Claare Ny Gael - Manx Radio

We hear from academic and author, Dr Jennifer Kewley Draskau, about the background to her recently-launched novel, 'Transportee', taking as its starting point the decision in 1698 to commute the death penalty on a dozen felons lying in chains in Castle Rushen to one of transportation to Jamaica. In celebration of Gool Piran, the Feast Day of St Piran (5th March), patron saint of Cornwall, we hear of a Cornish academic, Henry Jenner, and how he gives us a view of the Manx language in 1874, as well as all he did to promote the Cornish language. As dy yannoo ard eailley jeh'n Noo Piran neesht, nyn giaull - HOLMAN-CLIMAX MALE VOICE CHOIR - Trelawny KATIE KIRK & RICK WILLIAMS - Morwenstow MacQUARRIE & TOMS - Abeyance/Kesunyans THE ROWAN TREE & AGGIE BOYS CHOIR - One and all BRENDA WOOTTON - Silver net DAVEY & DYER - An Lanow BUCCA - Re a lever ROGER BRYANT - Cornish lads GWENNO - Eus keus?

Bishop Mark Hildesley and his household were greeted on the morning of 28th February 1760 by the thunder of cannon. From Jurby Head they witnessed the sea battle between three Royal Navy vessels under Commander John Elliot and three vessels of the French Royale under Francois Thurot - a battle in which Thurot was killed. Despite celebrating with the Royal Navy, Thurot was widely mourned in the Island, where he was known from the running trade. As 1st March is Dydd Dewi Sant, St David's Day, we celebrate a Welshman, A S B Davies, who, in 1952 and 1954, produced two booklets of stories in Manx. As ta'n kiaull ain woish y Vretin neesht - ELIN FFLUR & MONIARS - Harbwr diogel MORRISTON ORPHEUS CHOIR - Myfanwy BAND Y BETWS - Rhyd-y-Meirch 9BACH - Ambell hiraeth DAFYDD IWAN - Gorau Cymro, Cymro oddicartref CASS MEURIG - Sbonc bogel CALAN - Synnwyr Solomon BOB ROBERTS - Moliannwn JAMIE SMITH'S MABON - The ridiculous thinkers

Bishop Thomas Wilson enjoyed a long episcopacy from 1697 to 1755. However, relations with his former tutorial charge, James Stanley, who became the Tenth Earl of Derby in 1702, became strained in the early 1700s. We hear of one point of friction over the case of Mary Hendricks. Our short story in Manx is a translation of a mysterious piece by Virginia Woolf. In fact, it's shorter than usual, so we also go back to three pieces of flash fiction based on work by Sheila Elliott, Jenn Linning and Kate Fellowes. As nyn giaull - BARRULE - Illiam boght SOWENA - Jim Stacey DEAF SHEPHERD - Finbarr Saunders/Chloe's passion/Damsadh Chainnach MIM TWM LLAI - Arwain i'r mor FIONA MacKENZIE & CRUINN - A phiuthrag's a phiuthair BAGAD KEMPER - Dans Plin SEOSAMH O hEANAI - Cunnla BRENDA WOOTTON - De Sul vytyn BARRULE - The wheel of fire

The efforts by the Douglas Fire Brigade to deal with a fire in the belfry of St Thomas's Church in Douglas attracted some negative comments from the newspapers of the day. We find out why as we hear a description of the events of Sunday evening, 11th February 1912. Our story in Manx is by a social worker from Sheffield, Amanda Marples, who won a prize as a new author. In this Manx translation the story is called 'Fer y Tattoo'. Even better, it all takes place on a tram. As y kiaull ain: CRIW 1985 - Dwylo dros y mor JULIE FOWLIS - A ghaoil, leig dhachaigh gum mhathair mi BAGAD KADOUDAL - Kan bal Kadoudal ED SHEERAN - Galway girl FIGUREHEAD - Gonna leave her onshore CLARE KILGALLON / BBC SCOTTISH ORCHESTRA - Manx dirk dance CRIW 2020 - Dwylo dros y mor THE MIDDEN - Long time gone LLAN DE CUBEL - Urbies 

We open at random a copy of George Jefferson's Manks Advertiser and Weekly Intelligencer for Thursday 8th February 1821 to get a flavour of what Island life was like at that time. It cost over twice as much per year to licence a greyhound (£2 2s) as it did to have a four-horse carriage on the road (£1), and all the details of owners and how much they paid on what was there for all to read in the newspaper. In Manx, we have the opening two chapters of a modern thriller by Peter James. As y kiaull ain : KATHLEEN MacINNES - Gaol ise gaol i KISTINIDIZ - Gweharral KING CHIAULLEE - Continental stomp ARFON GWILYM  & SIONED WEBB - Nid wyf yn llon CELTIC WOMAN - Tir na nOg BUCCA - An dufunyans BRIAN MAC STOYLL - Arrane sooree CAMBRIDGE SINGERS - I love my love NITEWORKS feat. KATHLEEN MacINNES - Maraiche

In celebration of Noo Breesha, St Bridget, we hear about the custom associated with households vying to attract the saint to lodge with them overnight, which would bring good luck on the household for the rest of the year. We hear an abridged version of the story as told by Kathleen Killip, read by Ian Cottier.  In Manx, we hear the short history of what was reckoned to be the finest vessel ever launched in the Island up to that point, the Parkfield - launched 8th January 1833, left Douglas at 9.00pm on Friday 2nd February, returned to Douglas because of a sudden storm, but was driven on to Conister. It was another stirring rescue by Douglas lifeboat, including, for the final time, Sir William Hillary. All souls were saved, but the Parkfield was lost on Saturday 3rd February 1833. As nyn giaull : RICHARD TRETHEWEY & CAMBORNE YOUTH BAND - Geevor lads RIOGHNACH CONNOLLY - Nil se na la SONERIEN DU - Laride an la mineur KATE REID - The flower of Fochabers YWS GWYNEDD - Drwy dy lygid di MANX YOUTH

Henry Bloom Noble wrote a letter on 25th January 1886 saying that his wife, Rebecca, would present the site and that he would pay for building a hospital in Douglas (now the Manx Museum building in Kingswood Grove). Their offer was announced and accepted on 27th January. Unfortunately, Rebecca didn't live to see the completion and opening of the hospital in 1888. Our story in Manx is another by Simon J Wood. He lives in Lincolnshire and his story about a famous author is set in Boston - but in this case, Boston, Massachusetts. We celebrate the birth of Robert Burns on 25th January 1759 lesh nyn giaull - DOUGIE MacLEAN - Rattlin', roarin' Willie SHEENA WELLINGTON - There was a lad PAOLO NUTINI - For a' that KATE REID - The banks o' Cree BRIAN MILLER - O, Tibbie, I hae seen the day EMILY SMITH & JAMIE MacCLENNAN - Adoon winding Nith DICK GAUGHAN - Now westlin' winds IMAR - L'air Mignonne  

The 'Lord Hill' was a vessel which traded between Douglas and Liverpool in the early nineteenth century, carrying passengers as well as cargo. She appears to have been wrecked somewhere off the mouth of the Ribble in the early hours of Sunday 17th January 1819 with the loss without trace of 29 passengers and crew on board. Our story in Manx is from a poignant original in English by Amber Sparks, an American author inspired by the #MeToo movement. As y kiaull ain y cheayrt shoh - ANNE LORNE GILLIES - An ataireachd ard YWS GWYNEDD - Sebona fi JAMES KELLY & DAITHI SPROULE - The Duke of Leinster's Wife/The boys of Ballysodare BRENDA WOOTON & CHRIS NEWMAN - What's in a name? GRAHAM CROWE & MARILYN CANNELL - Ben-ma-chree GABY KERCONDUFF TRIO - Plinn rast MANRAN - Latha matha THOMAL L THOMAS - Y deryn pur MAGNUS BAREFOOT TRIO - Fathaby jig/My henn ayr/Jem as Nancy

We visit the northern parish of Kirk Andreas and hear about how the Murray family as Dukes of Atholl indulged in nepotism to hasten the advancement of George Murray in the church. However, our main focus is on the church building, and particularly on the very tall tower, designed by Ewan Christian and built in 1869. There was a slap-up supper for the workmen and a party for their wives and family on 6th and 7th January 1870 to celebrate the tower's inauguration. Our story in Manx is a translation of one written by American horror writer H P Lovecraft about three robbers and The Terrible Old Man. As y kiaull ain - GWENNYN - En tu all PHIL GAWNE & BILL CORLETT - Y ghraih my chree 's my stoyr AR LOG - Twll yn y to/Cymro o ble?/Pedwar post y gwely MARTIN CARTHY & BRASS MONKEY - The foxhunt TANYA BRITTAIN & THE CHANGING ROOM - Dus tre TALISK - Echo PLETHYN - Y fwyalchen DAVID FISHER - Eisht as nish SHARON SHANNON & ALAN CONNOR - The Galway girl/Music for a found harmonium

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