Kaz ar barh LLAN DE CUBEL - Cabrialega 

We hear about the celebrations when the Ramsey Steam Packet Company's vessel, 'Manx Fairy' first arrived in the Island from Liverpool, and particularly when it came into its home port of Ramsey. In Manx we have a translation of a story by Frank Roger about a mysterious burning woman who appears as a vision to a lonely man. As y kiaull ain : SANDY CROSS, MUSICALE & THE MANX YOUTH BAND - Ramsey town MAGI TUDUR - Dwi'm yn licio RACHEL HAIR - Charmed PYBA - Tri marghak MICHO RUSSELL - Nora Daly GEOFF LILES & ANNETTE DAVIES - Eithin aur OSKORRI - Aita semeak CEOL NA CREIGE - Crodh Challein KARMA - Mouvement 2

Magnus Barefoot was a King of Norway who left that country and made his base here in Mann in the 1090s. The Chronicle of the Kings of Mann and the Isles regards him as de facto King of Mann and the Isles at that time. He was restless and aggressive, attacking the other Mona, the Isle of Anglesey, and going on to be belligerent towards Ireland. Having planned an attack, he went on ahead of his main army and was killed in a skirmish in Ulster on 23rd August 1103 and is buried at St Patrick's Church, Co Down. Our story is off a young girl and how she deals with the Buggane. Mummy doesn't understand, but she'll thank her later. As nyn giaull : WELSH NATIONAL CHORAL AND BRASS BAND PROJECT - Pont y Glaw THE STRATHSPEY FIDDLERS - The Glasgow reel THE BOLINGEY TROYL BAND - Blackbirds and thrushes CAARJYN COOIDJAGH - Ballakilpheric YANN-FANCH PERROCHES - Melodie gavotte PAKIE RUSSELL - Tom Tadgell (The beggar's song) BERROGUETTO - Ambia MARK, KIRSTY AND KATIE LAWRENCE & RUSSELL COWIN - Gau