manx celtic music and dance

Stunning Manx and Scottish Gaelic performances at this year's Cooish festival

02 Nov 2012

Paul Rogers and Doona Lambden
Paul Rogers and Doona Lambden

This year’s Cooish Manx and Inter-Gaelic Festival had a wonderfully relaxed feel, with Manx music at every turn. Not only was there a packed session in the Manx Gaeltacht that is the Albert, Purt le Moirrey, but there was busking outside Douglas Post Office and very fine support acts for the Cooish gig in the Centenary Centre in Peel. Supporting the wonderful Scottish duo MacMaster/Hay were two new groups. The first stemmed from Paul Rogers’ Club Kiaull at QEII High School and showcased the very fine talents of young singers, fiddle and whistle players Isla Callister-Wafer and Doona Lambden, with Paul Rogers supporting them brilliantly on guitar. They were followed by a new partnership - Ruth Keggin and Matt Creer - taking a mix of Manx Gaelic songs and self-penned material.

Ruth also took time to teach Manx songs to visiting lecturer Dr Emily McEwan-Fujita from Nova Scotia, who was keen to take a lot of Manx song in the form of Skeeal, Caarjyn Cooidjagh, Staa, Cliogaree Twoaie and Brian Stowell (just to mention a few!) home with her.

The Cooish is a great way for people to share Gaelic culture and to swap ideas. It’s also a great time to chat away in our beloved chengey ny mayrey - the Manx Gaelic language.

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