Oie Voaldyn

Sylvia Murray (nee Kennish), was born at her grandparents’ home, Tanyard Cottage St Marks in 1936; weighing just 2lb and very premature she was the eldest child and thought of as a ‘miracle baby’. Her father, Charles Kennish, worked as a farm labourer moving from farm to farm, Sylvia spent her early years at Ballavitchel before moving up to a cottage at Ellerslie where she remembers Internees working on the farm, she later returned to live in the cottage there when she had children of her own.

Sylvia talks of her years in service to Mr Harley Cunningham living in at ‘Ballacotch’ and her memories of the ‘fishing girls’ when they came from Scotland to work seasonally on the herring. Sylvia met Harold Murray, an engineer from the Cooill, when he came to fix her bike, she talks of his working at West Marine on the first P50 cars and after over four years of courting, their life together. Sylvia moved to Clybane Cottage at the Cooill to look after her in-laws and has many memories of a hamlet that was very changed to how you find it today, also of almost twenty years working at Ballamona as a nurse and her experience of working in mental health.

Sylvia’s life could be described as one of care and service to others and is very much filled with happy memories.

This oral history interview with Sylvia Murray recorded by Katie Newton on 9 August 2021.
The interview is a part of the collection of over 130 oral history recordings freely available on the Culture Vannnin website: www.culturevannin.im/watchlisten/oralhistory/

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Oral history interview with SylviaMurray (9 Aug 2019)

Based on an old Manx Celebration (April 30th)& Commissioned by the Oie Voaldyn Festival, this piece of music marks the change from Winter to Summer festival, through the symbolic Black Raven which holds a special place in Manx folklore and mythology. The piece was designed to mark change for the better, working well also with Oie Houney/Hop Tu Naa the oldest unbroken tradition in the Isle of Man original which saw the bad spirits away ahead of the Winter to come.
Artists: Gilno Carswell, Aalish Kilgallon, David Kilgallon

She Shoh Yn Chomleayrtys
Tar Er - Gerrey
Lhig Dooin Jeeaghyn er-Y-Cheilley
Eddin ry Eddin

Feagh Ghoo
Gooillian Seose
Cur Lhee Caghlaa
As Shee er y Thalloo

Feeagh Ghoo

Oie Voaldyn - Feeagh Ghoo

Slow & Peaceful but full of emotion & weight

Celtic Piano

Axnfell

An unoffical tribute to the unoffical Manx National Anthem!

Ellan Vannin

Composer: Matthew Warren
Singer: Sarah Mercer
Harpist: Mera Royle
Manx translation: Bob Carswell
Produced by Gyp Buggane

In January 2024, the song won Arrane son Mannin (Song for Mann), a competition for original songs in Manx.

Baatey Paybr (Paper Boats) - Gaelg

Composer: Matthew Warren
Singer: Sarah Mercer
Harpist: Mera Royle
Produced by Gyp Buggane

In January 2024, the Manx version of Paper Boats won Arrane son Mannin (Song for Mann), a competition for original songs in Manx.

Paper Boats - English version

Kevin McHugh's
The Knotted Chord
Firebird - Tom Callister

Firebird

Moghrey Laa Boaldyn

An unaccompanied version of traditional Manx song Padjer Colum Killey with glorious improvised harmonies by Sophia Dale.
The prayer asks for the peace of God, the peace of man and the peace of Columba on every part of the house, and on myself.

Padjer Colum Killey - St Columba's Prayer by Skeeal

Ny Kirree fo Niaghtey - John Nelson, 1909, Trebitsch recordings

Ny Kirree fo Niaghtey - John Nelson, 1909

Promoting and supporting all aspects of culture in the Isle of Man.

Culture Vannin awards grants and initiates schemes whilst supporting the work of development officers for music and language. The work of Culture Vannin has been fundamental to the revival of interest and support for Manx language and culture over the last twenty years.

Culture Vannin is the trading name for the Manx Heritage Foundation, registered charity 333 in the Isle of Man.

Oral history interview with SylviaMurray (9 Aug 2019)

Culture Vannin

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