Claare Ny Gael - Manx Radio

Rev Thomas Stephen's 1832 publication, 'A Poetical Guide to the Isle of Mann', has brought us to what he calls 'Dunlop's Ellerslie left in the lurch'. We start to find out about one-time owner of the farm, Anthony Dunlop, and we two personal glimpses of him, one as an older agriculturalist by Hannah Bullock in 1816, and the other by Scottish poet, Robert Burns, in a letter to Anthony's mother in 1790, when Anthony was 16. Bram Stoker's ancient mariner, Mr Swales, is continuing with his explanation as to why the gravestones in the churchyard at Whitby are full of lies. Mina Murray and Lucy Westenra are a bit taken aback by it all.   As nyn giaull - jannoo ard eailley jeh keayrtee da'n Chruinnaght - MIKE JAMES & YVES LEBLANC - Breton polkas THE FRIEL SISTERS - Tir Connell HUW ROBERTS & STEPHEN REES - Ffidl ffadl/Mogi Laddyr RUTH KEGGIN & RACHEL HAIR - Arrane oie vie THE BOLINGEY TROYL BAND - We ent goin' far TALISK - Abyss 9BACH - Gwydr glas LYNCHED - F

We return from Dalby to Douglas before setting out again on another excursion, led by Rev Thomas Stephen's 'A Poetical Guide to the Isle of Man' published in 1832. We find out something of the history behind the houses and farms he points out on the road, going west as far as St Runius and Ellerslie. In our Manx translation of Bram Stoker's 'Dracula', Mina Murray is writing in her journal. She describes the sceptical musings of an old fisherman who dismisses much of what is carved on the gravestones in the parish church of Whitby, where Mina is staying with her friend, Lucy Westenra. As y kiaull ain - RUTH KEGGIN & RACHEL HAIR - Vuddee veg MEIC STEVENS - Ble mae'r bore? BOYS OF THE LOUGH - Captain Carswell A FESTIVAL OF CORNISH MALE VOICE CHOIRS - The song of Cornwall NA CASADAIGH & THE LENNON FAMILY - Peigin Leitir Moir ESQUISSE - Rond de Loudeac SHAE APLAND & SHARON WHISHART - The end of the world GWENNO - Tresor DEAF SHEPHERD - Braemar Gathering  

The author of our 1832 publication, 'A Poetical Guide to the Isle of Mann', Rev Thomas Stephen, seems to have a particular interest in Sir George Moore, but we also find out about other notables that he refers to as he takes us out to Glen Maye - or Glen Moij as it was in his day. In this week's episode of a translation into Manx of Bram Stoker's 'Dracula', Dr John Seward deals with the refusal of his marriage proposal by Lucy Westenra by studying an asylum patient who particularly interests him.  Meanwhile, Mina Murray writes up about Whitby in her journal as she visits Lucy and her family who have taken rooms there. As nyn giaull - MARLENE HENDY - The Secret Island HARRY MARLOW - Let's have a song about the Isle of Man BIRLINN JIARG - Flitterdaunsey/Illiam y Thalhear CAARJYN COOIDJAGH - Ushag varrey MATT CREER - Ends of the earth CZECHO-SLOVAK RADIO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA, cond. Adrian Leaper - Haydn Wood's Serenade for Youth THE MOLLAG BAND - Quoi ta'n dooinney boght?

We set off on the second day of our excursions, and Rev Thomas Stephen leads us from Castletown up and over the slopes of Barrule to Foxdale, down to St John's and on to Peel. In our Manx translation of Bram Stoker's Dracula, Lucy Westenra has written to her friend, Mina Murray, about receiving three marriage proposals in a day. She's turned one down from Dr John Seward, and now she's receiving the attentions of an American, Quincy P Morris. However, her heart is already set on Arthur Holmwood. As nyn giaull - SKEEAL - Manannan PLETHYN - Bonheddwr mawr o'r Bala THE SKYMASTERS DANCE ORCHESTRA - The rose of Tralee BRENDA WOOTTON - Cornwall, the land I love ARTHUR CORMACK - Oran Beinn Li FANCH & YOUENN LANDREAU - Rond de Loudeac APACHE PEOPLE - Sun dance GREG JOUGHIN & BARRULE - In search of Manannan DALLA - Tansys Golowan

We're visiting the Chasms with the Rev Thomas Stephen, following 'A Poetical Guide to the Isle of Mann' which he published in 1832. We'll return to Castletown by a circuitous route for our evening meal and accommodation - but not before the Rev Stephen leads us on yet another sight-seeing stroll before we sit down to eat. Not knowing of the perils facing her fiance, Jonathan Harker, in Castle Dracula, Mina Murray is exchanging letters with her old school friend, Lucy Westenra. Lucy reveals she, too, is engaged - and there's more! As nyn giaull - ALVAN & AHEZ - Fulenn EMMA CHRISTIAN - Arrane saveenagh HOGIAU'R GORORAU - Gwenynen Gwent VAIL O FLATHERTA - Amhran an Phuca FEMMES DE LA MER - Dolly Pentreath ANGUS LYON - Angel of the South Side F L GALL & P J MOTREFF - Dans ar podou fer/Me 'meus tri gi ha tri gath CAARJYN COOIDJAGH - Hooin roin CYNEFIN (OWEN SHIERS) - Dole Teifi/Lliw'r heulwen

We're on an excursion, the first of several following Rev Thomas Stephen's 1832 'A Poetic Guide to the Isle of Mann'. We left Douglas via the Nunnery, Kewaigue, Richmond Hill and Newtown, and had reached Ballasalla. Onwards, then, to the Island's former capital, Castletown, where Mrs Kneen is to provide an evening meal. Despite his hopes of slipping out when the Szganee and the Slovakee leave, Jonathan Harker is still stuck in Castle Dracula. Meanwhile, the young woman to whom he is betrothed, Mina Murray, corresponds with her school friend, Lucy Westenra. As y kiaull ain - gyn oyr erbee, she'n eeanlee ta shin cheet er y cheayrt shoh - YSGOL BRO TEIFI - Deryn y bwn o Banna AL O'DONNELL - An bunnan bui ASTEVERYN - An culyek hos KARINE POLWART - Follow the heron THEO LE MAGUET & PIERRE BEDARD - Rossignolet du bois NIALL VALLELY - Gleann na phreachain  TECWYN IFAN - Can yr adar man MONA INNEY GHOOLISH - Lhondoo NEEAR NESAN - Al loauelanig

Rev Thomas Stephen is recommending that we go on excursions to see more of the Island as he describes it in rhyme in 1832, following our ramble through Douglas and surrounding area. He's critical of tourists trying to cram too much into a visit and recommends taking time to look around as he leads us off for our first excursion. Jonathan Harker knows that Count Dracula intends to hand him over to the three dreadful women to suck out his blood, unless he can find some way to escape from the castle. Desperate situations call for desperate remedies! As nyn giaull - CEOL BHO THUATH - O thoir a-nall am botul COR Y PENTAN - Hil Adda PADRAIG O'KEEFE, DENIS MURPHY & JULIA CLIFFORD - The top of the Maol/The humours of Ballydesmond AN TREVRAY & JULIE ELWIN - An ladar CLIOGAREE TWOAIE - Arrane ny jinnyn DUO ROBIC GUILLARME - Gavotte PHIL GAWNE - Va billey beg gaase JULIE ELWIN & NAKED FEET - Tees an Castel NITEWORKS ft. KATHLEEN MacINNES - Maraiche

We find out about the Fort Anne as a house and later as a hotel, before the Rev Thomas Stephen takes us down to the edge of a storm-tossed sea. Then we head inland to the Nunnery - still associated here with the Heywoods, though they had sold it many years before to the Goldie-Taubmans.  Jonathan Harker makes a bid to leave Castle Dracula immediately when the Count seems to be so disposed - only to be met with another of the Count's cruel tricks. However, if he can't get out, he knows only too well what his fate will be. But morning has come again, and with it, hope . . . Shoh yn kiaull ain 'sy chlaare - MAGGIE MacINNES - Dh'fhalabh mo run ' dh'fhag e'n cala BRYHER'S BOYS - Cornwall my home MERA ROYLE & OWEN WILLIAMS - Schottische Kerlou TUDUR MORGAN - Cyn delwyf i Gymru'n ol THE OUTSIDE TRACK - Sweet lover of mine DONAL LUNNY  - Damhsa Tara GREG JOUGHIN & MONA'S ISLE PROJECT - Thie ny Garee GWENNYN - Me ivez LYRE LYRE - Gin and strathspey

There is a good variety of meat and fish to be had in Douglas market, according to Rev Thomas Stephen's poem of 1832, before he takes us out onto the Red Pier, designed by George Steuart and clad in Annan sandstone. George Steuart also was the architect of the Castle Mona for the Duke of Atholl. Jonathan Harker was being lulled - hypnotised - by dancing lights, but when they started to take the shape of the three dreadful women he'd been threatened by previously, he ran screaming to his room. After an anxious night, he's very pleased to see the new day - and with it, a new and daring plan. As y kiaull ain - SKEEAL - Creggyn ALED JONES - Mae hiraeth yn y mor THE BOWHOUSE QUINTET - Paddy Fahy's RYB AN GWELLA - Ple' ma an Jowl? JOHN McCORMACK - Ye banks and braes o' bonnie Doon SONERIEN DU - Laride en mineur GEORGE FORMBY - Isle of Man JOSEPH TAYLOR - Lord Bateman THE HALTON QUARTET - The good ship Halton

Rev Thomas Stephen takes us for a stroll round parts of Douglas and out to old Kirk Braddan, and we look at the background to some of the things he mentions in his 1832 poem, 'A Poetical Guide to the Isle of Mann'. Jonathan Harker has been disappointed by the Szgany, who turned his letters over to Count Dracula. His renewed hope of getting information out through a part of Slovaks is soon dashed, and then finds that the Count is up to fresh mischief. However, that's not his greatest terror. As nyn giaull - son Oie Voaldyn as Laa Boaldyn rere yn chenn eaillere - THE QUARTET - Home FLOR ENVERSA - Calenda maia DAVID & ROSIE SPEERS - Hawthorn KIRREE-AALIN CLAGUE - Oie Voaldyn/Tar gys y ghrian ANNE & FRANCIE BROLLY - The Magherafelt May fair PHYNNODDEREE - Ben-rein y Voaldyn/Moghrey Laa Boaldyn ANNIE KISSACK - Tappagyn jiargey THE QUARTET - The rival cockades DAVID KILGALLON - Boaldyn Heear as Boaldyn Hiar PAUL ROGERS - Arrane y Voaldyn FRANK JOUGHIN - Moostey yn arragh MEC LIR - Earthbound

We continue to follow Rev Thomas Stephen's 1832 work, 'A Poetical Guide to the Isle of Mann', in which we hear of the work of the hobblers, the harbour boatmen, and one lady's misfortune on being helped ashore at Douglas.   Jonathan Harker's hopes are raised by the appearance of a group of gypsies in the courtyard of Castle Dracula - perhaps he can send letters clandestinely through them, unknown to the Count. His letter to Mina is written in shorthand. As nyn giaull - JIMMY CROWLEY - Nil na la PEOPLE OF HELSTON - Hal an tow HELSTON TOWN BAND - Helston furry MOOT - Graih my chree ANTON VALERY - La Paimpolaise MAJORSTUEN - Yiiihaaa! NA GATHAN - Ga bruidhinn lan-uine PIGYN CLUST - Ty a gardd THE SIDHE - Nitro

Writing in 1832, Rev Thomas Stephen is giving us 'A Poetical Guide to the Isle of Mann'. He includes the Island's government, including the role of the Legislative Council - though without mentioning that he, as Vicar-General, was an ex officio member of it. Jonathan Harker realises that he was not dreaming when he was faced with three beautiful women for whom he felt lust, which turned to horror when it became obvious they wanted to feast on his blood. Count Dracula has him prepare a series of letters - by the dates of which Jonathan Harker sees how long he can expect to stay alive before the Count kills him. As nyn giaull son Laa Boaldyn - DOLORES KEANE - May morning dew DAFYDD IWAN & EDWARD - Cadi ha MARTIN BEST - Kalenda Maya STEELEYE SPAN - Padstow May song SIAMSA NA TIRE - Thugamar fein an samhradh linn JANIG JUTEAU &  REPONSES - A l'arrivee du joli mois de Mai VOX BLENII - Il Maggio KAREN TRENEER & BUCCA - May day carol LOREENA McKENNITT - Beltane fire dance

We continue with Rev Thomas Stephen's 1832 publication, 'A Poetical Guide to the Isle of Mann', but we step aside every now and then to find out more about things he mentions in his text. In our translation into Manx of Bram Stoker's 'Dracula', Jonathan Harker is exploring part of Castle Dracula where it appears the ladies of the household used to live. Feeling tired, he decides to ignore Count Dracula's warning about not sleeping anywhere but in the suite of rooms he has been using so far and to sleep here. As y kiaull ain - PARTI CUT LLOI - Tre Porthmadog DOLORES KEANE - Thuas ag Gort a'Chornain KEVRENN ALRE - Gavotte Pourlet BARBARA GALE with CHRISTINE BREGAZZI, ERNIE THORN & GRAHAM CROWE - Come back to Mona THE STORY REPUBLIC - Cornish lads CHARLIE COWIE - The hangman's reel THE WATERSONS - Country life BISKEE BRISHT - This won't end well CRASDANT - Mwmpwy Llwyd 

We dip once again into 'A Poetical Guide to the Isle of Mann' by Rev Thomas Stephen, published in 1832. It mixes proud bombast and hyperbole with tongue in cheek cheesiness and a sense of humour and awareness of its own mix of purple prose and bathos. Jonathan Harker can hardly believe his eyes as he witnesses Count Dracula's way of leaving his room to exit the castle. With the Count out of the way, he decides to explore further than he's hitherto dared. As y kiaull ain - SONIA JONES, SUE JONES-DAVIES & GERAINT GRIFFITHS - Teilwng yw'r oen PEADAR O CEANNABHAIN - Sadhbh Ni Bhruinneala MIKE O'CONNOR & BARBARA GRIGGS - Miss Pitts' minuet ANAM - Mary and the soldier CHAL HA DICHAL - Gavotte des Terrils MERA ROYLE & DAVID KILGALLON - Deep in the earth THE BYRDS - Bells of Rhymney JOHN McCORMACK & EDWIN SCHNEIDER - Terence's farewell to Kathleen ANAM - Cornish gavottes

We turn to 'A Poetical Guide to the Isle of Mann', written by Rev Thomas Stephen and published in 1832. He wrote in the Manx language as well, but we hear from his work in English this time. Thomas Stephen was Vicar of Kirk Patrick for 15 years and was also Vicar-General - though some parts of his work perhaps belie his day job! In our story in Manx, Count Dracula is pressing Jonathan Harker to write to his employer, Peter Hawkins, and to anyone else he wishes - but with a clear threat not to write too much. There's also a dire warning not to fall asleep anywhere else in Castle Dracula but in his own set of rooms. As nyn giaull - PENNYLESS - Winter is gone STAA - Illiam y Caine RIOBO - Mallador DERVISH - Jig songs SIAN JAMES - Merch ei mam YANN LE MEUR & MICHEL TOUTOUS - Ton double, Plonevez-Porzhe DOCHAS - Puirt e beul GWENNO - Men an toll RIOBO - Estroupele/Polca

In 1975 Kathleen Killip published a collection of fourteen short stories under the title 'Saint Bridget's Night'. In 2017 Ian Cottier recorded ten of them, and we hear him reading 'The White Horse of the Curraghs'. Jonathan Harker listens to some of the history of Transylvania and of the family Dracula from the Count, before looking to the Count's business affairs. It seems that Count Dracula has a sharp mind for such things, despite not having been involved much in them. As y kiaull ain - RUSHEN SILVER BAND - Gwendolen/The washing song (Arrane ny niee) GWENNYN - En tu all GAN AINM - Gilly's jigs GWILYM MORUS - Traffig ALISON O'DONNELL & ISABEL NI CHURAIN - Turn the corner ANAO ATAO - The tinner's puzzle BRIAN MAC STOYLL & SHORYS Y CREAYRIE - Ushtey millish 'sy gharee SONERIEN DU - Bonsoir, maitre de maison GRANIT - Polska efter Ante Sundin

By the Gregorian Calendar Act, the day after 2nd September 1752 was deemed to have been 14th September. Those 11 days are the reason why high days and holy days are often associated with dates a little later than might be expected. Two days in point are Shenn Laa'l Abban, the Old Style Feast Day of St Abban, and Shenn Laa'l Pharick, the Feast Day of St Patrick by the Old Style. Jonathan Harker has discovered himself to be trapped inside Castle Dracula. After some frantic running to and fro, he settles down to think it through. His first course of action is to get Count Dracula talking, to see if he can get some clues. The Count is very forthcoming about his family history. As nyn giaull - FINBAR & EDDIE FUREY - The curragh of Kildare MAGI TUDUR - Dwi'm yn licio BBC WIRELESS MILITARY BAND - Lilli burlero BRIAN MAC STOYLL - Ec ny fiddleryn (Graih foalsey) MARIE-CECILE CHARRIER & JACQUES-ANDRE PAUVERT - Toutouig APHEX TWIN (RICHARD D JAMES) - Logan Rock witch REV ANGUS GRAHAM & CONGREGA

We heard recently of the controversy when the IOMSPCo Ltd named a vessel the Viking, launched on the Tyne in 1905. We hear this time of the next vessel launched for the company, this time at Vickers, Son and Maxim Ltd in Barrow.  No quibbles about the name when the Ben-my-Chree (III) was launched on 23rd March 1908. Having a shave leads to a surprise for Jonathan Harker, which causes him to nick his chin slightly. The result only compounds the strange situation in which he now finds himself, alone and encompassed within the walls of Castle Dracula. As y kiaull ain - son Laa Fheile Padraig, Laa'l Pharick - RITA CONNOLLY - The deer's cry CHRISTY MOORE - Patrick was a gentleman ANDREW MACNAMARA, ORLA HARRINGTON & JIM HIGGINS - The knights of St Patrick IRISH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA & CHORUS - Dochas linn Naomh Padraig LUKE KELLY & THE DUBLINERS - Come to the bower O'CONAILL FAMILY & FRIENDS - Gan ainm/Gan ainm/Gan ainm COR CHUIL AODHA & PEADAR O RIADA - Naomh Padraig CHRISTY MOO

William Forster was consecrated as Bishop of Sodor and Man on 9th March 1634, having been appointed to the episcopacy in December 1633. His term of office was cut short when he died in February 1635. He held a court in Douglas in 1634, and his questionnaire, known as Bishop Forster's Visitation, to the churchwardens and sidemen gives a glimpse of life in the Island at that time.   Jonathan Harker explains to Count Dracula how he came upon the property called Carfax which has been bought for the Count at Purfleet, to the east of London. It's evidently quite to the Count's taste. As yn kiaull ain - IONA - Lindisfarne TUDUR HUWS JONES - Miliwn BIRLINN JIARG - Juan y jaggad keeir/Jerrey yn theihll HILARY COLEMAN - The turning of the tide THE DUBLINERS - Nelson's farewell SOAZIG - Pennherez Keroulaz RACHEL WALKER & SKIPINNISH - Maraiche nan cuantan MEREDYDD EVANS - Un o fy mrodyr ELIZABETH DAVIDSON-BLYTHE & DANIEL QUAYLE - Daybreak

On 6th March 1905 the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company Ltd had a new vessel, its first turbine steamer, launched on the Tyne. We hear of the war of words about a suitable name for it. Jonathan Harker has found a library with a lot of books, newspapers and magazines in the English language. It seems that Count Dracula has been studying the language, customs and manners of the English, prior to a move to London. Whilst the Count has the grammar and vocabulary, he wants Jonathan Harker to stay and teach him the blass. As y kiaull ain, dy yannoo ard eailley jeh Gool Peran, noo patroonagh y Chorn - PYBA - Tri marghak BRENDA WOOTTON - Silver net APHEX TWIN - Goon Gumpus ROB TOFIELD - Cornish elements THE ROWAN TREE & THE AGGIE BOYS CHOIR - One and all STEVE HUNT - Pysk pi CORNCROW - Sweet nightingale COR MEBYON KERNOW - Trelawny GWENNO - An Stevel Nowydh