The curious tale of how St. Patrick's Footprints (said to have been formed when the saint first visited the Island to bring Christianity) became a paying tourist attraction due to Bridey Lowey's ingenuity with cement and a penny-operated lamp...!

This is an extract from the oral history interview with Colin Watterson recorded on 02 May 2018. The full interview is available online here: https://www.culturevannin.im/watchlisten/oralhistory/colin-watterson-581584/

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St. Patricks footprint in the cement 'dog kennel'

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

Oie Voaldyn

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

A live recording of us playing One More Chorus at Shennaghys Jiu (Manx: tradition today) Folk Festival on the Isle of Man where we had the privilege of playing in March 2015.  Also on the stage at this gig were a local youth band Bree Supergroup, Cornish group Splann and Manx quartet Mec Lir.  The song could hardly have been more apt given the length and energy of the sessions happening each night at the festival.

One More Chorus - Live at Shennaghys Jiu, Isle of Man

Kevin McHugh's
The Knotted Chord
Firebird - Tom Callister

Firebird

This is my 3rd attempt at recording this. It's a tune my sister Katie wrote for the 20th anniversary of the "Shennaghys Jiu" festival in 2017

02 Shennaghys Waltz

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

Ny Kirree fo Niaghtey - John Nelson, 1909

I've been looking at ways to do my own version of "Fliter Dance" for years, I think I've finally nailed it. This is only a rough recording I made as I was  experimenting with a new to me microphone technique which was the whole purpose of recording, I'm quite pleased from that point of view.... but There are few wrong notes towards the end and I had a cold when I recorded it which accounts for the heavy breathing. Enjoy.

Fliter Dance

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.

St. Patricks footprint in the cement 'dog kennel'

Culture Vannin

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