Celtic festival 'celebrates music, song and dance'

Yn Chruinnaght runs until Sunday at several venues across the island

An annual festival bringing the Celtic nations together on Manx shores for a week to celebrate traditional music, song and dance will get under way later.

Yn Chruinnaght, which means The Gathering in Manx Gaelic, will see artists from Scotland, Ireland, Wales and Cornwall joined by local players for a series of events.

Dating back to 1977, organisers said the annual event remained true to its original aims of "promoting and celebrating the traditional culture of the Isle of Man in an appropriate way, amongst friends".

Among the artists performing are Cornish folk quartet The Brim Ceilidh Band, eight members of young Welsh ensemble Avans and renowned Scottish folk band Rura.

The 2025 programme includes traditional music sessions and workshops

The week-long celebration will also see a special concert with harpist Rachel Hair and acoustic guitarist Ron Jappy performing The Deer's Cry, a piece written to celebrate the work of artist and designer Archibald Knox.

As well as formal concerts, the festival will include busking, traditional music sessions, displays, crafts and workshops, and food and folk sessions themed to highlight the Celtic nations.

Monday

11:30 YC House Band busking outside Marks & Spencer, Douglas

13:00 Scottish Food and Folk session at Noa Bakehouse, Douglas

19:30 Rura concert, with support from Tree ny Kiare, at the Centenary Centre, Peel

20:00 Festival Friends traditional music session at the George Hotel, Castletown

21:30 Festival Friends late night session at the Whitehouse Pub, Peel

Tuesday

11:00 Pop-up Gaeltaght (Manx conversation) at the House of Manannan, Peel

13:00 Manx Food and Folk session at Noa Bakehouse, Douglas

19:30 Song Night at the Masonic Hall, Peel

Wednesday

12:00 Displays and Workshops at the House of Manannan, Peel

13:00 Cornish Food and Folk session at Noa Bakehouse, Douglas

19:00 Conference of the Gaels: Manx/Irish panel discussion hosted by Raidió Fáilte at the Centenary Centre, Peel

19:30 Celtic Myths & Legends Celi at the Masonic Hall, Peel

19:30 Summer Concert with Yn Chruinnaght collaboration at the Sailor's Shelter, Peel

20:30 Festival Friends traditional music session at O'Donnell's Pub, Douglas

Thursday

11:00 Pop-up Gaeltaght (Manx conversation) at House of Manannan, Peel

13:00 Welsh Food and Folk session at Noa Bakehouse, Douglas

17:00 Annual Ian O'Leary Lecture ("Ná habair é, déan é!" Don't say it! Do it! – an informal lecture on the development of Irish Gaelic in Belfast by members of Radió Fáilte) at the Atholl Room, Centenary Centre, Peel

17:30 Celtic Myths & Legends Concert at the Centenary Centre, Peel

21:30 Festival Friends late night session at the Whitehouse Pub, Peel

Friday

10:00 Archibald Knox themed Mini Musicians workshop with Mannin Music at the Manx Museum, Douglas

12:00 Displays at the House of Manannan, Peel

13:00 Irish Food and Folk session at Noa Bakehouse, Douglas

19:30 Mega Manx Ceili with music and dance for all the family at St German's Cathedral, Peel

19:30 Rachael Hair & Ron Jappy Concert celebrating 160 years of Archibald Knox at the Royal Chapel, St John's

Saturday

11:00 Music, song, drama and dance displays at St German's Cathedral, Corrin Hall & Grounds, Peel

14:00 Workshops and masterclasses at the Atholl Room, Centenary Centre, Peel

17:00 Live music from local and visiting artists at Peel Sailing Club

19:30 Calum Stewart Trio Concert with Sophie Stephenson and Smooinaght Mie at the Centenary Centre, Peel

21:00 Festival Friends Late night session at the Whitehouse Pub, Peel

Sunday

13:00 Survivors' sessions and gigs to finish the week at the Black Dog Oven, Peel