Festival set to encourage use of Manx language

Manx language officer Ruth Keggin Gell will present beginner language workshops

This year’s annual Manx language festival will feature 26 events aimed at promoting the island's native tongue next month.

Award-winning singer and BBC presenter Joy Dunlop and fiddle player Ron Jappy are the special guests at the Cooish festival, running from 6-10 November.

Culture Vannin Manx language officer Ruth Keggin said there would be "something for everybody, regardless of your ability level of Manx".

Organised events will range from from lectures, to family games nights, sea swimming and a Manx cocktail making workshop.

Cooish is a Manx word with many meanings, such as a “meeting” or “cosy chat”, and became the name of the festival which originated in 1995 as a celebration of the language.

Ms Keggin Gell said there was a "growing" interest in learning Manx, which was indicated by the increase in about 500 speakers between the 2011 and 2021 censuses.

She explained that it was "really important" for the sustainability of the language to have structured courses that can take people from beginner to a level of fluency.

"There's still lots to be done for Manx, a minority language's work is never done," she added.

Ron Jappy has played with harpist Rachel Hair and the Scott Wood Band

Ms Keggin Gell will also present a range of Manx language and “easy song” workshops.

The sessions will be held on 9 November at Peel Methodist Church.

Musicians Dunlop and Jappy, who are described as "leading lights from the Scottish trad music scene", will hold several free workshops during the festival.

Also on 9 November, at the Thie dy Vea Retreat House in Peel, Jappy will lead two adult workshops on Scottish tunes and guitar accompaniment skills.

Manx music development officer Chloe Woolley said his sessions would be “really useful for musicians who wish to add a few Scottish tunes to their repertoire and learn some tricks of the trade".

Dr Woolley said: “The guitar skills one will really benefit those who are proficient on the instrument but would like to get more involved in accompanying melody players and strumming along in trad music sessions."

In addition to taking part in a school outreach programme by local music charity Soundcheck, Dunlop and Jappy will also hold a concert at the Peel Centenary Centre on 8 November.

People have been encouraged to register for events in advance.