Celtic festival celebrates Manx music and dance

The festival celebrates Celtic music and dance

A Celtic festival celebrating folk music and dance on the Isle of Man is drawing to a close.

Yn Chruinnaght, which means "the gathering" in Manx, is an annual week-long event which has now been running for 47 years.

Running until Sunday, it features ceili dancing, harp workshops, gigs, food and folk sessions, shanty performances, story-telling, information sessions and film nights.

Grainne Joughin, one of the organisers, said it was "so important" to celebrate Manx culture and tradition but also the festival encouraged the creation of new material to drive the genre forward.

"It is that coming together, creating music together, dancing together, that encompasses what the celtic tradition is," she added.

The event has been running for 47 years

The event has been running since 1977, as part of a push to revive celtic dance and music, and while it was originally held in marquees in Ramsey, the festival now runs across several venues in Peel and Douglas.

It attracts both locals and visitors from further afield, this year including people travelling from as far afield as Switzerland and the USA.

Ms Joughin said it was an "inclusive festival" with "something for everyone" and the events were a "great way to meet new people".