1

2

Contents

Page 3 Introduction

Pages 4-20 Group Information

Pages 12 & 13 Programme

Pages 22 & 23 Committee and thanks

For further information contact Juan Garrett on: 819068, mob: 452653 or e-mail: manxie4@manx.net

Or look us up on our website: www.shennaghysjiu.com

Culture Vannin has a strong and proud history of supporting and

promoting Manx culture through development, education and grant-

giving work since we were established as the Manx Heritage

Foundation by Act of Tynwald in 1982. Inspired by the Island of Culture

celebrations throughout 2014, we adopted the trading name Culture

Vannin, reflecting our continued work to promote our culture in

inclusive, engaging and creative ways. Culture Vannin is always keen

to receive applications for financial assistance, and for further

information you can contact the Administrator on 676169, or by e-mail

at breesha@culturevannin.im.

Shennaghys Jiu would like to thank all our sponsors over the duration

of the festival. Without all their help the festival would not have

enjoyed the continued success it has.

Once again a huge thank you from us all.

3

Introduction to the 23rd Shennaghys Jiu

Welcome to Shennaghys Jiu 2020. The festival committee are once again delighted to

extend a warm welcome to all performers, sponsors and friends to the many events

taking place during the 23rd Shennaghys Jiu.

Shennaghys Jiu (Tradition Today) continues to be an important and firmly established

event on the Celtic calendar and has come a long way since the inaugural festival in

1998. It has seen many changes along the way, but has kept at its heart the importance

of young people to Manx culture and the importance of them in keeping a living

thriving tradition alive. We are immensely proud of the achievements of many of the

performers who have grown up participating in the festival and hope their success can

inspire future young people to continue to push towards their own successes and

promote the Isle of Man and its culture along the way.

We continue to be grateful to the many sponsors we have who help towards the cost of

the festival, their continuing contribution and support is as welcome as ever. We are

indebted to them for the friendship and encouragement, especially to Culture Vannin,

who continue to be a pivotal and vital financial support to the festival. We are also

lucky this year to have the continued support of Island Aggregates and Corletts, both of

which play a significant roll ensuring the festival is able to take place.

This year has been a busy year of organising fundraising events. We look forward to

welcoming groups from many of the different Celtic Nations and this year we are lucky

enough to have groups with a Manx influence to be visiting the festival. We are

delighted to announce a fantastic line-up of local artists and visiting musicians and

dancers. Joining us for their first trip to the Isle of Man is Project Smok, a trio comprising

of multi award-winning musicians Ali Levack (Pipes & Whistles), Pablo Lafuente (Guitar)

and Ewan Baird (Bodhrán). They have fast become a recognised and household name

in the Traditional Music Scene. We would also like to congratulate Ali Levack on his

success at being announced as the BBC Radio Scotland Young Musician of the Year at

Celtic Connections.

Joining us from Galicia is an old friend of the festival Xosé Liz with his new group. We are

delighted to welcome him back and look forward to the sounds of Galicia and the

happy and warm friendship that he brings. From Cornwall The Brim will be making a

welcome return to the festival, alongside some new faces from Cornish dance groups

Kekezza, Kemysk and Hevva. Returning from Killarney are our friends The Echoes of

Killarney, under the tutelage of Maureen and Lisa Hegarty, their toe tapping shows have

become a firm favourite of the festival and we look forward to their performances

alongside their wonderful musicians from the School of Killarney and their tutor Paidraig

Buckley. Shennaghys Jiu has long introduced Celtic music and dance to local schools.

This programme has expanded over the past few years and this includes visit to 10

different schools. We are delighted that alongside some local musicians taking part in

this programme will be Greta Curtin, Beccy Hurst and Ellie Allen.

As always, an important and integral part of Shennaghys Jiu is the exhibition of artwork

by local school children displayed in Ramsey Town Hall for the duration of the festival.

This provides even more children with the opportunity to participate and we hope that

you will take time to view the very high standard of work displayed. We are grateful to

receive the continued support of our schools in this venture, and would like to thank the

children and their teachers for all their hard work.

We hope that you will enjoy the festival and share with us the excitement in making new

friends and the joy of meeting old ones.

4

Xosé Liz trio

Xose Liz plays different wooden flutes, acoustic guitar, bouzouki and

mandolin. He is a musician of recognized national and international

prestige in the field of Galician folk and Celtic music. More than thirty

record productions with the best Galician artists (Cristina Pato, Susana

Seivane, Rodrigo Romaní, Anxo Pintos, Anxo Lorenzo, Begoña

Riobo ...) and their usual presence in the best stages of these music

(Inter-Celtic Festival of L'orient, Celtic Connections, Piping Live, Vall

D'aOsta, Scottish Weekend...) guarantee the trajectory of this multi-

instrumentalist from Vigo.

Taste and Chat – Blass as Taggloo

Join us on Saturday at The Courthouse in Ramsey for the chance to

sample some local produce whilst learning a little bit of Manx Gaelic.

A relaxing and informal way to learn a few sentences in Manx, whilst

having the opportunity to declare whether you like or dislike the taste

of a variety of different products.

5

Project Smok

Project Smok is a trio which comprises of multi award-wining musicians

Ali Levack (Pipes and Whistles), Pablo Lafuente (Guitar) and Ewan

Baird (Bodhrán). Already fast becoming a recognised and household

name in the Traditional music scene, Project Smok brings together and

array of musical aspects; immense instrumental virtuosity, blistering

drive, infectious rhythm, delicate sensitivity.

What distinguishes Project Smok from the norm is their ability to meld

naturally between music which is innovative, explosive and at times

unconventional, to more traditional, time-honoured and West-Coast

rooted styles.

The idea of Project Smok was originally the brainchild of Pablo and Ali,

after performing as a duo at ‘Folklub’ in Glasgow 2017. After this gig

they chose to record with Scott Wood at Oakridge studio where they

recorded their debut record, ‘Horizons’.

6

The Brim

The Brim Ceilidh Band are delighted to be returning to the festival this

year. Comprising of a number of familiar faces the band specialise in

Interceltic Ceilidhs but are proud to representing Kernow at

Shennaghys Jiu. We look forward to seeing you at our workshop and

ceilidhs. Joining The Brim for the festival this year are four dancers who

are no strangers to the Cornish Dance world – Heather, Lucie, Melanie

and Rowan. They bring experience from the groups Kemysk. Kekezza

and Hevva and are excited to be joining together to bring you their

interpretations of traditional Cornish dance.

Matt Kelly

Matt Kel ly has taken part in

Shennaghys Jiu many times over the

years, including the very first one, on

guitar and mandolin duty with acts

such as King Chiaullee, Strengyn and

The Reeling Stones, plus many ad-hoc

collaborations along the way. This year

sees him performing on acoustic guitar.

The music is all self written and features

Celtic-themed instrumentals as you

might expect, plus more contemporary

songs with vocals, which you really

might not expect.

7

Share na Veg

Share ne Veg (Eng. Better than Nothing)

has been the name for the musicians and

dancers at Scoill Ree Gorree, and at its

predecessor Albert Road, for about thirty

years now. The musicians usually start by

learning the whistle in Year 3 and then

move on to violin, cello, guitar, bouzouki

and harp, amongst others.

The repertoire is mainly Manx traditional but

the group also plays Scots, Irish and

Northumbrian tunes. The dancers begin,

also in Year 3, by learning basic Manx steps

and then progress to team dances and

eventually solos. The repertoire is Manx

traditional dances with some recently

composed ones.

Ellie Allen

Ellie Allen has become a familiar face at Shennaghys Jiu over the last

few years, performing as caller for Cornish Ceilidh Band Splann. This

year she’s going it alone! Ellie fell in love with all things Celtic from an

early age, thanks to Lowender Peran Festival.

Since then she’s danced and called at nu-

merous Celtic and folk festivals including the

Interceltique Festival Lorient, Priddy Folk Festi-

val, the Pan Celtic Festival and Cwlwm Cel-

taidd.

Ellie is very much looking forward to this years’

festival, in particular visiting the local schools,

which she really enjoys. Be sure to say hi,

knowing Ellie the chances are you’ll probably

hear her before you see her!

8

Jamie and Frank Joughin

Mera Royle

Father and son duo Jamie and Frank

play together on the odd occasion

just for fun. Just 11 years old Frank

has been playing the fiddle since he

was 3, enjoying both trad and

classical music. Taught by local

legend Katie Lawrence of Peel and

(handily!) their next door neighbour,

Frank recently finished runner up in

‘The Next Big Thing’ the Island’s

talent show for under 18’s. The

Joughin family look forward to

taking part in Shennaghys Jiu every year, but this will be the first time

Frank and Jamie have had the opportunity to perform together at the

festival.

Mera Royle began playing

the whistle and violin at

seven years of age, and in

the following year was

introduced to the harp by

inspirational teacher Mike

Boulton R.B.V. Having been

thoroughly immersed in

Manx traditional music

through Mike Boulton, and later through Culture

Vannin’s Bree sessions, Mera is also a composer. Her goal is to

become involved in writing music for the screen. Mera has been

tutored in the harp by great Scottish harper Rachel Hair, and she

and other young Manx harp players performed with Rachel at the

Edinburgh Harp Festival this year.

In April 2018 Mera was awarded the prestigious BBC Radio 2 Young

Folk Award at a ceremony in The Waterfront Concert Hall in Belfast

which was broadcast live on national radio and

BBC Television. Mera is currently studying music at

Newcastle University.

9

Yn Tarroo Marroo

The Tarroo Marroo Ceili Band is

based on the Isle of Mann and

plays primarily Manks / Manx

traditional music as well as other

Celtic music - Irish, Scottish etc. We

provide music for dancing for all

ages and are available for

functions such as weddings, social

g a t h e r i n g s , b i r t h d a y s ,

anniversaries etc.

Beccy Hurst

Becky Hurst, originally from the

Isle of Man, plays the whistle

and Anglo concertina . Beccy

studied on the Folk and Tradi-

tional Music Degree at New-

castle University. Becky per-

forms traditional Manx and Irish

music as well as performing

her own compositions.

Andrew Adams

Andrew Adams is a 19 year old acoustic

guitarist and singer from Newcastle Upon

Tyne. He is currently in his first year studying

music at Leeds College of Music. He has been

attending Shennaghys Jiu for a number of

years and loves the festival. This will be his first

appearance as a performer and we are

delighted he is taking part.

10

The Jeff Jepson Band

Jeff Jepson is a prolific

singer-songwriter, born in

Liverpool, now recording

and performing in the Isle of

Man and beyond to a loyal,

attentive following. He has

made numerous radio and

magazine appearances

and his music is available

online. He performs solo and

with his band and his shiny

new album, Coastlines, is for sale. Jeff has been a keen supporter of

the Shennaghys Jiu acoustic nights.

Mark Lawrence

Mark Lawrence is an accomplished guitarist

from the Isle of Man who enjoys playing a

range of styles on both acoustic and

electric guitars. Heavily influenced over the

years by the Beatles, Eric Clapton Jimi

Hendrix, John Doyle and Arty McGlynn to

name a few, this melting pot of music has

led to Mark’s current project which is a

fusion of folk, blues, jazz and classical

played on acoustic guitar. Mark both

composes his own tunes and reframes

traditional tunes into interesting new

arrangements. A long time supporter of

Shennaghys Jiu, Mark is very much looking

forward to playing at this year’s festival, and

would like to thank the committee for giving him a chance to play!

Art Exhibition—30th March – 17th April Continuing our success from previous years, children from some of the

local primary schools will be displaying their artwork at the

Shennaghys Jiu Art Exhibition, staged at Ramsey Town Hall.

We would like to thank all of the children and their teachers for their

hard work and time, and hope that you will take the opportunity to

visit the exhibition and view their work.

11

Ny Fennee

Heather Lane

Founded in 1982, Ny Fennee is

a dynamic young dance

group, based in the North of

the Island. Under the

leadership of Juan Garrett and

Sue-Ling Jaques, the group

works hard to evolve

traditional dances along new

lines. Ny Fennee means ‘The

Heroes’ in Manx Gaelic.

The group has its own

musicians who accompany

them at the many performances they give throughout the Island

during the year. These range from dancing at civic occasions and

fairs to calling ceilidhs. Ny Fennee has supported the ‘Dance Mann’

competition run by the Isle of Man Arts Council since its inception and

have won the traditional dance section as well as finishing runners up

in the overall group performance category.

Hailing from Scotland, Heather Lane

is a Scottish Highland Dancer turned

Ceilidh Caller. With an extensive

background in Highland Dancing,

she performed in the Royal

Edinburgh Military Tattoo for 5

consecutive years, most notably

travelling as far as Australia with the

show during this time. After moving

to Cornwall in 2016 Heather is now a

Ceilidh Caller with a wealth of

experience, teaming up with some

of Cornwall’s best loved bands. Rotary Club of Ramsey

12

Claare Jerdain 2 Averil - Kiaulleyderyn keayrtagh cloie ayns scoillyn ynnydagh

7.00 p.m. Failt Oikoil, Halley Baljey Rhumsaa

8.30 p.m. Shennaghys Jiu shoh Cooil. – Thie Oast Crooin Aspick, Rhumsaa

Marish: Mark Lawrence, Jeff Jepson Band, Mera Royle, Adam Melvin,

Greta Curtin & Beccy Hurst

Jeheiney 3 Averil Kiaulleyderyn keayrtagh cloie ayns scoillyn ynnydagh

6.00 p.m. Kiaulleeaght ’sy Firrin, Rhumsaa

Marish: Adam Melvin, Beccy Husrt and Greta Curtin, Xose Liz Trio

6.15 p.m. Cuirrey Kiaull son y Clane Lught-thie ec yn Halley Masoonagh, Rhumsaa

Marish: Share na Veg, Skeddan Jiarg, Dhoon School, Jamie & Frank Joughin, Ny

Fennee

8.30 p.m. Ceili son y Clane Lught-thie ec Halley Masoonagh, Rhumsaa

Marish: Possan Ceili Yn Tarroo Marroo, Mectullagh Cheeil Airney,

Jesarn 4 Averil

10.30 – 12.00 p.m. Taishbynyssyn Mooie, Thie Quaiyllagh Rhumsaa

Marish: Kiaulleyderyn Manninagh as keayrtagh

11.00 a.m. Seshoon Bree, Thie Oast Crooin Aspick, Rhumsaa

Marish: Beccy Hurst (Jeeagh er duillag 21 son fysseree)

11.00 a.m. Brastyl Gaelg as blass troar ny thallooin. ‘Blass as taggloo’ ’sy Thie

Quaiyllagh, Rhumsaa

12.30 p.m. Kiaulleeaght ’sy Thie Oast Crooin Aspick, Rhumsaa

Mectullagh Cheeil Airney , Bee failt mooar er dy chooilley chiaulleyder

1.30 – 3.30 p.m. Taishbynyssyn Mooie, Thie Quaiyllagh Rhumsaa

2.30 p.m. Keirdlann Kiaull Yernagh ec yn Halley Masoonagh, Rhumsaa

Marish: Greta Curtin (Jeeagh er duillag 21 son fysseree)

3.00 p.m. Brastyl Rinkey Cornagh, Halley Masoonagh, Rhumsaa

4.00 p.m. Brastyl Rinkey Yernagh, Halley Masoonagh, Rhumsaa

5.00 p.m. Brastyl Rinkey Manninagh, Halley Masoonagh, Rhumsaa

7.30 p.m. Cuirrey Kiaull as Ceili ec yn Halley Masoonagh, Rhumsaa

Booise da Island Aggregates son y ghialdynys oc

Marish: Cuirrey Kiaull: Clarsach Twooae , Project Smok

Ceili: – , Heather Lane as Project Smok, Splann, Ceili Albinagh, Mectullagh

Cheeil Airney, Ceili Brim

Kied-stiagh: Tortyssyn

Jedoonee 5 Averil

3.00 p.m. Brastyl Rinkey Yernagh, Halley Masoonagh, Rhumsaa

Booise da Corletts son y ghialdynys oc

Marish: Scran, Troor dy Xosé Liz, Project Smok

Kied-stiagh: £10

7.30 p.m. Ceili ec yn Halley Masoonagh, Rhumsaa

Marish: Ceili: Ceili Brim, Mectullagh Cheeil Airney, Ceili Manninagh.

Kied-stiagh: Tortyssyn

13

Programme Thursday 2nd April - Visiting groups to perform at local schools.

7.00 p.m. Official Opening, Ramsey Town Hall

8.30 p.m. Shennaghys Jiu goes Cooil. – Cooil Bar, Mitre Hotel, Ramsey

Featuring: Mark Lawrence, Jeff Jepson Band, Mera Royle, Adam Melvin,

Greta Curtin & Beccy Hurst

Friday 3rd April Visiting groups to perform at local schools.

6.00 p.m. Music in the Pub, Truth, Ramsey

Featuring: Adam Melvin, Beccy Hurst and Greta Curtin, Xose Liz Trio

6.15 p.m. Family Concert at Masonic Hall, Ramsey

Featuring: Share na Veg, Skeddan Jiarg, Dhoon School, Jamie & Frank Joughin, Ny

Fennee

8.30 p.m. Family Ceilidh at Masonic Hall, Ramsey

Featuring: The Tarroo Marroo Ceilidh Band, The Echoes of Killarney

Saturday 4th April

10.30 – 12.00 p.m. Outdoor displays, The Courthouse Ramsey

Featuring: A selection of visiting and local groups

11.00 a.m. Bree Manx Music Workshop, Mitre Hotel, Ramsey

Led by Beccy Hurst ( See page 21 for details)

11.00 a.m. Manx Language and produce tasting, workshop. ‘Taste and Chat!’ The

Courthouse, Ramsey

12.30 p.m. Music in the Pub, Mitre Hotel, Ramsey led by

Featuring: The Echoes of Killarney, Manx Musicians All musicians welcome.

1.30 – 3.30 p.m. Outdoor displays, The Courthouse Ramsey

2.30 p.m. Irish Music Workshop, Mitre Hotel, Ramsey

Led by Greta Curtin (see page 22 for details)

3.00 p.m. Cornish Dance Workshop, Masonic Hall, Ramsey

4.00 p.m. Irish Dance Workshop, Masonic Hall

5.00 p.m. Manx Dancing Workshop, Masonic Hall

7.30 p.m. Concert & Family Ceilidh: Masonic Hall, Ramsey

Kindly Sponsored by Island Aggregates

Featuring: Concert – Clarsach Twooaie, Project Smok, Ceilidh – Heather Lane

Scottish Ceilidh with Project Smok, The Echoes of Killarney, The Brim

Entry: donations

Sunday 5th April

3.00 p.m. Celtic Showcase Concert, Peel Centenary Centre.

Kindly sponsored by Corletts

Featuring: Scran, Xosé Liz Trio, Project Smok

Admission £10

7.30 p.m. Family Ceilidh at the Masonic Hall Ramsey

Featuring: Ceilidh Brim, The Kerry Dancers,

Entry: donations

14

Echoes of Killarney

Echoes of Killarney, dancers, under the tutelage of Maureen and Lisa

Hegarty, are mostly based in Killarney, and are all dancers with the

Hegarty Irish Dance Academy. They have performed in many parts of

Europe, including Germany, France and Cornwall and are delighted

to again be returning to the Isle of Man and Shennaghys Jiu, one of

the highlights of their calendar year! Toe tapping, show stopping

rhythms and traditional céilí style also, you will be encouraged to join

in, have fun and celebrate Celtic music, song and dance.

Echoes of Killarney Musicians are some of the senior members of the

Killarney School of Music stageworks group directed by Páidraig

Buckley. The group’s genre is trad Irish dance music and song with

other strong Celtic Influences! The group regularly plays for discerning

international audiences both at home in

Killarney and abroad, and regularly combines

with the Hegarty Irish Dance Academy to

deliver high quality shows.

15

Dhoon School

The children from

Dhoon School Choir are

really looking forward to

performing at this year’s

Shennaghys Jiu Festival

and are excited to be

sharing their music

making and dance with

you once again. Manx

traditions, including

music and dance, are a

key aspect of life at

Dhoon School and our

corridors are always alive with the sound of whistles, harps and

guitars etc. during playtimes and lunchtimes. Their choir, musicians

and dancers perform at a variety of events around the Island and

taking part in Shennaghys Jiu is an important and greatly

anticipated highlight on the calendar each year. They are

enthusiastically working towards their performances and are

particularly looking forward to performing alongside other musicians

and dancers.

Sharon Rye School of Dance

The Sharon Rye School of

Dance is an award wining

Performing Arts School and

has been teaching and

creating stars for the past 35

years. The aim of the School

is to naturally boost a child’s

c o n f i d e n c e t h r o u g h

dancing. They are a multi

award winning school who

have competed at many

festivals and championships and pride themselves on representing the

Isle of Man. Last year the group danced in a number of events,

including championships held in Belfast, Dublin and London. They

achieved more than 100 gold medals throughout the dance year,

trophy podium places and top ten All –Ireland sashes as well.

16

Adam Melvin

Adam Melvin is a singer and

guitarist now based in the

Isle of Man. After spending

several years studying and

gigging around the north

west of the UK crafting his

art and playing the acoustic

circuit in venues such as

Alexander’s, The Raven Folk

C l u b a n d T e l f o r d ’ s

Warehouse, Adam returned

to the IOM and began work on a new EP.

Adam subsequently won the ‘Young Singer/Songwriter of Man’

competition. He has since spent time further honing his sound which

can be described as deeply rooted in Folk, Americana and

Alternative Country, slotting in with the modern breed of singer/

songwriters who are seeking a more organic folksy sound, harking

back to a simpler time of music. The combination of stripped back

acoustic tones and honest vocals makes for an intimate performance.

Find out more about Adam Melvin and like his music page at:

www.facebook.com/adammelvinmusic.

Clarsach Twooaie

Clarsach Twooaie are a newly

formed group of harpists based

in the North of the Isle of Man.

Formed from children tutored by

Mike Boulton and Rachel Hair,

they meet on a Wednesday

night and are led by Arrabella

Ayen. This will be their first

collective performance and they

are look ing forw ard to

e n t e r t a i n i n g

audiences on Saturday night.

17

Skeddan Jiarg

Skeddan Jiarg ('Red Herring' in Manx) was formed in 2014 with the

idea of encouraging young children in the West to learn Manx

dancing. Many of the adult members of the team come from other

long standing dance groups on the island and have now come

together with their children to form this relatively new group. The

youngest member of Skeddan Jiarg is just three years old but this

hasn't stopped them travelling away to festivals to show off their skills!

Skeddan Jiarg's repertoire is a combination of traditional Manx

dances, new Manx dances... and lots of laughs!

The festival committee would like to thank Ramsey

Town Commissioners for their continued support and

encouragement.

A full archive of past festivals is on display at Ramsey

Town Hall alongside the art exhibition.

18

Yn Beggyn Gailck – A Little Manx

Greta Curtin

Greta Curtin is a concertina player based

in Co. Kerry in Ireland. After combining

her music career with work and college

she dedicates her time solely to music.

With over 100 students a week she is

teaching music full time. Greta has toured

with Gaelforce dance and Celtic Legends

and others, and has visited many

European and North American locations.

During summers Greta is a show supervisor

in Siamsa Tire, the National Folk Theatre of

Ireland. Over the past few years Greta has

been involved in the revival of the Brosna

Ceili Band to partake in the Fleadh Cheoils

dur ing the

summer. Greta

is currently rehearsing and putting together

some music to record her first EP.

Greetings!

Moghrey Mie – Good Morning

Fastyr Mie –

Good Evening / Afternoon

Failt Ort – Welcome

Bannaghtyn –

Blessings / Greetings

Kys t'ou whooinney

How are you doing yessir?

Cre'n ennym t'ort

What's your name?

Ta'n ennym orrym Greta

My name is Greta

Would you like a drink?

By vie lhiat jough?

Would you like a drink?

Cha by vie lhiam - No

By vie lhiat jough? -

Would you like a drink?

By vie lhiam - Yes

By vie lhiam ushtey - I would like some water

By vie lhiam pynt sharroo

I would like a pint of bitter

By vie lhiam gin as tonic lesh rio

Gin and tonic with ice

19

The Shennaghys Jiu Award

In 2016 the committee decided to introduce an award to recognise

the great effort and contribution individuals have made to the

success of the festival. After nearly 20 years we wanted to formally

recognise and celebrate those people who have made the festival

possible. The festival highly values the help, support and advice it

receives each year and the Shennaaghys Jiu Award is our small way

of acknowledging that support.

2016 — Mike Boulton R.B.V.

In 2016 Mike Boulton R.B.V. was the first

recipient of the Shennaghys Jiu Award. His

contribution, not only to the success of the

festival, but to Manx Culture, especially

music is immeasurable.

Mike’s tireless support and encouragement

to young musicians has been a massive

factor in the strength of Manx traditional

music at the festival.

One of the first committee members, he was

instrumental in helping to organise the

format of the festival and contributing to its

success.

2017 — Anglin Buttimore

In 2017 Anglin Buttimore was presented

with the Shennaghys Jiu Award. He has

been involved with every Shennaghys Jiu

since 1998, his contribution and advice

with P.A. and sound setups has been

immeasurable.

Through all weathers and even periods of

ill health Anglin has ensured that each

venue has been ready to go. His support

has been, and continues to be, invaluable to the continued success

of the festival.

20

2018 - Anne Thompson, Jimmy Kneen & Gilly Kinrade.

2018 was a special year for the

Shennaghys Jiu Award, where

the festival committee were

unanimous in their agreement

to award Jimmy, Gilly and

Anne the gold badge, in

recognition of their support and

contribution to the success of

the festival.

Jimmy and Gilly have been

loyal supporters from the beginning of the festival in 1998. Their

encouragement, sponsorship, and most of all friendship has been

important to the on-going success of the festival.

2019—Sue-Ling Jaques

Sue-Ling has been a hugely important

figure in the history of Shennaghys Jiu

from the very beginning. A committee

member for 20 years, she was at the

forefront of making the festival a

success, working tirelessly with schools

and visiting groups to ensure they

received a warm welcome when

performing at the festival and

ensuring everyone felt at home.

Although she has taken a back seat from the week to week running

of the festival her contribution to its continuing success is still as

valuable as ever, whether organising timetables for committee

members, setting up the display in the Town

Hall or organising teams to ensure the

opening of the festival each year goes

without a hitch. Sue’s drive and commitment

to the festival is greatly appreciated by all.

www.beachcottageiom.com

21

Manx Litfest was sparked by a throwaway line fol-

lowing an event organised by author Chris Ewan

back in 2010, when he brought three Scottish

crime writers to the Erin Arts Centre.

www.manxlitfest.com

Yn Chruinnaght is a group of like-minded individu-

als who love all things Celtic. The annual July festi-

val, based in Peel in the Isle of Man, includes a

number of events with music, dance, language,

arts and crafts, lectures and more.

www.ynchruinnaght.com

The IOM Flower Festival vision is that visitors and

local residents alike will enjoy the displays at 17

venues across the Island, including some they may

not have previously visited, and will feel the es-

sence of the theme of the 2020 festival, “A Special

Place for People and Nature”.

www.flowerfest.im

Oie Voaldyn is a reinterpretation and modernisa-

tion of the old Manx customs surrounding Oie

Voaldyn or May Day Eve. Launched in 2018, their

fledgling event quickly gathered momentum; they

soon recognised there was a real desire to revive

some of our unique Manx customs.

www.oievoaldyn.com

Our Island Our World Festival is a celebration of

World Music and Cultre happening in the Isle of

Man. Music, dancing, workshops, kids activities,

global food and more …

www.facebook.com/OurIslandOurWorld

Other Festivals

22

The festival committee would like to thank Dave Rowles

for his help providing sound throughout the festival.

Bree Manx Music Workshop -

Saturday 3th April, 11am, Mitre Hotel, Ramsey

Manx tune workshop led by Beccy Hurst

This workshop is open to young musicians and will cater for all

instruments. The emphasis is on learning a tune by ear; the sheet

music being made available to take away upon completion of the

workshop. This workshop is perfect for you if you can already play a

few traditional tunes and you are keen to learn a new tune or two

by ear; it is not suitable for complete beginners.

Nb – parents welcome to stay if this is your preference.

Irish Music Workshops

Saturday 4th April, 2.30pm, Mitre Hotel, Ramsey

Irish tune workshop led by Greta Curtin:

This workshop is open to musicians of all ages, and will cater for all

instruments. The emphasis is on learning a tune by ear. This workshop

is perfect for you if you can already play a few traditional tunes and

you are keen to learn a tune or two by ear; it is not suitable for

complete beginners. Greta will teach an Irish tune (or two,

depending on time) using her concertina, so if you are a concertina

player you may pick up some extra technique tips on the way.

Nb – Parent’s welcome to stay if this is your preference.

Manx Language and Produce tasting workshop, “Taste and Chat –

Blass as taggloo”

Saturday 4th April, intervals during the day, The Courthouse, Ramsey.

These workshops will be led by Paul Salmon. This is a chance for

beginners to get a fun grasp of some basic Manx phrases and also a

chance for speakers to come and share their love of the language,

whilst participating in the chance to experience some of the local

produce the Isle of Man has to offer in an informal and jovial way!

23

Committee

Adam Clayton, Juan Garrett, Stephanie Melvin, Rob MacKenzie,

Ronnie Corkish, Anita Corkish, William Naish, Carl Ferns, Russell Cowin,

Adam Melvin, Matt Kelly, Katie Moore, Maxine Smalley,

Caitlin Allinson, Luke Melvin, Nicola Garrett

The festival committee would like to thank all those who have

helped in the organisation of this year’s festival and express our

gratitude to the following people:

Jimmy Kneen and Jill Kinrade, Ali Waddell,

Ramsey Town Hall Staff, Dave Rowles,

Anglin Buttimore, Carl Joughin at The Mitre Hotel,

Paul Salmon, Ali Edmunds at The Plough Hotel,

Jan & Mark Naish, Stephen Smyth, The Masonic Hall,

Ken Devaney, Glenn Kinrade, Haldane Fisher,

Ramsey Town Commissioners, Clare Nelson,

David Collister, James Coates, Brian Gourdie, Alison Oates,

Dee Allen, Sue Jaques, Sarah & Norman Shimmin,

Ealee Sheard, Luke Melvin, John & Nicki Melvin,

Linda Kelly, Martin Kinrade, Peddyr Cubberley,

Jake Christian, Brenda Clayton, Tina Corkish,

Dave McLean, Peel Centenary Centre,

Nuno and Ali at Truth, and local schools.

24