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Shiaght Laa
Manx Radio's weekly programme looking at Manx life from a different angle, exploring the historical, social, linguistic and academic issues.
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Episodes
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Shiaght Laa 14th August 2025
Thursday, 14 August 2025
Myra Gilbert and Helen Fox of the Creative Network talk about an art exhibition from Saturday 16th August in the Hodgson Loom Gallery in Laxey, and two packed weekends of the Isle of Man Art and Architecture Festival on 23rd-25th August and 30th-31st August, a venture between the Creative Network and the Isle of Man Society of Architects. Plus songs by George Formby!
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Shiaght Laa 7th August 2025
Thursday, 7 August 2025
Maralyn Crellin presents a programme in which we hear from author and illustrator Rosemary Greening about Blooming Marvellous : Manx Wildflowers - A Botanical Journey, published by Loaghtan Books, and Ruth Keggin Gell talks to some recent visitors to the Island.
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Shiaght Laa 31st July 2025
Thursday, 31 July 2025
Fiona McArdle introduces Shiaght Laa with Kristin Kelly from Australia and Catherine Iverson from the United States of America - both with Manx ancestry. There's also the launch of Fiddyl Reesht, with Director of Culture Vannin, Breesha Maddrell, and the author/editor of Fiddyl Reesht, Laura Rowles.
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Shiaght Laa 24th July 2025
Thursday, 24 July 2025
The North American Manx Association makes annual awards of silver medals for outstanding contributions to Manx culture and community by young people, and the Department of Education makes two awards for the Manx language. We hear this year's ceremony for the presentation of awards with Daphne Caine MHK and President of Tynwald, Laurence Skelly.
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Shiaght Laa 17th July 2025
Thursday, 17 July 2025
Maralyn Crellin introduces a programme which includes Julie Matthews talking about her life in teaching and the Manx language on the eve of her retirement as head of the Bunscoill Ghaelgagh, and Chloe Woolley and Jo Callister give an overview of Yn Chruinnaght 2025, the interCeltic arts festival which will be running 21st-27th July.
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Shiaght Laa 10th July 2025
Thursday, 10 July 2025
Fiona McArdle introduces a programme with items about the Sophia Morrison Award, Tynwald, Culture Vannin's Treisht26 project, which will feed into Blein ny Gaelgey, the Year of the Manx Language 2026. We hear from Breesha Maddrell, Ruth Keggin Gell and Phil Gawne.
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Shiaght Laa 8th May 2025
Thursday, 8 May 2025
Chloe Woolley of Culture Vannin tells of a recording of a suite of 19 Manx songs and tunes recorded recently in Georgia, USA, and available on the Culture Vannin website, Alex Brindley talks about the Groudle Glen Railways diesel and battery electric locomotives, and for the birthday of Hall Caine (14th May 1853), James Franklin of Culture Vannin talks about his work.
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Shiaght Laa 1st May 2025
Thursday, 1 May 2025
Manx Wildlife Trust's Community Ranger and Head of Engagement, Graham Makepeace-Warne talk about forthcoming opportunities to engage with nature. Oie Voaldyn and Laa Boaldyn are the Manx celebrations of May Eve and May Day, and there's an opportunity to find out a bit more about them, and Cathy Clucas tells us about the Oie Voaldyn to be held in Peel.
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Shiaght Laa 24th April 2025
Thursday, 24 April 2025
The Manx duo, Thurrick (Sue Harrison and Rob Middleton) are taking part in the Pan Celtic Festival in Ireland, and we hear Sue's song, Kirree Veg. Manx Wildlife Week runs from Saturday 26th April to Saturday 3rd May, and we hear about events from Manx Wildlife Trust's Community Ranger, Hannah Philips. We also hear about the Guild and a illustrated talk.
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Shiaght Laa 17th April 2025
Thursday, 17 April 2025
Maralyn Crellin hosts a look at Manx Easter traditions and sayings. Manx National Heritage has Easter activities at its sites, and Julian Power reminds us of the Meadowside Choral Society's Good Friday performance of Stainer's The Crucifixion. We look ahead to the Pan Celtic Festival with organising committee member, Nicola Tooms, and writer of this year's Arrane son Mannin, Sue Harrison.
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Shiaght Laa 10th April 2025
Thursday, 10 April 2025
Fiona McArdle is your host. The Island's highest cultural award has been made to Annie Kissack, Reih Bleeaney Vanannan. Meadowside Choral Society's musical director and conductor, Julian Power, talks of his role and of performances of John Stainer's The Crucifixion at 6.30pm on Palm Sunday in Mount Tabor Methodist Chapel, Port St Mary, and on Good Friday in Arbory Parish Church.
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Shiaght Laa 3rd April 2025
Thursday, 3 April 2025
A major exhibition, Knox : Order and Beauty, opens at the Manx Museum in Douglas. We hear from curator, Katie King, and from Chris Hobdell of the Archibald Knox Forum about events associated with it in the Forum's Isle of Knox initiative. Chairman of the Shennaghys Jiu cultural festival, Juan Garrett, tells us this weekend's events.
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Shiaght Laa 28th November 2024
Thursday, 28 November 2024
Maralyn Crellin introduces the last in the present series of 'Shiaght Laa' which focuses on the launch of the book of poetry by David Callin, 'From the Nab', which was the name of the farm on which he grew up. In addition to David's introduction, including his thanks to illustrator, Vicky Webb, and publisher, Culture Vannin, we hear some of his own work, but also from his guests for the evening, fellow poets James Franklin, Hazel Teare, Doona Williams, John Dog Callister, Stacey Astill, Michael Manning and Annie Kissack. 'From the Nab' is published by Culture Vannin at £10.We also hear abou...
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Shiaght Laa 21st November 2024
Thursday, 21 November 2024
Fiona McArdle introduces this edition of Shiaght Laa in which we hear from David Callin, just prior to the launch of his book of poetry, 'From the Nab', published by Culture Vannin.The Director of Culture Vannin, Breesha Maddrell, shares some of her thoughts on Manx culture and the role of Culture Vannin with Phil Gawne, and also explains the process of awarding the annual cultural honour, Reih Bleeaney Vanannan.
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Shiaght Laa 14th November 2024
Thursday, 14 November 2024
Fiona McArdle introduces a programme in which we hear Ruth Keggin Gell give her reaction to this year's Cooish Manx Language Festival which she co-ordinated, and we also hear from special guest to the festival, Scottish Gaelic singer Joy Dunlop, who tells us about her own experience of the Scottish Gaelic language and her careers as an award winning singer and as a television presenter in a range of Scottish Gaelic programmes.Kate Jerry and Collette Gambell run the Artreach Studios in Peel, where they have a wide range of events, with great opportunities to enjoy getting involved in hands-o...
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Shiaght Laa 7th November 2024
Thursday, 7 November 2024
Fiona McArdle introduces a programme in which we hear from yn Greinneyder, Culture Vannin's Manx Language Development Officer, Ruth Keggin Gell, about the Cooish Manx Language Festival 2024, which is running from Wednesday 6th to Sunday 10th November, and includes a concert with Scottish Gaidhlig singer, Joy Dunlop, accompanied by Ron Jappy. Joy will also be giving workshops in Scottish Gaelic and singing in that language, whilst Ron will be giving a workshop on guitar accompaniment and a Scottish tune workshop.We also look ahead to performances on Thursday 14th, Friday 15th and Saturday 16...
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Shiaght Laa 31st October 2024
Thursday, 31 October 2024
As soon as the sun goes down, we start a new 24 hour cycle consisting of the eve, followed by the day itself. Sundown on 31st October brings the Manx tradition of Hop tu Naa, with its surprising variation of associated songs, some of which we hear, whilst Culture Vannin's Online and Educational Resources Officer, James Franklin, tells us more about the tradition.Culture Vannin's Manx Language Development Officer, Ruth Keggin Gell, has been co-ordinating the work which goes into making the Cooish Manx Language Festival, running this year from Wednesday 6th to Sunday 10th November. Ruth outli...
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Shiaght Laa 24th October 2024
Thursday, 24 October 2024
From Saturday 26th October there'll be an exhibition entitles 'Rare Sightings and Urban Faeries' at the Manx Museum in Douglas. We hear from the curator of the exhibition for Eiraght Ashoonagh Vannin, Manx National Heritage, Nicola Tooms, before we hear from the artist herself, Julia Ashby Smyth, who has 77 images on display.In a week's time it'll be Hop tu Naa. Whilst there's a feeling that it remains a strong Manx tradition, that's never been evaluated. This year Culture Vannin's Online and Educational Resources Officer, James Franklin, is encouraging people to take part in what will be a...
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Shiaght Laa 15th August 2024
Thursday, 15 August 2024
Maralyn Crellin gives us an overview of some of the opportunities to enjoy a range of music in the course of the next week. Some of these take place as part of concert seasons in churches, and we also hear about St Paul's Church in Ramsey, celebrating the anniversary of its consecration by Bishop George Murray on 18th August 1822.However, our main focus is on 15th August, which is Laa'l Moirrey Toshee, the principal feast day of St Mary, who remains an important figure for the church in Man. A well-known song in Manx, collected by Mona Douglas, invokes 'blessed Mary' to increase the milk of...
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Shiaght Laa 8th August 2024
Thursday, 8 August 2024
Fiona McArdle hosts this edition of Shiaght Laa in which we hear of Manx representatives at two large festivals. This week, Yr Eisteddfod Genedlaethol is taking place in Pontypridd, and Manx delegates Nicola Tooms and Matilda Watson were welcomed to the stage by the Archdderwydd. Lorient in Brittany will again be abuzz with music, and from Monday 12th to Sunday 18th August, a large contingent of Manxies will be taking part in the city's huge Festival Interceltique. We hear about it from Grainney Sheard, her sister Ealee, Breeshey Kermode of Biosphere Isle of Man and Blue Badge guide Jacquel...
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Shiaght Laa 1st August 2024
Thursday, 1 August 2024
In this edition of 'Shiaght Laa' we hear about some of the many opportunities to enjoy music and exhibitions of various sorts, about a tradition associated with 1st August - known in Manx as Laa Luanys or Laa Luanistyn - and hear from some of the people who enjoyed Yn Chruinnaght Celtic Gathering last week, and how it was that they came to be in the Island for it.We hear from the duo, Tarmac, James Green (from Port St Mary) and Suzie Wilcox; two young women from Switzerland; Fiona and Anna from the USA; and members of the group of Irish musicians, singers and dancers, The Len Collective.
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Shiaght Laa 25th July 2024
Thursday, 25 July 2024
Maralyn Crellin is our host as we rejoin Chloe Woolley and Jo Callister of the organising committee of Yn Chruinnaght for news about what's happening from today (Thursday 25th) to Sunday 28th July.Visitors to Yn Chruinnaght this year from Brittany, mother and daughter Brigitte and Katell Kloareg tell us about the situation with Breton-medium education and about their background and repertoire.Plus an overview of just some of the many events happening round the Island.
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Shiaght Laa 18th July 2024
Thursday, 18 July 2024
Fiona McArdle introduces Shiaght Laa, and in addition to some of the many other opportunities to enjoy music and song - and the return of the Jurby Mice! - round the Island, we hear about Yn Chruinnaght's Celtic Gathering 2024, which will be held from Monday 22nd July to Sunday 28th July. Two members of the organising committee, Jo Callister and Chloe Woolley, give us an overview of the whole inter-Celtic festival, before we look particularly at what's happening from Monday to Thursday. You can find out more at the website : Yn Chruinnaght | Celtic Gathering – Yn Chruinnaght | Celtic Gather...
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Shiaght Laa 11th July 2024
Thursday, 11 July 2024
There are lots of opportunities to enjoy a summer of music in the Island, with a range of styles in a range of venues. We hear of some of them in the programme.The North American Manx Association (NAMA) again awarded silver medals to young recipients to celebrate their cultural achievements, and there were also two prizes in respect of the Manx language presented by the Department of Education, Sport and Culture just before Tynwald Day.On Tynwald Day, a member of NAMA was in St John's. Bill Cassidy explains how it is he's a speaker of the Manx language. We also hear of another Manx speaker,...
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Shiaght Laa 23rd May 2024
Thursday, 23 May 2024
Maralyn Crellin introduces this edition of Shiaght Laa, the final one in this series. After a look at some forthcoming events, we find out about Charlotte de Tremoille, the Countess of Derby, wife of James Stanlagh (yn Stanlagh Mooar), the 7th Earl of Derby, and the siege of Lathom House in Lancashire - as described in song by Steeleye Span. The Countess staunchly resisted and the siege was lifted by the arrival of her kinsman, Prince Rupert, on 27th May 1644, when she and her family came to join her husband in Castle Rushen.We hear a brief overview of motorcycle racing in the Island, with ...
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Shiaght Laa 16th May 2024
Thursday, 16 May 2024
Fiona McArdle introduces an edition of Shiaght Laa in which -we hear about some of the opportunities to enjoy events in the week ahead; we hear of a new publication by Dr Peter Davey about 'Rushen Abbey : one hundred years of excavation'; we try to find out about why to the Manx people the 18th May was called Laa'l Spitlhin Souree; andwe look at the lyrics and hear the song, 'Baatey Pabyr', written by Matthew Warren and performed by Sarah Mercer and Mera Royle, which won Arrane son Mannin this year and represented the Island in the Pan Celtic International Song Competition, and of which a ...
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Shiaght Laa 9th May 2024
Wednesday, 8 May 2024
From this year's Manx Music, Speech and Dance Festival, the Guild, we enjoy award winning performances from the winner of the Sheffield Plate, Breesha Kelsey, and of the Cleveland Medal, Neil Taverner. A recording of Dollin Kelly's performance of T E Brown's 'Betsy Lee' has just been made available online at Culture Vannin's website, and we hear a famous extract from that. As what appears on the modern calendar as 12th May would have been Shenn Laa Boaldyn, May Day by the old-style calendar, we hear some music associated with the season and the words of some traditional songs mentioning ...
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Shiaght Laa, 2nd May 2024
Wednesday, 1 May 2024
Maralyn Crellin takes us into the Villa Marina for the Guild as we hear about the junior and senior blue riband awards, the Sheffield Plate and the Cleveland Medal. Then we go outside and join Manx Wildlife Trust's Community Ranger, Hannah Phillips, for information about the end of Manx Wildlife Week - and beyond. The calendar has already passed 1st May, but the Early May Bank Holiday falls on 6th May when Cregneish is hosting extra music, dance and Mayday crafts. However, we hear archive recordings telling of how people in the early 20th century were still celebrating Mayeve and Mayday on ...
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Shiaght Laa 25th April 2025
Wednesday, 24 April 2024
Fiona McArdle is our host as we hear about Manx Wildlife Week (27th April - 4th May), which brings together Manx National Heritage, the Manx Wildlife Trust and UNESCO Biosphere Isle of Man and many of the volunteer groups they each support. The programme can be found at this website - https://manxnationalheritage.im/whats-on/ We hear an overview from: Lauren McCoy, curator of natural history at MNH; Lucy Chapman of the Manx Wildlife Trust; and Jo Overty of UNESCO Biosphere Isle of Man. We then join MWT's Community Ranger, Hannah Phillips, who tells us about some of the things the Trust is ...
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Shiaght Laa 18th April 2024
Wednesday, 17 April 2024
We hear of two recent publications in this edition, the first of which is 'Dreich Planet 2 - Isle of Man', with poetry from the Island. Guest editors for the international publishing venture, Annie Kissack and Hazel Teare, tell us about, and we hear the first poem in the collection by their fellow guest editor, David Callin. The other is 'Strandings & Sinkings : Shipwrecks in Manx Waters' published by Loaghtan Books, for which Sara Goodwins and George Hobbs took as their starting point more of Ray Stanfield's archive of images. This is very resonant in a year in which the choice of Adrian...
