Tynwald Day 2023: Isle of Man celebrates national day

Celebrations to mark the national day include the island's newest laws being read out from the hill

Crowds have gathered in St John's to celebrate the Isle of Man's national day.

The feature piece of the occasion was the ancient open-air sitting of the Manx parliament on Tynwald Hill.

Presided over by the Lieutenant Governor, the ceremony brings together Tynwald members, the clergy and judiciary, and local representatives.

The annual ceremony sees the island's newest laws read out from the hill in English and Manx.

Representatives of military organisations and charities lined the processional walkway

Known as the promulgation of the Acts, it is one of the most significant parts of the ceremony, because if a new law is not read out on the hill within 18 months of being granted Royal assent it falls from the statute book.

This year saw four new laws declared to the people of the island, including the Energy Act 2023, which allows for changes to gas regulation, and the Capacity Act 2023, which creates safeguards relating to power of attorney.

Members of the public were given the chance to hand over petitions for redress of grievance

The proceedings on the hill, which followed a church service in the Royal Chapel in St John's, also saw members of the public given the chance to present petitions to Lieutenant Governor Sir John Lorimer, who is the King's representative on the island, for potential consideration by Tynwald members.

A change to standing orders, which was approved in May this year, meant a person did not need to have a personal grievance relating to the issue to bring a petition forward.

Music for the ceremony was performed by the British Army Band Catterick

Speaking to Manx Radio, Diane Kelsey MLC said when she was a child the day was "more about the fair and the fun", but in adulthood it was "brilliant to come back and see the pageantry and actually understand what it's about".

The day is special because it provides the opportunity for politicians to "come together with so many people attending", Michelle Heywood MHK said.

She said: "You can sit in the Tynwald chamber or in the House of Keys and the public gallery never has anyone in it, so I think the chance to actually connect at least once a year, where people can see what we're doing, is kind of important."

The ceremony was presided over by Lieutenant Governor Sir John Lorrimer

Reflecting on his participation in the ceremony, Rob Callister MHK said: "I always get goosebumps, because it's very special, especially being a very proud Manxman.

"It's about the whole service, we have the longest continuous parliament in the world, and I think sometimes we just need a moment just to reflect.

"Today is one of those moments where we can just stop and think about our heritage, our culture, our history."

Chief Minister Alfred Cannan said the ancient ceremony offered a "reminder of the past" but was "always a look forward to the future as well".

The day was "a celebration of our national identity, national government and generally pride in our nation", he added.

The Sword of State was carried by Andrew Cunningham during the ceremony

The Guard of Honour at the 2023 ceremony was The King's Company, 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, while the British Army Band Catterick provided music, including the Manx and British national anthems and the ceremonial fanfare.

Representatives of military organisations, charities and the island's five government-run secondary schools also took part in the official proceedings.

The Guard of Honour was The King's Company, 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards

Celebrations to mark the national day continued following the formal sitting, with activities including Manx traditional dancing on the green and a fair on the back Fairfield, and a Viking encampment in Cooil-y-Ree nearby.

Events outside of St John's itself included the annual Cronk-y-Voddy sports day, and traditional lunches and teas at Dalby Schoolrooms.

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